Being a car enthusiast is tough these days. With cars getting more and more expensive, it’s increasingly difficult for enthusiasts to get their hands on genuinely good sports cars that are also powerful enough to have fun. Sure, cheap sports cars are still great at what they do, but they lack the finesse of a premium sports car.

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For anyone looking for a no-nonsense family car, the Toyota Camry is among the best options out there. This family sedan hasn’t won any awards for its performance or handling, but it has become a benchmark for its combination of affordability, spaciousness, and fuel economy. Thanks to its roomy interiors and smooth hybrid powertrain, the Camry is the go-to family sedan. The best part is that it offers this package at an attainable price of $29,300 starting.

Still, for enthusiasts, the Camry is not the right pick. What if you want something that offers you more smiles per gallon than miles for the same price? You’d have to look at one of the affordable sports cars available today. This would be something that evokes the senses, is fun to chuck into corners, and is simply fun to drive. Sure, a sports car is less practical and generally more expensive to run, but it’s what you get when you want a fun car, not a sensible car.

There are some great affordable sports cars available in the States today, including the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Toyota GR86, Ford Mustang, and Subaru BRZ. These cars cost around the same as the Camry but offer a lot more fun. But if you don't mind looking at the used market, you can get yourself a German sports car that’s not only more fun to drive but also premium. The car in question is the third-generation Audi TT, with handling that rivals Porsche and a used price tag that rivals the Camry.

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When the first-generation Audi TT was launched back in 2000 in the US, it was an instant hit. Available in two body styles—a 2+2 coupe or a two-seat roadster—the TT Mk1 showed that Audi knew how to create something genuinely sporty on the ho-hum Volkswagen Golf/GTI platform. Enthusiasts and reviewers praised its eager handling and performance, and many held it in the same regard as the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Porsche Boxster, and BMW Z4.

At the same time, owners loved it for its relative affordability and easy ownership experience. It was also noted to be quite practical, which is a quality often missing in most coupes. Its unique Bauhaus-inspired design also made it an instant style icon. Over its two and a half decade lifespan, the TT evolved with two generational updates, all while still retaining everything that made the original model so iconic. It was eventually discontinued in 2023, in its third generation.

It is this third-generation model that’s one of the best sports car bargains in the used market today. The third-generation TT was launched in 2016, bringing with it edgier styling that was wider and lower, reflecting the spirit of the Audi R8 supercar. The TT Mk3 sat on Volkswagen Group's modular MQB platform, unlike its predecessor, which used the PQ architecture. It also brought a slew of upgrades to the engine, handling, and features.

Unlike its predecessor, though, the TT Mk3 had fallen off the radar a bit, especially after its discontinuation in 2023. Despite being the perfect middle ground between the affordable Miata and the premium Boxster, the TT Mk3 faced much criticism. Modern enthusiasts developed a perception of it being a nose-heavy, front-wheel drive-based all-wheel drive car in a segment where rear-wheel drive is prioritized. Yet, the Audi TT always stayed true to its established formula of being a damn good sports car, and it’s cheap to buy used today.

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A new Toyota Camry costs $29,300, and for the same price, you can get your hands on a pre-facelift third-generation Audi TT. According to Kelley Blue Book’s Fair Purchase Price estimates, a used third-generation Audi TT starts at roughly $19,600 for the 2016 model, which is dramatically less than the Camry’s starting price. The same pre-facelift TT Mk3 does up to $25,200 for the 2018 model, which makes it the sweet spot for model years if you’re looking for an affordable German sports coupe.

In 2019, Audi introduced a mild facelift for the Audi TT, with subtle exterior updates and mechanical refinements, including a 7-speed DCT. Since this facelift was more evolutionary than revolutionary, it’s best to stick to pre-facelift models, as you still get the same core experience at much lower prices. Still, if you want a facelift TT Mk3, the first-year models are entering affordable territory, with KBB putting their value at $28,000. Later models do as high as $33,300 for the 2023 model.

Audi also sold the TT Mk3 in TTS avatar, featuring a slightly more powerful engine that made 292 horsepower before the facelift and 288 horsepower post-facelift. These models are more expensive than the standard TT coupe, but you can still bag one of the earlier 2016 to 2018 models for under $30k. There was also the hot TT RS model, but the cheapest one you’ll find is a 2018 one for $42,800, which is why we won’t be talking about the RS models here.

