Audi TT vs MX5

Vixter

Hi all, I am thinking of buying one of these cars (2000 model). Which would you go for?

Please note I am not a hairdresser but I am a girl.

Thanks!

stealthyspeeder

What kind of driving do you do? and what sort of roads do you do it on?

david

IMO The MX5 drives much better than the TT but the TT looks a lot better. It's a trade off really. What do you want from the car?

Edit: Have only been passenger in the audi but was informed that the handling was a bit hit and miss (non-quattro)

gumballz

I agree.. Audi TT looks better

Vixter

I drive 20kms to work and back daily in and out to Dublin city centre. I wouldn't drive it an awful lot at the weekends.

L-M

That's actually a hard decision, becuase in their own right they're both equally good. I'd be steering towards a nice 225 bhp TT if it were me, but an Mx5 would do the job as easy.

Tough choice.

stealthyspeeder

I'd go for the TT, the MX5 needs twisty roads and driving for the fun of it to get the best out of it.

I dont know about running costs of the TT but the MX5's are quite low (servicing intervals are quite long, fuel consumtion is good and Mazda's are very reliable!)

colm_mcm

I'm gonna go against the crowd here and say I'd go for the TT. The quattro 4wd is hugely flattering and very well suited to hooring it around town.

There's no denying the Mazda is a neat handler, but the TT feels quicker, even in 180bhp guise. the TT is also miles ahead of the MX5 for refinement, safety and security.

The Mazda is a great car and of course is RWD, but I'd have the TT every time.

L-M

colm_mcm wrote: »

I'm gonna go against the crowd here and say I'd go for the TT.

LOL, no one has really said the Mazda yet:P

Alanstrainor

Honda S2000? Damn good cars, never driven one mind, but i've never heard a bad word about them.

colm_mcm

david wrote: »

IMO The MX5 drives much better than the TT but the TT looks a lot better. It's a trade off really. What do you want from the car?

Edit: Have only been passenger in the audi but was informed that the handling was a bit hit and miss (non-quattro)

Meant to add, the quattro is essential.

-Chris-

If you like driving, MX5 first and then TT 225 quattro next.

If you're buying it for the looks, TT (any) before MX5.

Gumbo

i would recommend you go test drive a Honda S2000 too if you get the chance, that car should be in the running imo

DanGerMus

Is it worth considering that you could pick up a decent mx5 for half the price of a TT.

I still vote TT.

Biro

For me its no question. The MX5 is just in a different class in terms of handling. The TT doesn't hold a candle to it.
However it isn't me buying it, so you need to prioritise. Reliability and lower cost of ownership and handling are on the Mazda's side, refinement, interior, straight line performance and maybe looks are on the TT's side.

Matt Simis

Im partial to the 3.2 DSGV6 special verson in Papaya orange:


Regarding the others stay well clear of the 180bhp FWD version, the fluff model.

ManofMunster

drive an 03 tt. dropped it in for regular service this morning and was told by garage my run-of-the-mill service is going to cost 2100 (three new tires 720, new tray 180, wheel realignment 150, new brakepads 150, new timing belt 500, 260 service, new wipers 40). and that includes a 10% recession discount!

apart from that, it's not an ounce of bother. go for it

-Chris-

With all due respect, that's not a run of the mill service

L-M

-Chris- wrote: »

With all due respect, that's not a run of the mill service

Sounds more like neglect and an accumulation of costs rather than a "regular service".

tossy

Yes and with all due respect...

ManofMunster wrote: »

hree new tires 720,

240e a tyre? buy them yourself on camskill

ManofMunster wrote: »

new tray 180

What kind of tray?

ManofMunster wrote: »

wheel realignment 150

What,about 2 and half to 3 times too dear.

mickdw

ManofMunster wrote: »

drive an 03 tt. dropped it in for regular service this morning and was told by garage my run-of-the-mill service is going to cost 2100 (three new tires 720, new tray 180, wheel realignment 150, new brakepads 150, new timing belt 500, 260 service, new wipers 40). and that includes a 10% recession discount!

apart from that, it's not an ounce of bother. go for it

Thats hardly a regular service.
A new tray, I assume thats an underbody tray. Thats not a service item and must have been damaged
4 wheel alignment at local Audi dealer for modern audi is €85
Timing belt, thats a major item and is only carried out every 60 -100,000 miles

I ran a TT quattro for 2 years without any expense. Servicing is similar to any vw/ Audi.
A good independant will do oil service for little money with inspection service (filters, plugs etc) costing 200 to 300 i guess.

