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2001 Audi TT

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$31,200

starting MSRP

Key specs

Base trim shown

Coupe

Body style

4

Seating capacity

159.1” x 53.0”

Dimensions

Front-wheel drive

Drivetrain

Overview

(51 reviews)

4 trims

Starting msrp listed lowest to highest price

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Our 2001 Audi TT trim comparison will help you decide.

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2001 Audi TT review: Our expert's take

By Cars.com Editors

So who wants to be a race car driver? Or a professional ballplayer? You conceivably could fulfill both those fantasies in a single set of wheels – Audi’s 2001 TT Roadster with the optional “baseball optic” seats. We tested the tamer version of the soft top TT earlier this summer and couldn’t find much to complain about. This time around, we’ve sampled the more aggressive 225-horsepower variant with all the bells and whistles. The penalty for all this performance is a stiff $42,725. But, oh, the places you’ll go …

She: Wow, those seats are the coolest in the industry, bar none. They’re amber red leather with so-called “baseball glove” stitching. The seats are a great conversation piece, of course, but they’re also an excellent example of the trend toward more personalization in cars. I don’t think they’re gimmicky at all, they’re wonderful. With those seats and all that power, the Audi TT Roadster has to be one of the top 10 vehicles of 2001.

He: Good thing you’re not prone to hyperbole. You were beginning to gush like Roger Ebert.

She: Hey, we’ve seen the cult of the TT springing up since the coupe was first introduced in mid-1999. Owners are almost rabid about these cars. I talked to a woman in Colorado who owns a black TT coupe that she named Merlin. She said it’s better than any boyfriend she’s ever had.

He: This test drive is taking an ugly turn. For the record, dear, I just want to say that you’re definitely better than any car I’ve ever had. Of course, I’ve owned some clunkers. But I’m really starting to warm up to the TT, even though I still have trouble fitting into the darn thing. Features like all-wheel drive, a six-speed gearbox and a slick turbocharged twin-cam engine are starting to make a believer out of me. You just can’t help but have fun in this car, with the top up or down.

She: That’s what I’m trying to say. Audi has really cemented that emotional involvement that people have with the TT. It’s the type of relationship you tend to have only once in a lifetime with a man or an automobile.

He: How existential. Let’s talk some more about esthetics. Compared to some of the pricier convertibles in this segment, like the Honda S2000 and the BMW Z3, the TT is just plain sensuous. That gorgeous nimbus gray pearl exterior paint scheme just accentuates the car’s curves. In fact, it’s hard to believe that the TT started life on the same basic platform as the Volkswagen Beetle. It’s truly amazing how Audi has created this beautiful shape, then pumped it full of steroids.

She: You’re paying the price, however. For about the same money, you can get a Porsche Boxster, if that particular brand name turns you on. And the TT does have its downside. During the week that we drove it, there were at least two times I left the car sitting in the driveway while I drove something else. When I did some major grocery shopping for the first time in two weeks, I wasn’t sure I could fit everything into that tiny trunk. And when I went to the airport to pick you up, I didn’t think I could squeeze you and all your luggage into the TT.

He: Squeeze is the operative word. You don’t feel the pinch so badly when the top is down, and the whole driving experience feels like pure magic. But snap that top back into place, and you begin to get a tad claustrophobic. Visibility really suffers then, although headroom wasn’t as much of a problem as I thought it would be.

She: With the top up, I had trouble backing out of a tight parking space, where I was hemmed in by a pickup truck and a big SUV. That’s an issue that you’re going to have to deal with. From a practical point of view, you probably are going to need a second car, just to run all your weekly errands.

He: I suspect someone who can afford the TT Roadster probably is considering this as a second, third or fourth car. Just make sure you have enough room in your garage next to the Suburban the F-150.

Anita’s rating: World class

Paul’s rating: Above average

Likes: Visually stunning. Intense performance. Fashionably fun to drive. One of the safest sports cars on the road. Wonderful $1,000 “baseball optic” seats.

Dislikes: Cramped for six-footers. Visibility is a problem with the top up. As with most ragtops, not much storage space. Not very practical as an everyday car. Rarified $40,000-plus price tag.

Type: Front-engine, all-wheel drive, two-passenger convertible.

Price: Base, $38,550; as tested, $42,725 (incl. $525 destination charge)

Engine: 1.8-liter I-4; 225-hp; 207 lb-ft torque

EPA fuel economy: 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway

12-month insurance cost, according to AAA Michigan: $1,516 (Estimate. Rates may vary, depending on coverage and driving record.)

