Thinking of changing from mx5 to TT

jaffa20

Hiya,

I'm thinking of changing my 02 mx5 for a mk1 audi TT 180bhp.

Last year when i got my mx5, i was looking at a few TT's but they were pretty pricey. They seem to have come down a lot since then. Some are for sale around €4000 and it's really tempting me.

The mx5 hasn't caused me a single bit of bother. Really reliable car. Bought it with only 44k miles and now has 56k in just under a year. Although i love the drive, i do a lot of motorway driving and it's not very comfortable on long journeys. It's great on the weekends and in this weather with the hood down or on short spins.

I know the best thing would be to try and sell privately and that would probably give me enough to buy a TT privately or put it towards a new model. How much would i expect to get in a trade in? A dealer probably wouldn't be interested if im only looking at a 6-8k car..

I've never actually test driven the TT but from what i hear, it's a nice drive and would hope it has a bit more space that the mx5.

Haven't checked with insurance yet but have checked quotes online with my current insurer and they are coming in just a bit more that what i'm paying now. They wouldn't cover me last year as i was only 24 with 1year ncb but hopefully shouldn't be a problem now.

I've been warned about the lower fuel economy but at the moment i'm probably only getting around 28mpg max in the mx5 so for the extra power and comfort on long drives, i wouldn't be too bothered about losing some mpg. I'm more concerned about changing from a low mileage reliable car to a potential troublesome higher mileage car. Anything i should be worried about or any other suggestions welcome?

Appreciate your opinions here but please no comments about hairdresser cars etc. Thanks

Bigus

Go on an extended test drive (a fews hours if this can be arranged) before you make up your mind . The TT is goin to fell very heavy after the MX5

mickdw

Yes its silly to be thinking of buying without having an idea of what they are like.
Comfort and space are 2 things the TT doesnt do well. Ive owned a TT (180 bhp quattro) and it was pretty faultless. Ive only once sat in an mx5 and that was around mondello and it was an 07 model but I would have thought it was more comfortable than my TT.
Get someone who knows TTs to have a look at any potential purchase. Mine was great with over 100k miles on it but if you are buying the cheapest cars available, there is a strong posibility of getting burned. Those engines need oil changes on the button with the correct oil. quattro models need rear dif oil & filter changed too (which never seems to get done). They dont need anything extra special but you dont want to buy a neglected one either. Look for lots of history.

jaffa20

mickdw wrote: »

Yes its silly to be thinking of buying without having an idea of what they are like.
Comfort and space are 2 things the TT doesnt do well. Ive owned a TT (180 bhp quattro) and it was pretty faultless. Ive only once sat in an mx5 (and that was around mondello and it was an 07 model but I would have thought it was more comfortable than my TT.

Really? The mx5 more comfortable than the TT? I would have thought the TT would be in terms of legroom etc. The seats are nice in my mx5 but if i had a bit more leg room or if the steering wheel was even adjustable it would be nice. I'm 6ft 2 so can get a bit cramped on long journeys.

Bigus wrote: »

Go on an extended test drive (a fews hours if this can be arranged) before you make up your mind . The TT is goin to fell very heavy after the MX5

Defintely will go on a long test drive before even considering parting with money. Thought it might be a lot heavier in fairness and not as great in terms of handling on back roads. Looks like a nice place to be all the same though especially for the sort of driving that i do.

mickdw

Im 5'10" and a good fit in the TT. Mate is 6' 2" and he fitted but not great. When I said comfort I was referring most to suspension stiffness. The TT is certainly a much nicer place to be than mx5 IMO with good seats and a well built feel to it.

You just need to drive one to see what it feels like for you and if you get into a TT that feels loose like it has done some mileage, it will have been to the moon and back.

lomb

I have an 02 TT roadster 225 with about 70k miles on it. Fuel consumption is very heavy especially if you use the boost, about 21mpg in my case, although 32 is possible on long trips. However I doubt ill part with it, lovely car and power level.
Ive done the 4 wheel drive haldex oil and filter myself. Costs about 50 euros and another 80 or so euros one off for the tool and to make a custom set of ramps.

They take mobil ESP 5w-30, with the above ramps its easy to do. Youl need a special filter tool again a one off to do it successfully.

Infinitely customizable , they still look like a design that just rolled off the production line. Id definitely recommend one, but get a 225 as it has a 6speed gearbox and xenons which make a big difference. I would avoid original Irish cars though and get a recent UK import with proper specialist or Audi service history detailing good oils used and haldex oil changed. Also look at the driver seat bolster. There shouldn't be alot of wear on it, if there is or its torn then its been to the moon and back and you should run a mile.

jaffa20

Cheers for the advise. I never thought i would wish i was a few inches shorter. Will hopefully take the TT for a test drive soon but have been kind of putting it off as once i get into it, i know i'll want it. I might put up the mx5 for sale soon to see if there's any interest anyway. It will sell quicker in summer i'd say.

I can probably do without a car for a few weeks too as can get lifts to work so if it does sell, i'm in no rush to buy. Could even get a bangernomic to keep me going

Boots2006

may as well get a 225 - more power, same tax, and similar insurance.
Plenty of room in the coupe, and the boot is a good size.
2yrs and 8000 miles, and all thats been needed on our 2002 225 coupe was a couple of suspension bushes and a rear ABS sensor.

I'd love to hear your opinion on the handling, coming from an mx5. I think the handling is great, especially in wet or greasy conditions. It does seem very sensitive to tyre type and suspension wear though, so thats something to watch for.

