2000 Audi TT 180hp ___________________
Article written and submitted by Steven Kiefer

I’ve owned my 2000 Audi TT for a little over three months now, three of the happiest automotive months of my life. I fell in love with this car years ago when I first saw the initial concept drawings of it and developed a longing desire to own this most interesting little Audi. I purchased the car used from a gentleman who owned the car for over a year and drove the car less than three thousand miles.

To this very day, I think that is such an egregious travesty but his loss was my gain. Minutes after signing the endless amount of paperwork I was off over a hundred miles an hour and that’s the thing you think about lots in this car, "am I at a hundred miles an hour already?" Not to say by any means that this car will race Ferraris or vipers and win but you’ll turn just as many heads driving about (if not more).

I turn the key to the ignition and a smile immediately lights up my face…this happened the very first time that I got in, this happens every time I get in. When behind the wheel you feel like you’re piloting a fighter jet that just driving your every day workhorse. The cockpit fit’s the driver like a glove, everything in this car is exactly where it should be. Aluminum accents adorn the entire inside of the car and add to the feeling that you’re behind the wheel of a work of art. Apply my foot to the gas and the smile on my face only widens. The 180 horsepower 1.8t engine has it where it counts. The ride is swift and smooth. The car feels just as agile at 35mph as it does at 135mph.

I purchased the 180hp, 5 speed, front wheel drive model but the car now also comes in a 225hp, 6 speed, all wheel drive version. I’ve driven both automobiles and couldn’t really tell the difference in performance in the two, but know for a fact that a person would be just as happy in either. The cars are identical on the inside and the only difference to the exterior is the additional tailpipe on the 225.

The TT offers its owner something you don’t get with most sports cars, ample trunk room. It’s by far the most room I’ve seen in a car of its class.. The car has a back seat and yes, people can actually fit back there, but only ride comfortably if they’re two feet tall and have no legs. The back seat is pretty much the perfect place to stow away my jacket, book bag, or camera. The rear seats fold down for even more cargo space but I usually use my other car if I’m hauling a big load.

I’ve had the car in to the dealership for its scheduled 5000 mile maintenance and everything checked alright. At the time of purchase, the only thing wrong with the was a worn front seat which has been on order for about two months, but after the worn portion of the seat is replaced the car will once again be perfect. The tires that came with the car have also been replaced after 5000 miles (Audi apparently had so much trouble with the tires that they no longer offer then at the dealership that I frequent). The tread on the tire was completely gone and some of the metal protruded to the exterior.

The automobile is absolutely beautiful and I still can’t believe that I own it. I see engine modification in the near future, which on the 1.8t engine come in abundance. I also want to add a different exhaust to the car as I feel that the stock exhaust just isn’t throaty enough (want the car to sound like a beast). There are many, many ways to make this speedy little wonder even faster.

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