Used Sports Cars Rarely Give as Much Value as the 2012 Audi TT
When you look at sports cars over the years, you recognize one particular trend. They tend to dominate in performance and speed, but sometimes fall short in the practicality department. And these cars almost always cost a lot more than other classes of vehicles.
But is there is a way to enjoy a sports car without taking on the huge price of a new model? You can buy a used one, with a few years and miles on it, to save money. In terms of used sports cars, it’s hard to find a better one than a 2012 Audi TT.
How much a used Audi TT will set you back
U.S. News and World Report compiled a list of some of the fastest cars, with two primary criteria. The vehicles on this particular list are used and can be purchased for $20,000 or less.
According to the data, the 2012 Audi TT presents the best value in this used and speedy combination. The market minimum sale price for a 2012 Audi TT is $14,360, and U.S. News and World Report critics give this sports car an 8.3 out of a possible 10 score.
A stand-out contender in this used and fast cars list
The Audi TT is a valuable buy as a used model, in part because it offers so much more than just a high-powered engine. Audi tends to outfit its TT models with more upscale materials, seeming to almost qualify them as luxury cars as well as sports cars.
The front seats are supportive and comfortable, with high-quality interior materials. And the Audi TT is an all-wheel drive, a stark contrast to its rear-wheel drive, sporty competitors. You can even get a convertible version for top-down fun.
But don’t mistake this luxury car for anything less than a top-performance ride. There are three turbocharged engines, with the two lower trims offering a range of 211 to 265 horsepower. And the six-speed, quick-shifting automatic transmission comes standard and optimizes the engine performance beautifully.
What’s new with the Audi TT this year?
Fast-forward to today, and the 2021 Audi TT is an even faster and more luxurious ride than its 2012 model counterpart. The five-cylinder engine is turbocharged, capable of 394 horsepower, and comes new this year with a black exterior trim.
Car and Driver points out that there are new 20-inch wheels, and all variations have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto pairing as standard. Also standard is the Audi MMI infotainment, navigation, and Audi Connect. The 2021 Audi TT RS coupe comes with a significantly higher price than the 2012 model, too, costing $73,545.
Used or new, the Audi TT may be a smart buy
The folks at Jalopnik shared the iSeeCars.com data last year that featured the Audi TT as the sports car most likely to keep running beyond the 150,000-mile mark. Considering how much luxury and speed you already get with this car, buying new or used is probably a smart buy.
Buying used, even the 2012 model for under $20,000, might mean you have to compromise on some of the latest tech features. But you’re still getting a super-fast car, with luxury extras from its time, and the capability of lasting far beyond 100,000 miles.
If you’re interested in finding a great performance car with speed and luxury touchpoints, the 2012 Audi TT is worth a look. Any used TT presents incredible value as Audi marries power and luxury into this pretty sweet ride.
And, of course, if you have the $70,000 budget to buy new, you’ll certainly enjoy the best version of the Audi TT. But buying used proves you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy a fast sports car with a little bit of plush.
