Having seconds thoughts about Cupra Lease
Discussion
I've placed on order for one of the cheap lease deals on a Cupra 300 but I can't help thinking that I've made the wrong decision. I want something that feels special - a sportscar, or something with presence, with more than 4 cylinders. The Cupra is just another hatchback and won't feel exhilarating unless I'm ragging it, but the abudance of dash cams and speed cameras nowadays scares me and puts me off somewhat.
Bit of background: My first and only relatively quick car was a Leon Cupra R 225, which I modified over the course of 2 years. Loved the car, it was just right for me, but I fancied a change. I used it to commute cross country so ended up getting bored of it, so I stupidly (in hindsight) got rid of it cheaply for a leased A4 1.4, which is coming up to the end of it's lease period.
Although the Cupra R rattled, it felt 'sturdy' - the clutch was heavy, heavy steering, gearstick was firm and felt mechanical, and the suspension was crashy. I drove an E46 320d last week and that felt wonderful too - heavy clutch, heavy steering
The A4 controls on the other hand feel numb and devoid of any mechanics - perfectly acceptable for being a quiet saloon, but not something I'm after. Will the Cupra 300 be too insulated and feel like this unless it's in Cupra mode? Are all modern cars like this? Another reason I didn't like the A4 was because it's not mine, it belongs to the lease company. I can never love something that I have to give back after 2 years - I fear this will be the same.
I've put some figures through a spreadsheet and it would be cheaper for me to run a 350z over 2 years vs leasing a Cupra 300 for 2 years. If I did get a Z, I'd probably fit an exhaust, change the alloys and maybe lower it, nothing too drastic.
So far I've got the following on my shortlist:
350z
370z
E85 Z4 3.0si Coupe
Impreza 2.5 WRX STi hatch
What would you do in my situation?
Bit of background: My first and only relatively quick car was a Leon Cupra R 225, which I modified over the course of 2 years. Loved the car, it was just right for me, but I fancied a change. I used it to commute cross country so ended up getting bored of it, so I stupidly (in hindsight) got rid of it cheaply for a leased A4 1.4, which is coming up to the end of it's lease period.
Although the Cupra R rattled, it felt 'sturdy' - the clutch was heavy, heavy steering, gearstick was firm and felt mechanical, and the suspension was crashy. I drove an E46 320d last week and that felt wonderful too - heavy clutch, heavy steering
The A4 controls on the other hand feel numb and devoid of any mechanics - perfectly acceptable for being a quiet saloon, but not something I'm after. Will the Cupra 300 be too insulated and feel like this unless it's in Cupra mode? Are all modern cars like this? Another reason I didn't like the A4 was because it's not mine, it belongs to the lease company. I can never love something that I have to give back after 2 years - I fear this will be the same.
I've put some figures through a spreadsheet and it would be cheaper for me to run a 350z over 2 years vs leasing a Cupra 300 for 2 years. If I did get a Z, I'd probably fit an exhaust, change the alloys and maybe lower it, nothing too drastic.
So far I've got the following on my shortlist:
350z
370z
E85 Z4 3.0si Coupe
Impreza 2.5 WRX STi hatch
What would you do in my situation?
MinuteMan said:
I want something that feels special - a sportscar, or something with presence, with more than 4 cylinders.
...then you've got a deposit on the wrong car 
If I didn't need rear seats currently I wouldnt be in / considering another hot hatch.
It would be a 370Z or 2.7/2.9 Cayman for me.
Life's too short to get stuck in something you're unsure for a couple of years so definitely get some test drives booked to know for sure.
MinuteMan said:
I've placed on order for one of the cheap lease deals on a Cupra 300 but I can't help thinking that I've made the wrong decision. I want something that feels special - a sportscar, or something with presence, with more than 4 cylinders. The Cupra is just another hatchback and won't feel exhilarating unless I'm ragging it, but the abudance of dash cams and speed cameras nowadays scares me and puts me off somewhat.
Ive just cancelled an order for a M140 - amazing engine but your right, speed cameras, traffic, daily commute and too big for my garage means it wouldnt get used right. Also well spec'd, it came out at £400pm plus fuel so £500pmIve decided to keep my 2yo nissan leaf that i got on a stupid cheap PCP and put the £340pm towards a weekend car. I used to have a VXR220 so it will be for sunny days, quiet mornings and the odd track day.
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