2001 Audi TT Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Overview
The 2001 Audi TT gets two new changes that really boost its prestige and attractivenss in the United States. The first is the long awaited...
The 2001 Audi TT gets two new changes that really boost its prestige and attractivenss in the United States. The first is the long awaited arrival of the TT Roadster, a convertible TT that is both stylish and sexy. The second change is the addition of a tweaked version of the 1.8-liter, 4-cylinder turbo engine that is tuned to get 225-hp. The 225-hp TTs come only with quattro all-wheel drive, to help compensate for the heaviness of this system.
Both the coupe and Roadster come with either engine. The 180-hp engine (both Coupe and Roadster) is standard with front-wheel drive, though quattro is offered as an option on the Coupe only. It comes standard with a 5-speed manual transmission. The 225-hp TT Coupe and Roadster features AWD and 6-speed manual standard. On the 180-hp convertible, the top is manual, while the 225-hp comes with a power top. For improved traction and control, the 2001 TT gets a rear spoiler, and electronic stability is standard across the line.
The TT Roadster is pure fun. Low to the ground, its 225-hp engine has better pickup and impressive speed than the 180, enabling you to take full advantage of its muscular potential. One drawback is it loses some of the Coupe's trunk cargo space, to make room for the convertible top. A glass windscreen pops up behind the headrests to help cut down on wind interference and noise while you drive. Inside, you're hunkered down in the leather seats, enjoying such standard features as power locks and windows, adjustable sports seats, fog lights, and keyless entry.
The 2000 TT is a real head-turner, according to owners who are proud to show off in their convertibles. The handling and tight steering, combined with the quattro technology let the TT hug corners like a sports car should, and it even handles well in snow. Owners recommend if you want the quattro, to get the 225-hp engine. The looks and performance make the TT a driving blast, and the interior ergonomics are well-thought out. Downsides are a cramped backseat, the manual top, rear blind spots, and difficulty getting in and out of the car. Unresponsive shifting and bad cupholder location are also mentioned. Some drivers complain that they expected more for what the TT costs, and overall reliability is disappointing, resulting in many stops at the repair shop.
What owners say
"Overall, owners of the 2001 Audi TT express a lot of excitement about its fun driving experience and unique design. Many appreciate the stylish looks and quality interior, as well as the impressive handling and performance. However, some drivers criticize its fuel economy, high maintenance costs, and limited cargo space, making it less practical for certain needs than expected."
This is not a typical convertible. When it first came out it was a big bet for Audi because of the "industrial" rounded design but the car soon became a huge success. 2001 was the first year that the 225-horsepower version of the standard turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine (180hp) was used for the roadster. The 225hp engine was mated with a 6speed transmission with short throws. This engine is beautiful with quick acceleration (low 6s) and minimum turbo lag compared to the standard 180hp engine. Handling is amazing. This car drives on rails and the steering is very responsive at high speeds. In my opinion All wheel Quattro drive should be the strongest reason for someone to buy an Audi. It is the epitome of German engineering and it's offered as a very cheap option in all Audi models. With the top down this car attracts all the attention. The baseball leather option helps to give the interior a very upscale look. Back in my clubbing days I don't think there was a single Saturday night that I wouldn't get at least three to five numbers thrown to me as I was driving down the club district. My only problem was that with the top down, I never ended up catching many of these numbers anyway. The glass wind screen is a very smart idea. It's deployed with the touch of a button so you don't have to get out of the car to install it, or carry it in the trunk like in many other convertibles. I think the major disadvantage of this car is the has a very tight interior space. With the top up I had one girlfriend that suffered panic attacks every time she would get in my car because she was claustophobic. I also had a hard time parking the car because visibility is really bad form the back small glass window. Boot space is non existent so if you plan on weekend getaways send your suitcases with a cab in advance to your planned destination as you can hardly fit a briefcase in the trunk..
April 19, 2008The 2001 quattro roadster is a great little car. Timeless, unique styling. Head room is great for taller drivers-much better than most roadsters and even those 6'+ tall can fit comfortably (very important to me). First yr for convertible TT in US, so there are not that many good low-mileage examples left, but if you can find one can still get it for a great price. Look for the ones with the amber optic baseball interior and Bose stereo; both amazing- even by 2014 standards. Quick; especially fun in 4th/5th/6th on freeway. Suggest looking into stage 1 tune which will bring quattro up to ~250hp and smooth out power. Much more cargo room than I expected. Way less common and more unique than a boxster or bmw roadsters- still looks contemporary 14 yrs after build (moreso than later models in my opinion). People often think it is a new $40-$50k car. If you buy one, find a good audi/VW shop; they will charge prob half of the dealership. Take note of whether timing chain has been replaced and when. Replace it more often than recommended (every 50k or so, bc if they go it's bad news). Overall, I love it. Exactly what I wanted for fun and commuting on sunny days.
November 16, 2014LOVE it! this car is so much fun to drive and as far as the convertible top, it almost has no road noise. I;m sure the Bose stereo system helps drown out whatever small noise could creep in while tooling down a winding country road on a clear Spring day.
