GTD vs FR 184

[Jasonh85]

Hi all, back looking at the new chassis across the VAG range and test drove the 184 which went pretty well, drove nice and held the road with a decent amount of torque. Coming from an FN2 type R the torque definitely shines but the low rev range means a lot of changing gears.

Aside from that the main concern for me
Is the badge and build. Having sat in a GTD it felt a better place to be, better quality plastics etc but I have not driven one.

However the difference is circa £3K for one of similar age so my head says SEAT BUT heart says GTD, mainly if I went for the seat id be thinking all
Money and the little extra I could have had.....

I know it's a SEAT forum but is there anything to sway me to the Spanish brand?

Any common faults I should worry about? Has there Been any chances between the 2014 car and later models?

Thanks

 

[Glarh]

Essentially it's the same car. It's down to what you want really mate. Personally I'd say gtd just for future value and like you say build quality also I have found from experience vw customer service is better than seats non existing customer service though both arnt the best still that's my experiences with both.


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[Jasonh85]

Yeh future value is another thing but I tend to keep my cars, vx corsa for 8 years and the fn2 6 years.
Been using the type r for motorway miles 30k a year and it's costing me a bomb, however if job situation changes I would like to keep to a petrol, so could get rid of the car sooner as they don't like short journeys. Ultimately for servicing I would prob take it to a specialist after the warranty period though.

 

[Slipps]

Essentially it's the same car. It's down to what you want really mate. Personally I'd say gtd just for future value and like you say build quality also I have found from experience vw customer service is better than seats non existing customer service though both arnt the best still that's my experiences with both.


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I have found VW customer service and build quality to be absolute pants the cabin materials used may have a more depth to them but you only notice it in a showroom and its of no use when the car rattles and is continuously racked with numerous faults.

It doesnt make it any more reliable and dont expect VW customer service to come to the rescue and quicker than SEAT they won't... and I foolishly bought two new VW's to give them the benefit of the doubt.

As for residuals you pay less you may get a discount and you may get a better finance deal with SEAT so they're only part of the story I dount the bottom line is that far apart.

I've had two Leons the first an early 184FR that had a rattle or two which was clearly an issue on the earlier ones off the line, my current 2014 Cupra is completely rattle free and well screwed together no complaints like most cars they evolve from the first off the line to put most issues to bed in time.

No complaints about SEAT from here and we've owned four none of which have had any major issues.

 

[bretth1974]

GTD always looks much sportier to me than FR. Unless you put the sport pack on the FR it just looks a little plain.

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[Pinky]

I looked at the Golf gtd and A3 with same engine. They weren't worth the extra for me. Seat finance was no deposit, zero %. Got everything I wanted in the Leon for what I was happy to pay.

Is it perfect? No. But its very good at everything I want it to be good at.

 

[Jasonh85]

What packs and options did most seats come with? I assume that tech pack was common but I'd be looking at a 2014 build. Has anyone had issues with the touch screens and are the alloys 18"?
I noticed that it sounded like a petrol on the test drive is this just a fake audio sound coming from the speakers?
I would also like the audi but that's also more of a premium

 

[az101]

I have a 2014 184 FR ST and the 18s are the performance alloys. Think it was 17s as standard. Had no issues with my touch screen

In sport mode I believe it does pipe some sort of sound though the radio.

Also options I have are
Tech pack
Pano sunroof
Alacantra interior
Performance alloys


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[BoyRacer]

I'm coming 'down' from a VW to a Seat and didn't notice anything so bad that it would affect my decision to jump marques. Obviously the Seat offers better value for money but as they're both coming up to a 'face lift' time, it may influence your decision one way or another??

 

[Jasonh85]

Any details of the face lifts that are happening?

 

[pmmcbl]

Well the FR today feel like just a trim like S or SE, no longer the sporty trim like it was. I agree that the built quality is lower on the seat and customer services is very poor. I had an immense battle to get a warranty claim resolved. But I gues this is why you pay more for the Vw. The golf is better built and VW's customer services is better, I had one claim done and sorted within a day!

The gtd also looks better on the exterior, but the interior design isn't much better than the Leon.

All would come down to discounts to be fair. Try a few dealers for seat (if you can find one) or your Vw dealer. I bet you can get mega money of seat which will make the Leon look better value for money. The golf gtd is flying on the sales numbers, so dealers won't give you loads of money. Seat on the other hand is a different story. Also have a look at pre reg cars, there could be mega deals out there.

 

[marty_34]

well I've owned both, its the same engine essentially but you pay more for the GTD, there are differences in specs with all marques for example led lights compared the xenons.

when i had a leon, i always liked to have the convenience pack, winter pack and 18 inch wheels as a start anything more was a bonus, overall ride of the car was very nice

my only grumble with the leon mk3 was the paint chips very easily on the bonnet

customer services dept of both are a crock of s**t they don't like to help unless aggressively pushed, vw finance are a bunch of arrogant bandits

 

[Jasonh85]

i'd be looking at 2nd hand anyway - like a 14 plate...just hoping that all te gremlins were ironed out.
what were the convenience and winter packs include? can you add them on later?

 

[marty_34]

No can't add them, winter pack is heated seats plus heated washer jets on lights, convenience is auto lights wipers and dimming rear view mirror


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[fabiavrs2004]

Someone on this forum added auto lights, it was a new switch and a new light sensor, if I recall they are both available of ebay

 

[kazand]

What packs and options did most seats come with? I assume that tech pack was common but I'd be looking at a 2014 build. Has anyone had issues with the touch screens and are the alloys 18"?
I noticed that it sounded like a petrol on the test drive is this just a fake audio sound coming from the speakers?
I would also like the audi but that's also more of a premium

It's a device called a 'soundacktor' , it does not come from the speakers but a vibrating unit attached to the bulkhead. It can be altered or disabled with VAGcom or just disconnected.

 

[Jasonh85]

can't believe they didnt come with auto lights or wipers!
would have thought it's a standard amongst cars now
even my type R came with them!

 

[mardon]

can't believe they didnt come with auto lights or wipers!
would have thought it's a standard amongst cars now
even my type R came with them!

A type r is top of the range though. The cupra does come with auto lights.

 

[yellowcone87]

can't believe they didnt come with auto lights or wipers!
would have thought it's a standard amongst cars now
even my type R came with them!

To be fair, the type R sits at the top of its range. You'd expect it to come with auto lights. An FR is a mid spec car though, it's a bit unfair to compare the two. If you looked at the Cupra, which is actually the more direct rival to the type R then it's got everything you'd want. FR is just a sporty spec these days, not the top spec it used to be.

 

[marty_34]

With the mk3 fr there are so many options that can be added it depends how the car comes from factory, like lots of new cars now they can be ordered to your own requirements


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