Few questions about an Audi TT Coupe or A4 Cab. Please help!

[ElfinTT]

Hey guys. I'm looking at getting an Audi TT coupe or an A4 Cabriolet. My budget limits me in what I can get, in terms of being a newer car, but that might be not be an issue.

1. I heard that several years will have issues, such as the 2000-2001 TT coupe has handling issues etc.. What would you say is the best year to shoot for. I'm really looking for no more than 10k so please do keep that in mind as well.
I'm currently living in Arizona, where I will be for about a year before going to Hawaii. Now this is where it's a toss up. I'll be on the big island for a year or so (which means a bit of driving) or I'm going straight to UH and living on campus (which means little to no driving). Given this, which do you think best for my situation? To give perspective now, I only drive 9k miles a year right now, so I don't drive much.

2. I understand they can be expensive to maintain, but how much can I reliably do on my own? I have little to no car knowledge, with the exception of basic car stuff (oil, fluids, and that's about it). I can learn though, and am quite good at following a guide. (Right after I typed this I just saw a DIY guide on the right, so I could follow that!)

3. Anything that I should look out for when I go to purchase? Of course rust damage, but what about sounds? Handling? When I look under the hood, what I should be looking for, outside of it being clean?

That's really my only questions, but major emphasis on question 1.
I really appreciate you guys helping me out! It's been my dream since I was a kid to own a TT coupe. Love that car so much.
All the best!

I really should also note, that I'll be buying used. I know I made it somewhat clear given my budget, but I want to make sure I say it. So sorry if this isn't the right subforum. New here and just made the account and looking for help.

[BeavenX5]

Maybe I can help a little: I used to own a 2006 S4 Cabriolet (B6) and changed it last year for a 2008 TT Roadster (MKII). My brother has a 225hp MK1 TT Coupe (modified to over 300hp) and I drive it quite often. Keep in mind that my S4 weighted 1,400lb more than my TT (probably 1,100lb for the A4 vs MK1 TT). As much as I loved the V8 on the S4 it was a heavy car and a pig on gas. The weight of the Cabriolet made the car very comfortable but not as agile as the TT. At 300+HP my brother's TT has at least as much performance as the S4.
About the transmission: you can't get the manual transmission on a A4 Cabriolet in North America. If you don't get the A4 Cab Quattro, you get the CVT transmission which is not very reliable (Front track A4 comes only with CVT).
They both have the 1.8T engine which is very good and reliable.
The TT Quattro comes with the 225hp engine (versus 180hp for A4 or non Quattro TT)

You have to keep in mind:
If you want a manual transmission, you have to go with the TT (or S4 Cab)
If you want automatic, then TT, TT Quattro or A4 Quattro. I would not recommend the A4 Front track with the CVT.
Comfort advantage to the A4 Cabriolet
Pleasure to drive in nice sunny days advantage to the Cabriolet unless you can go with a TT roadster
Agility advantage TT
Maintenance cost advantage TT (specially compared to the S4)
Gas bills advantage TT
Room (passengers and luggage) advantage A4 Cabriolet. I hope you realize the back seats of the TT are only symbolic (for kids under 7)
Most fun car: TT Quattro 225hp (roadster if you can use only 2 seats)
2004-2006 TT are good
A4 all years are pretty good.
New B7 platform only in 2007 (the non Cabriolet was in 2005.5) with the new 2.0t that is better adapted to the heavier A4.

Good luck with your decision

[Warranty225cpe]

IF you have ANY budget limitations, avoid both.

[ElfinTT]

Maybe I can help a little: I used to own a 2006 S4 Cabriolet (B6) and changed it last year for a 2008 TT Roadster (MKII). My brother has a 225hp MK1 TT Coupe (modified to over 300hp) and I drive it quite often. Keep in mind that my S4 weighted 1,400lb more than my TT (probably 1,100lb for the A4 vs MK1 TT). As much as I loved the V8 on the S4 it was a heavy car and a pig on gas. The weight of the Cabriolet made the car very comfortable but not as agile as the TT. At 300+HP my brother's TT has at least as much performance as the S4.
About the transmission: you can't get the manual transmission on a A4 Cabriolet in North America. If you don't get the A4 Cab Quattro, you get the CVT transmission which is not very reliable (Front track A4 comes only with CVT).
They both have the 1.8T engine which is very good and reliable.
The TT Quattro comes with the 225hp engine (versus 180hp for A4 or non Quattro TT)

You have to keep in mind:
If you want a manual transmission, you have to go with the TT (or S4 Cab)
If you want automatic, then TT, TT Quattro or A4 Quattro. I would not recommend the A4 Front track with the CVT.
Comfort advantage to the A4 Cabriolet
Pleasure to drive in nice sunny days advantage to the Cabriolet unless you can go with a TT roadster
Agility advantage TT
Maintenance cost advantage TT (specially compared to the S4)
Gas bills advantage TT
Room (passengers and luggage) advantage A4 Cabriolet. I hope you realize the back seats of the TT are only symbolic (for kids under 7)
Most fun car: TT Quattro 225hp (roadster if you can use only 2 seats)
2004-2006 TT are good
A4 all years are pretty good.
New B7 platform only in 2007 (the non Cabriolet was in 2005.5) with the new 2.0t that is better adapted to the heavier A4.

Good luck with your decision

Thank you for the reply, and I really appreciate it! Sorry for my late reply, but I have been looking into it more, I think I'm going to go with an 2002 Audi TT (coupe or roadster, not sure which I want yet), because I want manual. Unless I can get a hold of extra money someway, I MAY go for a 2008 Audi TT, but I really don't want to spend that much.

Would you say there is any difference between a coupe or a roadster in terms of upkeep cost for the TT? I don't care THAT much about performance.