BRZ vs Audi TT

[MattQ-WP]

In the recent TOP GEAR festival of speed the Toyota 86 was rated as the number 1 driver's car above the latest porches, lamb, M6 cabrio... EVERYTHING!!!!

[mirvine]

My two cents: I think Audi vehicles are the worst in quality for luxury vehicles. For example, my boss had a S5 and it had about three transmission problems within 6 months. If not for his warranty, it would have cost him about $30,000 in repair costs. Needless to say, he traded it for a Nissan Maxima out of exhaustion and wasted time.

A penny of my thoughts: Forget Audi in general and get a Lexus. My client had a TT for about three years and got rid of it via trading business because of its serious quality problems. He always jokes and says the TT has been in the shop more than how much he has driven it. This same client has two Lexus LX 470 and one GX 470. Two out of those three trucks are about 10+ years old. The other one is new. He also has a BMW 7 series which he said causes him a ton of problems.

[Turbowned]

I had an S4 and had zero transmission problems in six months. I actually had zero problems altogether in six months and 12,000 miles. In the 10 months I sold Audi vehicles, not one client called me to complain of an issue with their vehicle. So there!

[mirvine]

Originally Posted by Turbowned

I had an S4 and had zero transmission problems in six months. I actually had zero problems altogether in six months and 12,000 miles. In the 10 months I sold Audi vehicles, not one client called me to complain of an issue with their vehicle. So there!

You only drove it 12,000 miles. I hope you don't plan on having car problems with vehicles after 12,000 miles... Also, I never said in the first six months my boss had his S5. I believe it had about 33,000+ miles on it. I believe your statement is biased based on the fact that you sell Audi vehicles as well...

[Turbowned]

I *sold* Audi vehicles, and the overall quality of those cars was better than any I've seen, from just a casual glance in the shop during maintenance to being in the driver's seat of one for six months, to countless test drives with potential clients in pre-owned Audis with 45k+ miles on them, to talking to customers with 200k+ miles on their Audis who just refused to give them up for something new.

Sure they have their issues, but find me a manufacturer that doesn't and I'll sell you some beachfront property in Hawaii real cheap! Thankfully the timing belt issues are a thing of the past, and they've pretty much locked down their adjustable air suspensions. There's a TSB out right now for excessive oil consumption; some engines are having to get their piston rings and sometimes even pistons replaced. It's a bit embarrassing, but at least they admit there's a problem and rectify it, unlike some manufacturers who won't take the blame for their mistakes *cough* Mercedes rusting out *cough*

You're on a Toyota and Subaru forum - I've heard plenty of stories about Subarus blowing head gaskets and piston ring failures (mostly firsthand accounts from friends), and when I worked for Toyota we had plenty of fun recalls and TSB's for transmission failures, sludge problems, cars needing short blocks replaced, etc. Yet Subaru and Toyota are renowned as the two most reliable carmakers....


We could sit here and bicker about this all day but it's a waste of energy. All I can say is, I feel bad for anyone who pays the same amount of money to buy a Lexus when they can have a real luxury car and not a Toyota with added features and an extra $20k added to the price tag. I also feel bad for anyone who buys an Audi A3 when they could have a Golf for much cheaper, but right now that is the only platform that Audi and VW share, so don't try to bring up the "Audi is just VW" argument because it doesn't work anymore.

Anyway, this is about BRZ vs. TT, and I would say that both are a`great choice but I'm picking the BRZ, hence my 1700 posts on this forum and ~20 on the Audi forums

[Turbowned]

Oh yeah, forgot to mention blown turbos... *grumble* Doesn't seem to happen on the newer cars, mainly the late 90's/early 2000's cars. Were those KKK turbos? I have to wonder if it's Audi or the turbo manufacturer to blame for so many failures...

[Evil86]

I loved my 08 TT Quattro. It was fast and powerful, and in my second year of autoxing, it gave a me a Autox National Tour win in SD. I had it for almost five years, and then is started having mechanical issues.

I love my FR-S even more. It handles so much better, it is more intuitive, responsive, and involved. It offers so much more feedback than the TT.

I do miss the quality of the TT's interior, but I prefer my FR-S.

[tinnyms3]

Originally Posted by SupraLove

When Audi dropped the stick for the TT, they really lost a lot of from me. Whatever advantage the TT has in lap times or performance, the BRZ makes up for in enjoyment. An absolutely wonderful Aisin 6-speed manual, über-low COG, balanced weight distribution, FR drivetrain, and the Boxer engine. These are all traits that should be found in a car far more expensive than the BRZ.

My vote goes to the BRZ. As much as I love the TT, having a stick only in the highest trim level is absurd. What Tetsuya-san said about cars becoming too performance-focused and not driver-focused is true; it's blatantly obvious because there's only FIVE cars that I can think of that are truly driver-focused now. The Miata, the Toyobaru, Cayman, 911 and Boxster, and maybe a few others. All the other current sports cars... Let's take a look now, shall we?


TT: No manual, pass. But great road feel and performance.

TTRS: Manual? This is a TT I like, but it's a lot of $$$ for a TT. Pass.

Genesis Coupe: Great performance, but shifter is not that precise and road feel isn't there. Pass.

GT-R: No manual, AWD, no thanks. Pass.

Aventador: No manual, and too easy to drive for a Lambo. Pass.

LFA: No manual, but let's take a look at this one: AMAZING road feel, thrilling, and the engine sound is intoxicating. I'd love an LFA, but the price is far too prohibitive until you start getting to the top 1%. Pass.

R8: Comes in manual. AWD, but extremely grippy and VERY fun to drive. Price is high, but it's so worth it. Win.

Ferraris: None come with a manual. Pass.

IS-F: RWD V8, but no manual. Pass.

GT500: Can't turn, just straight line power. Shifter is knobby. Pass.

Corvette: LEAF SPRINGS. Pass.

New NSX (old is not applicable): Hybrid? Are you kidding me? Pass.

Miata: OHMYGODYES. Excellent road feel, amazing shifter and clutch engagement and quick and zippy around the corners. Win.

Cayman: Amazing road feel, great mid-engine design, and great power. Win.

Boxster: See above.

911: See above.

BRZ/FR-S. We all know this. Win.

370Z: Good handling and road feel, very direct, although not as much so as the BRZ, and HEAVY. Very slight win.


So, ladies and gentlemen, what did we learn today? Seven. Seven cars. We need more. LOBBY THE MANUFACTURERS!

Your assessment is spot on, there's only few cars at any price that are driver-centric, which ultimately is driving joy. Only the ft86 twins and miata are affordable. We definitely need more.


Just picked up the TT for wife:





Initial impressions: This thing is w-i-d-e, rounded edges makes it look small from a distance, looks and feels heavier than 3150lbs would suggest.

I hate these variable electrical steering. It's toy light at parking speeds, then becomes heavy as soon as you turn, unpredictable and difficult to feel the limits.

Dual clutch auto tranny with paddle shifters is fast and fun for first 10min, then I'm craving a real clutch already.

Maybe the RS will change my mind, but it's too refined and isolated for my tastes. But wife loves it, and that's what matters I suppose.

[Turbowned]

Give it time, I'm sure you'll warm up to it. I loved driving TT's around when I worked for Audi, especially the roadsters. I'm not normally a fan of convertibles but I really liked them for some reason! Moreso than the S5 convertible, even.