The 2000-2006 Audi TT Is a Stylish Sports Coupe You Can Afford

When the final TT—a third-generation TTS coupe—rolled off Audi’s Györ, Hungary, assembly line in November 2023, it represented the 667,762nd example built in the model’s 25-year production run. Looking back a quarter-century, the first-generation TT coupe was a global phenomenon that cemented Audi as a serious player in the premium automotive sphere. For today’s buyers, this icon of style represents an accessible modern classic. 

It was one of those rare cars that made the leap from concept to production with little alteration; the TT’s deceptively simple geometric lines were simultaneously futuristic, vintage, and unique. The cozy 2+2 interior of the hatchback coupe was filled with delightful design details, and its Volkswagen Golf-based platform offered inherently good dynamics. 

The first TT coupes were sold in Europe in 1998; the model reached U.S. showrooms in 1999 for the 2000 model year, with a two-seat Roadster arriving here for 2001. The launch-spec TT 180 coupe, which cost $30,500 (about $55,750 in today’s money), was front-wheel drive with a torsion-beam rear axle and a five-speed manual transmission. Early cars didn’t have a rear spoiler; that aero add-on was part of an early-2000 recall/running production change that included revised suspension to eliminate autobahn-speed instability, but visually pure coupes, sans spoiler, are prized today.  

That “180” figure represented the horsepower rating of the base TT’s turbocharged 20-valve 1.8-liter four-cylinder. A 180 quattro variant with permanent, Haldex-based all-wheel drive and independent rear suspension was added for ’01, as was a six-speed-manual 225 quattro whose 1.8 engine gained 45 hp via a larger turbo and intake, twin intercoolers, and dual exhausts. A VR6-powered TT 3.2 quattro with 250 hp came out in 2003. Audi built some limited-production TT coupe variants in this generation, including 100 Neiman Marcus Special Editions (Nimbus Gray Pearl paint over Moccasin Red leather) sold through that high-end retailer’s 1998 Christmas catalog; 1,000 American Le Mans Series Commemorative Editions (500 each in Avus Silver over Amber Red leather and Misano Red over Silver leather) for 2002; and 99 3.2 Special Editions (Misano Red, Ocean Blue, and Light Silver, all with black-painted roofs and leather interiors). 

Regardless of spec, original TT coupes still stand out on the road. They’ve proven fairly durable (the galvanized bodies rarely rust) and quite accessible to buy, even if parts and servicing costs remain German-car typical. J.D. Power shows retail values of front-drive 180s range from $2,600 to $5,500, with $3,000 to $6,000 buying a 225 quattro. Other online guides suggest a value range between $4,000 and $14,500, with low-mile, special edition cars capable of more. Classic.com notes the average public-sale price of all types/powertrains of Mk 1 TT is $12,175; collectors regularly pay upwards of $10,000 for quality examples of standard variants, while rare coupe variants have bested $25,000. As this is written, there are two first-gen TT 225 quattro coupes in the Hemmings Marketplace, both attractively priced around $9,000. 

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