$10k Boxster Vs. TT

OK, after Lesley’s new Cayman S Vs. TT RS discussion, let’s bring this back down to real world territory.

$10K TT Vs. 10K Boxster. GRM did almost this exact thing a few years ago, title called bahn burners or something and also included an E36 M3 which won. I seem to recall the Boxster was hampered by dry rotted stock tires that had sat in the owners garage for 6 or 7 years as he put different wheels/tires on the day he bought it and the NOS ones were put back on for the test. I also remember vision being criticized for the TT.

So, to make it fair, let’s say 2.7 Boxster non S and rag top TT any model. $10k real world price point. What’s the good the bad and the ugly as street cars, not track cars?

You'd have to pay me 10k to own another TT worth 10k. I loved it by hated it. I'd go boxter just because it's pain I don't know yet and part of me believes that it might be an OK ownership experience.

What was so bad?

Adrian_Thompson wrote: What was so bad?

It's an Audi?

I'd go Boxster based on RWD and mid engine. And because I've driven one and it was an effing ball and sounded great.

Tom_Spangler wrote:

Adrian_Thompson wrote: What was so bad?

It's an Audi?

Well, the undertray on the TT's collecting every flamable fluid that can leak is certainly a concern/PITA if you're doing anything yourself.....and its a VAG audi.

It was an early 2000 VW product with all of the pain that comes with it. Especially random untraceable electrical issues. It was beautiful and it was a joy to drive, but you never knew if you were going to have to roll down the window to grab the outside door handle to get out. It had a lot of these weird problems. I did love it, I just really really never want another one. They say the newer they are the better they are. I'll never know.

yamaha wrote:

Tom_Spangler wrote:

Adrian_Thompson wrote: What was so bad?

It's an Audi?

Well, the undertray on the TT's collecting every flamable fluid that can leak is certainly a concern/PITA if you're doing anything yourself.....and its a VAG audi.

berkeleying undertray. I still have bad dreams about that berkeleying thing.

I would rather have a testicle removed then own a TT.

mazdeuce wrote: I'd go boxter just because it's pain I don't know yet and part of me believes that it might be an OK ownership experience.

That made me LOL

On topic:

I'd go Boxster just because I'd be willing to put up with a lot more since I've wanted a Porsche for a long time .

10K Boxster needs a clutch? Thats part of the experience of owning a sports car.

10K Audi has a flat tire? This POS needs to go!

TT = Parts bin car of an mid-class sedan manufacturer.

Boxter = Parts bin car of a sports car manufacturer.

After what I learned first hand about VAG products I'll berkeleyin' walk before I'll own or trust one.

Ever.

When I said I'd drive the Porsche as long as I'm not footing the bill, remember the recent mag article about Boxsters? $35,000 engines? That D chunk cylinders or lose intermediate shaft bearings? Uh, no. No thank you. Maybe Grassroots don't necessarily mean cheap but in my case a $35,000 engine would ruin me.

PHeller wrote: TT = Parts bin car of an mid-class sedan manufacturer. Boxter = Parts bin car of a sports car manufacturer.

Hah! Having seen Audi smoke all ALMS competition, and the 24 Hours this year... I think I'd dispute that a bit.

The only Audi I have firsthand knowledge of delivered 100,000 trouble-free miles in fine comfort and style, and a nice helping of twin-turbo performance! (2001 A6 2.7T) I'd own another one, but probably would only consider buying new.

Pretty sure I would buy a $10k E36 M3 or NC Miata before either of those options.

Honestly, I'd probably take a $10k Z3/Z4 over either of those.

I've done a lot of work on TT's, I really do enjoy them. However, bone stock, they are the epitome of a hair dressers car, and to make any power, you WILL have to swap to a different turbocharger. Of course, after that, you are good to about 350whp with accompanying injectors/intercooler/tuning which is only a plug and play push of the internets button away.

Still though, either of the cars is highly effeminate. I'd own neither. If I had to choose one, it'd be the TT, but it'd need to have something done to spice up the looks asap.

Not sure the Audi needs anything in order to match the Miata on the manliness scale. Just sayin'.

