2
0
Premium sporty/performance car; Built in Hungary
  • 2-door convertible
  • 2-door hatchback
  • transverse front-engine/front- or 4-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $4,700 – $16,800*


2001 Audi TT 2-door convertible


2001 Audi TT 2-door convertible


2001 Audi TT interior


2000 Audi TT 2-door coupe


2000 Audi TT 2-door coupe

Pros:
  • Acceleration
  • Available AWD
  • Build quality
  • Handling/roadholding
  • Interior materials
Cons:
  • Noise
  • Rear-seat entry/exit
  • Rear-seat room
  • Ride
  • Visibility

A TT offers practical sports-car fun, with a style and personality all its own. It’s a bit like the New Beetle in terms of differing smartly from the automotive pack, but despite a few drawbacks, the TT delivers a truly sporty experience along with its high style.

Overview

Launched in spring 1999 as an early 2000 model, Audi’s sports/GT coupe initially came only as a front drive 2+2 hatchback. In summer 2001, the coupe became available with Quattro all-wheel drive.

Nothing on the market looks anything like a TT, though its roofline is reminiscent of Volkswagen’s New Beetle. If the TT has any real rivals, they might include the BMW Z3, Honda Prelude and S2000, and Mazda Miata. You’d never know it by looking, but the TT was built on a shortened version of the Audi A4 platform, also used by Volkswagen’s New Beetle, Golf, and Jetta. The TT was shorter and lower, however, with firmer suspension tuning.

Under the hood sat a 180-horsepower version of the turbocharged four-cylinder engine used in the A4 and the New Beetle, driving a five-speed manual transmission. No automatic transmission was available. Antilock all-disc braking and front head/chest side airbags were standard. Traction control also was standard on the front drive TT.

Yearly Updates

2001 TT
A two-passenger soft-top Roadster joined the original coupe in spring of 2000, as an early 2001 model. Also new were a standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP) to help prevent skidding, a rear spoiler, and a 225-horsepower rendition of the TT’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine, driving a six-speed manual gearbox.
Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system was standard on the Roadster and 225-horsepower coupe, and optional for the 180-bhp coupe. A power top was standard on the Quattro Roadster, but optional if the convertible had front drive. Both Roadsters had heated glass rear windows. A power-retractable glass windblocker went between the structural roll bars behind the headrests.
2002 TT
Added midyear to mark Audi’s participation in American LeMans Series racing were 1000 limited-production 225-hp ALMS coupes with 18-inch wheels and special trim. Also new for 2002 was a new radio with in-dash CD.
2003 TT
Base models had a 6-speed automatic for the first time. Optional wheels on the 225-hosrepower model were now 18 inches.
2004 TT
New for ’04 is a 250-hp V6 engine standard on Audi’s new V6 quattro TT, and now-standard xenon headlights. Also added mid-year was Audi’s Direct Shift Gearbox, a clutchless manual that can be set to shift like an automatic.
2005 TT
The TT saw no changes in 2005.
2006 TT
Available satellite radio is the only change for 2006.

Engines

transverse front-engine/front- or 4-wheel drive

Initial TT coupes came only with a 180-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder and five-speed manual shift. A 225-bhp engine joined the lineup later, teamed with a six-speed manual gearbox. For 2003 the base engine swapped the 5-speed manual transmission for a 6-speed automatic. New in ’04 is a 250 horsepower 3.2-liter V6 paired with the SMT manual transmission.

