What year to avoid Audi TT?
Avoid: 2016-2017 models due to serious safety recalls; 2000-2006 first generation for high maintenance and reliability issues; 2008 transitional model due to carryover engine concerns. Prefer: 2012 second-generation audi tt for a good balance of reliability, performance, and safety. People keep banging on about the audi tt being a hairdresser’s car. What they mean by this of course is that it is aimed at the female market, but they are wrong on quite a few levels. The original tt, launched 20 years ago, was always a cracking car – cute, fast, well built and solid.For years the Audi TT has been at the butt end of jokes for its girly looks and ‘cutesie’ curves – but perhaps that is now a bygone era? Honestly? I think so. The latest TT model looks genuinely terrifying from certain angles and has an aggressive stance that really makes the current generation ‘pop’.The TT went through a few design refreshes over its 25-year lifespan, but Audi dropped it after the 2023 model year amidst declining sales and the VW Group’s focus on transitioning to electric vehicles.The Original Audi TT Was Almost a Porsche Instead. The TT’s original designer explains how if Porsche had gotten its way, we would have been robbed of one of the coolest designs of all time.Compared to other used Audi cars, the TT sacrifices some practicality for style and performance. However, its compact dimensions make it easy to park in tight city spaces, and the excellent visibility aids manoeuvring in crowded areas.
Is an Audi TT safe?
The Audi TT is renowned for being solidly engineered and built, and a lot of the components used in the TT are featured in other cars, so most of the kinks should have been long since ironed out. It has a good safety record too, with a strong construction and most of the safety equipment you’d expect in a larger car. On paper, the Audi TT is perfectly capable of successfully handling a big road trip, principally because it is A Car, and therefore has a) an engine, b) seats, c) some wheels, and d) some tyres (barely). You can deploy all of these facets to go from point A to point B.The origins of Audi TT In fact the Audi TT is named after the Isle of Man TT motorcycle race, which means it stands for ‘Tourist Trophy’.
Is Audi as good as Mercedes?
For reliability, both models offer sophisticated safety features, such as Adaptive Cruise Control and Surround View Cameras – though Mercedes-Benz models tend to require fewer repairs. According to RepairPal, you can expect significantly more repair costs out of Audi models. Neither brand is objectively better than the other, but they might suit slightly different buyers. We think Audis tend to be a little easier to drive, which might make them better as a commuter car, but BMWs are often a little more fun to drive, which makes them a better pick for enthusiastic drivers.In summary, Audi stands out over BMW for buyers who prioritize luxury, comfort, advanced standard features, all-weather safety, and long-term value.Mercedes are the most expensive among cars of the same class. BMW and Audi have parity prices, which can be slightly ahead of each other depending on the dealer. In terms of maintenance, repairs, and spare parts, pre-owned BMW will cost you more than Audi or Mercedes.Real-World Maintenance Cost Comparison Generally, BMW maintenance runs about 15-25% higher than Audi, though this varies significantly by model and driving conditions.
What is the rarest Audi TT?
Driving the rare Audi TT RS Iconic Edition. This is one of only 100 Audi TT RS Iconic Editions in the world, and I had the chance to drive it. From its aggressive exhaust note to unique design touches, this car feels like a proper tribute to the TT legacy. It was a rallying revelation and certified collectible today, and the atypical engine format made its triumphant return in the TT RS. When the Audi TT RS exited the US market in 2022, Audi launched a special edition of the model that commemorated the Ur-Quattro with five heritage colors inspired by its forebear.For Urus-like power and tech, the Audi RS Q8 shares its platform and twin-turbo V8—this is the most credible ‘poor man’s’ option in terms of engineering. For coupe appeal, older Audi R8 models and even Honda Civic Type Rs get called out for visual aggression. Knock-offs like the Huansu C60 mimic styling only.
Do BMW or Audi last longer?
J. D. Power: Recent dependability studies frequently show BMW ranking higher among luxury brands, with fewer problems per 100 vehicles after three years of ownership, while Audi has at times trailed within the luxury segment. The most dependable models—such as those from Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, and Toyota—have received high reliability ratings in various categories. Notably, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, and Lexus NX Hybrid rank among the most reliable vehicles in the 2025 Consumer Reports survey.According to Consumer Reports, the three most reliable German car brands are BMW, Audi, and Porsche. Used BMWs and new Audis are the most reliable models.