04CELICA140

Wud ya consider a celica?I have a 04 one for over a year and not one problem. Nice comfy car too. Also I'd say ud get a 02 or 03 one for the price of a 00 tt. Just a suggestion.

Vixter

Yeah I was looking at the Celica too and there seems to be some pretty good deals about. I prefer the looks of the TT or MX5 though.

skyhighflyer

Hi Vixter, no offence intended whatsoever but you give me the impression of someone who isn't into the technical aspect of cars and just wants to know which car you'll enjoy the most (nothing wrong with that). So here's my opinion:

The MX5 is regarded as one of the best cars made in recent years in terms of driving enjoyment. It's rear wheel drive which is generally better for handling, it's a lot lighter than the TT and will probably be more reliable and cheaper to run. It's less powerful than the TT, but it's lighter and will use less petrol. There's not too much to choose between the 1.6 and 1.8 litre versions of the MX5, but I'd avoid the automatic version - the manual MX5 gearbox is lovely to use. Bear in mind you can get a perfect MX5 for €5000, a decent TT will be 10,000 upwards, more if you want a convertible.

The TT on the other hand is regarded as one of the best looking cars made in recent years, but not necessarily as good to drive as it is to look at. Most are four wheel drive and turbocharged. They're heavier and more powerful than the MX5. They'll also feel heavier and more secure than the Mazda if you're on a wet, windy motorway, but for the commute to work a turbocharged four wheel drive car might be more than you need. On the plus side they look fantastic and have one of the nicest interiors you'll find in any car at any price (the MX5 is very basic by comparison). The 225bhp version is also a lot faster than any MX5. They also come in a more sedate 180bhp version.

unkel

Vixter wrote: »

I drive 20kms to work and back daily in and out to Dublin city centre. I wouldn't drive it an awful lot at the weekends.

What made you pick your two cars, OP? What's important to you? Any car doing the city centre commute only is never going to accelerate quickly or drive fast. You won't even rev it past 3000rpm unless you want to look like a prick so the S2000 is neither here nor there either. RWD / FWD / AWD (TT) is irrelevant as is power (or lack thereof - MX-5). Maybe what you want is the best looking poseur car that's around. Anybody any other suggestions?

bazz26

How about a Z4?

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1325668
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1398364

CharlieCroker

Can I ask the question that nobody (i think) has asked.
Is the TT a coupe or cabriolet??

If its a car you want to take up the Dublin mountains for a weekend blast, then the MX-5 is fairly hard to beat.
If your looking for something comfortable and stylish for the work commute only then a TT coupe will prob be a better option. Don't know what the roof on the cabriolet is like for noise suppression and insulation but assume its to as high a quality as the rest of the car

Zube

unkel wrote: »

Maybe what you want is the best looking poseur car that's around. Anybody any other suggestions?

Here's an option that everyone here will hate, except perhaps for the OP: the Nissan Figaro that Lucy is driving in the new Bord Gais ad. Looks different, Micra reliability, hold its value, cheap to run, leather/aircon.

Perfect for the commute.

Jame$

I drive an MX-5, and I love it! I have a 20km trip to work everyday on the back roads, and it is great craic! Can't wait until the summer so I can take the hard top off.

But, there are advantages to the TT:
1. The TT has a boot; MX-5 boot is very small
2. The TT is sturdy on the road; MX-5 can be 'skidish', => good fun IF you are into that sort of thing.
3 The TT has back seat, not much, but it is there. MX-5 has really limited space inside.

Both cool cars, for different reasons.

My last Car was a Celica, and from the first day driving it I always looked at a TT driving by and thought "Should have bought a TT!". Celica's are nice, realiable good looking cars, but underwhelming.

How important is the convertible question?

My two cents:
If you want a two seater roadster convertible, and 'fun' is important, then buy the MX

If you want a cool car, still fun but with some practicle advantages, then buy the TT [but not the convertible]

My advice, take both for a test drive!

sonners

skyhighflyer wrote: »

Bear in mind you can get a perfect MX5 for €5000, a decent TT will be 10,000 upwards, more if you want a convertible.

Just to comment on this. I recently sold a '99 TT 225bhp Quattro, loads of extras, for €8,500 and she was running perfect. I'm not saying there's not bad examples out there for cheap money but you can get a very nice, well kept TT for around 8-9,000 if u look for it.