Hmmmm...shop the cheap end of the scale of a genuine sportscar or the cheap end of the scale on an unreliable hairdresser's car? Is this even a question? Boxster all the way!

I spent a year at an Audi/Porsche/Jaguar/Volvo/VW/Subaru dealer as an Audi tech. While I truely enjoyed how each and every Audi drove (RS4 FTW!!) and at alot of lunches with one of the Porsche techs and listened to him complain, I can say I wouldnt want to maintain either of the cars. Many times you would have an estimate of a couple grand and the customer would just buy a new car. Different world.

Full disclosure-I was previously a Honda tech and after putting in one too many 1.8Ts in A4s for a loss in time, I ran back to them. So my views are skewed by actually trying to pay my mortgage working on them.

HiTempguy wrote: Still though, either of the cars is highly effeminate. I'd own neither. If I had to choose one, it'd be the TT, but it'd need to have something done to spice up the looks asap.

Hmm, checks driveway. One Volvo C30, One V6 auto convertable Mustang, one Saab 900. Previous cars Miata, Geo Tracker.

Trust me, I'm sure enough of myself to drive what the uneducated consider effeminate cars.

Any Audi TT? That means either FWD or AWD, gutless motor or decent motor, manual or automatic/DSG...a lot of options there.

In the end it doesn't matter because the Boxter wins hands down.

The funny thing is my neighbor has a 356 and an R32. Also lots of guys I know have late model VW/Audi products and Porsche's. Between them I know probably 15+ Porsche and Audi/VW cars. One non car guy had an infant mortality engine puke it's guts on an early 2.5L Boxster which was covered by Porsche under warranty. A couple do have issues fuel gauges acting up on their R32's, all of which are 7-8 years old now. Yes turn of the century Audi's need control arms. But this group of friends/acquaintances collectively have millions of miles on these cars people always swear are bankruptcy waiting to happen.

So, let's get back to Driving dynamics. Much as I love the Boxster, the only one I've really driven was a 2.5L and it left me somewhat unimpressed, but let's face it 200hp isn't much to shout about. I'm convinced a later one would be a lot more fun. I haven't driven a TT more than round the block, but R32's are just amazing cars to drive.

What are peoples thoughts on the driving dynamics part?

This is 95% mental masturbation as I work for Ford, but 4-5 years down the line (once the youngest is driving and I can drop the presence of practicality) a used Boxster S looms large in my potential ownership list.

Adrian_Thompson wrote: The funny thing is my neighbor has a 356 and an R32. Also lots of guys I know have late model VW/Audi products and Porsche's. Between them I know probably 15+ Porsche and Audi/VW cars. One non car guy had an infant mortality engine puke it's guts on an early 2.5L Boxster which was covered by Porsche under warranty. A couple do have issues fuel gauges acting up on their R32's, all of which are 7-8 years old now. Yes turn of the century Audi's need control arms. But this group of friends/acquaintances collectively have millions of miles on these cars people always swear are bankruptcy waiting to happen. So, let's get back to Driving dynamics. Much as I love the Boxster, the only one I've really driven was a 2.5L and it left me somewhat unimpressed, but let's face it 200hp isn't much to shout about. I'm convinced a later one would be a lot more fun. I haven't driven a TT more than round the block, but R32's are just amazing cars to drive. What are peoples thoughts on the driving dynamics part? This is 95% mental masturbation as I work for Ford, but 4-5 years down the line (once the youngest is driving and I can drop the presence of practicality) a used Boxster S looms large in my potential ownership list.

Anything can be fixed with more boost and sticky tires.

I have driven a bunch of Boxsters/Caymans. They are brilliant. I'm afraid of repair costs on old ones... but I wouldn't put an older TT on the same planet as even a 1st gen non-S boxster in terms of driving dynamics.

Both 1st generation boxters and TT are thin on the ground. I wonder where all the TT went, I can't remember last time I saw one.

In reply to benzbaronDaryn:

caught on fire or ended up on the bottom of a lake due to insurance fraud? My friend's did the first