[willhollin]

Originally Posted by kaishang

A5 looks like a really nice car.

Nicer than a BMW 3xx coupe.

Nah, A5 proportions are all wrong.

[TMP]

The non S A3's are a very average drive, would avoid that one from your list.

[Chris100]

Sad that you have to think of getting rid of a car you love due to scumbag thieves, a good friend of mine has a TTS and its a great car so much so that I would consider one myself next time. I would say that if you have to change an A5 would be my choice, I would have preferred one to my current E92 but at the time I needed to change I could not find one in the right spec at the right price.

I will be going down the Audi route next year when I'm due for a change unless the replacement for the E92 is very special both inside and out, current E92 is spot on from the outside but IMO the inside really lets it down.

[MEGA]

I might be inclined to say a 6 month old 370z roadster with plenty of money to spare?

[KadeSdad]

Why not look at an older good spec 130i, very quick and not all that imposing / noticeable

[Baby Dave]

Don't change your car, buy a big dog, thieving scum and big hungry dogs don't get on, and the dog will always win

[Mike in Hampshire]

To the OP; I've driven the A4 you suggest........meh......wouldn't recommend it. Yes, nice inside, but cars are for driving, the interior is secondary, no?
Apart from that all I can do is echo what others have said; namely that it is sad that scumbag thieves have forced you to abandon a car that you (presumably) love, and have worked hard to get. Not right, not fair and I feel disappointed (on your behalf) that it should come to that.

Mike.

[Cozy]

Don't discount the e92 M3, the 08's are now coming in at around £23k+ used...

[RockIt]

Thanks for the comments and advice. Of course I'm not really wanting to move the TTS on, but it just feels like the best thing to do at the moment. I'm actually considering a complete change of direction and leaving coupes and sports cars altogether for a couple of years. Actually looking at the new Audi Q3, but still going to test drive an A5 and a couple of other things over the next week or so. TTS should be back today or the beginning of next week. I intend to thoroughly enjoy driving it before I get shut and have some great driving routes planned already!

EDIT: Just found out that the TTS will be ready on 29th September I shall enjoy driving the Citroen C1 around for a while longer then.

[Snooky]

Originally Posted by RockIt

Thanks for the comments and advice. Of course I'm not really wanting to move the TTS on, but it just feels like the best thing to do at the moment. I'm actually considering a complete change of direction and leaving coupes and sports cars altogether for a couple of years. Actually looking at the new Audi Q3, but still going to test drive an A5 and a couple of other things over the next week or so. TTS should be back today or the beginning of next week. I intend to thoroughly enjoy driving it before I get shut and have some great driving routes planned already!

EDIT: Just found out that the TTS will be ready on 29th September I shall enjoy driving the Citroen C1 around for a while longer then.

Flippin' eck Gav, is it taking that long to replace the wing mirrors? Or is this to do with new keys

[RockIt]

Both mate. Went to Audi after work and our contact down there told me that they are having big problems with stolen mirrors on S and RS models, so much so that some customers have asked for ordinary mirrors to be put on, or for the mirrors to be sprayed silver, rather than risk the aluminium ones. Can't see how that would help really as a thief is more than likely to just steal them anyway and discover later that they aren't the real deal. Locks are also taking an age. I suppose the upside is that it can't get stolen...

Anyway, got a test drive booked in an A5 for Sunday, but not sure that in our garage I would be able to open the door and get out! Damn, those doors are big!

[F31-340i]

I had a go in a TT mk 2 today - 2.0 with DSG. Nice car.

What are you expecting to sell yours for rockit? Any pictures / info?

Cheers

[RockIt]

Originally Posted by ///ajd

I had a go in a TT mk 2 today - 2.0 with DSG. Nice car.

What are you expecting to sell yours for rockit? Any pictures / info?

Cheers

Mine's a 58 plate manual in Sprint Blue, one previous owner. All the usual TTS extras and some tasty options and low mileage for the year.

Hoping for something in the region of 22k private, looking at current ads, but may end up trading it for convenience.

[F31-340i]

Nice, just seen that magnetic ride is standard. Is this as good as e.g. Active air suspension on an SL? I take it this makes it 'corner flat' by firming up the damper on one side?

Did you ever fit the DVD nav, or find how to do it for £500? (just found your original thread).

I guess mileage is around 30k? Is it having paint around the door mirrors?

[ZURICH]

Originally Posted by RockIt

After the recent attempts to steal my TTS I have reluctantly decided that for peace of mind it has to go. It's a fantastic car and I've only had it 8 months, but it's evidently too much of a target around here. I'm likely to lose money on the sale, so budget is pretty tight.

I still want to have a decent motor and have certain criteria:

Must be a 'quality' marque
Must be nearly new, within budget of up to 28k, but would prefer up to 25k
Must be reasonably rapid.
Must look good, (subjective obviously), but not as 'obvious' as the TTS.
Must be a coupe or 3 door and have a decent boot/hatch.

