...looked around the web a little for reviews of the Audi TT. Found some from when it was new, and as recent as last week.

Why check out the TT? Because its looks, when it first came out, were in my opinion as radical as those of the Crossfire now (remember the TT concept car was all brushed aluminum ala the DeLorean?). Not as striking maybe, but just as radical.

By way of comparo, I found that the reviews were almost unanimously favorable for the TT. They mentioned poor rear visibility, but it was always in passing as something one can easily live with for the other benefits of the car.

Performance for the 1.8 Turbo has been described generally as a second or more slower to 60 than the Xfire. The 225 hp naturally aspirated TT about on par with the Xfire.

The 1.8 is cheaper, but by the time you add the option packages that equip it similarly to the Xfire it's a wash, with the TT maybe a little more expensive.

Handling wise, the 4 wd 225 is impressive, but not overly so compared to the Xfire. It's steering is described almost as insensitive as the Xfire's, but it's generally not described in a derogatory manner. Personally, I find the Xfire's steering just fine. Its grip is every bit on par that the Giugaro styled Lotus Esprit I had, maybe even more so. (rear engine cars' rear ends break away more predictably than mid engine cars do). The Xfire's steering would be unacceptable if I were autocrossing or slaloming, but for the occasional track day or blowing around an exit ramp or hitting some back road twisties it's more than adequate.

My point is this: The TT's warts are nearly the same as the Xfire's, it's pluses similar as well. Yet the automotive press seems to forgive the TT its shortcomings while essentially saying the Xfire is pretty, but an effete under performer.

Some kind of bias against Chrysler? True, the Viper was and is awesome, but the Prowler and PT Cruiser are/were merely lookers that teased at performance.

One funny thing about the Xfire's looks. My dealer also owns a Dodge dealer about 2 miles from the Chrysler location. I needed some body touch ups done, so they sent me to the Dodge dealership where their body shop is.

I pulled into their service lane. The Dodge techs, 3 of them, came out to check out the car. The looked it all over, saying they had just gone through some training to work on the car. Chatted for awhile, then they directed me to the building with the body shop. As I pulled away (my windows were down), I heard one tech say to the other "Damn, that car is ugly from the rear."

Funny, to me that's its most interesting angle.