The RS brand like you say is huge, mk 3 for me and like every other Ford that's been before has been overhyped. (Massive marketing) Yes they are good cars but the cult following they have almost guarantees huge sales. Reliability is bordering criminal , the recall Ford have issued to customers has come very late, it's almost like they don't want to address the big elephant in the room, customers in the meantime will bury their heads in the sand and hope the
problem goes away! The mind boggles with the loyalty they show Ford.
It would seem Seat don't need to change their logo, they need to add letters!
As an owner of the MK3 RS, yes the marketing and journo's
reviews were rather hyped up, but unless you've driven one ( in standard tune), it is a truly impressive piece of kit.
As for reliability bordering on criminal - really? Mine is one of the early ones (end of March 2016 build, April 16 collection) and sitting nicely with 21k on the clock, a daily driver and driven hard. I know plenty of reliable ones. Don't believe all the negativity you read on the internet - a lot of that is hyped. Sure Ford cocked up with installation of an incorrect head gasket (the one for the Mustang was used, which is nigh on the same engine as the RS, one, but lesser tune, and it took time for Ford to admit to the source of the
problem) so the gasket mix up is possible (but of course shouldn't happen). Sure Ford haven't dealt with the whole issue very well, but that doesn't change the iconic status of the RS.
Agreed, I've never understood why Ford has such a following with the poor reliability and the Mk3 FRS head gasket problems is shocking. I've never owned a fast Ford, liked a few of them that's all.
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Why has the RS got such a following? It's simply iconic going back to the classic RS's of the late 60s through to the 90s with their rallying success with the cars like the MK1 and MK2 RS2000, and the Escort Cosworth and touring car success with the Sierra RS Cosworth 3 door.
Cupra is a new brand relatively speaking compared to the RS brand, and likely has the same cult following (I am new to the Cupra scene with my ST 300 4drive).
As for unreliability - I doubt the Cupra has escaped from it's reliability issues since launch - door locks failing as an example, on the 2015-16 Cupra's, DSG box problems with the 2010-2012 models.
No car is totally without issue. It's how it is handled by the manufacturer that sets perceptions. Look at the dieselgate scandal by the VW group ( did it affect and Diesel Seats?).
Unless you've driven the MK3 RS it's hard to describe how good it is.
All that aside, I am looking forward to the Cupra ST as a rapid family car - the RS is a lot more aggressive and an entertaining drive. The Cupra is a more relaxed but rapid drive.
