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2008 Audi TT Review

Less bubble, more brawn

AS
by Autobytel Staff
December 14, 2007
7 min. Reading Time
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Marriage isn’t for everyone. Luxurious European vacations aren’t for everyone. But for those who dream of both, a well-funded wedding in Italy may be a dream come true. Same goes for the 2008 Audi TT. The maker of outstanding rides such as the R8 and S4 may not be first on everyone’s list, and a storage-deficient two-passenger drop-top is certainly off the radar for millions of car buyers. But shoppers looking for a luxurious roadster, with a healthy complement of capability tossed in, will be hard-pressed to find a better prize than the 2008 Audi TT.

by Thom Blackett

Photo Credit: Oliver Bentley and Ron Perry

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A 2008 TT Roadster base model can be purchased for as little as $37,575 including a $775 destination charge. However, we borrowed the 3.2 model from Audi, a sexy Brilliant Black example with a black roof and a Luxor Beige interior. Besides a V-6 engine and an S tronic transmission, our test car featured an iPod interface ($250), Bluetooth capability ($450), Bi-Xenon headlights ($800), and 18-inch alloys with summer tires. Our TT also included the Audio Package ($1,000) that added Bose sound and Sirius satellite radio, and the Enhanced Interior Package ($1,250) which added leather upholstery and extra storage. The final tally came to $51,225.

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With only 250 horses available to move 3,450 pounds, the TT’s V-6 might appear to be overtaxed, though the Audi-reported 0-60 mph time of 5.3 seconds would suggest otherwise. We didn’t pull out the radar gun, but there’s no denying this convertible is quick, offering plenty of punch all across the rev range. Adding to the fun is a raspy exhaust note and the dual-clutch transmission. In Drive mode, the throttle is a bit jerky upon startup, but shifts are ultra smooth; downshifts come quicker in Sport mode unless drivers use the paddles to personally dictate shift points.

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Quick in a straight line is good, but quick in the corners is great. The latter describes the redesigned, well-balanced all-wheel-drive TT Roadster, which tracks confidently through twisties and boasts responsive steering with plenty of feedback from the road. The car has a solid feel, a trait common to most German autos, but that doesn’t translate to a heavy feel on curvy stretches of asphalt. Much of the credit is attributable to 245/40R18 Bridgestone Potenzas and a taut suspension that pushes the ride to the stiff side and results in bumps being translated into the cabin.

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It’s always interesting to get into a convertible that, unlike the TT, somehow provides less than impressive visibility when the top is down. Audi does it right with its two-passenger Roadster thanks to usable side mirrors, a low downward-curving body line that doesn’t limit over-the-shoulder visibility, and narrow pillars. One could take minor issue with the large head restraints and thick roll hoops, but even those welcome safety features are hardly limiting. Power the top up and, as expected, most of the positive attributes disappear with the introduction of this rear cloth pillars, though the rear glass window is expansive.

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With attributes including all-wheel drive (optional), decent horsepower connected to one of the best dual-clutch transmissions on the market, and a responsive chassis, there should be little doubt regarding the new TT’s grin-inducing capabilities. The $51,000 price tag might cause some chest pains, but bite the bullet on that front and you’ll be rewarded with a hot drop top equally adept at commuting and ripping up desolate country roads. But it’s the style and quality feel of the TT that makes it most appealing, as there are plenty of less expensive alternatives that will handily spank the TT when it comes to performance.

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Despite a rather harsh ride, the ’08 TT makes for a comfortable place to travel thanks to spacious and well-bolstered bucket seats with multiple power adjustments, soft leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped sport steering wheel with tilt and telescopic functions, and padding on the thin door and center armrests. The seats sit low so you’ll need to drop instead of slide onto them, and the high window sills are ill-suited for resting forearms.

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Audi is forced to walk a fine line in terms of the TT’s interior noise – since it’s a luxury brand, the ride is expected to be quiet, yet at the same time buyers of a sporty roadster want to hear a bit of engine note as they blast along tree-lined back roads. Difficult as it may have been, engineers have met the challenge by delivering a top-up experience with limited wind and road noise intrusion, though the 18-inch Bridgestones refuse to play quietly. Drop the top and the V-6’s raspy growl fills your ears as the tachometer needle spins to redline. Buffeting is limited by the rear wind screen.

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If you have plans of carrying anything more than an overnight bag or a few groceries than you’d best scratch the 2008 Audi TT from your shopping list…along with all the other two-passenger roadsters you might be considering. This stylish little bundle of fun is meant for those who travel light, or at least have a second car suitable for shuttling loved ones and their oversized suitcases to and from the airport. What is available with the TT is a small trunk with a high liftover, though it is nicely lined and the hinges are designed so as to not crush cargo items.

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As a fairly frugal bunch (read: cheap), our editors’ expectations rise exponentially with a car’s pricing. So, with $51,225 printed on the window sticker, our 2008 Audi TT had a lot to live up to. We’re happy to report that it passed with flying colors and was free of irregular body panel gaps and misaligned interior bits – two of the most common  offenses.

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Yes, the 2008 Audi TT is fun to drive, and yes, it looks good, includes some useful features and options, and is sufficiently comfortable. But cars that meet those criteria abound, so the TT needs another trick up its sleeve to warrant the $51,225 sticker price we saw on our tester. Filling the gap, at least partially, are top-notch materials reminding driver and passenger of this car’s well-respected German heritage. Cheap bits and sub-par leather are absent from the menu, as durable hides cover the seats and substantial padded and unpadded plastics blanket much of the cabin. Alloy parts round things out nicely.

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