New owner Maybe?

[Beejam]

Hi there. Just recently started looking at buying a new car. At the moment I have a Boxster S but the missus is pregnant so it has to go.

Did think about keeping it and buying a cheap practical car but since we only need one car this would be a bit of a selfish indulgence as it would be only used by me and we'd go everywhere as a family in the sh*tbox.

After a lot of research into what car to buy I came down to an Audi S4(B6/B7) 4.2 or a Merc C32 AMG. (Dismissed the B5 RS4 Avant as being too old now).

However they all have their drawbacks. C32 is auto only, and S4 is 4wd which I personally think is just a waste of power. They are both 20mpg cars also.
As well as these they are both rare and finding one with a spec you like isn't easy.

So after these past 3 weeks or so I've been thinking about the Cupra R(225). I've always been a big fan and this way I can even buy a car with delivery miles and save over 10 grand which since I'm going to be paying the mortgage and bills on my own for a while will be a bonus.

Also with a remap I could be up to 270bhp which will offer pretty good performance anyway.

The only drawback for the car is the interior is a bit of a let down especially compared to the gorgeous exterior looks.

So here are the questions.

Real world MPG?

I've seen a few 180bhp cars with leather but never seen a 225 with it or one with a sunroof which I'd like...do they exist?

Is it true you can buy a new car from a Seat dealer with a remap that is covered by the official warranty?

Can you get HU adapters (that don't look sh*t) to change the HU for a DIN sized one? (I've got a grands worth of Becker HU in the Porsche I'd like to keep!!!)

Any other info you can give would be appreciated. Like spec to go for or things to look out for when buying. I've only driven a 210bhp model, are they noticeably any different to the 225bhp model?



Thanks in advance,

Ben.

P.S. You can see that even though this is my first post I've been a fan for a while by looking at my joining date.

 

[BlackFR]

Welcome to the site!

Real world MPG?

I would expect something in the 20's mpg depending on how long and where your trips go. High 20's / low 30's if its a motorway cruise and low 20's if its a cross coutry dash Thats my recollection any how!

I've seen a few 180bhp cars with leather but never seen a 225 with it or one with a sunroof which I'd like...do they exist?

I don't think leather or sun roofs were options on UK R's

Is it true you can buy a new car from a Seat dealer with a remap that is covered by the official warranty?

I don't think it is. The likes or Revo, custom code etc can be switched off though.

Can you get HU adapters (that don't look sh*t) to change the HU for a DIN sized one? (I've got a grands worth of Becker HU in the Porsche I'd like to keep!!!)

Yup available from halfords its the same one as used in the old A/S3. Its pretty much a standard sized slot just needs an extra bit of plastic to the left and right

 

[paradigm]

I'm currently returning an average of 33.3MPG (according to the trip computer) doing the daily commute (mix of town, NSL and motorway) 40 Miles each way.

 

[chriz1]

im geting 38mpg average motorway driving at 70mph
drinks more at 60mph?

 

[Mitchy]

With a remap your MPG doesnt really suffer as you tend to stay in the same gear as opposed to dropping down. 5th and 6th gear pull is really good in a remapped car and this obviously helps with the MPG.

I regularly get around 330-350 miles per tank which works out at roughly 30mpg!

You can also get full recaro interior (Front and 2 rear buckets) to spruce things up in the cabin a little

 

[Beejam]

Thanks a lot guys especially Black FR for answering my questions. If anybody has any further advice then please keep it coming!!!!

 

[robby71]

Hi there. Just recently started looking at buying a new car. At the moment I have a Boxster S but the missus is pregnant so it has to go

QUOTE]

c'mon it wasn't her fault entirely

 

[Don]

Dash etc can be upgraded with kits (the piano black dash kit looks very nice).

 

[Don]

Oh yes - one other thought. A few months ago a Boxster was roasted by one of us, so you're not going to miss out on the power!

