I am debating between the Audi TT and the Z. I wont buy either for a few years (I need to graduate college first), but I am looking at what cars I want now, so I can be prepared, and I have narrowed it down to these two.

I would like to get honest opions of everyone here. I understand that this is a Z forum and that the answers will likely be biased in that direction, but I am taking my chances.

My reasoning for the Z is that it looks cool and that it has good horsepower and torque. Not the best, but definitly the best bang for the buck. However, this will not be my daily driver, as winters here in Missouri can sometimes be harsh and I want something besides a rear-wheel drive for ice and snow.

My reasoning for the TT is as follows. I know it is more expensive than the Z (after building the cars I wanted on each company's website, the TT was roughly $5000 more expensive), but, since it is an all-wheel drive, I will use it as my daily driver, eliminating the need to get another car, thereby eliminating the cost of buying and insuring a second car as my daily driver, thus, in effect, canceling out the extra cost of the TT. The TT doesnt have as good HP or torque as the Z, but it does have back-seats. The only reason this intrests me is because I can put a baby-seat back there. I am planning on getting married and having kids, so this is something I need to take into consideration. With the Z, there is no way I can ever take my kids in it unless they are older.

As far as looks go, I am torn between the two. I have never sat inside a TT, whereas I have test-driven a Z, so I cant speak for the interior of the TT. Exterior wise, I like them both, with the Z winning out just slightly. Looks-wise, I would be happy with either car.

For the past year, I have been dreaming of owning a Z. But recently, as I started looking at things, I began to realize that maybe I need a more economical car, yet one that is still really cool. Ie-a sports car that can be my daily driver.

So, what are the opions? If anyone knows anything about the TT, even negative things, please post them. I havent had time to look into the TT much yet-I've been too busy with work. Also, anyone that uses the Z as a daily driver, preferably in bad-weather situations, please let me know how it does.

Thanks in advance for the replies. I'll let you know what I decide a few years down the road.

 

Fairly unbiased opinion here.
I'm 5'7" and considered a TT before the Z came out. I sat in it and felt claustrophobic.

As for winter driving and one car, advantage TT, so if you fit and like it, go for it. Just remember though, you can get a nice beater for 5 grand also.

 

To be honest with you, the back seat of the TT is not very spacious. It's pretty cramped, even as far as sporty car backseats go. They are both cool looking cars, but you have to figure out which is more important to you: sports car performance, or everyday driveability in bad condtions. Maybe look at the G35C?

just my .02

 

My wife really wanted the TT, but it's stupid expensive for what you get. We drove and looked at the TT a number of times. If you are looking for a coupe, the G35C is better than the TT and less expensive. More room, more power, more gears and nicer interior. I thought the G35C interior looked much better and the seats were much more supportive and better designed. I think the TT was targeted for older demographics because the front seats are less supportive allowing bigger people in and out easier. The back seats are just plain slabs of leather devoid of styling. They probably figure no one will go back there or look at the back seats anyway. If you want a roomy enough back seat and AWD, look at the G35X Sedan, you might like that instead. You get coupe performance, roominess and AWD. Maybe you might want to wait for the G35C AWD model to come out in 06 or 07.

 

+1 on the g35 sedan and potential awd g35c

 

I hate to be obvious, but sooooo much will change in a few years.

The car market will change, giving you so many options, but most importantly so will your tastes in cars.

Think about it, just a few years ago, alot of us never knew what a 350z was.

 

whenever I see a guy driving an Audi TT, I assume he's driving his wife or girlfriend's car.

it's a "cute" car!

 

Look into the g35x , I didn't like them to much until I saw a few on here that were very clean... If you want more speed then look into an sti.. Drove a few and I loved them, they do have their own problems and issues(mostly with styling). But to be honest if you enjoy the looks of them BUY ONE YOU WILL NOT BE DISSIPOINTED!!!

 

My roomie had a TT, and he liked my Z much better. It pissed him off that he paid ~$10K more for the TT (he had the convertible), and that he thought the Z was a funner car. The TT does have a nice interior though.

 

It's been mentioned before, but the 'back seat advantage' is pretty much shot. I really think the only reason that Audi put these back seats was so that they may have an edge on cars in the TT's class...It's all for the specifications, in reality the back seat might as well be the trunk. My dad's rental car was a TT a few weeks ago, he's 5'8", and with his seat adjusted properly, there wasn't even room for legs in the back. I think there's even a warning somewhere on the car stating that "if you're over x feet tall, don't ride in the back". It is a really fun car to drive though, I got to drive it around for a little while...Nothing like the Z...I'm in concurance with everybody else, look into the G35, it seems like the perfect compromise (If you dare go so far as to call a G35 a 'compromise')

 

My girlfriend's dad has a TT. It reminds me of a glorified VW Beetle. No room inside, uncomfortable, and the shape of the windows promotes zero visibility. The Z is way better IMO, I'd never buy that TT. Not impressed... I'd buy a Crossfire before that thing.

 

Like everyone else, Z all the way, TT = Too Tiny

 

In the Filipino language (Tagalog), TT means *****. Get the Z...

 

There's no reason you can't drive your 350z year round (there's several of us in Canada doing so). Simply slap some winter tires on and keep the VDC engaged and you're good to go. In fact, I ice race mine over the winter.

Purely from an asthetics point of view, I find the TT profile looks like an upside down bowl. The windshield and back window are approximately the same size and angle. Drive it backwards and no one will notice... Also, the TT has a lot of front overhand compared to the rear.

TT's are basically glorified VW Golfs so it's quite surprsing that they charge so much. IMO, the 350 is larger, better performing, looks better, and is safter. How can you go wrong?

 

I forgot to provide a link comparing the TT and the Z on a track:

20MB file
http://www.wcsl.org/z/downloads/TTvsZ350.mp2

 

Snow tires on the Z and you'll be fine. My past beaters always ended up getting stolen or repairs got expensive.

 

It's so far off, I wouldn't even think about this yet. More than likely there's going to be a lot of other cars out that might draw your interest.

On a side note, the TT is small. So small I worry about safety in the case of an accident. If I was betting my life on it, I'd rather be in a Z in a crash than a TT.

 

I wouldnt even think about it if your not getting it for a few years, you have no idea what cars might come out or what youll be interested in. But on the other hand its always fun to think and stuff but itll just make you want to get it really really soon.

 

Z > Tt

 

I know exactly how you feel. I was in the same predicament last month. The Audi TT is a sweet car, hard top of course! The convertable is just like the Z roadser... not for me. The V6 quattro was the one I wanted. In a nutshell it came down to this for me Audi TT 250hp for 40k or the 350Z 287hp for 30k. Although personally, I think the TT is a bigger chic magnet my friends told me it was a chic car. Not that I needed my friends approval but obviously I went with the Z. I think I woulda been happy either way. But lets put it this way, if you go with the TT and you pull up next to a Z at light, and you wanna play...the Z has a slight advantage and you'll prolly start wishing you went with the Z. Anyway good luck! and BTW I'm almost 100% sure you can't fit a baby seat back there unless yer 5 foot.