What to watch for with used TT coupe?

I am interested in purchasing a used Audi TT coupe. Before I do so
though, I would like to know a couple of things, and thought that this
might be the best place to post some questions. I am also considering
an Infiniti G35X also. (Yes, I know that they are two completely
different vehicles.)

1. I like the turbo 4 cylinder for mpg, but what is the longevity
like? I don't want to purchase a car that I will need to have rebuilt
at 110 000 miles. I am an aggressive driver, but not outrageous so.
2. I have heard that the 6 cylinder 3.6l is available also. Would this
be a better alternative to the four cyl., or are the performance gains
not necessarily worth it?
3. What are the best/worst features of the car?
4. Any years to avoid?

Any and all comments welcomed.

TIA

On Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:02:39 -0800 (PST), against all advice,
something compelled oily_engineer <jim.creybohm.RemoveThis@gmail.com>, to
say:

> I am interested in purchasing a used Audi TT coupe. Before I do so
> though, I would like to know a couple of things, and thought that this
> might be the best place to post some questions. I am also considering
> an Infiniti G35X also. (Yes, I know that they are two completely
> different vehicles.)
>
> 1. I like the turbo 4 cylinder for mpg, but what is the longevity
> like? I don't want to purchase a car that I will need to have rebuilt
> at 110 000 miles. I am an aggressive driver, but not outrageous so.

There are two versions of the four cylinder. One had 180HP, the
other 225. Were I to go with the four, I'd get the 225 version
as it has a forged crank and pistons, maybe it's beefed up in
some other areas as well. You can tell the difference between
them by the exhaust pipes. The 180 has one, the 225 has two.
Also, the 225 has two intercoolers.

> 2. I have heard that the 6 cylinder 3.6l is available also. Would this
> be a better alternative to the four cyl., or are the performance gains
> not necessarily worth it?

It's a 250HP 3.2L six. It's what I have. The extra twenty-five
ponies might not be that big of a deal, but where they arrive in
the power band is. I thought the 225 four suffered from turbo
lag, and then the power came in all at once. I imagine you could
get used to it.

The six, on the other hand, delivers power at a lower RPM, and
it's pretty linear. It also sounds really nice. As far as
mileage, I'm averaging 24MPG in mixed freeway/highway/town
driving. YMMV.

Oh, and the six takes premium.

> 3. What are the best/worst features of the car?

The best feature of mine is the DSG transmission. It's simply
brilliant. The only problem I've had is with a rattle, and that
might be from something I have stashed in the back rather than
something that's actually part of the car.

> 4. Any years to avoid?

I wouldn't get anything older than an '03. 1999 to 2002 had bugs
with the electrics that seem to have faded from the scene by '03.
>
> Any and all comments welcomed.

I love mine. It's kind of at the bottom end of high performance
sport coupes, but it takes a BMW or another Audi to beat it.
That's pretty good company. And it's definitely a head turner.
--

Life is too short to play cheap guitars.