Test driving Cupra tomorrow advice needed

[TheKork]

Hi my first post, im test driving a 55 plate Cupra 17k miles tomorrow, just looking for some advice on what to look out, those little things that are different with every car, possible common problems etc. Any advice would be much appreciated

 

[Hudson]

Hmm common problems on ibiza. heres what mine has. Wind noise drivers side door and wing mirror area. Creaky rear suspension in the wet. Dodgy window seal passanger side. dodgy door seal drievrs side (lets in water at hi speed 70 +). Water in headlights, water in tail lights.

Oh and also check the wear on the front tyres (proper cross tread) as when i got mine i was like oh loads left on those... 500 miles later the insides were down to the wire (and no retard driving honest )

In my most humble of opinions I would never brought my ibiza if i knew the problems i'm having; i would have gone for the skoda vrs (this is just my opinion).

H

 

[kriso]

Good choice of car, TheKork The wind noise is a common problem on the Ibizas but my Cupra doesn't suffer from it even though my old one (which was 07 plate) did..Misting up lights is quite common too..but these aren't really things 'wrong' with the car as they apply to alot of owners.

Check the spare wheel is a matching alloy as a space-saver or other one won't fit over the big brakes.

Check air-con works (and is cold when set to Lo).

Can't really think of much else to be honest but I'm sure others will

 

[Nath.]

as said, check the spare is a matching alloy, check for bald tyres (inside edges), check that all the toys work

if it's a diesel check that te clutch doesn't slip if you give it some at 1500 revs in 4th 5th and 6th

other than that have a look in the mk4 FAQ section


most important is to check for dodgy crash repair damage and get an HPI check done

 

[TheKork]

Its an approved seat dealer I will be buying from, and its literally across the street. Tyre checks always a must, wind noise I will check when driving. It rains constantly up here so it wont be hard to see if the seals are doing their job, spare tyre also.. good shout. Its the Petrol model im test driving

 

[Nath.]

approved seat dealers can still sell cars with dodgy crash repairs and outstanding finance though

if it's a petrol then well done on choosing the correct engine

make sure both the windows go up/down without any clonk noises

make sure the front brake pads have plenty of meat on them as they are not cheep to replace

ohh also look for rusty rear disks too

and make sure the rear washer nozle works as the pipe can pop off

 

[kriso]

^^^ yep and they have been known to steal the spare alloy, as I mentioned earlier. Also check the stereo is working and you get the radio code with it as they dont always come with them and will charge you £££ to retreive it later on if you need it

 

[Nath.]

have a read here

http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=108848

 

[PaulieB]

rear wiper hose problem is easy sorted, use stronger windscreen wash, and dont use it when your car is covered in ice (or atleast not immediately till youve been driving a few minutes)

wind noise, everyone goes on about this, but i've noticed the noise once and that was with 70mph winds when i was doing 60mph.... so thats pretty mcuh the same on all cars.

Cabin noise im waiting for someone to mention, but to be honest my car doesnt make much more internal noise than a polo, cept it has low profile tyres so theres the reason.

Check for the security code, check the power steering, check there is no clunking / rubbing on full lock.

Check the alloys for kerbing (usually allows you to get it at a cheaper price)

check the interior doesnt have cigarette burns etc.

Check the bonnet / boot catches all work

cant think of much else

 

[canonman]

Check for normal plastic rattles

 

[TheKork]

So I test drove a Zenith Grey Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.8T 20V Dec04 24k today £8695.

First off... vehicle inspection, 102 Checklist was present on the dash, tyre wear slightly slightly uneven at front. Body immaculate, wheels curbed enough to need refurbed. Engine sounds clean enough from exhaust, front and inside. Non-smoking previous user, tested by shoving my face right in the ashtray . Interior is undamaged, just needs its Valet.

