Bye bye Leon

[chris_m]

So, after 3yrs of happy untroubled Leon ownership... a handshake tonight means she'll be gone at the weekend

Time for something new... although i already had something lined up - my mates 2006 55 Golf GTI. He's had it on lease for 2yrs, due to go back in 3 weeks... and the purchase price of £13600 is around £2k less than its going for anywhere..... plus i have the massive advantage of knowing the owner, how he drives, how its looked after, and the fact its never once been in the garage for any issues.

So yeah, i dare say ill be more than a little sad to see the Leon go, been a bloody great car, best car i've owned.... but, the way the GTI drives and feels, plus the price, is just too good to turn down.

 

[Deleted member 20482]

sad times mate...
anybody noticed that leon mk1 owners when selling rarely go and get the new leon !!!!!!!!
i wonder if seat have noticed this... i know i won't be buying the new one.
good luck with the golf mate.

 

[Leigh15]

Another one gone - mine went on Monday - suddenly realised that with 60k service, tax, MOT, front tyres and front discs and pads it was about to cost me a fortune.

Hopefully, once the other half finishes her masters a more fitting (and fast) replacement can be sought. I've still not decided what to get yet - it'll be a good 1.5 years yet so plenty of time to decide. For the time being I'll just miss the Ibiza!!

 

[Phil K]

Sad news but I'm sure the mk5 will help make up for part of the gap left in your life

Thought I was going to have to sell mine recently and had people interested in having it off me before I even put it up for sale properly! Situation changed though and I'll now be working for a company that are happy to continue paying me a car allowance!

 

[dan__smith]

Fair play bud Enjoy the new ride!

 

[coullstar]

I wouldnt worry about it. If I could have found a decent Mk5 for that I wouldnt have my Cupra R. The Golf is far better than the Leon in every area.

 

[Deev]

I wouldnt worry about it. If I could have found a decent Mk5 for that I wouldnt have my Cupra R. The Golf is far better than the Leon in every area.

Apart from the price, obviously... Oh and the fact that the Golf is rather... how can I put this... "common". At least the Leon is a little bit different!

 

[ajoellew]

I wouldnt worry about it. If I could have found a decent Mk5 for that I wouldnt have my Cupra R. The Golf is far better than the Leon in every area.

Apart from looks. I think the new golf looks like it needs to go on a diet.

 

[conroe]

well mate these are difficult times but i am sure you will struggle through

On a serious note what else is there to buy, ahh yeah the astra errr no, ford focus hmm think not ahah i have got it, yes why dont you buy a golf and if you keep an eye out i will be the one waving at you as i go past on the right hand side wahahahaha.

Have fun regards conroe..

 

[chris_m]

Test drove every available option really - was most taken by the characterful ST, but, whilst im genuinely not bothered about fuel economy, that thing was frankly ludicrous for day to day driving. Also VERY common up here, much more so than GTI's, of which i see very few. The new Type-R is a pig - heavy, shocking ride quality and didnt feel anywhere near as quick as the old one, and the VXR whilst looking agressive just wasnt me. Didnt even test the new Cupra.... the looks and build quality inside put me off... shame they got it so badly wrong (in my eyes).

For me at least, the GTI is the best option out there at the minute by some margin. It undercuts the impressive but expensive S3... and whilst pricier than all its rivals, its worth it in my eyes for something which has such a brilliant interior, ride, and residuals. Think it looks partuclarly menacing in the guise the one i get is... black, 3dr with 18's.

Its also pretty impressive on the insurance front.

So yeah, will be pretty sad to see the Leon go, i dare say once the GTI turns up at my door ill be a happy chappy (except keeping it clean).

 

[GREY 225]

Well done mate.New golf GTI is a good looking car,sounds like youve got a good deal on it.Ive been wondering what i would replace LCR with and like you wouldnt buy new cupra because of how it looks inside and out,i think seat thought they could reley on the success of LCR to sell it.Ive thought about it and astra vxr,ford st or new civic r spring to mind,but none of which would be any faster or better than what ive got now so decided to keep LCR and spend some more money on mods for it.Dont know what will replace it though,it would have to be fast,something like an evo i think.

 

[swissrebel]

Apart from the price, obviously... Oh and the fact that the Golf is rather... how can I put this... "common". At least the Leon is a little bit different!

In fairness on the price issue, those golfs hold their value better.

 

[coullstar]

Thought I might upset a few folk. The Mk5 Golf is common but its a better all round car than any of the others, thats why there common. Its a much nicer car to drive and the cabin is a great place to be. They are a little expensive though. Dont get me wrong I love my car but Im under no illusion that the Golf is better.

 

[Deleted member 7729]

I'd love to change, but just bought a house so I think I'll be seeing my Cupra going through the 100k mark

 

[edmong]

I'd love to change, but just bought a house so I think I'll be seeing my Cupra going through the 100k mark

Same here and her in doors is up the duff At least the LCR is a 5 door!

 

[Big_daddy]

I'd love to change, but just bought a house so I think I'll be seeing my Cupra going through the 100k mark

I just past my 100 mark, think i be hitting it all the way 200 mark

 

[LiCkWiD]

Mine has been on the "need a new car" list for a few months.

Standard LC isn't fast enough and if I'd wanted big BHP, I should of bought an LCR from day one. But then, I wouldn't want big figures on a FWD - so I'd of gone for an S3.

Basically, the LC is a dead end for me. Performance-wise, anyway. (Entré Celica GT-Four).

Hope you enjoy the Mk5 GTi. They're great machines. I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun with it.

 

[mc]

I just dont think they made the GTI stand out enough from the rest of the range

 

[Cupraloon]

Trying to sell my 02 lc PFL at the mo got offered £4k from a seat stealer yesterday thieving sod's had it a year and paid double that...

I'm not a happy bunny, the residuals on the leon are crap, to have lost over 4k in 12 months...

I'd go for the golf mk5 aswell at least you know in 12 months it's value won't have dropped like a alfa romeo or a seat leon...

Won't get another, ok so i didn't buy it cos it was going to be worth as much when i bought it, but next time it'll be some that holds it's value a bit better

 

[Deev]

I'm surprised at the amount of bad feeling for the mk2 Leon amongst mk1 owners. I've only just recently rejoined the forums after buying a mk2 (I had a mk1 until just under a year ago) and whilst it's not as nice inside as a mk5, it's a damn fine car. I too thought the mk2 interior was pretty substandard - especially compared to the nice and tactile mk1 interior - but when you're at the helm it's not half bad, and pretty well screwed together. I'm also impressed with the handling and performance (despite only being a lowly 2.0 TDI Sport owner ). Yes it's no Golf but it's also a hell of a lot cheaper. And do you buy a car for how the dashboard looks or for how it drives?

Turns more heads than "another" mk5 too...

Just my 2c worth