Turbocharged dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 1.8/107
Engine HP 180
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 173
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual
6-speed automatic 		22/31
20/28 		25.3
Turbocharged dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 1.8/107
Engine HP 225
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 207
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
6-speed manual

 20/28

 24.0
dohc V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.2/195
Engine HP 250
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 236
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
6-speed automatic

 NA

Road Test

Racy looks are the main attraction of the TT, whether fitted with a steel or fabric roof. The 180-bhp engine is not all that quick, though 0-60 mph acceleration in 7.4 seconds certainly isn’t sluggish. However, the engine needs a lot of revs for quick takeoffs and brisk passing. Gas mileage is excellent, but premium fuel is required and Quattro models burn a little more gasoline than front drivers. With the 225-bhp engine, 0-60 time drops below 7 seconds, but that engine suffers annoying “turbo lag.” Handling is sharp and balanced, but the steering wheel can wiggle as the optional 17-inch performance tires travel along deep-grooved pavement. On rough surfaces, the ride can grow harsh, and noise levels are on the high side. Civilized for a sports car, the TT offers cozy (but not cramped) seating up front, but the coupe’s rear seat is for parcels rather than passengers. An imaginative cabin design makes use of top-notch materials. Visibility is poor to the sides, but not bad to the rear–certainly not as restricted as the low roof and virtual “bathtub” seat position might suggest. Cargo space is good with the coupe’s rear seatbacks up, and terrific when they’re folded down. Although the Roadster’s trunk is small in capacity, it’s usefully shaped.

Ratings

Model Tested: 2001 Audi TT base convertible w/2WD

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 6
60%
Fuel Economy - 7
70%
Ride Quality - 2
20%
Steering/Handling - 7
70%
Quietness - 2
20%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 6
60%
Room/Comfort Front - 3
30%
Room/Comfort Rear - 0
00%
Cargo Room - 1
10%

Other

Value - 2
20%

Total: 36

Specifications

2-door convertible
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
95.4 159.1 73.1 53.0
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
7.8 14.5 2
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
38.3 — 41.2 —
2-door hatchback
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
95.4 159.1 73.1 53.0
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
24.2 14.5 4
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
37.8 32.6 41.2 20.2
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 2001 TT 2-door coupe

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Front Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5
100%
Rear Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision N/A
Injury N/A
Theft N/A

Trouble Spots

Coolant leak
Description: Coolant leaks from the thermostat housing on the VR6 engine due to bad O-ring or cracked housing. (2002-06)
Engine noise
Description: Engine may groan or howl due to a problem with the charge pressure valve for the turbo system. A revised valve is available. (2000)
Audio system
Description: If the CD player and rear defogger are operated at the same time, a whining noise may come from the audio speakers. This requires a filter on the wiring harness. (2000)
Rough idle
Description: Dirty throttle body bore and throttle control module commonly cause rough or low idle. (2000-01)
Rough idle
Description: Backfires dislodge the idle control damper from the rear of the engine causing rough, or no idle due to faulty plugs or wires on vehicles equipped with the VR6 engine. (1992-04)
Suspension problems
Description: To improve handling and reduce the risk of vehicle skid, front stabilizers (FWD) or front and rear stabilizers (Quattro) are being replaced. (2000)
Paint/body
Description: Hoists or floor jacks may damage early production models’ sill panels. Later models are built with hoist lift pads that can be retrofitted. (2000)

Recall History

2000
Description: Small section of fuel-line assembly on small number of cars could have been damaged during production; if so, fuel could leak.
2000
Description: In high-speed turns or abrupt lane-change maneuvers at speeds substantially above posted limits, and depending upon road conditions, precise steering response may be demanded to retain directional stability. Dealers will replace front stabilizers in front-drive cars, and front/rear stabilizers in those equipped with all-wheel drive. A modified control arm will be installed, together with firmer front/rear shock absorbers and a rear spoiler.
2000-01 Quattro
Description: Rear-track control-arm-mounting bushing and bolt could corrode leading to loss of vehicle control.
2006
Description: The closing force of an internal spring of the fuel tank ventilation valve is not adequate enough to hold the valve closed under extreme driving conditions possibly allowing fuel to leak, resulting in a vehicle fire. Volkswagen will notify owners and Audi dealers will replace the fuel tank ventilation valve with an improved valve free of charge.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on May 15, 2014.
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