Test Driving a Leon having never driven one

[Sean Bagel]

Hi all,

I liked the idea of a Diesel Leon 130 SE but am now thinking of a 1.8T 20V Cupra instead.

Members of my family reckon I should go to a Seat Main Dealer and do the following:

1) Drive a 1.6 Petrol Leon for instance - a car I'm not after
2) Drive a 1.8T 20V Cupra - a car I'm after
3) Drive a newer/brand new Leon - a car I can't afford and don't want

...their reasoning being that I've got something to compare my desired car (2) against the other two. I can see the idea behind driving 1) and 2), but not all 3).

I don't need to test drive a new car to see how it feels - of course it will feel nice.

Or am I missing something here....?!?!?!?

 

[JamJay]

To be honest if you want the 180bhp Cupra, I'd not bother driving any of the others since you don't want them. If you are serious about buying the Cupra, test drive the competion instead.

- Civic Type R (could be classed as a Cupra R rival though)
- Golf GTi 180
- Clio Sport 182
- Celica 190 etc.

 

[james walker]

drive the 1.6 then drive a cupra and youll soon make your mind up mate. no comparison

 

[CupraSport]

To be honest if you want the 180bhp Cupra, I'd not bother driving any of the others since you don't want them. If you are serious about buying the Cupra, test drive the competion instead.

- Civic Type R (could be classed as a Cupra R rival though)
- Golf GTi 180
- Clio Sport 182
- Celica 190 etc.

Clio is not a rival to the Leon, the Megane 225 however is
Astra SRI is also a rival

What would be usefull is your budget.

 

[JamJay]

I'd have personally put the Megane in LCR territory as the Megane 225 would be a little bit quicker than the LC.

 

[Sean Bagel]

Thanks guys - useful info there.

My budget is £5,000 but as I don't get a car from month to month then it will probably rise to £6,000.

Key criteria for me also is 5 doors (we have a baby) and a big boot, hence going for the Leons. My current car is a 1996 VW Golf GTI 8V which as it's a bit rusty and has done 135,700 miles I will probably get about £2.78 for it as a p/x...! A charming trader in Eastleigh (who will remain nameless) said it would be easier for me to sell it in pieces on Ebay (when we went to look at a diesel Cupra).

Sean

 

[JamJay]

Astra SRI is also a rival

It's a Vauxhall still but i'd try the GSi over the SRi.

In light of your budget and door requirements, have a look at the Golf as a close comparison. Down to doors, the Celica, Astra GSi & Civic are out and the Clio too small I would imagine.

Don't discount the Mazda 3 Sport, they are good and 5 doors also.

 

[james walker]

5k wont buy you a lcr.... but a nice facelift lc can be had for that.

lc will be spot on for your criteria and easily moddable, stage 1 map to near lcr power.

civic type r 3 door
clio will be too small.

 

[Fl@pper]

My current car is a 1996 VW Golf GTI 8V which as it's a bit rusty and has done 135,700 miles I will probably get about £2.78 for it as a p/x...! A charming trader in Eastleigh (who will remain nameless) said it would be easier for me to sell it in pieces on Ebay (when we went to look at a diesel Cupra).

Sean

probably make more out of it that way if you have the time/space and patience

 

[CupraSport]

Maybe you should wait and see if the 2k scrapping allowance comes into place. You might be able to get a newer car then....

Leon will fit the bill perfectly and a cracking car to boot ...

 

[CupraSport]

It's a Vauxhall still but i'd try the GSi over the SRi.

Agreed it's a Vauxhall..... not my cup of tea though I did have a 1998 one for a few years..

Octavia VRs in that price range? (though not as nice as Leon) same engines and chassis.

 

[JamJay]

Agreed it's a Vauxhall..... not my cup of tea though I did have a 1998 one for a few years..

Octavia VRs in that price range? (though not as nice as Leon) same engines and chassis.

Good choice

Also the Audi A3 1.8T Sport comes in 5 doors. Around a 2002 with low miles or a 2003 newer model can be had with your budget.

Edit: just had a think and with your budget, I'd be inclined to look for an FR rather than a Cupra (same car, just rebranded as an 'FR' and updated a little inside).

 

[Sean Bagel]

There seem to be some Cupras around the £5,500 to £6,500 range but I'm these costs minus my car as a p/x then some money knocked off by bartering. Then walking away if nothing's forthcoming.

The scrap allowance is an option, but it's kinda back to square one hunting around for a new car.

I'm kinda hooked on Leons - hopefully that will still be the case once I drive one or two, but as a matter of interest, what are:

- the tyre specs? Are they 225/40/R18?
- what are the servicing costs like?

I'm not into chipping cars and stuff like that, I'm just after a sporty, reliable car that goes well and will last as that's what I've always had (a sporty car) and I enjoy my driving.

The diesels seem way over-priced to those of the petrol ones, but I can live with the £245 a year tax etc, etc.

 

[JamJay]

225/40/18 is the tyre size for the Cupra R, the Cupra/FR comes with 17" wheels.

Servicing costs aren't too high, well not if you go to a non SEAT Dealer. Cam Belt and Water Pump at 60k though.

I have mine serviced by an independant garage who use genuine VAG parts but 1/2 the labour costs, well worth it and my service book is still stamped.

Just to clarify (the tyre question has thrown me), are you after a...

Cupra R...

Or Cupra/FR?...

 

[Lodgey180]

Clio is not a rival to the Leon, the Megane 225 however is
Astra SRI is also a rival

What would be usefull is your budget.

a clio sport would be a perfect rivel for a leon cupra..

same power with zero weight..

 

[LEE69]

Astra Sri is no rival to a 180 bhp LC which Sean wants.

 

[Sean Bagel]

225/40/18 is the tyre size for the Cupra R, the Cupra/FR comes with 17" wheels.

Hi,

Sorry, I'm just after the tyre spec for a 1.8T 20V Cupra and the FR as suggested by you Jamjay earlier on due to my budget. There's also the 225BHP version, but I think that's a bit too much for me..!

Cheers

 

[LEE69]

I have the 180 LC with 3 kids (forgot the wife) generally in it (including a 7 month old) and it serves us very very well.

 

[JamJay]

Hi,

Sorry, I'm just after the tyre spec for a 1.8T 20V Cupra and the FR as suggested by you Jamjay earlier on due to my budget. There's also the 225BHP version, but I think that's a bit too much for me..!

Cheers

You'll be wanting 225/45/17 for the 180BHP LEON Cupra/FR.

The 225 BHP one is the Cupra R

 

[LEE69]

Sorry, I'm just after the tyre spec for a 1.8T 20V Cupra

205/55/16 on the standard rims as per my signature.