Blimey! We've managed to move on from my sub £5k MK1 TT to Porkers, Mercs and Datsuns!!!

I'd love a 350Z or even a Porker but I'll occasionally need the 4 seats (My 2 youngest managed to sit in the back of a TT quite easily!).

Bob, your budget increase is quite impressive

I have to say, I'm having very dirty thoughts about an Abarth 500 or 595.

On PCP...... £1000 down and then 48 months at £168.

MeanRedSpider has one, I believe...

Bloody thirsty for the 135cc engine, as quoted on that page!

I had an e46 330 ci, I'm more than aware of the high running costs of a BMW. Much more than the coupe - can't comment against my xfr yet, but if costs on an m car are similar to mine there are many potentially ruinous costs!

Yes, I know I started out with a budget that was using savings and as I've always liked the TT if fitted my budget so this thread was perfect. But having done the research and viewing some cars I have really started to go off the idea. The Mk1 is over ten years old and as I've been looking at them this old car thing has been making itself obvious. So, a trip to the bank and as said before an "EVIL" loan

So the obvious choice was the TT-2 as it is the more modern looking car. But there are downsides to the TT-2. Firstly it seems rather expensive for what is, sadly, a car that just feels like and Audi A3 Coupe. Both cars seem almost identical inside and the same spec A3 is a lot cheaper. So when the Auto trader search is widened a lot more cars seem much better value. For the same money you can get a younger, fewer miles or better specification Scirocco.

Then today I saw an Audi A5 Coupé for sale. Looks Tidy and nicely equipped too.

Do you need to carry people in the rear seats Bob? Access is difficult and there's surprising little space back there. The boot is enormous though with plenty of space behind the rear seats.

Lovely cars to look at and to drive. Shop around though, there's a few versions of the A5 or see if there's an S5 at a similar price, they come with all the toys, 4WD and if you find a well spec'd car, it will have the sports rear diff which makes driving fun.
The 2ltr Turbo A5 is pretty quick, the supercharged V6 S5 is very capable and easily tuned to be quicker than the RS5.

Nice Spec and engine

Watch for excess oil consumption, Audi will replace the piston rings gratis if the car has service history.

Or, perhaps Jonny might speak up for this:

Smooth, fast and quite special.

Wow, cheap! Good find Jim.

Wow £505 road tax & 15mpg.... I'd be skint. Looks rather interesting though

Ha haha, know that feeling.....

This thread seems to be running off all over the place, what's you current thoughts bob? Age, style, performance and economy??
If it's a 4 seater coupe you have a merc c class, BMW 3 series and a tt (or other vag bodies on same golf platform).
Our Japanese friends have some interesting ideas, although most are dull style wise.

A curve ball, the Toyota gt86 is in your price range!

Indeed, I had perhaps better start a new one as it seems quite clear I have moved on from the TT 3.2 DSG.

Considered an e46 m3? Prices start at £5k plus.
Back seats and plenty of power to be interesting.

Apologies, Bob, if my fantasies were a little distracting!

Might struggle with the 30+ mpg..........

Follow up....

I spoke earlier about how a local Audi Specialist had seemingly been putting me off buying the 3.2 DSG. Yesterday I was back there getting the A5 checked over. This time there was a different fellow in the office. I explained that I had been looking at the 3.2 and that his colleague talked me out of it, his response? "Good"

He said that the 3.2 -DSG is a fantastic car but in their experience they are probably one of the most fragile Audi's ever made! His assessment was that most bills are big bills and that because of their current price many owners who buy them aren't prepared for the costs when they go wrong. It kind of reminded me of where we were with the Coupé. Cheap to buy but not cheap to own.

Having now viewed quite a few TT's I do like them but the 4 cylinder versions don't sound right. Looks Like I'll have to wait until the TTRS comes in budget, that sounds like a Fiat Coupé 20V, which in turn sounds like an Audi Quattro