Like many manufacturers around the world in recent years, Audi has been hard at work revamping its model lineup as it looks to embrace a more sustainable future. This has included discontinuing the majority of its internal combustion-engined models, which aren't efficient enough to retain a place in its active range. The Audi R8 is a good example of this, as are the S4, S5 and their RS equivalents. Audi has been busy culling its sports-focused cars, with the venerable TT roadster also placed on the chopping block.Still, with Spring and Summer fast approaching, this means they stand as affordable modern sports cars on the used market. The Audi TT Made A Clear Impact When It Was Introduced Audi Audi developed the TT to take advantage of the roadster boom that broke out during the 1990s, when rivals such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz cooked up drop-top models that combined sporty handling with the premium touches associated with the higher-end German manufacturers. The TT was a little late to the party when it arrived in 1998, five years after BMW's Z3 and a couple of years after Mercedes dropped its SLK. It made an immediate impression thanks to its sleek and futuristic styling though, which quickly turned it into a must-have fashion accessory.It also made an impact in other ways, as it was known to offer pretty lethal handling at first. Following a bit of retuning to get its rear end more settled, the TT pushed on to become a commercial success for the brand. The Audi TT Enjoyed Over Two Decades Of Active Service Audi A second-generation version, which came bundled with a more engaging driving balance, was released in 2006, before the third and final variant reached the US for the 2016 model year. It was available in a range of different variants over the years, either in hard-top coupe or soft-top convertible forms.The lower-end models were supplied with four-cylinder TFSI engines, while upper-end cars could be had with Audi's awesome turbocharged inline-five or naturally aspirated V6 engines, depending on which generation you opted for. While cheaper models had their power sent to the front axle, higher-end specimens could be had with Audi's commanding Quattro all-wheel drive system. The Last TT Roadster Available In The US Came In A Single Form Bring A Trailer While the second-gen TT could be had in standard form as well as a more powerful and focused TTS variant, Audi dropped the latter when the third-gen reached the States in 2016. The upgraded TTS was still on the menu, but only as a coupe, while the Roadster was only supplied with the standard version of Audi's 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four powerplant. That said, it still packed a bit of a punch, with 220 hp being shared between all four wheels, as the revered Quattro setup was now standard with all TTs.When combined with its light 3,184-lb weight figure, the engine could get the TT Roadster to 60 mph in a rather brisk 5-and-a-bit seconds. Alongside the small-but-mighty engine was a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox (the later version took a 7-speed DCT), which provided smooth and rapid gear shifts that allowed the car to gather progress without delay. The Standard TT Lacked The Poise Of The TTS, But Strikes A Good Balance Audi The TT Roadster doesn't come with Audi's useful magnetic ride adaptive damping setup that the TTS does, which means it lacks the agility and versatility of its more powerful sibling when things get fruity. It retains the advanced MacPherson strut front and four-link rear suspension configuration though, which still provides all the support needed to provide both a comfortable ride, as well as an engaging one.Let's face it, the TT Roadster is more of a poser's car anyway, so most of the time you'll be wanting to cruise along at sensible speeds with the roof down. And boy, does the TT look good doing it. Used Third-Gen TTs Are Good Value Audi Purchasing older TT examples from the 2000s can seem a little risky given the age of the specimens in 2026, so grabbing an early third-gen vehicle is a good compromise between cost and having a more modern machine in your ownership. Prices start from around $15,000 for high-mileage early cars from 2016-2018, with various tidy examples with a reassuring clean title being available across the US at this price point with less than 90,000 miles on the clock.If you fancy a newer or lower-mileage example that you're looking to keep over a longer period, you'll need to increase your budget closer to $25k. This should get you a pre-facelift machine with sub-50,000 miles on the odometer, as well as some slightly more well-traveled cars with extras like Audi's parking package, satellite navigation and upgraded Nappa leather seats. This is pretty good value, given the car started from $47,000 when it was shiny and new. Facelifted TTs Have Held Their Worth Better Audi If you have a less restrictive budget, perhaps a facelifted 2019 TT sounds appealing. Aside from receiving revised exterior styling, the TT Roadster was also graced with an extra eight horsepower, which allows it to sprint to 60 mph a 10th of a second quicker.In 2021, the Roadster was made available with equipment such as a Bang and Olufsen stereo, Nappa leather, and extra leather trim as standard. Most of these vehicles have yet to complete much in terms of mileage, and their modernness means you'll have to hand over $40k for even the cheapest specimens.As a result, the pre-facelift specimens offer better value on the used market right now, especially if it's not a car you're looking to enjoy on an everyday basis. The TT Won't Be Coming Back Anytime Soon Audi The TT's death in 2023 was a somber affair, given that the well-liked coupe and roadster offered a stylish and upmarket way of getting the wind in your hair, but not at a ridiculous price. Speculation has been bandied about since it was discontinued that Audi could perhaps bring it back as an EV model in the future, and these hopes looked to be well-placed when Audi unveiled a new EV coupe concept called the Concept C in late 2025.It looked like a futuristic form of what a TT could look like, though the chances of it being a true successor were squashed when Audi CEO Gernot Döllner revealed that the car would instead be the brand's new halo model.Plans are already in motion to put a vehicle based on the Concept C into production in the coming years, with the car being a low-volume proposition. As a result, it'll likely be a lot more expensive than the TT was before it departed, meaning only deep-pocketed gearheads will be able to add one to their collection.Therefore, trawling the used market for a tidy TT is the only way you'll be getting a modern version anytime soon.Sources: Audi.
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