The two-car route is not an option for me, for several reasons I won’t go into now… it’s the MX5 OR something else. I’m still mulling over the options and once again, I thank you all for your valuable, thought provoking contributions.
…just one further thought: most of the noise in my NC appears to be coming from BEHIND me, and not from the roof area, although I’ve no doubt a hard top would improve things in this area. I’m beginning to wonder if my car is louder than it ‘should’ be, perhaps due to a noisy diff, or something.
If the noise appears to be coming from behind you, it’s worth checking that the rubber flappy bits near the end of your drain channels are still in place.
We have a 2011 TT roadster as well as a MK1 NA (did have a MK3 PHRT for 7 years until last summer) and the Audi is a lovely car for those longer journeys. Its built well and the engine is lovely (ours is just the 1.8). I would prefer the Audi for the longer journeys however Im hopefully moving to a MK4 ND very shortly so the Audi will be sacrificed as a trade in.
Going against the grain here, go for the Audi if you want the refinement
I test drove a (used) Audi TT 1.8 a few years back. Almost had an accident at the first roundabout as the turbo-lag was so bad.
Very comfortable seats though, as in most 2+2s, you can push the drivers seat back far enough (if tall) - the lack of which is the curse of the MX5 range.
I have a 2014 TT Roadster 1.8Tfsi. It is a lovely car and brilliant on long journeys. Massive boot twice the size of my old Mk2.5. Beautifully built with good residuals. Cheap to run, less tax than my old Mx and much better economy. If you buy at the right time good offers are to be had. We got £5000 deposit contribution and excellent finance deal. However it is a bit soulless. I went out and bought a Mk1 1.8 S Special for fun. I will not replace the TT with another new car. I fancy a classic with a V8 so maybe an MGB GT V8 or Triumph Stag.
We were recently offered a new TT with £5000 deposit contribution and 4% Apr.
Cant believe we are discussing Aldi TT’s on MX forum. Must be the gayest car ever. i wouldn’t be seen dead in one. imagine the social stigma, everybody calling you a hairdresser, thinking your limp waisted, wondering if you keep scissors in the boot, no thanks. BTW under neath the body its a Golf Gti so why not just buy the Golf and get the practicality of 5 seats and a boot.
Drove a 2.5 Boxster manual and a 2.7 tiptronic when I was looking to move on from my Lotus Elan SE. Highly competent, but don’t get into their element until you are way over the speed limit, fun from 80 plus. Kept Lotus another 3 years as I couldn’t compromise on an Elise’s practicality. Eventually I realised that a NC was the only viable alternative. (an associate is doing a chassis up rebuild on my 175,000 Lotus so thats the good news) .
Also anyone considering a liquid cooled Boxster/996/997 should do their research on the IMS bearing. Notoriously unreliable leading to catastrophic engine failure, often meaning a right off as new engine costs more than car is worth. Either get a very old and leggy 2.5 Boxster with the more solid dual roller bearing or a 2009 onwards when Porsche finally accepted defeat after a few engine revisions and update the Boxster/Cayman/997 with a totally new engine.
ps; i’m still sorely tempted by a Toyota engined Elise as Lotus is in my genes but can’t help thinking a NC3.5 would be a better upgrade from my NC 3.0 . Heart over head or head over heart. My wife hated me for selling “her” Lotus but after 18 months now grudgingly accepts NC3 is a better day to day car. i’m 50 in 4 weeks, maybe i should just buy a Jag ; )
I’m new here and don’t know much yet… but I have read about others putting noise insulation under the boot carpet. I have some foam ready to use but not got round to doing it yet.
Friend of mine went from an MX5 to a soft top TT. As a passenger I would say it was quieter, comfier and the soft top roof was certainly more substantial than the 5s, plus it goes down/up while you are moving.
I cant comment on what it is like to drive as I was only a passenger.
Sounds like all the things people say about Mx5s before they actually drive one. Good soft top 2 seater are few and far between. Our TT actually worked out cheaper to buy than a new Mx5. The cars are very different in character. The TT is the better everyday car but the lack of character for me makes it difficult to be without an mx5.
I bloody know! It took 7 months to decide over a practical car. I will admit some inheritence helped for the bm purchase outright although i tend to keep cars for 4-5 years.
Well, I’ve decided to hold on to my Mk 3.0 for the coming summer, at least. As some of you have rightly advised, I know I’d really miss it.
I will try and improve the comfort level as much as possible by applying sound deadening panels, mainly in the boot area. I’m also suffering from the dreaded, well documented ‘seashell’ noise syndrome, especially from the rear passenger side. Unfortunately passing a newly acquired trombone cleaner through the water drain has failed to correct the problem.