Leon cupra r 225 vs Vectra VXR

Leon cupra r 225 vs Vectra VXR

Author
Discussion

Xxxmike86

Original Poster:

8 posts

97 months

Sunday 29th May 2016
quotequote all
Hi guys. Need some info for people that's have owned one pref both of these cars.
Looking at the above cars. Completely different and I've not yet found an online comparison.
One a big 2.8 V6 turbo and one a smaller 1.8 turbo.
I need 5 doors and like them both and I'm struggling. If I get the seat it means an extra £1k for mods.
What kind of issues do they both suffer from. And service parts for the Vectra what are they like? Pricey?

Anyone owned both.

Stu-nph26

1,984 posts

104 months

Sunday 29th May 2016
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Never had the Vectra but owned 2 LCR 225s over the years. Great cars plenty of power different animal with a remap I think mine was about 260bhp. Brembo breaks, VW build quality had no major issues with mine over 4 years of ownership. Looks great with the 18s. I'd have another in a heart beat. Go drive them both and decide for yourself.

Xxxmike86

Original Poster:

8 posts

97 months

Sunday 29th May 2016
quotequote all
I have a nice LCR about 25 miles from me but closest vxr is 60 in the opposite direction so will be an afternoon out kinda thing where I annoy the Mrs. Lol. Any particular bits to be aware of with the LCR. What's the turbo like? The 225 is the same engine as the S3 isn't it? A remap is definitely on the cards for both lol

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

189 months

Sunday 29th May 2016
quotequote all
Not really impressed with the Leon. Not really my cup of tea. Tales of VW build quality doesn't really inspire either. Mate had a Cupra and tbh I just didn't see the appeal.

The Vectra I've not been in. I'm sure it'll feel a bigger more substantial car for the money. But probably the better for it. And will certainly be the better car if you are needing to mark use of the seats and boot. But really depends what you are wanting.

What sort of budget are you looking at? I have no issues modding. But sometimes you are better off buying the faster car in the first place if it's within budget. If you wanting something the size of the Vectra, then you could probably get something like a V8 Jag or even an XJR for your budget.

HappyMidget

6,788 posts

114 months

Sunday 29th May 2016
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If you need luggage space then the LCR is not for you. Was a right faff trying to get my sister into her friend's LCR with three kids and associated luggage.

Xxxmike86

Original Poster:

8 posts

97 months

Monday 30th May 2016
quotequote all
Realistically I am looking to replace my land rover and o don't need something that big. Have a Mrs, child and dog so can't be too small. I do like the looks of the LCR so that's go me a bit hooked. Budget about 5-6k maybe 7k.
Wanted something 2005 or newer to have some modern gadgets. Not looked at jag stuff to be honest. Not even gave it a thought.
Mpg mustn't be single digits though lol

Meridius

1,608 posts

151 months

Monday 30th May 2016
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What about the newer Leon Cupra with the 2.0T?

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

189 months

Monday 30th May 2016
quotequote all
Jag is a saloon. So probably a no go if you have a dog. Mpg I'd expect to be about identical or better than the Vectra. I doubt a modded Leon is going to be all that good.

My mate who had a Cupra, swapped it for a turbo Saab. I admit he only does short journeys. But it averaged a lot less than my 4.6 V8 Range Rover does. The Leon was better, but bad enough that it probably makes no real odds.


For that budget you might want to consider something like a Wagon Impreza or a Merc/BMW estate. You can get these with peppy engines.

14

2,084 posts

160 months

Monday 30th May 2016
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What about a Saab 93 V6 Aero Sportwagon? It's got the same engine as the Vectra VXR, yet it's more practical as it's an estate.

rscott

14,690 posts

190 months

Monday 30th May 2016
quotequote all
14 said:
What about a Saab 93 V6 Aero Sportwagon? It's got the same engine as the Vectra VXR, yet it's more practical as it's an estate.
Was just going to post this! I had one until a couple of years ago (other half got a Focus estate, so changed the Saab for an MX5).

