Should I buy an Exeo?

[Arkaig]

Long story short, I was looking at buying a Mk4 Ibiza Cupra TDI when I spotted a 6L PD130 Cordoba that I liked. I always liked cars with proper arses, but what with being older cars they tend to have issues and/or the dreaded 6L rust.

This did expand my horizons though and I stumbled across some Exeos. Bloomin hell these cars are cheap for what you get! I also quite like the styling.

Thing is, I'm only 32, I don't have kids, and my other half has given me free reign to buy what I like. I still want to have some fun with the car and drive irresponsibly I'm not looking for a barge, but I like the idea of something 'nicer' than an Ibiza.

So be honest, what do you think of your Exeo in terms of still being an enjoyable drive? I'm looking at a 170 TDI which I will probably get remapped. Is the ride boaty or can it still be flung about in an enjoyable manner? I wouldn't take it on the track, but I do enjoy my Ibiza's stiff handling and I miss that in other cars I've driven.

I've been told the CR diesel engine drives 'petrolly' and likes to be revved, how true is this?

If I didn't go camping every weekend or have to carry firewood about occasionally I'd probably have bought an MX5 or something..

 

[RichL]

The Exeo is essentially an Audi A4, as I'm sure you realised , and I find it a tad nose heavy, though I havent really had the opportunity to fling it about much.
My Exeo 170 is the Se-Lux model with 18" wheels and standard ride height. I've upgraded the rear antiroll bar to the thicker RS4 model, and it's also running Hankook Ventus tyres which are an unknown to me. I tend to use Michelins from my local Costco when they do an offer
I'd rate the handling as competent but unexciting. I don't bother chasing Fiesta ST150s through the bends, I just wait till the straights.

I had a Golf IV PD150 with the factory GTi spec suspension and 16" wheels. I later added a aftermarket rear antiroll bar and transformed it into something a lot more chuckable. I'd say the Exeo is about the same around the bends as the Golf was before I added a rear ARB.


However in a straight line, chipped and with decent fuel, my Exeo is a bloody rocket that would leave the Golf in a cloud of smoke (if it didn't have a DPF)

 

[DaveMc]

I'm only 29 myself and have just bought an Exeo recently, although I do have 2 kids. To be honest I have not had any hairy monents with handling like I did with my previous Passat, I have the Sport Tech model with sport suspension so I have no comment on any other models handling. I don't drive like a mad man all the time, but I do like it when I get to my favourite twisty roads and the car has had no issues so far. Mine is the 143 CR engine and to be honest it goes very well for what it is, It will out pull and Audi A5 of the same age/engine up hill by more than what you would think (confirmed the other day). Like you said, they are really cheap for the quality and level of kit you get, seriously overlooked. In fact I never even heard of them myself until just before I bought mine. I cannot compare to an Ibiza, but have owned plenty other 'hot hatches' before and obviously there is a difference in handling due to size etc, but the ride is so much more refined too. I may be biased, I have a motorbike for hooning around on since the kids were born, so don't need to think too much about how fast/planted it is. My honest opinion is find one to test drive and have a good look around at what you get for your money, I think you will find it hard to say no! If you want another honest opinion, get a bike!

 

[DWaldie]

I've had mine two and a half years and I still love it. Mine is the 170 sport tech so the ride is firm but helps with cornering no end. It has loads of grip in the bends, but does tent to eat tyres (lots of torque). It's a typical sport diesel with all the power coming in in a lump but the CR engine can be revved a bit more than most and is a bit more tractable.

I would describe it as nippy, not fast, and is fantastic on A roads but it's no Fiesta ST so you can't fling it about with gay abandon as it's a heavy lump. And a bit nose heavy. It's a quick and very competent saloon but not a hot hatch. If your looking for the latter, buy one. If you want a really good value saloon that will surprise many boy racers the Exeo is a really good choice. Probably only beaten by a Beemer.

 

[decadent]

I'm 31 but do have a kiddie and have hobbies that makes an estate useful. Engine is revvy and they are good value.

Handles well enough in sport trim, however if my wife gave free rein and i didn't have kids i'd be going for something a little more interesting with the view of changing it once circumstances change. Depends on budget and taste but there's plenty of modern classic cars that will/are appreciating in value and can be used daily. Personally I am a BM fan and would buy an E36 M3, but there are loads of other options

 

[Mrski1]

I am 29 and have recently changed to an Exeo Sport Tech (143) from a 2.2 Civic Type S, and prior to that a Leon Cupra. Most of my annual mileage are drives from Aberdeen to Newcastle, as well as trips across Scotland to go mountain biking, so I was looking for a car that bit more refined than my previous Civic as I spend a lot of time in the car, but I didn't want anything too soft and barge like (Passat springs to mind), as I have always been a bit of a car nut and like to enjoy a fun drive from time to time.

