21st Aug 2007, 06:08
Honda Integra DC2 JDM spec group 18 0-60 6.2 seconds, and even though front wheel drive easily outhandles an Audi TT. Don't confuse 4wd TRACTION with grip and cornering speeds.
22nd Aug 2007, 11:18
But my Audi could out pace an Integra in a drag race. I keep up with my older brother's brand new Audi S3, which has a 0-60 time of 5.7.
I never said my TT has good handling, so I don't know why you said that, although I have read somewhere that the Integra is one of the best FWD drive cars ever; whether or not it's true, I don't know.
Plus the Integra has a 0-60 time of 6.5, not 6.2. Check whatcar.com and Parkers, and see for yourself.
Another downside is that you can't get more power out of a VTEC engine without spending big money i.e turbo.
22nd Aug 2007, 19:15
I must say I finally agree with you, as the author of the original review!
If I had £20 - £30k to spend, you're absolutely right, there's no way I'd buy an Alfa. However I still think they look better than any German machine, but as you rightly say, they'll never match them for reliability, quality and the drive.
Touch wood, my Alfa's not had any problems. I personally have a preference for cars that look nice and have lots of gadgets over speed, but in a couple of years when I can afford the insurance on a fast car, I'd like something like a BMW M5, but for now, for only £4000, I've got a car that looks lovely and has all the gadgets you need.
The depreciation is huge on Alfa's, but that suits me perfectly as the second owner. I mean my mum wanted to sell her 3 year old Focus TDCi Sport to me, but it was still valued at over £7000 according to Parkers, yet it didn't have half the gadgets that my Alfa has, and it's a Focus! They are soooo boring! I honestly can't think of a car less than 3 1/2 years old for £4000 that's better.
23rd Aug 2007, 11:51
TT owner again; I do agree with you that they are good value for the money (and age). £4000 will not get you a German car less than 5 years old, but there is a reason they are rare, and we both know what it (the reason) is.
24th Aug 2007, 11:55
I said NEW S3, I repeat New S3. The 260bhp model with four wheel drive. The Civic Type R does 0-60 in 6.6; they wouldn't have a chance against a new S3 or my TT. A standard integra wouldn't beat any of the cars you just mentioned, plus they are ugly and they have a stupid name. Think of it this way, when I'm out up town and I say to some girl "I've got an Audi TT" they know exactly what I'm talking about, and it's an impressive thing to say. If I were to say "I've got a Honda Integra" they would probably reply saying "what the hell is one of them?"
You say you've had one with 300bhp+? You must of gone through a front set of tires every two weeks, plus any handling capabilities it had would have been lost due to too much power, and don't even try saying it didn't; no front wheel drive car, not even a Focus RS could properly put down 300bhp through a corner without understeer. I bet it was an awful car to drive.
25th Aug 2007, 09:24
I HAVE beaten ALL the cars I mentioned.
Forget 0-60 times; in real the world they don't matter as much as say 30-100 times.
And understeer wasn't much of a problem, because when the car was standard, taking corners at 90mph+ was the limit no matter what the bhp figure. The extra 120bhp I gave the car just made it quicker on the straights, and the only difference in the corners was the fact I was in 1 gear higher to stop the wheels spinning. The car comes standard with a decent LSD as well, which helps a lot.
With the Integra the hp figure is not the deciding factor, it's weight. Weighing only 1060kg it's a good 100kg or more lighter than a Focus RS, Leon Cupra and Pulsar GTIR, and the TT weighs about 300kg more than the Integra.
If you look at the likes of TVR, that's why their cars are so quick; yes they have upwards of 350bhp, but so do the cars they compete with, but they are much faster due to the lightweight shell.
And as for telling people what you drive LOL; everyone knows a TT is a hairdressers car; it's an S3 in a party frock. And to be honest if no one knows what an Integra Type R is, it's because it's an import only car, not like the common as muck TT. Not many people know what an Aerial Atom is either... doesn't stop it blowing the crap out of your girly car.
6th Sep 2007, 04:49
TT owner - don't be too upset that someone would be impressed with a 156 owner's ability to own such a gorgeous, distinctive car, but that no one bats an eye at your Audi. It's because TT's are so common. They're an obvious, default choice, and actually in reliability surveys, the TT often comes off much worse than Alfas.
Take a look at this breakdown survey for example - http://www.carpages.co.uk/news/warranty-direct-30-11-05.asp - the TT had the 6th worst breakdown rate of any car in the survey.
Alfa has a reputation for poor reliability. Some of it is justified, some not. I've had 2 Alfas (I currently own a GT) over a 6 year period, with no problems whatsoever (despite everyone telling me how many problems I'll have). So I'm glad to own a rare, beautiful car, which cost me peanuts. I hope you're similarly pleased to own your TT, which probably cost you a fortune in comparison, which may or may not be reliable, but is certainly not as unique!
20th Aug 2007, 11:09
It's also regarded as a fast sports car, which is why I bought it. There is no faster car in group 18 insurance or lower than the Audi TT 1.8T. 0-60 in 6.6 seconds standard, but that is quiet easily 6 seconds dead now with the Superchip I had installed.
I know a few of the hot hatches are faster as standard like the Astra VXR, which I nearly bought, and the Focus ST. But because they are front wheel drive, you won't get any more power on the road out off them, which is what made me get the TT; with its 4 wheel drive system, wheel spin isn't a problem.
I am a self confessed boy racer, and all I care about is having something faster than other boy racers (with the exception of a few older ones that can get insured on Evo's and Cossies of course), and something that looks better than all the other boy racer cars, so the TT ticks both boxes.
Yes you see a lot of Audis; it's because they are good cars. You also see lots of BMWs and Mercs because they are the best cars between say £20000 and £80000; everybody knows. The reason you don't see many Alfas is because they have a terrible reputation for reliability, and they lose value so much. Few people would buy a brand new Alfa when they can buy a brand new BMW or Audi for pretty much the same price; it just wouldn't make any sense, as not only are the german cars more reliable, they are better cars with more "street cred", and they hold their value. Don't tell me that if you had more money to spend on a car, you would still buy an Alfa over a german car.