And just to note that it absolutely broke my heart to sell her, a month later I'm still in mourning! I've heard great things about the MX5 but have'nt driven one myself and dont really know how much of an experience you'll get driving it around in traffic everyday. As previously said the interior in the TT is top-class, comfortable and the engine will go without much coaxing

I would buy another TT at the drop of the hat but it all depends on what your looking for. Have you driven either car before?

Edit to say I completely agree with what James has said above. I had a Celica before too and agree that its in another class to these two, its not the same kind of 'sports' car. Take them both out for a decent spin, consider what you use your car for, and weigh up the pro's and cons. They're both great cars but it all depends on what kind of driving you like and what you tend to use your car for.

JimmyCrackCorn!

Test drive them both.

What men want and what women want is two very different things:D

Biro

sonners wrote: »

Just to comment on this. I recently sold a '99 TT 225bhp Quattro, loads of extras, for €8,500 and she was running perfect. I'm not saying there's not bad examples out there for cheap money but you can get a very nice, well kept TT for around 8-9,000 if u look for it.

And just to note that it absolutely broke my heart to sell her, a month later I'm still in mourning! I've heard great things about the MX5 but have'nt driven one myself and dont really know how much of an experience you'll get driving it around in traffic everyday. As previously said the interior in the TT is top-class, comfortable and the engine will go without much coaxing

I would buy another TT at the drop of the hat but it all depends on what your looking for. Have you driven either car before?

Edit to say I completely agree with what James has said above. I had a Celica before too and agree that its in another class to these two, its not the same kind of 'sports' car. Take them both out for a decent spin, consider what you use your car for, and weigh up the pro's and cons. They're both great cars but it all depends on what kind of driving you like and what you tend to use your car for.

Lads, if either or both of ye had a Gen 7 Celica and can't see it's merits over a TT I'll just say this - the Gen 7 Celica shows the entry model TT what a good handling FWD coupe should be like!

sonners

I had the Gen 6 Celica GT 2.0ltr FWD 179 bhp and the Gen 1 TT 1.8T AWD 225 bhp. Your right there was no comparison, TT all the way. For comfort, stability on the road, everything. The ride in Celica was alot more unpredictable than the TT, maybe this is what you want I dont know but I prefer to know that I can throw the TT into a bend and she'll handle it no problesm with no surprises.

The 2 main things the TT had over the Celica, turbo and traction control which allow more power and alot less 'what's she gonna do!'

Biro

sonners wrote: »

I had the Gen 6 Celica GT 2.0ltr FWD 179 bhp and the Gen 1 TT 1.8T AWD 225 bhp. Your right there was no comparison, TT all the way. For comfort, stability on the road, everything. The ride in Celica was alot more unpredictable than the TT, maybe this is what you want I dont know but I prefer to know that I can throw the TT into a bend and she'll handle it no problesm with no surprises.

The 2 main things the TT had over the Celica, turbo and traction control which allow more power and alot less 'what's she gonna do!'

Gen 6 is a different ball game, read my post. I said if you had a gen 7.
Regarding the TT and bends with no surprises - better read some history about the TT!
The B7 RS4 and the R8 are the only Audis to date that handle well.

Jame$

Biro wrote: »

Lads, if either or both of ye had a Gen 7 Celica and can't see it's merits over a TT I'll just say this - the Gen 7 Celica shows the entry model TT what a good handling FWD coupe should be like!

Biro: Don't get me wrong, the Celica is a fabulous car, and you are right the handling is very good. But, what I was refering to was the 'fun' aspect of the decision to buy TT, MX5 or a Celica. The most 'fun' would be the MX-5.

sonners

Biro wrote: »

Gen 6 is a different ball game, read my post. I said if you had a gen 7.
Regarding the TT and bends with no surprises - better read some history about the TT!
The B7 RS4 and the R8 are the only Audis to date that handle well.

done the reading done the driving. still stand by what I said. I know what I've driven and how it handled, if you want to read books work away.

stealthyspeeder

Biro wrote: »

The B7 RS4 and the R8 are the only Audis to date that handle well.

Add S3 in there too!

Matt Simis

stealthyspeeder wrote: »

Add S3 in there too!

And the new S4 B8 apparently (with the optional Torque Vectoring).

"Handles well" is a subjective thing anyway. quattro handles great on our crappy roads and weather, the steering however is too light on most Audis and obviously they arent RWD so if you crave RWD shenanigans they are useless (apart from modded older quattro4s and the new S4).

