Cupra mixed reviews

[HarveyGTI]

If your just after some opinions then in my eyes:

- The front window view is limited
- The rear view mirrow blocks too much of the view
- The A pillar slopes too much
- Hard ride
- Bit plasticy

- The engine is smooth as silk
- The seats are comfy
- The standard equipment is great
- Great Value for money
- Great options
- Lots of potential
- Its so much cheaper than its rivals!

yes but why is it cheaper Scotty?

because still after all this time, Seat still have rattley dashboards! every seat I have owned (3 so far) has had a rattly dashboard

but, I still love Seats though for all their faults

 

[Scotty_b]

Hey fact still stands tho! Id rather have a cheap fast car than get the bus because i cant afford the expensive one!

 

[Pummy]

Hey fact still stands tho! Id rather have a cheap fast car than get the bus because i cant afford the expensive one!

That is pretty much the marching band anthem of any bloke who likes fast cars.

 

[HarveyGTI]

That is pretty much the marching band anthem of any bloke who likes fast cars.

lol so true

 

[Emeye]

I'm very close to choosing a new Leon Cupra as my next car but I wanted to ask your opinions on the very mixed reviews and reaction seat have received over the car.

When comparing it to the Clio 197, Renaultsport Megane, Golf GTi, Astra VXR and new Civic Type R, Top gear magazine says - "... how does a car with the same excellent VW underpinnings end up being so much worse?" and that the interior "...feels cheap and looks infantile".

What Car Magazine says "...sharp handling and impressive composure make for a fun drive" And gives it 3/5.. which I find odd since 7 out of the 9 specifics are 4/5 and only two are 3/5... weird.

Parkers gives it 4.5/5 stars and can only find one real fault that the suspension is a little firm.

Since the latter two are reviews based on the Cupra and it's merits rather than pitting it against other cars as the Top Gear review is, I'm wondering what other people's opinions are on this.

Alot of other websites I've seen seem to have it in for the Cupra as well.

Just to clear things up about the Top Gear review, my opinions about the other cars in the test are as follows:

Civic Type R: Old engine, new body. Not even a particularly good looking one.
Renaultsport Megane: Another car I considered, not a french car fan though
Golf GTi: Not very original and a little tedious to my mind
Astra VXR: Good power, but torque steer under heavy loads is a big turn-off. Unrefined.
Clio: Again french, looks ok but not much power to it.

I agree with you about wanting other peoples opinions. In my experience, a test drive can only tell you so much - it's only living with a car for a while that you can get an idea of what it's really like day to day, and I'm in a similar situation to you when it comes to picking a car.

I would love a Golf GTi, the reviews are great and the test drive was amazing, but they are so expensive and the SEAT Leon FR seems so much better value for money. I used to have an original Seat Leon Cupra and loved it.

I've not managed to find a petrol FR to test drive yet, but there are a couple of problems with it for me:

1) I can't decide on the looks, think it depends on the colour. There is a 3 month old Cupra at a local dealer for only £16,999 and I was tempted, but it is yellow. Now my old Leon was yellow, but really not sure in the new shape. Still it seems to be £1k cheaper than any other Cupra for sale at a main stealer.
2) Feels a bit too much like an MPV and my dad's Altea inside (those side pillars I think).
3) I don't think you can change the Head Unit for a decent aftermarket one, you can in the Golf, and I gotta have my choons!
4) Even the dealer said I need to make sure I have a good testdrive of the FR as it's so different in feel to the GTi.


If I can get over the Head Unit issue (maybe the std one has a line out?) and it drives good, then the extra value may swing it. £16000 for a brand new metallic from a main stealer is the same aprice s a 2 year old 20k miles std Golf GTI!!

Let me know how you get on!

 

[Pummy]

I agree with you about wanting other peoples opinions. In my experience, a test drive can only tell you so much - it's only living with a car for a while that you can get an idea of what it's really like day to day, and I'm in a similar situation to you when it comes to picking a car.

...

...

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3) I don't think you can change the Head Unit for a decent aftermarket one, you can in the Golf, and I gotta have my choons!

...


If I can get over the Head Unit issue (maybe the std one has a line out?) and it drives good, then the extra value may swing it. £16000 for a brand new metallic from a main stealer is the same aprice s a 2 year old 20k miles std Golf GTI!!

Let me know how you get on!

The Head unit can be changed for a double DIN unit. People have done it and upgraded the speakers to some higher fidelity Infinity's.

Have a look around on the opinions of owners and see if you can take full advantage of the test drive to see how you find 2 hours in the car.

Good luck with it, hope you manage to figure out what you want.

 

[Emeye]

The Head unit can be changed for a double DIN unit. People have done it and upgraded the speakers to some higher fidelity Infinity's.

Have a look around on the opinions of owners and see if you can take full advantage of the test drive to see how you find 2 hours in the car.

Good luck with it, hope you manage to figure out what you want.

Cheers,

I've just been reading a really good thread about changing the head unit started by a guy who lives very local to me. After investigating this on the Golf, I'd only need to buy the golf single din adapter with the SEAT one and it should fit. Just looks a bit fiddily, but I've lost many a weekend before arsing around changing head units and speakers.

great forum btw.

 

[toledoChris]

1) I can't decide on the looks, think it depends on the colour. There is a 3 month old Cupra at a local dealer for only £16,999 and I was tempted, but it is yellow. Now my old Leon was yellow, but really not sure in the new shape. Still it seems to be £1k cheaper than any other Cupra for sale at a main stealer.

Sounds like a good price, there seems to be a black one for the same price on the seat website - makes me wonder about my newly ordered petrol FR but the decision has been made!

 

[chrisboyle999]

There is a 3 month old Cupra at a local dealer for only £16,999 and I was tempted, but it is yellow. Now my old Leon was yellow, but really not sure in the new shape. Still it seems to be £1k cheaper than any other Cupra for sale at a main stealer.

is that the one at pattersons, newcastle?