February 16, 2014What owners say
This is not a typical convertible. When it first came out it was a big bet for Audi because of the "industrial" rounded design but the car soon became a huge success. 2001 was the first year that the 225-horsepower version of the standard turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine (180hp) was used for the roadster. The 225hp engine was mated with a 6speed transmission with short throws. This engine is beautiful with quick acceleration (low 6s) and minimum turbo lag compared to the standard 180hp engine. Handling is amazing. This car drives on rails and the steering is very responsive at high speeds. In my opinion All wheel Quattro drive should be the strongest reason for someone to buy an Audi. It is the epitome of German engineering and it's offered as a very cheap option in all Audi models. With the top down this car attracts all the attention. The baseball leather option helps to give the interior a very upscale look. Back in my clubbing days I don't think there was a single Saturday night that I wouldn't get at least three to five numbers thrown to me as I was driving down the club district. My only problem was that with the top down, I never ended up catching many of these numbers anyway. The glass wind screen is a very smart idea. It's deployed with the touch of a button so you don't have to get out of the car to install it, or carry it in the trunk like in many other convertibles. I think the major disadvantage of this car is the has a very tight interior space. With the top up I had one girlfriend that suffered panic attacks every time she would get in my car because she was claustophobic. I also had a hard time parking the car because visibility is really bad form the back small glass window. Boot space is non existent so if you plan on weekend getaways send your suitcases with a cab in advance to your planned destination as you can hardly fit a briefcase in the trunk..
April 19, 2008The 2001 quattro roadster is a great little car. Timeless, unique styling. Head room is great for taller drivers-much better than most roadsters and even those 6'+ tall can fit comfortably (very important to me). First yr for convertible TT in US, so there are not that many good low-mileage examples left, but if you can find one can still get it for a great price. Look for the ones with the amber optic baseball interior and Bose stereo; both amazing- even by 2014 standards. Quick; especially fun in 4th/5th/6th on freeway. Suggest looking into stage 1 tune which will bring quattro up to ~250hp and smooth out power. Much more cargo room than I expected. Way less common and more unique than a boxster or bmw roadsters- still looks contemporary 14 yrs after build (moreso than later models in my opinion). People often think it is a new $40-$50k car. If you buy one, find a good audi/VW shop; they will charge prob half of the dealership. Take note of whether timing chain has been replaced and when. Replace it more often than recommended (every 50k or so, bc if they go it's bad news). Overall, I love it. Exactly what I wanted for fun and commuting on sunny days.
November 16, 2014LOVE it! this car is so much fun to drive and as far as the convertible top, it almost has no road noise. I;m sure the Bose stereo system helps drown out whatever small noise could creep in while tooling down a winding country road on a clear Spring day.
February 16, 2014I just recently purchased a 2001 Audi TT Roadster, and am really impressed. I’m a big guy, 6’ 5” tall and over 250 lbs., so I need leg room, shoulder room, etc. The TT Roadster is remarkably roomy inside. Plenty of leg room, wide enough for each person to have a comfortable amount of space around them, and the telescoping/tilting steering wheel help ensure a comfortable driving position. Definitely recommend that bigger people give it a look. Since I purchased the vehicle out of state, I drove it 1,700 miles home. It is a great road trip car. While the suspension is tight, Audi has somehow managed to keep the bumps from impacting the passengers. And the 225 hp/207 lb ft of torque give it plenty of “get up and go” for passing maneuvers. I was also pleasantly surprised at the fuel economy, getting just under 30 mpg on the highways, most of which had 70 or 75 mph speed limits. Since this is a 2001 model, Bluetooth is non-existent; there’s no touch screen to control the radio, navigation, climate controls, etc.; and the seats are manual control only. But, to have this much fun driving a car, certainly willing to make that trade off.
August 18, 2021i've had the TT almost 5 years now. It's by far the best car i've ever owned. I still get asked about it everywhere i go, and it still has more class and style than almost anything at all. But most of all, is the feeling it gives while driving. The car is truly one of a kind.
January 16, 2008Nice acceleration, can out run the most cars on the road. Handling is precise and fast. You will feel the german build quality. It's one of the best looking cars ever build. Cost can be expensive, but not as bad as many other cars. It's just a joy to drive.
January 19, 2010Unbelievably fun car to drive. This car wasn't very practical and was extremely cramped for the driver and passenger. The handling made up for that though. With good tires this car wants to test every corner. Its acceleration is decent and its top speed is lacking but throwing it through an S turn is truly a fun experience
July 5, 2009The Audi TT convertible is a great, fun car to drive. It's turbo performance is great above 3.500 rpm, the 6 gears make it smooth & sporty suspension adds to the fun! On a sunny day, having the roof off is guaranteed to improve your mood & put a smile in your face. Engine can be thirsty if driven hard and Audi main dealers pricey for servicing but worth it to protect value.
July 25, 2008My first manual transmission: six speeds of heaven. Plenty torque down low, lovely sound up high. I've never been complimented so much at rest areas and gas stations. Love her to death :)
January 26, 2008This car is so much fun that we might not ever sell it. It has been pretty reliable over the years, requiring mostly just regular maintenance. The couple of times it needed "major" maintenance it required a new instrument panel one time and a new oil pump another time. For a car that is now 15 model years old, it has been very reliable overall.
April 14, 2015Trims & specs
Base MSRP $31,775 | Seating 4 |
Engine 1.8L 180 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity N/A |
Combined MPG 24 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $33,595 | Seating 4 |
Engine 1.8L 180 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 10.8 cu ft |
Combined MPG 22 | Drivetrain AWD |
Base MSRP $31,775 | Seating 4 |
Engine N/A | Cargo Capacity N/A |
Combined MPG N/A | Drivetrain N/A |
Base MSRP $33,775 | Seating 2 |
Engine 1.8L 180 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 7.8 cu ft |
Combined MPG 23 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $36,745 | Seating 4 |
Engine 1.8L 225 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 13.8 cu ft |
Combined MPG 22 | Drivetrain AWD |
Base MSRP $39,475 | Seating 2 |
Engine 1.8L 225 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 6.4 cu ft |
Combined MPG 22 | Drivetrain AWD |