 

[Beejam]

Oh yes - one other thought. A few months ago a Boxster was roasted by one of us, so you're not going to miss out on the power!

Well that's the kind of thing I expected on a Seat forum.

Trust me...in anything other than a re-mapped 225 I will most definitely miss the power. I'll definitely miss the way the car handles that power too.

Strangely enough whenever I've come up next to hot looking Leons on my local runway the driver has played the "I can't see you" game.

The couple of times the driver has gone for it , it was me that did the roasting.

Don't make the mistake of grouping an early 2.5 with a 3.2 S is all I'll say

 

[DIFT]

As long as you dont make the mistake that all leons are standard

 

[Mat138L]

As long as you dont make the mistake that all leons are standard

i would have a go at it now .get one and get the map done you will not be disappointed i promise and its very practical.If you wanted leather you could always get a retrim .

 

[Fidge]

I think you may be disappointed with getting the power down but its a great practical/performance car with excellent mid and top end grunt!

 

[Beejam]

Agreed. If I do go for the Seat it will be a 225 + a remap.

Makes it a no brainer for me if I decide to spend less than 20k on a car. S4/C32AMG still look good though if I can find the right one for me.

 

[hamps_w]

Well i recently sold my RX-8 highpower and bought a 180 cupra. Mainly for the same reasons as yourself. And i'm pretty pleased with the outcome. You cant really compare the 2 cars as they are designed to do different things. But the Cupra is a quick, good looking, practical (urrgghhh i hate that word) car. I would say go for it. You will get more for your money from a cupra than you will from the other cars on your list.

 

[jetsetjimbo]

I'm very happy with my 210 R.

I'm looking at getting a remap soon, have had a Revo trial. I can't really comment on the switch from a rear drive two seater but I don't think you'll be dissapointed.

With a decent set of tyres on putting down the power isn't that bad.

 

[Don]

Don't make the mistake of grouping an early 2.5 with a 3.2 S is all I'll say

You'll notice there is no mention of 'S' in my post.... I know my cars!

If it's an S, then we'll roll out one of the IHI's, bad beezas or the NOS....

 

[Beejam]

LOL....fair enough,I've heard enough about IHI conversions on other forums to know how quick they can be!!

Hamps....is the Seat really that much more practical than the RX8?

I thought that was is big selling point. In fact I've considered lookig at them.

 

[hamps_w]

Its alot easier to ge the baby seat in and out of the Leon. And the Boot is alot bigger on the Leon. The RX-8 was far more practical than many other coupes......but tis still a coupe so its still quite tight.

The main problem i would say with the RX-8 is fuel consumption. I was getting about 18mpg. Often less if i was enjoying the car! Insurance was fine........and it really was a pleasure to drive. The sound system was the best i have ever experienced in a standard car..............really very good. And it was a lovely looking car.

I havnt had a turbo charged petrol before and i find it very differnt from the Honda, toyota and Mazda engines i have had before, where you can rev and rev and rev. I'm having to changed gear more alot earlier int he rev range with the cupra.

The RX-8 felt much more powerfull than my Leon. But then i have a 180 cupra and you are thinking of a REVO 225 so that could be a different story.

Some people dont like the high pitch of the RX-8 engine note. Personally i quite liked it.........sounded more like a star wars tai fighter than a car.

If you are thinking of getting a RX-8 then i would say wait until after the summer as the price is going to plumet on them even further. Many were sold to the company car market and as such all are hitting the 3 year mark this year. Quite a few are starting to pop up at auctions already. Dont bother with a import as the spec is generally less (no leather etc) and the price is very similar.

Either way...........both are more practical than Boxter. And maybe rarer!

 

[Beejam]

Cheers. I quite like the RX8 but I had many reservations about them. Went round Brands Hatch with a mate in one and it was quite entertaining. Sounded great too.

18mpg though, that's gonna be worse than the 4.2 V8 Audi that weighs a fair bit more!!