The Saab was a very comfy way to travel surprisingly quickly and made a half decent noise too. Mine had the Hirsch remap boosting it to 275, but they now do a 330bhp upgrade...

ZX10R NIN

27,490 posts

124 months

Monday 30th May 2016
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I'd also look for the 220bhp 5 cylinder Mondeo for that kind of money you could pick up a nice one., they're not as shouty as the VXR but they do have the sweeter chassis & aren't £490.00 per year to tax

Mondeo 2.5 Titanium Sport
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2.5 Titanium X
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

VXR
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

LCR
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Having a few VAG mates as good as the LCR is they say the newer car has the better engine/worse interior out of the two I'd say go for the Vauxhall of the three I'd take the Ford.

Saab
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

4WD Version of the above
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...


rb5er

11,657 posts

171 months

Monday 30th May 2016
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Surely a Volvo S60R is better than these in every area.

Xxxmike86

Original Poster:

8 posts

97 months

Monday 30th May 2016
quotequote all
Ahhhh Volvo wildcard! Didn't think of that. Cheers

a7x88

776 posts

147 months

Monday 30th May 2016
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Mazda 3 or 6 MPS?

jonwm

2,504 posts

113 months

Monday 30th May 2016
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I had an LCR for 3 years, loved it, at the same time had an SRI vectra which was OK but really regret selling the LCR, can't belive how much they go for now, I sold mine in 2012 with 57k fsh on an 04 plate for 2600!!

wiliferus

4,053 posts

197 months

Monday 30th May 2016
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Drive a VXR first. I found the engine quite underwhelming. Used them for about 4 years on TraffPol, albeit with a different suspension and trim level. Don't get me wrong, they shift, but for what it is I expected more. I seem to recall they split header tanks for fun, and the mpg was eye watering.
If it was my money I'd be looking at the Mondeo 2.5t or a V70 T5. For your budget you'd get a peachy T5.

Turquoise

1,457 posts

96 months

Monday 30th May 2016
quotequote all
Saab Aero estate all day long. Still looks really classy. Easily tuned too.

rscott

14,690 posts

190 months

Monday 30th May 2016
quotequote all
wiliferus said:
Drive a VXR first. I found the engine quite underwhelming. Used them for about 4 years on TraffPol, albeit with a different suspension and trim level. Don't get me wrong, they shift, but for what it is I expected more. I seem to recall they split header tanks for fun, and the mpg was eye watering.
If it was my money I'd be looking at the Mondeo 2.5t or a V70 T5. For your budget you'd get a peachy T5.
There's a revised header tank (had it fitted as a recall to the Saab). MPG wasn't too bad - 25 on the 7 mile country commute, over 30 on long runs.
It's a cosseting car though - very easy to travel surprisingly quickly without realising it.
The Saab handling is better than the VXR too.

If budget allows , try and track down a Turbo X. They're the AWD version tuned to 275bhp and a lot more can be extracted.

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 30th May 2016
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Turquoise said:
Saab Aero estate all day long. Still looks really classy. Easily tuned too.
Why does everyone love these? They look extremely dated, there are no dealer networks, about as interesting as a bean bag and are ancient.

I would be placing my money on a late model Volvo T5, which doesn't look 1980s, left field choice? 335i touring

rscott

14,690 posts

190 months

Monday 30th May 2016
quotequote all
allroad one said:
Turquoise said:
Saab Aero estate all day long. Still looks really classy. Easily tuned too.
Why does everyone love these? They look extremely dated, there are no dealer networks, about as interesting as a bean bag and are ancient.

I would be placing my money on a late model Volvo T5, which doesn't look 1980s, left field choice? 335i touring
We're taking about the 9-3 estates on here - very different to the older 9-5 design. Parts are easily available as many are shared GM. Others are still being manufactured in Sweden and there's still a service centre network. http://www.saabparts.com/en-gb/uk/
I've got more Saab service centres with 30 miles of me than I have Ford or Volvo!