A Decade of Gauteng Commuting and the Shift to "Weekend Warrior"

Featuring Ronel Hendley

In the world of high-performance motoring, we often hear about the "garage queens", the pristine supercars that live under silk covers, emerging only for a Concours d’Elegance. But in South Africa, there is a different kind of hero, the daily driven sports car.

Meet Ronel Hendley, a woman who turned her 2015 dream into a decade long reality. For eleven years, Ronel has sat behind the wheel of a 2007 Audi TT 2.0T Manual (Mk2), navigating the shifting sands of Gauteng’s infrastructure. Her story is one of mechanical sympathy, the evolution of the R21, and the eventual realization that sometimes, to save the car you love, you have to stop driving it every day.

For many, the Audi TT is an icon of Bauhaus design. When the Mk2 was released, it traded the rounded "bubble" look of the original for a sharper, more aggressive stance and a chassis shared with the legendary Golf 5 GTI. For Ronel, it wasn't just a car; it was a goal.

"I have always dreamt of owning an Audi TT," Ronel shares. "I was overwhelmed when my dream finally came true in 2015. I couldn't believe it was finally mine."

At the time, the commute was a breeze. Running the R21 and R24 corridors, the TT was in its element. With a 6 speed manual gearbox and a 2.0 litre turbocharged engine, it offered the perfect blend of fuel efficiency and "get up and go" for the open Gauteng highways. In those early years, traffic jams were rare, and accidents were the exception, not the rule.

As any Gauteng local knows, the province’s road pressure has intensified over the last decade. For Ronel, the turning point was a change in work location to Isando.

Isando, the industrial heartbeat of Kempton Park, presents a unique challenge for low-slung sports cars. The influx of heavy logistics vehicles, deteriorating road surfaces, and the sheer volume of traffic moving toward Johannesburg transformed a pleasant drive into a gauntlet.

"Everything changed," says Ronel. "The heavy traffic moved slowly, and almost weekly, there would be accidents."

While the Audi TT is surprisingly ergonomic, Ronel notes the sports clutch is "very light on the foot" and manageable in gridlock, the physical environment became hostile. In a sea of double cab bakkies and SUVs, a low slung silver coupe becomes invisible, or worse, a target for road bullying.

"I found that bigger cars would bully me constantly. I could indicate to change lanes, and no one would give me a gap."

This is a reality many South African sports car owners face, the "Size Superiority" complex on our roads. Eventually, the risk of a fender bender in stop start traffic or a rim shattering pothole in the industrial zones of Isando became too high.

To preserve the Audi, Ronel made a strategic move: she bought an older generation BMW X3 as a "daily commuter."

This "two car strategy" is becoming increasingly common in South Africa. By relegating the TT to "weekend fun" status, Ronel effectively froze the car in time. It protected the Audi from the mindless mileage of the R21 crawl and ensured that when she does turn the key, it’s for pleasure, not out of necessity.

Perhaps the most shocking part of Ronel’s story, especially to those who fear German car maintenance, is the reliability. The Audi TT Mk2 is often maligned for its complex DSG gearboxes, but Ronel’s choice of the 6 speed manual proved to be a masterstroke of longevity.

"In the 11 years I’ve had her, I have never had to change the clutch or the dual-mass flywheel," Ronel confirms.

For a car that spent years in Gauteng traffic, this is a testament to two things, German engineering and mechanical sympathy. Ronel isn't "riding" the clutch; she’s driving with a level of care that has kept the original hardware intact well past its expected lifespan.

The only major hiccup in over a decade? The fuel pumps. For an 18 year old turbocharged car, that is an incredibly short "shortlist" of failures.

Owning a sports car in South Africa can be a financial sinkhole if you rely solely on dealership labor rates, which in 2026 can exceed R1,500 per hour. Ronel has a competitive advantage, a husband who can service the cars.

"I am fortunate enough to have a husband who can service my cars. Doing the work ourselves and sourcing our own spare parts saves a lot of money."

This DIY approach is the "cheat code" for older sports car ownership. By cutting out the middleman, Ronel and her husband have maintained the TT to a standard that leaves people guessing its age.

Despite being a 2007 model, Ronel’s TT still commands respect. "At work, they often think one of the Bosses from Head Office has come to visit," she laughs. "I have to remind them she is an old 2007 model."

This is the beauty of the Mk2 TT’s design, it has aged with a grace that many of its contemporaries (like the Nissan 350Z or the Chrysler Crossfire) haven't managed. The interior, too, has stood the test of time. While many cars of this era suffer from "sticky plastics" or sagging headliners, Ronel’s leather interior is 100% intact, and the gear shift remains as precise as the day it left the factory.

There is a common misconception that driving a sports car in SA makes you a magnet for Metro Police. Ronel’s experience debunks this.

"I have never been targeted by traffic officials. I generally obey all road rules and stick to the speed limits, so I have never had to negotiate anything."

However, "sticking to the rules" doesn't mean the car doesn't get to stretch its legs. On quiet weekend mornings on the R21, Ronel gives the TT "the beans" for a short distance. It’s not about reckless speed; it’s about "Italian Tune ups", clearing out the carbon deposits and ensuring the turbo and valves are still operating at peak performance.

As the cost of living in South Africa continues to climb, many enthusiasts wonder if owning a "toy" is still viable. Ronel’s answer is a resounding yes, with a few caveats.

Ronel’s Advice for Potential Buyers:

1. Go Manual: If you want to avoid the "Mechatronic" nightmare of early 2000s Volkswagens and Audis, the 6-speed manual is the reliable path.

2. Service Smarter: You don't need to service a weekend car every few months. "You don't use it so often, so you don't service it so often," Ronel notes.

The "Weekend" Shift: Don't subject a classic in waiting to the daily grind of Isando or Sandton. Get a "beater" or a sturdy SUV for the potholes, and save the sports car for the sunrise.

Ronel Hendley isn't just an Audi owner; she is a custodian of a dream. Her 2007 TT is a reminder that you don't need the latest R2-million RS model to feel like a "Boss." You need a car that speaks to your soul, a bit of mechanical know how, and the wisdom to know when to take the highway and when to take the SUV.

"I will keep her until I am too old to drive her," Ronel says. In a world of disposable tech and fleeting trends, that kind of loyalty is the ultimate "RidezSA" spirit.

Quick Specs: The 2007 Audi TT 2.0T (Mk2)

• Engine: 2.0-Litre Inline-4 Turbo (EA113)

• Transmission: 6-Speed Manual

• Power: 147 kW / 280 Nm

• 0-100km/h: 6.6 Seconds

• Current Status: Future Classic / Weekend Toy

Are you a long-term owner of a South African classic? Share your story with us at info@ridezsa.co.za