New shape Seat Ibiza FR's any good? Alternatives?
Discussion
We bought a Ibiza FR 2.0tdi 5 door, manual for my 19 yr old son.
I now use it as a dd whilst he's at university and it's actually a really nice competent car.
143bhp, just over 8sec to 60, insurance ok (even for a 19 yr old!), low road tax, 50 to the gallon, cruise quietly and comfortably at a ton, pulls like a train in the right gear and rev range and hence overtaking is reallly easy.
IMO the interior is a nice place to be too, well finished and equipped. Radio control is a bit clunky, but you have USB as option too. also fitted with sunroof option, cruise, bluetooth phone connection. There's actually a load of space in it too, my lads are over 6ft and comfortably sit in the back (will take 3), with surprisingly lots of head and leg room for a smaller hatch version.
The lads and I went out for a couple of days and tried all the usual other suspects after first seeing the Ibiza FR; Polo, Clio, Civic, Fiesta etc and still returned and bought the Ibiza.It's not really a "hot" hatch though even with the numeric specs. It has a very comfortable ride and so a bit wallowy in the corners and the brakes, even with all round discs, don't really stop it as a proper HH would. In fact it is a bit too fast for the chassis if you push it and although almost as fast in a straight line as my other lads GP Abarth it get's easily minced by the GP Abarth handling.
Blimey I sound like a bit of a salesman! But IMO they are real good cars for a compact utility car for the family, and my son loves it. (albeit it's not particularly cheap in this spec).
To top it off the sales and service I've had from Hatfield SEAT has also been a v good experience so far too... overall pleased so far.
DSG box is a good piece of kit, as I've experienced in other VAG models.
Look forward to reading any contrary views
I now use it as a dd whilst he's at university and it's actually a really nice competent car.
143bhp, just over 8sec to 60, insurance ok (even for a 19 yr old!), low road tax, 50 to the gallon, cruise quietly and comfortably at a ton, pulls like a train in the right gear and rev range and hence overtaking is reallly easy.
IMO the interior is a nice place to be too, well finished and equipped. Radio control is a bit clunky, but you have USB as option too. also fitted with sunroof option, cruise, bluetooth phone connection. There's actually a load of space in it too, my lads are over 6ft and comfortably sit in the back (will take 3), with surprisingly lots of head and leg room for a smaller hatch version.
The lads and I went out for a couple of days and tried all the usual other suspects after first seeing the Ibiza FR; Polo, Clio, Civic, Fiesta etc and still returned and bought the Ibiza.It's not really a "hot" hatch though even with the numeric specs. It has a very comfortable ride and so a bit wallowy in the corners and the brakes, even with all round discs, don't really stop it as a proper HH would. In fact it is a bit too fast for the chassis if you push it and although almost as fast in a straight line as my other lads GP Abarth it get's easily minced by the GP Abarth handling.
Blimey I sound like a bit of a salesman! But IMO they are real good cars for a compact utility car for the family, and my son loves it. (albeit it's not particularly cheap in this spec).
To top it off the sales and service I've had from Hatfield SEAT has also been a v good experience so far too... overall pleased so far.
DSG box is a good piece of kit, as I've experienced in other VAG models.
Look forward to reading any contrary views
I have a FR tdi too, bought to replace my Alfa Brera, after looking for a reasonably quick hatch, I kept coming back to the Ibiza. Its fast enough for everyday use, overtaking is easy, I get about 55 mpg from mine average. The interior is well screwed together, seats are very good too. I know the petrol FR's are having engine problems with misfires and drinking oil. Have a look on seatcupra.net. I also read somewhere there is a deal knocking out new petrol FR's for £12k.
I have the same 7 speed DSG box in my Fabia vRS (Could be an alternative, and for sale if your interested!) and I think it's great, takes a little while to get used to it. But it really does mean your always in the right gear at the right time.
I'm surprised Oldbob says the Ibiza he has cruises quietly and comfortably at a ton, the Fabia certinately doesn't and its a direct competitor.
OP, have you checked out the insurance on the full fat 1.4 TSI - the Cupra? I've found these TSI's to be very cheap to insure. Might as well go for the top model if you can!
I'm surprised Oldbob says the Ibiza he has cruises quietly and comfortably at a ton, the Fabia certinately doesn't and its a direct competitor.
OP, have you checked out the insurance on the full fat 1.4 TSI - the Cupra? I've found these TSI's to be very cheap to insure. Might as well go for the top model if you can!
I've got a Fabia vRS with the same 1.4 TSI and DSG. It's fine for what I wanted - something to crawl through traffic and cruise on the motorway OK but with a bit of pace for the rare occasions I can use it.
In D, it's always changing up as early as it can, so will happily be in 5th at 30, and in 7th by 45. In S, it'll hang on to gears much longer and actively change down if it thinks revs are too low (although it's so torquey from low down that it seems unnecessary). Good for TLGPs, bit annoying for typical B-roads where you're often coasting as you can't see well enough and the gearbox is hunting around. Could almost do with something in between the two, although you should really be using the paddles in manual mode for that sort of driving.
Considered the Seat, but as insurance quotes were lower for the vRS than the Cupra or Bocanegra it made more sense. 5 doors is more useful, and the Ibizas I looked at didn't have the maxidot-type display between the clocks (standard in the Fabia), just the older type.
In D, it's always changing up as early as it can, so will happily be in 5th at 30, and in 7th by 45. In S, it'll hang on to gears much longer and actively change down if it thinks revs are too low (although it's so torquey from low down that it seems unnecessary). Good for TLGPs, bit annoying for typical B-roads where you're often coasting as you can't see well enough and the gearbox is hunting around. Could almost do with something in between the two, although you should really be using the paddles in manual mode for that sort of driving.
Considered the Seat, but as insurance quotes were lower for the vRS than the Cupra or Bocanegra it made more sense. 5 doors is more useful, and the Ibizas I looked at didn't have the maxidot-type display between the clocks (standard in the Fabia), just the older type.
Depending on what you're used to the steering is quite light, but it is actually quite fun car to drive. I think it looks a lot better than most small hatchbacks out there - it was designed by a Lambo stylist! - and it offers a lot of equipment and performance for the money. It's by no means an on the edge drivers car like a Clio or a CTR for example, more of a crusier/pocket rocket.
The dials take some getting used to as both rev counter and the speedo are similar - just a note worth pointing out! Otherwise, as said above, a good interior.
Try one out, & if you buy it, you won't be getting a bad car. I certainly would have one over a VAG Fabia/Polo/A1
The dials take some getting used to as both rev counter and the speedo are similar - just a note worth pointing out! Otherwise, as said above, a good interior.
Try one out, & if you buy it, you won't be getting a bad car. I certainly would have one over a VAG Fabia/Polo/A1
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