Needs Clutch: 2002 Audi TT Quattro 225hp

The 225 horsepower Mk1 Audi TT (type 8N) Quattro was a moderately cool car when released in 1998.  It featured sweet Bauhaus styling and is certainly a style icon that will become a collectible classic in 30 years (or so...).  Naturally the high horsepower K04 turbo equipped 1.8T version is the one to get, and while it probably makes more sense to get one that is in good running order, this one just needs a clutch and is offered for next to nothing. Find this 2002 Audi TT Quattro 225hp offered for $2000 in Sonoma, CA via craigslist.

Like A Golf, But Pretty: 2008 Audi TT

Volkswagen's original Bauhaus styled Audi TT coupe/roadster was a cute little thing, equipped with VW Golf handling it hit the pavement in 1998 and was decidedly silly in styling.  But the car that replaced it meaner, leaner, and more angry in execution...which is a good or bad thing depending on how you feel about angry car faces. It was longer and wider than its predecessor and supposedly cured some of the ill handling aspects of the original TT...but you'll have to buy one to find our yourself and thankfully, they (like most used Audis) are cheap. Find this 2008 Audi TT here on eBay with a starting bid of $7100 located in Etowah, TN.

Basic Fun: 2000 Audi TT

The Golf mk4 based Audi TT was released in 1999 with Bauhaus styling, room for 4 (in the coupe), and a transverse mounted 20-valve inline-4 that used a small turbo boost up the fun.  It wasn't a bad car but prices today are ridiculously low.  Find this 2000 Audi TT here on eBay offered for $2,900 buy-it-now or make-offer located in Brownwood, TX.

Cher's Underpants: 1999 Volkswagen Beetle TT-Thing

Ever see one of those cars that strikes you as "AGGG, WHAT IS THAT!?!? and then a few minutes later you say "hmmm, I kinda dig it"?  I call it the Cher's underpants effect.  Remember when Cher danced around the stage in her underpants and her son was on stage the first rational thought is AGGGG, WHAT IS THAT!??!  and then later "hmmmm, I kinda dig it."  Find this
1999 Volkswagen BeeTTle offered for $7,200 in Tucson, AZ via craigslist. Tip from Sean S.

Cheap Fun: 2003 Audi TT Quattro

The Bauhaus styled mark 1 Audi TT was released in 1998 to instant acclaim and backpats all around the Volkswagen group board rooms.  Wait...Volkswagen?  Yup, the TT was built on VW's Group A platform, which means it shares its front-engine front-drive default setup with the Volkswagen Golf and New Beetle, but with a number of significant upgrades.  Find this 2003 Audi TT Quattro offered for $6,900 in Santa Cruz, CA via craigslist.

5k: Syncro de Mayo: 2002 Audi TT Quattro

Time to switch gears and offer something for our celebration of Syncro de Mayo with an Audi badge on it -- this time from the VW group PQ34 platform.   The first generation Audi TT was designed by J Mays and Freeman Thomas and features a modern take on the Bauhaus school of design.  The fact that the smooth sheet metal covered a plebian VW Golf/New Beetle chassis didn't stop approximately 300,000 people from buying one from the Audi showroom between 1998 and 2006.  Find this 2002 Audi TT Quattro Coupe here on eBay currently bidding for $4,050 reserve-not-met with 7 days to go, located in Farmington, MN.

15k: Dual Sequential Gravy: 2008 Audi TT 2.0 FSI

 If you ever get sick of rowing your own gears, there is German conglomerate called the Volkswagen Group that puts together an excellent alternative to the stick shift. They call it S-Tronic, but don't confuse it with the old Tiptronic (aka Tip"hang on, having a coffee break, will get to that gearshift when i'm done"tronic) slushbox system as the S-Tronic is dual-clutch gearbox that fires off gear changes like an LAPD officer shooting at dark shadows.  The end result is a satisfyingly aggressive manual shift experience that can be turned into a relaxing auto when you need to drink a cup of Joe, text on your phone, unlock handcuffs, read a book, do the things you normally do when you should be driving etc.  Find this 2008 Audi TT 2.0TFSI offered for $18,995 from a dealer in Rochester, NY via craigslist.

Coffee Brake: Find A $15k Flappy Paddle Weekend Toy

As car guys we routinely get asked for car recommendations.  Typically those recommendations are instantly dismissed by the guy who was just going to buy a brand new Ford C-Max anyway, because most folks are just looking for a painless way to get into a new car and drive it till the warranty expires...rinse and repeat.  Fortunately, this site isn't meant for them, this site is for the wackos, weirdos, hackers, nuts, guys who do their own dental work and anybody who would consider driving a 40 year old Lancia every day of the week.  (Hey, that would make a nice mission statement for DT...).  Anyway, today's request comes from the friend of a friend, who is looking for a weekend toy - something like a Nissan GTR for the common man.  List of requirements here:

- paddle shift if possible, else manual, no auto
- $15k-ish
- no BMW, just because
- nothing crazy to fix
- relatively modern, mid-80s earliest
- RWD, or +$5k for AWD
- no convertibles
- no projects

5k: Tourist Trophy: 2001 Audi TT Quattro

The first generation Audi TT was a styling home run for Volkswagen/Audi and there was nothing on the road quite as striking when it was released in 1998.  The TT was designed by J Mays and Freeman Thomas and features a modern take on the Bauhaus school of design.  The fact that the smooth sheet metal covered a plebian VW Golf/New Beetle chassis didn't stop approximately 300,000 people from buying one from the Audi showroom between 1998 and 2006.  Find this 2001 Audi TT Quattro for sale in SF Bay Area, CA for $6,850 via craigslist.  Tip from Anthony B.