Test drive - Guy picked me up from the house (live round the corner) because it was lashing down as usual. Car was a bit steamed inside but demisted quickly (again the cold weather + rain up here) It is Quick... very quick, infact I dont know how quick I was scared to push it at all in the bad rain. Very Firm but quiet suspension, road noise was there but only through the floor, didnt notice any wind noise from doors etc. Steering felt solid and purposeful, bit like my dads Mk4 Golf. Didnt hear anything odd the whole drive but again it was pelting down and the rain was pretty much all i could hear! Serious about buying this car, going back in tomorrow if the rain stays off to get another quick drive at which time I will enquire and check about the faults you guys have experienced. But all in all fairly happy!

Price negotiation then began, when walking back to the forecourt the sales man took it down to £8395 before I mentioned price. Their Finance Rates are very competative which also bodes well. I then mentioned the wheels, told me it would be £60 per wheel but said he would only charge £100 all in.. I said im not sure and moved on to the trade in. I have an old Saxo VTR 97' which is in below average condition and has engine problems, told me to bring it in tomorrow but £300 would be about what I would get which I think is fair enough considering the condition its in and amount needed to be spent to get it running right.

So we are at £8095 with a full years warranty as it stands, my aim tomorrow is to make sure full years tax/mot, service, full tank, alloys refurbed at NO extra cost and obviously full Valet and Polish for £8095.

What are peoples thoughts on the car? I unfortunately dont know anyone with a Seat and this forum is my only source of information. Can I get more than above out of them etc

 

[kriso]

That sounds like a reasonable price but def try and get the alloys refurbed (all 5 of them ). I paid almost the exact same asking price for mine, same month and year but 17000 miles. That was a couple of months ago. So £8395 is good.

 

[Nath.]

you can get more out of them yes, wait till the end of the month before you seal the deal and if needed do the old trick of getting up from your seat and walking towards the door

that normally gets the price down

 

[Mr Cellotape]

The cars a 54 plate if it is registered Dec 04, so re-check your price guide.

Has it been HPI checked.

How many stamps does it have in the service book, should be 3 years worth of services there.

My 54 plate (Jan 05 registered) TDI cupra had a recall about 6 months in for a fuel pump issue, not sure if this was required on the 20VT though.

Check the brake callipers are red and not pink, warranty issue.

Good luck

 

[TheKork]

Check the brake callipers are red and not pink, warranty issue.

Why is this a warranty issue, out of interest?

 

[luke c]

get the wheels done for free and take it out in the dry to see what it realy performs like . i have a 06 fr should i have a spare alloy have the stealers stole it ?

 

[R1dd1ck]

I have a Black Cupra, and Mr Kork, may i say........In the dry u will be very impressed! Im running on extremely crap tyres in the wet im slightly pinned into the seat, so you can imagine the dry.

You will have alot of fun, just squeeze as much out of the steeler as possible.....get ur refurbs done,get ur tax from em, and valet and make sure u get MATS!!!

I think u'd be lucky with the rest, but that is only my opinion from exp. But everyone is different and depends on who you get blah blah blah!

The only issue i had with my Cupra is the gearbox, the guy who owned it before wrecked it, and i had it replaced under warranty, full new gearbox, clutch, flywheel and a new radiator.....

All i need is a new engine now! dont worry about condensation int lights, we all get it, suspension shud be quiet but solid, but if u go over square speed bumps u will hear alot of body flex and creaks from your suspension.....well i do anyway.... maybe thats not rite lol!

Where have u bought the car from? what area r u in?

 

[kriso]

get the wheels done for free and take it out in the dry to see what it realy performs like . i have a 06 fr should i have a spare alloy have the stealers stole it ?

Don't think it applies to the FR as you don't have the big calipers which standard wheel won't fit over.

 

[muddyboots]

you can get more out of them yes, wait till the end of the month before you seal the deal and if needed do the old trick of getting up from your seat and walking towards the door

that normally gets the price down

Yep, works every time.

Even if you do end up walking out, you'll probably get a phonecall in the next day or two with a deal waiting.

 

[R1dd1ck]

Yep, works every time.

Even if you do end up walking out, you'll probably get a phonecall in the next day or two with a deal waiting.

The man has a point here!

but then also u mite get it now as its quiet this time of year.