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The 2016 to 2018 Audi TT Mk3 is powered by the zippy 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder TFSI engine that produces 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Don’t let its humble power figures fool you, though; the car can still go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 5.3 seconds, topping out at 130 miles per hour. The 2019 facelift upped this engine's performance to 228 horsepower while torque remained the same, shaving 0.1 second from its 0 to 60 miles per hour sprint.

Spend a bit more, and you can get your hands on the earlier TTS model, which featured the same TFSI engine tuned to deliver 292 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The peak torque here arrived at 1,900 rpm instead of the TT's 1,500 rpm, giving the car a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph. The facelift update dropped this engine's performance to 288 horsepower while shaving 0.1 second from its 0 to 60 miles per hour time.

The Audi TT Mk3’s engine is mated to a six-speed DCT with manual shifting mode, with the 2019 facelift adding a cog to this gearbox, making it a seven-speed DCT. This transmission sends the power to all four wheels via Audi’s legendary Quattro system, which ensures superior grip and stability even in challenging conditions. This all-wheel drive system can direct 100 percent of engine torque to either the front or rear axle, which is said to improve the car’s performance in fast corners.

Speaking of handling, the TT Mk3 won’t disappoint you when it comes to its road manners, either. For the third generation, Volkswagen Group's modular MQB platform replaced the older PQ architecture, with a majority aluminum body shell attached to it. According to Audi, even though the new platform had less alloy content, the strategic use of high-strength steel and other weight-saving measures made the platform lighter by over 110 pounds compared to the second-generation platform.

Unfortunately, this platform is why the TT flies under the radar. Critics of the TT see it as little more than a souped-up Golf that uses the same MQB platform. It is somewhat true, but where the TT stands out is in its difference in mass and how it's distributed. Not to mention, the TT features Audi’s Quattro system, a system that’s known for clawing through corners. In the real world, the Audi TT is said to offer excellent steering and exceptional handling, making it an ideal sports coupe for those looking for precision. The TTS only builds on this with Audi Magnetic Ride adaptive suspension.

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Over its quarter-century production year, the Audi TT saw many changes to its design, but each update was more evolutionary, much like the Porsche 911. The second generation refined and sharpened the original Freeman Thomas shape, and the third-generation update gave the design an aggressive edge. It now incorporates the R DNA from the Audi R8 supercar, which made the relatively affordable sports car a headturner on the road. Even today, the TT Mk3 looks a lot more expensive than it actually is, especially if you grab one of the earlier models.

Like the outside design that screams Audi, the interior is no different. The TT Mk3’s cabin uses a clean, minimalistic yet highly functional design that is often praised for being one of the best automotive interior designs of recent years. The cabin is also relatively spacious for the driver and front passenger. Although the same can’t be said for its rear seats, which are best suited for toddlers or backpacks, even the cargo space is marginally useful at 12 cubic feet.

The Audi TT Mk3 also doesn’t hold back in features (at least for the time when it was new). The flat-bottom steering wheel reinforces its sporting DNA, and sitting behind it is Audi’s all-electronic Virtual Cockpit instrument panel. This 12.3-inch display features a version of Audi’s MMI infotainment system and two traditional gauges, and it supports available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also eliminates the need for a center touchscreen; put the Virtual Cockpit in gauge mode, and you can pretend you’re driving a car without touchscreens.

The Audi TT also features circular air vents with neatly integrated fan speed and temperature controls, which further clean up the dashboard. Audio duties are handled by a nine-speaker stereo with satellite radio, though you can find some models with the available 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system for a richer audio experience. Other standard features include Bluetooth connectivity and two USB ports.

Few modern cars come close to the iconic status of the original TT, and fewer still manage to keep that alive over generations. The TT is one of them. The Audi TT Mk3 may be underrated, but by no means is it a bad car. It’s nothing short of what made the original TT so special for enthusiasts. It’s a terrific sports coupe that can double up as a daily driver, and thanks to its used prices today, it can be the perfect gateway into the world of premium sports cars for young enthusiasts.

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Source: https://www.topspeed.com/overlooked-sports-coupe-cheaper-than-camry/