Audi is one of the foremost manufacturers in the automobile industry. Over the years, Audi has successfully managed to create a positive image of itself. They excel at making well-engineered cars that are luxurious and charged with modern tech. Audi has been around since the dawn of German automobile engineering. But the modern Audi we know today came when Volkswagen took ownership of the Auto Union brand from Daimler-Benz. But no brand is perfect. Although we have seen very dependable cars from them, Audi is still not reliable right now. Every once in a while, we see a car Audi wished they never made. Audi is not dead last when it comes to reliability, but it’s not in the leader’s race either.
Executive sedans and SUVs are areas where Audi excels quite a lot. More of their sports cars in Audi’s lineup are the RS series. They are basically more powerful versions of the A series of cars. Occasionally, we see some sports cars made from the ground up. Cars like the TT, E-Tron GT, R8, and Quattro are examples of great sports cars not reimagined from another model. We have a long list of Audi sports cars over the years, and they are very popular. Out of them, which should you best avoid, and which are completely worth what they cost? Let’s find out.
10 We Stay Away From: 1981 Coupe B2
The Quattro is arguably Audi’s best sports car ever created. The Coupe B2 is a very similar-looking car that Audi launched around the same time. But the similarities only match visually. Under the hood, the Coupe B2 had three petrol engines to choose from.
But whatever you choose, you’d only get 1.9 to 2.1 liters of displacement and 115 to 130 hp. The Coupe GT 2.2 managed to accelerate from 0-60 in 8.8 seconds, while the Coupe GT 1.9 took 10.3 seconds. In short, the Coupe reminds us of the Quattro but is not nearly as fast or exciting to drive.
9 We Stay Away From: 2003-2009 S4
You can find plenty of these for under $10,000 on the used market. But don’t let the low value tempt you. An AWD sedan or a convertible with a V8 engine sure sounds great on paper. But there’s more to it than meets the eye. The engine wasn’t the issue here, but Audi used a timing chain instead of a belt.
The guides and tensioners that keep the timing chain in motion when the engine was running should be durable. But Audi used plastic ones. The heat and friction over time would melt/weaken the plastic and the infamous “death rattle” would ensue.
8 We Stay Away From: 1998 TT 1st Gen
The Audi TT is one of the few sports cars Audi designed from scratch. The small sports looked amazing and got favorable reviews. But Audi had to rectify a lot of mistakes and issues for future generations. Water pump leaks, electrical issues, and engine failure are some of the known issues of the MK1 TT.
The repair costs are also higher than expected. They also had to recall some models due to airbag problems. If you love the looks of this cute little sports car and really want it, make sure to buy one that has been thoroughly cared for with recorded maintenance.
7 We Stay Away From: 2007 B8-gen RS5
In all fairness, the RS5 is a good car. Actually, all RS models are pretty good for what they are. But other models are so better than the RS5 that it is the weakest of the bunch. Audi put the engine way ahead of the front axle line. Hence, the car understeered a lot.
Another thing that didn’t help was its direct comparison with the BMW M4. The RS5 is more comfortable, but that’s what the A and S models are for. The RS5 should've been as sporty on the track as the M4, but it isn’t.
6 We Stay Away From: 2016-2017 TT
The third-gen TT is miles ahead of the original model in terms of performance and reliability. But it’s still got its flaws. Audi still couldn’t manage to avoid electrical issues for the newer TT or TT RS. The fuel tank also suffered microfractures and leaked occasionally.
But the biggest problem was ironic. The airbag installed to save lives, had the tendency to burst or explode in the event of a crash. NHTSA had to issue a recall for the 2016-2017 models to address the potentially fatal problem at hand. They also recalled the Quattro models due to a faulty heat shield that could collapse the fuel tank upon crashing.
5 Worth Every Penny: 2014-2015 TT
You just saw how many times the TT models got recalled. But the car itself is great. So rest easy knowing that you can get the 2014-2015 models without worrying much. These models received no recalls whatsoever. The 2nd generation saw some of the best Audi TTs ever made.
They had a tried and true 2.0-Liter turbo engine, they were feature-rich and had modern styling. For around $20,000 you can get a 2ng gen TT in ‘good’ condition and start enjoying the ride rather than worrying when’s the next time you’ll have to visit the service station.
4 Worth Every Penny: R8
The R8 took the world by storm when it first arrived in 2006. Before the GT-R arrived, the R8 was the supercar beater at a fraction of a price. It’s super affordable compared to the similarly performing supercars, developed by a well-known brand, and performed exceptionally well.
The R8 came with a V8 or a V10 engine, both sounded like a symphony to the ears. Combined with its amazing racing abilities, the R8 is luxurious and very comfortable to drive in the city as well. You cannot deny the value it brings for the money it costs.
3 Worth Every Penny: 2022 RS3
The returning RS3 brings back its 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbocharged engine. The powertrain is capable of 401 hp and 368 lb-ft of torque. The visual appeal of this thing is better than ever before, and the interior is among the best in its segment. Its Quattro all-wheel-drive system is synonymous with providing superb grip no matter what surface or time of year it is.
The RS3 comes packed with a lot of cool features. Audi’s RS Torque Splitter is standard across all models, making it even more agile. Overall, the RS3 is not just a beefier S3. It’s a sub-$60,000 vehicle that can take on exotic sports cars or even some supercars of the yesteryear.
2 Worth Every Penny: RS6 Avant
In 2002, the RS6 Avant was the most powerful car Audi had ever released. It could make up to 571 hp! Imagine all that power in a suped-up family wagon! The 2nd gen RS6 got the Avant treatment to ensure the whole family would enjoy it. Family road trips and track days were all possible in this single car. These were reliable and drove great.
More than a decade later, we finally got a 2021 RS6 Avant in America. The new RS6 Avant can fit more than 5 people, and accelerate as fast as a Lamborghini Murcielago.
1 Worth Every Penny: 1983 Quattro
Few cars in automobile history are more significant and revolutionary than the Quattro. It was the first-ever AWD car that wasn’t a commercial lorry or a semi. Backed by the mighty Volkswagen, Audi created the Quattro to compete in the WRC championship.
The level of traction and grip that this car gave was unheard of during that time. The Quattro won the world rally eight times and became one of the greatest rally cars of all time. It’s no surprise that Audi names all their AWD cars “Quattro” even today. The Quattro is a true icon in the automotive industry.