JTek_55

Hey guys, so I bought a different car.

What happened was that I went to Bayside this weekend and saw the RX-8 in person. My first impression was "Wow, this is really nice." But after spending a few minutes with it my enthusiasm began to dwindle. Don't get me wrong, I really like the car, but I was just not as impressed as I thought I would be.

Everytime someone here would go and see it they would be like, "OMG you have to see it in person, it's sooo much nicer than in pictures." But I didn't think so. I actually thought it looked a little better in pictures if you can beleive that.

So, after being very depressed for about a day, I decided I was going to buy something else that day. I went to look for cars and I ended up test driving the Audi TT Convertable. I LOVED the way it drove. So I bought one. It's red with a black top. I was more into the RX-8 for the performance rather than the four seats, so the TT was an obvious replacement. (At least to me)

I may seem (and kinda feel) like a traitor to you guys, but I really do still like the RX-8, I just decided it wasn't for me. But I hope everyone who has one ordered will take delivery and fall in love with it. I just didn't "love" the car when I saw it, ya know. Anyway, I will still be hanging around here because I like talking with you all, and like I said, I still like the RX-8.

PS- I took a few pictures of the RX-8 in person, and I will post them tomorrow when I get them off my dig cam.

PSS- I have not yet cancelled my RX-8 order, so if anyone in south FL wants a first allocation spot, let me know. It's a fully loaded Titanium Gray 6MT with black leather interior and the Nav.

-Jeff

DonG35Miata

A traitor?

It's just a car! Enjoy your TT and be sure to keep a few extra coilpacks in the trunk... If you lost interest enough that you don't even care how it drives, then it is not for you.

I am hoping myself that I don't like the RX-8, LOL... shuffling three cars will be a hassle! But I think the interior is the part of the car that appeals to me the most. and I doubt I will be disappointed. Of course, the TT interior is one of the best around, too.

rxeightr

It would be interesting to know what about the RX-8 you did not like once you saw it. The wheel well lines, the body sculpting, the layout or materials of construction of the interior, the size of the car, etc ?

Please share your thoughts!

Sputnik

If you were more into the RX8 for performance rather than the four seats, why didn't you wait until you drove the RX8?

If you'd rather have the TT, then cool. But if the RX8 is anything close to what we've been told performance wise (I know we can't tell for sure until we drive it), then it should out-perform the TT (I'm talking about all around handling, braking, and acceleration).

---jps

ACRX8

You better have more than a coulpe of Coil Packs - you better have a lot of $$$$ for all the repairs.
:D

JTek_55

It is not one thing that I can really put my finger on. Like I said, it is really nice and I do like it. My wife may have said it the best. "It seems really nice, but the good looks seem cosmetically added. Almost as if it will not age well at all." Those are her words not mine, though I do tend to agree with her.

I also felt like it gave up alot of sportiness for the four doors and seats. Not that it isn't sporty, but it didn't have a true "sportscar" feel to me. And since I really wasn't buying it for the convienence factor, I think the effect was lost on me... Even as I type this, the words don't seem to acurately describe the way I felt when I was there. I guess it's just the gut feeling I got after seeing it and experiencing the looks, feel and sound in person.

In all fairness, I did not drive it. I am sure it is a blast to drive and the future owners on this board will be very happy with it.

Vancouver

Good luck with your decision. The Audi is a great car but a number of years into its cycle and you bought a very different animal - a convertible. You might have waited three months and taken delivery of the RX-8 and then traded it in if you didn't like it or perhaps sold it at a profit if demand outstrips supply. You can always trade in the Audi on the RX-8!!!!!!!!

ACRX8

Good Luck! You would have been better off with the 350Z or the G35. The German cars have many problems and sevice issues + the repairs are many and expensive. Take a look at the forums!

zoom44

hey jtek_55!? what happened to buying an SVT Cobra?

cueball

It is better to have a car you like than buying a $30000 car just so feel accepted by a car forum. Whatever makes you happy.

velociti

iTrader: (1)

You're painting with a pretty broad brush there. I can't speak for Audi (though I have heard that their quality is rapidly getting better), but there are 6 BMW's in my immediate family, and none of them have had a serious problem. Yes, the service costs can be a bit expensive, especially for replacing parts. However, from what I have seen and read, rarely do BMW's have a serious problem.

Yes this is just my personal situation, and there are others that have encountered problems with BMW's, Mercedes', and Audi's. However, I think that there is a reason why those three companies are highly regarded as manufacturers for quality sports sedans, coupes, suv's, etc.

On another note, I have sat in a 350z and G35 and was not much impressed with either of them. In fact, the 350z felt downright cheap with the amount of plastic that was present. The G35c was a little more upscale, but similarly, I was unimpressed. Certainly there is a reason for this; the buyer is paying for the high output engine at the expense of interior quality. That is why similarly priced Acura's, BMW's, Mercedes, and Audi's have higher quality interiors.

That's just my opinion, take it with a grain of salt, but I think buyers of the upscale german automobiles will not be swayed by the offerings of Nissan.

RotaryXTypeSH

I think that u should have waited for the RX8 to come out...it's not that hard to wait for it. I personally want a new car NOW!! but i want to c everything that's avaliable to me, I've considered lots of cars, test drove the MB C32 AMG (love it by the way, wanna get it right away) but i dont want to regret on anything when i get my car. I will prob test drive a Subaru Impreza in a couple of days.......I think if ur not that in a hurry to get a car then u should have waited for the RX8 to come out and test drive it....that way u wont have anything to regret to

Lensman

Hey, the TT is a beautiful, reliable, impressive car and I hope you enjoy it to the max! Forget these guys with their negative opinions, just relish your new car and immerse yourself in the experience.

zoom44

Jtek said:

alarabie

I had a TT 1.8T Quatro for 2 years. It's a beautifull car, but performance wise it's way overprice compared to the current other coupe offerings and it's very heavy for it's size, there is a lead ballast under the rear bumper, because the rear end it too light.

