Leon choices - please help!!!

[LeonGTI]

Hi there, I am a newbie and was recommended by a random guy in the street after spotting his FR !!!!

Ok, this is the dilema..... i'm in a lease scheme where I can get VAG cars for a period of 6 months at a time. I've currently got a Leon reference sport 2.0 TDI 140 in dark grey which i'm very impressed with. However, its re-order time soon! I would like an FR but cannot really decide on whether to have the petrol or diesel.

I've had mk2 Golf GTI's for several years but have had diesel now for last 3 cars. 2 x Fabia VRS and now the ref sport.

For 6 months, what would you choose? Performance wise, drivability and difference in economy?

Loving the site

cheers

LeonGTI

 

[P0LKR]

I have had both the tdi and the tfsi. In my opinion the petrol is much nicer to drive.

Depends on your mileage though?

 

[LeonGTI]

Thanks for the reply, there is a milage limit of 6k for the 6 month period, however, I always end up doing ~8-9k. It is only for 6 months then can change again!

Does this change your answer?

 

[phil3012]

Who pays for the fuel, being in a company scheme is a lot of your mileage company mileage or private (that you pay for)?

 

[LeonGTI]

A good point I failed to mention! I have to pay all the fuel and a small penalty fee if I exceed 6k in the 6 month period.

 

[phil3012]

I'd probably go for the FR Diesel then.

The FR Petrol will use quite a lot of fuel. I think most people avarage around 38 mpg with the FR (on a mixture of driving). Not sure about the FR but I average just under 25 mpg on the Cupra, but I imagine the FR Petrol will only be slightly better.

 

[LeonGTI]

Cool cheers for the advice.

Is there much difference in performance between the two and would it be noticably faster than the ref sport?

 

[phil3012]

Not driven any of the Diesels sorry so can't comment from experience.

The FR Diesel is supposed to an amazing car to drive and apparently you can notice the difference over the 2.0 TDi 140

I'd get yourself to a local dealer and try one to see what you think.

 

[Hugo Nebula]

What kind of job do you have that, not only do you get a company car, it's new one every six months!? And are these the six-month old cars with 3-6k miles on the clock that litter up the dealer's forecourts?

 

[LeonGTI]

haha, they are probably the ones then! Its a VAG loan/rent car with 6 months turnaround on vehicles.

I'm getting an average of 42mpg on the ref sport but only done 2k at the mo. The FR diesel does about 38mpg, thus meaning the TFSI must be no better than 30 mpg?

It is evident that the FR diesel is putting out more than 168bhp by the sounds of it! Is this the case or just some lucky ones?

 

[cupraII]

haha, they are probably the ones then! Its a VAG loan/rent car with 6 months turnaround on vehicles.

I'm getting an average of 42mpg on the ref sport but only done 2k at the mo. The FR diesel does about 38mpg, thus meaning the TFSI must be no better than 30 mpg?

It is evident that the FR diesel is putting out more than 168bhp by the sounds of it! Is this the case or just some lucky ones?

If you decide to go petrol, the difference in mpg is neglibible between the cupra & FR petrol. The cupra handles better as the FR is very harsh & choppy in comparison, (in real terms, softer , but flat ride and can transmit the power to the tarmac better) I think the FR TDi has the same choppy chassis setup as the petrol. Also with power output, the Cupra despite its book of 237, seems to knock out 250 - 260 bhp.

You have to ask what is important, economy or fuel consumption. I dont think the milage is an issue, its not like you are doing 80K + a year so would consider petrol, but dont know if Cupra is an option!

Its all down to what you want & what you need!?!

The argument over the FR / Cupra is changing daily over the spec list as all the appealing factors are being removed for options along with a price hike (no AFS HID lights) daily driving & handling is vastly improved on the cupra though.

Take em out, give it some thought!

 

[LeonGTI]

Unfortunately, the cupra is not an option on the scheme

The only option that is available is 18" wheels plus the standard spec.

I do like the thought of a petrol turbo very much but am i going to miss the mid range grunt that the diesel can offer?

In an ideal world, i would probably have the Golf GTI as it is on the menu, but it is more money to lease and I prefer the look of the SEAT!!!

I want a car that is fun to drive on twisty A/B roads (15 miles each way to work) that wont break the bank if driven swiftly! I do use motorways a fair bit but majority is country roads.

 

[phil3012]

The petrol FR is a better car to drive than the Golf GTi, I test drove both of them. The Golf just didn't feel special at all.

I find the Cupra pricey to run and as others have said the FR is probably not much more economical.

I can get 33 mpg on a run at between 50 and 70, but most of the time I'd say about 28 mpg dirivng entuastically on the motorway. Overall just under 25 mpg. If you boot it though its a lot less...

 

[LeonGTI]

Ah i see. That is an eye opener! I thought the GTI was the benchmark to which all other hot hatches are judged!

Does it feel too refined in the bends?

I've driven an edition 30 with DSG at GTI international on strip and also manual new R32 and loved 'em but no corners to deal with on drag strip!

Really swaying towards FR diesel unless you can convince me otherwise towards TFSI or Golf GTI!

 

[phil3012]

Test drive are never a good judge of a car, but the Golf GTi was just a bit boring I suppose. Didn't feel special like a hot hatch should. And I have driven the Astra VXR, Focus ST and now the Leon FR and Cupra.

I get yourself to your local SEAT dealer and try out both the petrol and diesel FR to see what you think (assuming they have both in stock).

 

[LeonMunkee]

I test drove both a Reference Sport 140 TDi and a FR TDi before ordering my new FR. I found the FR just put a much bigger grin on my face, especially when flooring it in 2nd and 3rd gears.

 

[SpursMadDave]

I test drove both a Reference Sport 140 TDi and a FR TDi before ordering my new FR. I found the FR just put a much bigger grin on my face, especially when flooring it in 2nd and 3rd gears.

Ive been driving my FR TDI for a month from new now and still not lost that grin...