Would you choose a SEAT Leon 20V T Cupra over a Civic Type R? It's a moot point actually because at the Shed price point of £1,000 there would be no such choice available. Finding a running Type R for under a grand isn't going to happen any time soon. Even £2K Civs generally look like they've just been dragged off the drift track or finished third in a Tesco car park burnout competition.
It's an understated but rapid little number
This week's Shed is nothing like that. It combines the quiet, sophisticated air of the accomplished gentleman about town with the promise of skirtlifting fun and the solidity that goes with Germanic build, all for less than a third of the price of any Type R you'd be able to gaze at on your drive without wincing.
At the risk of igniting an inter-marquine gang war, Shed will confidently state that there is no way that even the cheapest useable Type R is three times better than this SEAT. Indeed, even if you did find someone daft enough to lob you the keys of his Civic for Shed money, Shed would still hesitate to shun the Spanish offering, especially if it's as clean and sharp as this one.
Why? Because the 20V T is two cars in one. As a family man, Shed is very conscious of the requirements of Mrs Shed. She is the sort of woman who must have full measure in everything. She demands an apparently impossible mix of endurance and short bursts of excitement. That's why she loves a top-end Leon. It can thrill, it can cosset, it can be practical, but crucially it can do all three at the same time. The Honda is of course technically capable of carrying you and four mates, but you'd never risk if for fear of being pulled seven nights a week by the narco squad. The Leon carries no such baggage, only regular baggage, and plenty of it too under that distinctive back end.
Classy but leathery and a bit creased, just like Shed
Let's delve a little deeper into this comparison. How do the numbers stack up? Both deliver PH qualifying power, around 180hp in the Spaniard and 200hp in the equivalent second-gen Type R. Compare the 0-60 times and there seems to be no contest: it's 6.4sec for the 1,200kg Honda and a full second longer for the 1,300kg SEAT.
Thing is, you won't always be in a mood to dig your spurs into the Civic to access its naturally-aspirated buzz, but you won't even have to think about making progress in the turbo'd Leon: it'll just happen thanks to its smooth, lunging midrange torque (173lb ft against the Honda's 145lb ft). That 1.8 four is very tuneable too, with relatively minor fettling required to hoist the standard figures up to a reliable 250hp and 258lb ft.
There are the usual caveats. You wouldn't want to chance the interference-type cambelt beyond 70K. Rest assured that it will significantly interfere if allowed to snap. Assuming the servicing has been kept up, this car should have a nicely toothy replacement item whirring away inside.
A little wallowy out of the box but tuneable too
Leon door seals leak. The rest is normal 21st century fare. Keep your eye on the mass air flow sensor, thermostat, hoses and coil packs (which for this car are both cheap and easy to replace - only use OEM items though).
Handling? The SEAT will admittedly feel indirect and understeery if you're coming straight out of a darty Civic, but in isolation it will hold its head up high. The brakes are excellent, and you'll learn to love the Leon's decent ride and comfy seats, especially this car's nicely worn-in leather ones with electrical adjustment on both front chairs.
Shed has extensive personal experience of the 210hp Cupra R. It was nothing short of a joy. Nothing went wrong, and a hell of a lot went right. That's why he fully understands why the 20V T is so well loved by most owners. If this Shed runs anywhere near as well as it looks, it will make a great all-round road car, and one that's sufficiently well-built to take it way beyond the expiry date of the next MOT. If you think it needs a Volkswagen badge on it to make it 'real', you're doing yourself no favours.
Full black leather interior, ABS, Alloy wheels, Folding rear seats, Alarm and Immobiliser, Driver and passenger airbag, Radio/Cassette, Side airbags, Radio/CD Multichanger, Rear headrests, Sports seats, Traction control, Front fog lights, Front and rear electric windows, Remote central locking, Electric door mirrors, Heated door mirrors, Steering wheel rake adjustment, Steering wheel reach adjustment, Electric height adjustable drivers and passengers seat, Isofix child seat anchor points, 3x3 point rear seat belts, PAS, Rear wiper, Body coloured bumpers...£1095.00 ono