A blink-and-you’ll-miss-it facelift for the TT – but wouldn’t you rather have something a whole heap more fun for half the price?
Deeply competent and pretty good fun if, ultimately, a little unexciting: that seems to be the verdict on the latest Audi TT Roadster, which we road tested earlier this week. Indeed, it could be a verdict on not only this facelifted model, but all of its predecessors too, the TT always having struggled to excite dyed-in-the-wool petrolheads.
The thing is, as Dafydd explained in his test, there’s certainly a place for the TT in the pantheon of roadsters. It is, after all, incredibly easy to drive quickly in, fuss-free, beautifully put-together and, when all is said and done, downright fast. And as a result, it’ll continue to sell in droves, and its buyers will adore their cars and go back for more.
But bearing in mind its not-inconsiderable asking price – £40,355 for the 45 TFSI (read: 2.0 245hp turbo) Quattro S Line we tested – we reckon it’s possible to get everything the TT offers on the used market – as well as a little more excitement thrown in. So what can we root out that fits the bill for our half-price budget of £20,178?
Well, first thoughts turn to a Porsche – but probably not the one you’re thinking of. For our money, the obvious choice is a Gen 1 987 Boxster. But if we’re thinking potentially ruinous Porsches, why not go the whole hog and get a 996 911? This Carrera 4 Cabriolet does a pretty good job of ticking all the same boxes as the TT Roadster does. Four-wheel drive, ragtop, 0-62mph in a shade over five seconds, and an even more desirable badge, if that’s the sort of thing that floats your boat. And at this price, there’s even a couple of grand spare in the budget to put towards IMS and RMS replacements, if they haven’t already been done.
Mind you, that Porker’s 18 years old now – making it somewhat hard to justify next to a brand-new TT. So how about something a little newer? This Jaguar XKR is a spring chicken by comparison at just 11 years old, and with its supercharged V8 engine it’ll blow the TT into the weeds. It’s done a very reasonable 47,000 miles, too, and there’s a full service history on board.
The problem with the Jag, though, is that while it’s every bit as fast as the TT, it’ll also feel somewhat lardier. The same could be said of the Porsche, to an extent, and even with the latter’s niggly bits dealt with, either car’s potential for bork might be more than enough to put you off.
What if we were to think laterally, then? That is to sacrifice some performance in the name of involvement? In other words, can we find something more exciting, and just as usable, even if it’ll lose out in a straight-line race?
Yes, is the answer – in the shape of this Abarth 124 Spider. Ultimately, with just 170hp on tap, the Abarth isn’t as quick as the TT – and if we’re honest, it isn’t as spacious inside, either.
But, with a 0-62mph time of 6.8 seconds, the Abarth isn’t too far off the pace – and in most drivers’ vernaculars, it couldn’t exactly be called slow. It’s also rather good fun, with a silly, parping exhaust and a chassis that rewards you for pushing past its initial vagueness. This, therefore, is a car with character to spare – a thing which can’t be said about the TT.
Inside, you’ll find fittings that aren’t quite of the quality of the Audi, but that feel more special, slathered as they are in Alcantara and red leather. And on a day-to-day basis, the Abarth makes just as much sense; no, you don’t get four-wheel drive, but in every other way it’ll feel just as modern and easy-going as the TT when you need to jump into it for your daily commute. Worth pointing out, too, that not only is it cheaper to buy, but cheaper to run as well, with considerably lower tax costs and better fuel consumption.
This particular example is a two-year-old car, but it’s done less than 2,000 miles, which means it’ll feel for all the world like it’s brand new. It’s also got the fabulous heritage bonnet and boot, which means it’ll stand out from the crowd about as much as a TT will blend in. There’s a recent service under its belt, too – a sign of attentive ownership, given the mileage. Not bad for £19,995 – a whisker beneath our budget.
The only real thing you’ll miss from the Audi, in fact, is that four-ringed badge – but then, since when did PHers give two hoots about status? That being the case, we reckon this Abarth well and truly serves as the ideal Trade-Off alternative to our TT. Don’t you?
SPECIFICATION – AUDI TT ROADSTER 45 TFSI QUATTRO S LINE S TRONIC
Engine: 1,984cc, turbocharged 4-cylinder
Transmission: seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 245@5,000-6,700rpm
Torque (lb ft): 273@1,600-4,300rpm
0-62mph: 5.5 seconds
Top speed: 155mph
Weight: 1,530kg (EU, including 75kg driver)
MPG: 38.7 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 164g/km
Price: £40,355
SPECIFICATION – ABARTH 124 SPIDER
Engine: 1,368cc, turbocharged 4-cylinder
Transmission: six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 172@6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 184@2,500rpm
0-62mph: 6.8sec
Top speed: 144mph
Weight: 1,060kg
MPG: 44.1 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 148g/km
Price: £29,620
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