Biro

Jame$ wrote: »

Biro: Don't get me wrong, the Celica is a fabulous car, and you are right the handling is very good. But, what I was refering to was the 'fun' aspect of the decision to buy TT, MX5 or a Celica. The most 'fun' would be the MX-5.

I agree with you alright, the MX5 is in a different league.

Biro

sonners wrote: »

done the reading done the driving. still stand by what I said. I know what I've driven and how it handled, if you want to read books work away.

Sorry sonny, but you're either too stubborn to read what I said or you simply just don't know what you're talking about.
The gen 7 Celica is a much better handling car than the TT. The TT is nothing special. Audi had to modify it to stop people going backwards through hedges. I'm not talking about your Gen 6 Celica here, so stop harping on about it. I'm not talking about a book reading competition either.
There's more to handling than grip. It's about feel. Audi's give about as much feel as a local anesthetic.

jenizzle

I got an MX5 back in February and I love it. It's painful driving it in the city as it really does need to be let loose to get the full enjoyment out of it.

I did have a bit of an incident taking off from traffic lights in the lashing rain, so be careful of that!

sonners

Biro wrote: »

Sorry sonny, but you're either too stubborn to read what I said or you simply just don't know what you're talking about.
The gen 7 Celica is a much better handling car than the TT. The TT is nothing special. Audi had to modify it to stop people going backwards through hedges. I'm not talking about your Gen 6 Celica here, so stop harping on about it. I'm not talking about a book reading competition either.
There's more to handling than grip. It's about feel. Audi's give about as much feel as a local anesthetic.

I dont know where I'm harping on about it! You commented on the gen7 Celica and the entry level TT and aimed your post at me and another poster. I pointed out in ONE post that I had neither.

Love the blanket generalisation on Audi's by the way :rolleyes: I love motor's, so many 'experts' that have probably never even sat behind the wheel of a specific car, read a few articles, know everything lol

Dont post if you dont want replies in fairness.

galwaytt

well.........I have/had, both.

Actually I've had 2 TT's. Both fabulous. Loved 'em !

But, the '5 has outlived them all..........




btw, if you're interested, there's a good '5 social scene too !

ArphaRima

I say TT. Its a relatively timeless design. My friend who studied industrial design and another who did architecture both had the mk1 as study pieces.
Its one of the only cars that I'd approve changing the exterior with aftermarket parts though. Get some nice headlights. Sorted.

Then again I do own a mk2.

Go to www.tt-forum.co.uk

HashSlinging

The MX-5 would be less of a head ache I think, from an ownership point. Looks like something you could happily service yourself after a couple of years and just keep in the family. Like a fav pet or something.

Biro

sonners wrote: »

I dont know where I'm harping on about it! You commented on the gen7 Celica and the entry level TT and aimed your post at me and another poster. I pointed out in ONE post that I had neither.

Love the blanket generalisation on Audi's by the way :rolleyes: I love motor's, so many 'experts' that have probably never even sat behind the wheel of a specific car, read a few articles, know everything lol

Dont post if you dont want replies in fairness.

I'm not an expert, and I've driven plenty of cars, too many to count. But if you like to consider yourself an expert, then you work away. Whatever keeps you nice and happy.

sonners

Biro wrote: »

I'm not an expert, and I've driven plenty of cars, too many to count. But if you like to consider yourself an expert, then you work away. Whatever keeps you nice and happy.

And I said I was an expert where exactly? Agree to disagree is fine by me, I dont feel everyone has to have the same opinion as me. I also dont feel the need to assume that the only reason their not agreeing is because they're not listening :rolleyes:

Anyway....Op, have you driven either of the cars in question and what exactly are you looking for from the car?

-Chris-

Ok people, take it outside.

CianRyan

*cough*

Eh, MX5 all the way in my books.

Fugs!!

Mx-5 all the way.

Its lighter! More fun, Easier to live with, Less annoying in heavy traffic, RWD, Much much cheaper to run, More reliable.

The Audi screams "Look I drive a German sports car but couldn't afford a 911". Its also basically a Golf!

I think as a girl you'd look more cute in the mazda to.

TT Is to much an audi!

tommmy1979

I'll go against the grain and say that i prefer the looks of the mx5 both in exterior and interior.

I've driven a couple TTs and thought they were a bit boring handling wise..

I know someone that has a daily TT and when it goes wrong it's usually $$$$

It's about 3-0 to the mx5 for me.