In the week I have owned the Exeo I have to say it hasn't encouraged me to drive like a loon yet, I think its something to do with the refinement of the car, I tend to just sit back, relax and cruise along, and as you mentioned for the price the Exeo is hard to beat. In terms of the way it drives, it is very similar to any of the VW group cars but with the usual Seat traits, mainly stiffer suspension (not uncomfortable or crashy), fairly weighty steering, light gearchange etc so there will be no surprises in that respect.

 

[NeilMcK]

I got an Exeo ST about 2 months ago, changed from an Altea which I found tinny and noisy, but for a tall car handled well and went well with a Revo map on it.

The Exeo is very quiet, smooth and refined, it can shift surprisingly well (I have the 143 tdi) but it is more a cruiser than an A and B road blaster so it's no hot hatch (which suits me fine).

The handling is safe, predictable and secure but it's not chuckable - anyway, my wife would make too many noises if I tried.

For kicks, like Dave, I ride a motorbike that I hoon around on in the summer.

Food for thought - to get same power to weight in an Exeo that my Speed Triple has, it would need nearly 1000hp... so hot hatches etc. are all easy meat on a decent bike.

It is a lot of car for the money - an equivalent A4 of the same age and spec would have been around £4k more - no brainer really. In this way I can have a very nice car AND a motorbike

Hope that helps you come to a decision, horses for courses as the saying goes.

 

[Arkaig]

Brilliant and detailed responses so far, thanks all. This gives me answers to all my queries, and a lot to think about. I like the sound of them so far, so I think the way forward now is to test drive one.

 

[Mr Bigglesworth]

May as well throw mine experience in. I have 1 toddler - did have a MK1 Leon and just about fitted everything I needed in it, but it could be a jigsaw puzzle getting all the stuff in even for a day trip to the grandparents as there is so much stuff to lug around when then are really little! Can just chuck it all it with the Exeo. It's no modern Audi on the interior, but it's still very nice.

I test drove a 170bhp Diesel first - didn't really get on with it, but then I was coming from a Turbo Petrol. I've heard a map can liven it up though. Ended up with an Exeo ST Petrol - think I'm one of the few here with that!! This is a more lively and better throttle response and am trying to convince OH that remapping it is a good idea!

And we don't do huge mileage so I don't mind a slightly higher fuel bill for a bit of fun. Also many trips are 30 mins or less so not so much of an issue with not warming up the engine etc. Don't have a problem with the firm ride as it was bliss coming from a MK1 cupra!

 

[Andygti39]

My sport tech st 170 is lots of fun to throw around, it actually could do with new front tyres as roundabouts are lots of fun i find it handles really well being the sport tech.

 

[Mr Bigglesworth]

My sport tech st 170 is lots of fun to throw around, it actually could do with new front tyres as roundabouts are lots of fun i find it handles really well being the sport tech.

I'll add that mine handles well - but I definitely don't have the confidence that I used to have in my Cupra going round twisty A roads. But it's not a fair comparison as I have had some pretty average tyres on the car so far this year - changed for Premium Winter tyres at the mo and in Spring will change to Premium Summer tyres so will be able to fairly compare it to my Cupra!

 

[Cornishgreg]

Had my ST Sport Tech for 18 months now and for me it is the perfect compromise.

Comfortable, refined and returning good MPG for the long drives I have to do for work, but then fun enough to make my daily drives on the roads of Cornwall fun.

Once on boost joining from a slip road or exiting a roundabout you'll surprise a lot of other cars with how the speed builds.

For me the ST is small enough to park with ease in town, squeeze down country lanes and thread through London traffic, but big enough to cope with all the stuff my two young kids demand of a weekend - bikes, scooters, surf boards etc.

Tyres are going to be key to how you feel it handles. Mine was on no brand budget tyres and was 'fine' when I got it. Swapped to some Maxxis tyres (still not the top of the tree performance wise), and the handling was vastly improved, pushing it into 'interesting'.

In the past I have run Renaultsport Megane 230, BMW 320 MSport, Golf GTi, and whilst not as good as them, I don't feel short changed (I think it might be the best 'overall' car I've run in terms of spec, performance, value, ease, reliability).

Try a couple and see how you get on. Good luck!

 

[Arkaig]

Thanks to all the others who responded.