I think I've narrowed possible replacements down to 3 cars, one BMW and 2 Audis and am interested to know if anyone has any experience of owning/test driving them that they can share?

Audi A5 2.0TFSI (211) petrol, (preferably Quattro S line)

Audi A3 2.0TFSI - seen some nice Black Editions for sale

BMW 135i. Not sure about this, having owned an E92, I may find it smaller but similar?

Obviously I will be test driving these, but I'm interested to hear people's thoughts/experience and other suggestions. Not really interested in a Golf, as they've never really appealed, even though they are good cars. I don't want another 3 series at the moment, unless it's an M3 and that's out of the equation... and nothing French.

Cheers

Gav

Hi gav a good friend of mine has just got one of these: Alfa Romeo Giulietta Hatchback 5-Door 1742 cc 1.8 1750 TBi 235bhp Cloverleaf

He now smiles in his sleep and takes the longway home, plus allways ready to be the designated driver do not dismiss in a fit of pique it's an Alfa, check out the specs, he got a late 2010 for £22,000 plus free sevicing for three years, good luck with the replacement hunt. Kev.

[RockIt]

Originally Posted by ///ajd

Nice, just seen that magnetic ride is standard. Is this as good as e.g. Active air suspension on an SL? I take it this makes it 'corner flat' by firming up the damper on one side?

Did you ever fit the DVD nav, or find how to do it for £500? (just found your original thread).

I guess mileage is around 30k? Is it having paint around the door mirrors?

Decided not to bother with the nav as I got an ultra slim Garmin that is way more advanced than the Audi system. Mirrors will remain original as resale would be affected otherwise. Mileage is about 25k. It is a fantastic drive and the magnetic suspension tightens the whole feel of the car and let's you push very hard into corners! Can't comment on the SL as I've never driven one.

[RockIt]

Originally Posted by ZURICH

Hi gav a good friend of mine has just got one of these: Alfa Romeo Giulietta Hatchback 5-Door 1742 cc 1.8 1750 TBi 235bhp Cloverleaf

He now smiles in his sleep and takes the longway home, plus allways ready to be the designated driver do not dismiss in a fit of pique it's an Alfa, check out the specs, he got a late 2010 for £22,000 plus free sevicing for three years, good luck with the replacement hunt. Kev.

Thanks mate. Looked at these before my wife bought her A1. To be honest it doesn't tick the boxes for me and when the Brera came out I had a very poor experience with Alia dealers...and bought a BMW! Actually getting more and more interested in leaving performance to one side for a while and looking at a complete change to an SUV. Practical, comfortable and decent pace...new Audi Q3. Save some cash and buy a Porsche when we move in a couple of years. Hmmm. Confused now!

[RockIt]

Originally Posted by Chris100

Sad that you have to think of getting rid of a car you love due to scumbag thieves, a good friend of mine has a TTS and its a great car so much so that I would consider one myself next time. I would say that if you have to change an A5 would be my choice, I would have preferred one to my current E92 but at the time I needed to change I could not find one in the right spec at the right price.

I will be going down the Audi route next year when I'm due for a change unless the replacement for the E92 is very special both inside and out, current E92 is spot on from the outside but IMO the inside really lets it down.

Absolutely agree. I ran my E92 330i from new for 4 years and it was fantastic...but Audi interior is far better and despite negativity about the drive they are perfectly and more than acceptable unless you are really pushing hard or tracking. BMW are definitely better driver's cars but Audi is a more complete package IMO.

[Gibbo]

Gav, sorry to hear about your recent problems and hope your run of misfortune has come to and end. I see you are looking at an Audi Q3, we have owned our Yeti 170 tdi for over a year and I still enjoy driving it a weekends with the family. Its nippy, handles well and the tdi has a fair bit of grunt for day to day driving with combined 45 mpg. The residuals are still mega with 30k 18 month old cars going for 2k under list with dealers which is the discount I got off mine new! I am not trying to sell you a skoda but the small VW group off roaders are a lot of fun and will be good for getting your music gear in as well so I recomend a drive in the Q3. I would assume desirability will be high over the next few years as this segment will continue to grow taking volume from 3 series, A4, etc.

The only other car I fancy at the mo apart from a new 911 is the evoque but at 40k for the top spec model it is hard to justify when a fully loaded yeti is about £24k. I would rather have the cash towards my house fund for the future.

Go for a decent test drive, look at the benifits of this kind of vehicle for day to day and residual values and I don't think you will go far wrong.

[ZURICH]

Gav,
slightly radical but how about the new Mini Cooper s COUPE !

small, cheap to run, will be a classic and so much fun to own and drive.

Kev.