Where built: Gyor, Hungary

Consumer reviews

(51 reviews)
Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.3
  • Interior 4.6
  • Performance 4.6
  • Value 4.2
  • Exterior 4.9
  • Reliability 3.8
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Most recent consumer reviews

Love my car

I absolutely loooove my car I'd pay a million dollars for it if I had to. It's super fun to drive a bit expensive to fix but if course it is it's an audi.i love my car

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 4.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Own four, will buy more

I own four TTs, all are 2001s. Bought my first, a 225 Quattro coupe, in 2006. I have since purchased two 180 fwd convertibles and a 180 Quattro coupe. All versions are notorious for instrument cluster issues. All 4 of mine suffered this issue to one degree or another. Another common problem is with the door panels. Where the door panel meets the window the panels lift and roll upward away from the window. Both of my convertible suffered this issue. They often crack as well. This is not the easiest fix. Remember it is an Audi - parts are not cheap.... a new Zenon headlight assembly is $1000. The fwd version being lightest tosses around in traffic easier. The fwd version is more or less a rebodied Golf performance wise. As a result of several high speed crashes the neutral feeling handling was changed to more understeer via a recall and then standardized on future models. However, if you desire to do the mods to get back closer to the 1999 set up... i can actually achieve some oversteer on my 225 after replacing several suspension components. While the increased power of the 225 Quattro makes it sportier to drive than the 180, it is not a race car. Since the 225 version weighs over 3000lbs it needs @ 300hp before it feels alive. Biggest HP gains come from replacing the factory down pipe with a 3" and then replacing factory cat with a high flow version. After upgrading the factory programming with an aftermarket "chip" or "reflash" and an upgraded diverter valve (to handle the boost increase) the car will produce A LOT more heat under the hood. The factory intercooler(2 on 225 version) are too small and the turbo heat soaks them quickly. A large front mount makes a noticeable difference in performance after the second stop light. Replacing the smaller oem radiator with a larger, direct fit, oem mk4 golf radiator adds reliability and helps reduce under hood temps a little. These changes put it closer to 300hp at the flywheel making it more enjoyable to drive. They also reduce the change in performance after a couple runs through the gears. The seat heaters are nice and necessary since the heater itself in the convertibles is not overpowering. Seats are very form fitting and may be uncomfortable for larger waisted individuals. The minimal lumbar support gives me a back ache after about 4hrs. At 6'1" the drivers seat must be slid all the way back for me to have enough leg room. The front seats slide back about 1 inch more in the coupe vs the convertible. Plenty of headroom for me inside but I occasionally bump my head getting in.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 4.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Having fun
  • Does recommend this car
30 people out of 31 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Short of expectations

Be advised... I have owned 2 (two) 2001 Audi TT Quattros. First one was a 5spd 180 hp coupe.Many issues with electrical problems and even with a Borla cat-back dual exhaust and a REVO chip reflash, power was short of exciting. Handling was excellent but acceleration left much to be desired. Without a tech who thoroughly grasps "AUDI-ISMS" you will likely be disappointed with this automobile... 2nd 2001 TT was a roadster 225 up 6 spd. Slightly more power but still left me short of the response I hoped for. Plenty of electrical issues with the roadster. COM crapped out and was Unavailable as a factory part. Had to purchase a used module for an astronomical $700. Fortunately it has been reliable this far. Also installed a Borla cat-back dual exhaust and opted for an APR Stage 1 reflash. 0-60 times struggle to find 6 seconds. hp is supposedly 254 now with torque @ 264 ft lbs. At age 70, the performance of this car leaves much to be desired. The road holding is pretty good but expect understeer. If you are considering an AUDI TT ----- I recommend you look into a TTS or TTRS for performance that justifies this automobile.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 3.0
  • Exterior 4.0
  • Reliability 2.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Having fun
  • Does not recommend this car
14 people out of 16 found this review helpful. Did you?
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See all 51 consumer reviews

Warranty

New car and Certified Pre-Owned programs by Audi
New car program benefits
Bumper-to-bumper
48 months/50,000 miles
Corrosion
144 months/unlimited distance
Powertrain
48 months/50,000 miles
Roadside assistance
48 months/unlimited distance
Certified Pre-Owned program benefits
Maximum age/mileage
5 model years or newer/less than 60,000 miles
Basic warranty terms
1 year or 20,000 miles (whichever occurs first)
Powertrain
N/A
Dealer certification required
125-point inspection
Roadside assistance
Yes
View all cpo program details

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