Personnaly I got tired of having to tell people that it looked a lot faster than it was. It's not that I drive that fast but my wife's Jetta VR6 was faster and was worth considerably less money and made the TT feel way overprice. I traded it in for an A6 2.7T twin turbo which is considerabley faster that the TT and a lot more fun to drive.

I guest to each his own, I bought the TT for it's looks but the driving was never that exiting and I got tired of it quickly.

You can find out all you ever want to know about your TT at www.audiworld.com

On order Twilight Blue 6MT to replace the Jetta.

Gamera

Congratulations on the new car Jeff, enjoy! The TT is a beautiful car and the number of TT-like coupes that have appeared in recent years is a testament to the strength of its design. I also think it has the best interior of any car in its price range.

I was close to purchasing a TT coupe a couple of years ago, and it's still a close second on my list. I'll probably fall in love with the 8 once it's delivered and I can actually drive it, but I still would like to pick up a TT one day. It's great that we actually choices now in sub-$50K sport coupes (remember what it was like just 3 years ago?)

JTek_55

Ok, where to start... I could have bought the Cobra yesterday, but when I really thought about it, I could not justify 35K for a Mustang. Yes, the engine is intoxicatingly fast. But the the problem with the Cobra is that all it has going for it is the engine. The interior is exactly the same as it was 9 years ago when they restyled the Fox body. Believe me, it was a super hard decision between the Cobra and the TT. (Just ask my wife, I was going back and forth with my decision all day.)

When all was said and done though, I decided on the TT. I got a 2001 6MT TT Roadster with a 225hp turbo engine. It's red with a black top and all black leather interior. It has a 6-disc Bose stereo system and automatic climate control w/ heated seats. It only has 12k miles on it, it runs and looks showroom new, and I got it for $28,000. You can't really beat that deal and believe me I looked.

Anyway, to the people that have commented on reliability issues; don't forget that ALL makes of cars have their querky problems, and I think Audi is pretty good as far as reliability goes. Besides that, they are consistently ranked among the best carmarkers as far as dealer service goes...

I have taken some pics of it and I will post them shortly.

JTek_55

BTW: A big thank you to all those who are happy for me. Maybe once some of you guys get your 8's we can meet up and compare...

zoom44

hey i am happy for you too jtek. it sounds like you gave it a lot of thought. i 'm just a little envious because your in a nice ride now and i still have several loooonggg months to go :p :D

DTECH-RX

Good luck with the TT Jtek! I've always thought it to be a neat looking car.

Don't let the nay sayers get you worked up about quality and repairs of german cars. I have a Jetta 1.8T going on two years and have yet to have the infamous coil pack problems or window issue (I did receive letters from VW about both problems and how it would be fixed over an extended coverage period beyond the regular warranty if they break). Not that I'm going to have my Jetta for much longer anyway... I think the quality, interior, and performance of my Jetta has been great (not to mention the performance potential!) and would recommend it to anyone in a second.

Again, good luck with the TT!

RotaryXTypeSH

i'm not saying that TT is a bad car to get it's just that i think that u could have waited for the RX8 to come out then decide....so u dont have anything to regret to u know....anyways....congrets on ur new TT!!

JTek_55

Well, I just figure that buying another car besides the RX-8 is not the end of the world ya know? When the dealerships start to have some stock piled up I will go down and take a test drive. Who knows, maybe a RX-8 is in my future yet

For now I am very happy with the TT. It drives like a dream and u can't argue with 40hp/50ft.lb. gains from a simple chip swap...

alarabie

Too many horror stories about blown turbos and void of warranty. The new chip is cheap, it's the potential problems that are not.

DTECH-RX

Definitely not! Just make sure you make some other "supporting" upgrades as well....

I have a BMC intake with custom trimmed / fit intake hose on my Jetta, and just that helped me pick up 1 mph in the 1/4 and a tick or two. I almost bought the chip upgrade on a couple of occasions, but I'm glad I didn't considering my upcoming RX-8 purchase.

BTW....I must have jinxed myself! When I mentioned in my previous post about not having any problems with my Jetta going on two years, when I pulled back into work from lunch today and went to put my windows up, my front passenger side window went up about 2/3 to 3/4 of the way and I heard a pop and some grinding sounds. Fortunately with some playing with the switch and manually pulling / pushing up on the window, I was able to get it securely all the way up (was afraid my window was going to drop into my door or something). My tint is also not damaged so I just have to take it in for the "quick fix" VW mentioned in the letter they sent out about the "window issue" not too long ago. Hey, at least it's under warranty!

GodWhomIsMike

I really love the Audi TT (coupe), but I am not a big fan of strictly manual transmissions, epecially where I live - it's a hassle for a everyday car and traffic jams every single day. I am waiting to see the TT 3.2 that i coming out this summer. They are going to debut it at the NY Auto show in April (well in a few weeks). It is suppose to have a automatic with a paddle shifter. I have basically determined that a paddle shifter is a little toy I want in my next car. So it is a toss up between a RX-8 and the TT 3.2, although I am waiting for the pricing of the TT 3.2, I am hoping it will not be in the high $40's range. If so then it is definitely the RX-8 then for me. Goodluck with your TT.