I've found a few nearby, so I'm arranging some test drives

It does sound that an Exeo would suit me nicely. I was mainly worried that it would be too bargey but from the sounds of it everyone loves theirs. I'm not looking for hot hatch handling as such, just something that I can still enjoy!

Meanwhile my Ibiza is rusting to hell, doubt I'm going to get the P/X price I want for it.. shoddy VAG paintwork!

 

[Mr Bigglesworth]

Thanks to all the others who responded.

I've found a few nearby, so I'm arranging some test drives

It does sound that an Exeo would suit me nicely. I was mainly worried that it would be too bargey but from the sounds of it everyone loves theirs. I'm not looking for hot hatch handling as such, just something that I can still enjoy!

Meanwhile my Ibiza is rusting to hell, doubt I'm going to get the P/X price I want for it.. shoddy VAG paintwork!

On the paintwork/rust front, I thought SEAT had something like a 12 year warranty period for that? Might be of use?

On the handling front, I've found out on the A4s you could put in a RS4 ARB and it really tightened the rear handling with no noticeable effect on the ride...am going to look into that more!

 

[Mrski1]

The Exeo is by no means a barge, just a tad nose heavy with the placement of the engine between the headlights! Enjoy the test drives!

 

[Riley TDi]

Hope you enjoy the test drives, I have spent today driving in the wife's yaris. Man, the Exeo feels like a spaceship in comparison. Soooo smooth.

 

[jakey boy]

I would totally recommend buying an exeo.

for me the exeo really is a great package, good build quality, decent performance and a fantastic price.

main thing is to push the dealers hard as they struggle to move exeo's on, and be prepared to hold onto yours for a while as depreciation can be steep. But once you own one, you will be asking yourself what else would you rather have for your money.

I have left a life long love for Honda's for my seat ( two kids have pushed me in that direction ) and have owned my exeo for 2 years / 20k miles.

performance wise, the seat is nothing compared to my old vtec rush but on a day to day basis it is more than adequate.

suspension wise, I swapped to bilstein shocks with H&R springs and it has improved greatly. sort of wish I went with coilovers to get a bit lower.

a couple of little bits and bobs and the exeo can look fantastic, i've de-badged, de-chromed, DIY grille and 18 inch BBS CH reps.

try a couple out and see what you think but it is a yes from me !!

 

[mdaw1985]

Hi Arkaig,

I have owned my 2011 exeo 170 2.0 tdi sport tech saloon for three years now and I'm still enjoying it now. As the others have said it's build quality is superb and when I bought it, it was far better than anything else Seat produced at the time. The only one that now comes close is the latest mk3 Leons. I have driven a fair amount of Seats and the Exeo is my favourite. I would say it's a very stable car with plenty of grip provided you have sensible or good tyres on it. I test drove a 170 st with budget tyres (Wanli I think) and the esp was going mad. I also test drove a 140 saloon se tech with Pirelli p zero rosso and although it had lower bhp and torque which would help with the grip you really noticed the difference in grip level. I am currently using Goodyear eagle asymmetric 2 on the front and they have been very good. The bridgestones before were also good. So yes although it's a bigger car there is still plenty of fun to be had.

The only other Seat I would consider if I were to stray from my exeo would have to be something like a mk3 Leon Fr with the slightly uprated version of my 170 to 185 I think. After that it's cupra territory but they are all petrol and will probably hit the wallet harder.

 

[Mr Bigglesworth]

Hi Arkaig,

I have owned my 2011 exeo 170 2.0 tdi sport tech saloon for three years now and I'm still enjoying it now. As the others have said it's build quality is superb and when I bought it, it was far better than anything else Seat produced at the time. The only one that now comes close is the latest mk3 Leons. I have driven a fair amount of Seats and the Exeo is my favourite. I would say it's a very stable car with plenty of grip provided you have sensible or good tyres on it. I test drove a 170 st with budget tyres (Wanli I think) and the esp was going mad. I also test drove a 140 saloon se tech with Pirelli p zero rosso and although it had lower bhp and torque which would help with the grip you really noticed the difference in grip level. I am currently using Goodyear eagle asymmetric 2 on the front and they have been very good. The bridgestones before were also good. So yes although it's a bigger car there is still plenty of fun to be had.

The only other Seat I would consider if I were to stray from my exeo would have to be something like a mk3 Leon Fr with the slightly uprated version of my 170 to 185 I think. After that it's cupra territory but they are all petrol and will probably hit the wallet harder.

The cupra leon st do look tasty, but I don't think that they Even out yet, and of course a different budget!