Looking to join the Cupra Club... Mk1 style.

[Richdog]

Hi folks, new member here as you can see! Bit about myself: i'm an outgoing 26 year old Northern lad, who now resides in West Sussex (near Crawley unfortunately), currently work in I.T, and drive a... wait for it... 1997 Renault Clio 1.4RT *sob*

But wait a a sec! Before you grab me by scruff of the neck the neck and unceremoniously dump me outside the forum entrance, rest assured I am now looking to upgrade to a car that has always been close to my heart... the Mk 1 Leon.

The first time I remember seeing a Mk1 Leon I fell in love with it straight away (unlike the new Leon which turns my stomach), it's aggressive bodywork and profile from the front seemed to marry perfectly with the unique and I think very elegant rear end, an automotive Carmen Electra if you will. Naturally I did some digging up about it and came to the conclusion that there's no point owning one unless you have the Cupra, hehe.

Anyway to cut a short story a bit shorter the time has now come to consider getting one of these babies, with the aim of driving it standard for a few months to get used to the power (most powerful car i've ever driven previously was a Mondeo 1.7TD) and then go for a remap. Anyway I guess my questions are based on what I should be looking for in the 2nd hand market with a £5'000k budget, what things should I be looking out for and be cautious of... and also what do you think I should be getting for £5k (or less if possible!)?

I've seen 2000/2001 cars around 60k miles in good condition for that money... seem about right?

Cheers in advance.

Rich.

 

[RikH]

for a 5k budget you will get a very high mileage facelift cupra
and unless you can get a facelift cupra or cupra R, i wouldnt get a leon
just my view tho

 

[BEOWULF]

if u look on here m8 there is someone selling a cupra 4 about £4500
if u buy one of the guys and grils here u will get a well looked after 1
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=101598
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=100174

 

[BEOWULF]

for a 5k budget you will get a very high mileage facelift cupra
and unless you can get a facelift cupra or cupra R, i wouldnt get a leon
just my view tho

why what wrong with the old leon looks very stealth a wolf in sheep's clothing

 

[paul26982]

thought there were like 6 to 6.5 for a high milage petrol, you can get a pre face lift for your budget, maybe find some bumpers too with spare cash

 

[Richdog]

for a 5k budget you will get a very high mileage facelift cupra
and unless you can get a facelift cupra or cupra R, i wouldnt get a leon
just my view tho

By facelift do you mean the new and contemporary styling, or was there a facelift of the classic Mk1 style?

 

[kennyrodgers84]

welcome aboard!!where abouts you from in the north??

 

[Richdog]

Originally from just outside Bradford, wee place called Shipley.

 

[Feel]

I believe that beowulf's is an original cupra, and paul's is classed as a facelifted one.

 

[Chris 16v]

I am in the same boat but i would be very suprised if you can get a facelifted model for that cash - get a pre face lift and buy the latter bumpers - easy solution for the same car!

 

[schnipps]

By facelift do you mean the new and contemporary styling, or was there a facelift of the classic Mk1 style?

The pre facelift one is the one with the non colour coded strips and the multispoke wheels i beleive, basically looks like a 1.4 apart from the twin pipe. Get a facelifted one, just save some more cash.

 

[RikH]

Originally from just outside Bradford, wee place called Shipley.

I live in Shipley
GET IN
haha

 

[Chris 16v]

Remember this is one of the best times to buy and the worst time to sell!! Xmas approaching, dealers and private sellers are bending over backwards to shift cars, so start looking at the top of your price rnage and knock them down, u may be surpriseD!

 

[paul26982]

im just saying what i previously posted

 

[Richdog]

I am in the same boat but i would be very suprised if you can get a facelifted model for that cash - get a pre face lift and buy the latter bumpers - easy solution for the same car!

Hmm good diea ,how much would the bumpers cost?

The pre facelift one is the one with the non colour coded strips and the multispoke wheels i beleive, basically looks like a 1.4 apart from the twin pipe. Get a facelifted one, just save some more cash.

Ahh I see... how much can I expeect that to set me back for a ~60k example?

I live in Shipley
GET IN
haha

lol if we're getting specific I actually used to live in Baildon too.

 

[RikH]

ahh
im in nab wood
raveydaveygravey is around and about down by fox's corner as well

 

[cupralite]

The pre facelift one is the one with the non colour coded strips and the multispoke wheels i beleive, basically looks like a 1.4 apart from the twin pipe. Get a facelifted one, just save some more cash.

It's lower and has bigger wheels than a 1.4 as well as a twin pipe. Don't diss the pre-facelift cupra/sport!!

 

[g60jet]

thought i was reading a personal add then!! 5k budget..could be tight, get down the dealer and look at the stacks off leons they have...get a feel for the market, then then check the private adds.

 

[jamie paton]

go for it mate, you won't regret joining the gang at SEAT, pre face lift looks very dull in my opinion but if you look at rob dons his one was a pre face lift and its probably about the best example anywhere and i include R's in that as well, you can even buy cupra R bumpers off of e-bay for about 400 quid i think for them both, although some people like the look of the pre facelift ones. another guy on here has a copper one with R bumpers on and it looks the blowlocks mate, very different as well cos the R didn't come in copper, same as rob dons one, his is imperial blue which was also never a cupra R colour. just buy the best example your money can stretch to then do it up as and when money allows and you see fit. good luck mate and welcome to the forum