Missing

[Johnsey]

I read in another thread yesterday that there is a free kit on it's way to Seat dealers soon to deal with the misting lights problem, and IIRC it's going to be free.

Philaw -> With regards to all the things you listed which cost just pence each, from the manufacturers point of view, when you multiply that by hundreds of thousands of cars (maybe millions?) rolling off the production line, a few quid total per car (plus labour to fit) adds up to a substantial sum.

Also, someone mentioned why you can't get Xenons on the Cupra - it's because the huuge front intercooler on the Cupra TDI gets in the way of the headlamp washer pipework, which are a legal requirement if you have Xenon lights

Johnsey made a good point about the spare too. Mine has 16" alloys and a 16" steel spare (which does clear my 312mm conversion, I've checked) - but I'm not sure if there are any steel 17" wheels anywhere in the range, so for a relatively small number of cars it probably works out cheaper just to bung in a full size alloy, than procure a small number of 17" steelies just for the Cupra models and add it to all their parts catalogues etc...

Good point about the headlight washers
As for the spare, the shape of a steel wheel to get clearance on over those AP calipers would be more than slightly dished, almost bowl shaped!

Options for Mk4 Ibiza:

6cd changer - £3,560
Cruise control - many hundreds of ££'s
Sat-nav - Ridiculous amount of money
Glove-box light - 89p (+2 minutes of skilled electrician to plug it in)
2 holes in your headlight bulb covers to overcome Seat's design fault - 1 knuckle

What one are you gonna have ???

Sorry I don't subscribe to the manufacturers way of saving by removing things that have been standard forever. The last car I owned with no glove box light was a Mk1 Ford Escort. All previous Seat's had damped grab handles, and all came with a boot light (& including the Escort). Have you never tried to find something in the glovebox in the dark? Why should we have to ?. This one just got my goat - Oh yeah - when are Seat gonna produce the millionth Cupra ? It is (almost) the top of the range, certainly it is wrt price. I wouldn't moan if I had just spent £6,995 on an entry level Fiat, but this one had a list price is £15,500. Would you buy a top of the range plasma telly with no remote because it saved Sony a few quid ? would you buy a new 4 bed detached house with an outside toilet ? These things have passed from being luxuries to being standard. We are talking about a device that turns a little bulb on when you open the glove box in the dark - not much to ask it ? Rant over.

The factory fitted optional extras are seriously overpriced and i dont think anyone will disagree with you on that but surely you noticed what the car did and din't have before forking out 16 grand off your hard earnt cash?

Cruise control can be retro fitted, the TDI's already have the wiring loom in place IIRC. Sat Nav - get an aftermarket one, it'll be cheaper and better (i have the factory fitted one in my car but I bought my car second hand), it's not worth £1500 but having said that is works well and fills the dash nicely IMO, get a decent one with an iPod interface and you dont need a cd changer - everyone's a winner

 

[philaw]

As I said - this is my third Seat, a Mk2 Ibiza Cupra, a Leon Cupra, now this. The Leon came with everything the Mk2 Ibiza had, + puddle lights, 6 cd changer etc. I didn't even think about testing the glove box in the showroom, in fact I opened it to see if the 6 cd changer had been slipped in, how on earth was I gonna notice no light until I opened it at night ? The light lenses were dry in the showroom, didn't think to ask them to wash it and leave it outside to check. I saw the grab handles looked the same as the Leon, didn't think to test the dampers (or not) on them. That is why I am moaning. I went to see a new house the other day, my wife checked out all the toilets and bathrooms, I didn't - I made the logical assumption that because the last new house I bought had inside toilets, this one would too. The main point of all this ranting on instead of working for what I get paid for, is that I chose a Seat again - based on my previous experience. I will not be so brand loyal with my next choice. I know everyone on these forums has similar tastes to me, similar opinions and down to the fact we all bought Seats and not Ferrari's, we are all in a similar financial bracket. I have made my point, Seat have not replied, I am but one voice. Losing out on a potential sale to replace the Ibiza, Seat IMHO have shot themselves in the foot by removing 'standard' fittings to cut costs. Not clever. I work for a giant global company, when we buy a unit we get the price down to approx 70% less than the list price because we buy so many, Seat do not pay even 89p for each interior light assembly.

 

[Kyle Townend]

As I said - this is my third Seat, a Mk2 Ibiza Cupra, a Leon Cupra, now this. The Leon came with everything the Mk2 Ibiza had, + puddle lights, 6 cd changer etc. I didn't even think about testing the glove box in the showroom, in fact I opened it to see if the 6 cd changer had been slipped in, how on earth was I gonna notice no light until I opened it at night ? The light lenses were dry in the showroom, didn't think to ask them to wash it and leave it outside to check. I saw the grab handles looked the same as the Leon, didn't think to test the dampers (or not) on them. That is why I am moaning. I went to see a new house the other day, my wife checked out all the toilets and bathrooms, I didn't - I made the logical assumption that because the last new house I bought had inside toilets, this one would too. The main point of all this ranting on instead of working for what I get paid for, is that I chose a Seat again - based on my previous experience. I will not be so brand loyal with my next choice. I know everyone on these forums has similar tastes to me, similar opinions and down to the fact we all bought Seats and not Ferrari's, we are all in a similar financial bracket. I have made my point, Seat have not replied, I am but one voice. Losing out on a potential sale to replace the Ibiza, Seat IMHO have shot themselves in the foot by removing 'standard' fittings to cut costs. Not clever. I work for a giant global company, when we buy a unit we get the price down to approx 70% less than the list price because we buy so many, Seat do not pay even 89p for each interior light assembly.

Well Said

 

[muddyboots]

By the way, I wasn't excusing Seat for removing said items from the spec, merely suggesting why they might have

 

[philaw]

3429 posts suggests you know a damn sight more than I do! It started as a mere observation, it's turned into an obsession, I stop people in the street and ask "Would you expect a £15,500 car to not have a glovebox light ?" I will not slag off the car, a very nice car to drive, totally different to the Leon, far more responsive, much better chassis, superb engine, much better paint quality, it is no way ruined by the minor irritations that have consumed me. I shall simply fade away, drop into Halfords and hand over 89p like I always knew I was gonna. I just wanted Seat to know that these things really do affect my next choice of car. Them not answering my e-mail isn't helping! When my car-share buddies ask "Where's the .............? I shall simply ignore them.

 

[muddyboots]

3429 posts suggests you know a damn sight more than I do!

I wouldn't bank on it
(Thought I'd get in before anyone else )