If you're looking:
- timing belt and waterpump is a bit more expensive than typical, should be done at 60 k miles afaik
- haldex oil and filter as in previous posts
- cruise control was an optional extra (but can be retrofitted)
- they need good tyres for wet/greasy roads

Nissan doctor

The decision should depend on what you want from a car.

With the MX5 you already got the best handling, most reliable low cost convertable sports car available. A mk1 TT, using those criteria, doesn't come close.

If you want the comfortable leather seats, squidgy dashboard and extra space, you may as well get an a4 with the same mechanicals as the TT...

ShadowHearth

Nissan doctor wrote: »

The decision should depend on what you want from a car.

With the MX5 you already got the best handling, most reliable low cost convertable sports car available. A mk1 TT, using those criteria, doesn't come close.

If you want the comfortable leather seats, squidgy dashboard and extra space, you may as well get an a4 with the same mechanicals as the TT...

Listen to this man.

I got 400hp skyline and mx5. Guess which one is more fun to drive? Mx5 by a long long shot. One of the reasons I newer ever sold it.

I lived with with mx5 as only car in the house. Newer had trouble. Plenty of comfort and eve more fun. I am prety big fella: 1m80cm and 110kg. If I fit in it and feel comfortable, them anyone can!

TT wount be as fun as mx5, even if it has more hp. As for interior... It's matter of taste. I prefer mx5 interior and cabin feel. If you looking for comfort and Audi, then just get a4, but god.... Please not felt spec.

n97 mini

Isn't the instrument cluster in the TT infamous for failing and being very expensive to replace? It was even featured on Watchdog a few years ago.

muckwarrior

Have you considered an RX8? Maybe not as nimble as the MX5 but still an exceptional handling RWD car and is surprisingly spacious and very comfortable. Great on the motorway too.

Fuel consumption isn't the best but not all that bad compared to other figures mentioned in this thread. I average just over 20mpg, and mid twenties on the open road is easily achievable.

jaffa20

I see your points. I'm not after loads of space though. A small car is enough for me as long as i can sit comfortably for a long drive. I have to say though, i prefer the interior of the TT but as for the drive, that remains to be seen.

If i was only driving to work and back every day and going on weekend spins, i would probably stick with the mx5 as it is fun but it is a bit of a pain on long commutes.

Even if i do sell the mx5 and get a TT. There is always the opportunity to buy a classic mx5 in the future if i miss it a lot.

Matt Simis

A 225 TT or bust I would say too, but on the flip side, I would suspect it would be fairly dull compared to what you have, stock anyhow. If you are into tuning you can do a Haldex mod to change bias, obviously power remapping, exhaust etc and you would have a proper fast little car.

Alternatively
If the RX8 is mentioned, then its nemesis the 350z should be looked at too. No replacement for displacement.. in an era of boosted/small CC jap coupes, the Z car is a dwarf among midgets.

lomb

n97 mini wrote: »

Isn't the instrument cluster in the TT infamous for failing and being very expensive to replace? It was even featured on Watchdog a few years ago.

Its 250 euros to repair from BBA in the UK. No biggie and yes most of them are gone by now and need repairing or replacing, theres instructions to remove it easily on the web.

lomb

With quattro one can throw the car at speed into a bend and it pretty much sorts itself out. In the dry even on cheap tires the car is glued to the road. In the wet it does let go but very neutrally. So they tell me anyway:)

n97 mini

Matt Simis wrote: »

A 225 TT or bust I would say too, but on the flip side, I would suspect it would be fairly dull compared to what you have, stock anyhow. If you are into tuning you can do a Haldex mod to change bias, obviously power remapping, exhaust etc and you would have a proper fast little car.

Alternatively
If the RX8 is mentioned, then its nemesis the 350z should be looked at too. No replacement for displacement.. in an era of boosted/small CC jap coupes, the Z car is a dwarf among midgets.

Or the S2000 I would have thought. An MX5 without the stabilisers and that engine is something to behold.

mickdw

lomb wrote: »

Its 250 euros to repair from BBA in the UK. No biggie and yes most of them are gone by now and need repairing or replacing, theres instructions to remove it easily on the web.

Ya its not so much of an issue now as there is the aftermarket repair. Just to note also, when I had TT, the needles started behaving alittle odd (which was typical of dash failure) at one stage but the battery was on the way out at that time. New battery made everything perfect.

jaffa20

Oh dear. Started a thread about the TT. Now i'm going to be dreaming of owning a S2000, RX8 and 350z too. Insurance is a big issue on most of these for me. Haven't even decided on giving up on the mx5 yet. Gonna put it up for sale this weekend anyway to guage interest. Won't be buying anything unless it sells or i get a good trade in deal.

Thanks for all the advise so far.

galwaytt

I bought and MX-5 about.......11 years ago.

I've had 2 x TT 180's since, as well.

Sign's by, the TT's are gone.........but the '5 isn't. Brilliant car.

I should have kept one of the TT's, tbh, bloody great car - but I wouldn't pick one over the other.

Why not get a cabrio TT - best of both world's ?

CharlieCroker

I've driven plenty of mx5's (mk 1,2 & 3) and loved each of them.

My best friend has an 03 TT 225 and it really doesn't feel like a car with that kind of poke. The mx5 "feels" like a quicker car and is also a better car to drive.

But saying that, if you're looking for a motorway hack, the TT is certainly more refined. As mentioned above, the TT roadster is prob the best of both worlds.

Boots2006

OP you should definitely look at this TT: http://www.adverts.ie/273397