2nd time lucky? Back in the Cupra 280 club

[mbk72]

Much sooner than expected I'm back in a Cupra 280 DSG once again. For those who don't know the story it's all recounted here.

We went from all happy and smiles here after a 13 year gap since the last Cupra:
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=415124

To this just 19 days later:
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=416068

Despite the disappointment of that car the Cupra was still the right car for us at this time and by complete luck I found this one, again a SEAT UK car:





So this time we have a 64 plate, Dynamic Grey with bucket seats, sunroof and ACC. For us the bucket seats and sunroof really add to the car - so much so I've had difficulty getting the keys back off the mrs to take these pictures.

The previous black Cupra was clearly not a well car in comparison to this one. In evo 208 Fast Fleet (long term test) they reported a press car from SEAT used in the hot hatch test (KM14 XHT) felt particularly feisty. This is also true of our new Cupra, it just feels much more alive this time, throttle response seems quicker and the upshifts seem moire urgent. Who knows it may just be the psychological effects of a new car, the extra external noise via the yet to be closed sunroof and the slight extra hugginess of the buckets.

The sunroof certainly adds a bit of visual bling to the Cupra so if you are looking for or ordering a new one I'd highly recommend one, especially for extra audible drama with it open. I'm sure the contrasting colour adds to that effect on a white (oops I mean Dynamic Grey) car and would do much the same on all the other colours except black.

It looks like I won't be keeping this one long either though as the mrs now thinks it's her car! Here's hoping for some fun and trouble free motoring this time.

 

[thefunkygibbon]

Nice one. Glad you are back behind the wheel.Hope you have many years of fun driving in it.
Was it one that the dealer/seat supplied as replacement or did you get refunded and then bought another?
Hashtag cupramasterrace.

 

[mbk72]

I had a refund (SEAT UK didn't have a Cupra 280 DSG available at the time) on the first one and then bought this one, from SEAT UK stock from the same dealer. Just luck that I found a car with a spec I liked.

 

[Ocularis]

Welcome back, glad you got it all sorted. Car looking good (love those seats!)

 

[Rob66]

Congratulations, beautiful car saw one just like it on the M27 colour looks great in the sun.

 

[mbk72]

Welcome back, glad you got it all sorted. Car looking good (love those seats!)

Thank you! Worth every penny I didn't pay for them. They are much wider buckets than the RS3 or Civic Type R seats but the side bolsters do hug nicely. They don't have the hard 'nutcracker' edge of the Renaultsport/RS3 seats either which is a significant bonus for rapid entry and exit.

 

[mbk72]

Congratulations, beautiful car saw one just like it on the M27 colour looks great in the sun.

Thank you! I've been accused of black and white thinking before, at least now I can say I'm an unusual shade of grey.

 

[JMAC]

Congrats. That's the spec/colour I'd go for myself, I really like it. Hope you get to at least one month of ownership without any issues.

 

[robin cur]

How I wish I had a white Cupra.

 

[Slipps]

Glad you stayed with the Cupra in the end, pound for pound I reckon it's a steal

Like you I've also fallen in love with the sunroof and if Id bought it new I'd never have previously ticked that expensive box but it really lifts the look of the car and brings in a different dimension to a drive out.

The only thing I'd change on mine would be to ditch lane assist and go for those seats they look awesome and the standard ones aren't really that great in spirited cornering but hey I'm not really complaining I'm still in awe at the cars's ability

 

[R19]

How I wish I had a white Cupra.

You not like the red? Kind of makes me worried




Congrats on the new cupra mbk72 it looks great.
Hope you have more luck with this one.

 

[Rotrax]

Good to see you back after what happened. Like the colour of this car very nice indeed. Enjoy

 

[andrewpain]

cracking looking car.
seats look cool...best of luck with it

 

[Famandy1]

Yes looks the business - have fun!

 

[Richoscos]

A fellow evo reader. Welcome back!

 

[mbk72]

Thanks all.

JMAC I've kept the blown avatar just in case...

This has all been a bit of a strange silver lining after the first car, I would never have chosen Dynamic Grey but I now agree it really does look good. Similarly the sunroof is a big step on from the last one I can remember having in a Pug 306 GTI-6. If I'd spec'd a new Cupra I'd have gone for red with the Sub8 pack and tyres, sunroof and bucket seats but I wouldn't have gone for the ACC as the standard cruise already works so well. The only change I will make is to Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres and probably sooner rather than later with that.

As long as this one remains as reliable as all your cars appear to be then this will be an alls well that ends well car choice.

I have a project on this weekend to perfect the Cupra Cave, if it works out as I hope I'll share the pictures with you!

 

[mbk72]

A fellow evo reader. Welcome back!

Thanks, still and always the best car magazine!

 

[rocket_26_]

I am pleased you have got another Cupra having read your positive reviews prior to what happened with the last one. I think the roof is well worth the money and improves the look of the car. I've had mine 11 months now and still love it.

 

[Snah]

Welcome back and I hope you enjoy many safe, fast and trouble free miles with it.

 

[jcbmally]

It looks like I won't be keeping this one long either though as the mrs now thinks it's her car! Here's hoping for some fun and trouble free motoring this time.

Welcome back fella, hope you have many years of motoring bliss with new car. I think it was meant to be.