Leon fr 1.8 tfsi Vs swift sport 1.4 Vs honda hrv 1.5t

[KARL-v5ofl]

Hi all,

I currently have a 21 plate vrs petrol, DSG, only had it a few months and it's needed £2000 in warranty work.

I also don't like have soo much money tied up in car.

I'm down specing, releasing funds

Here is my shortlist of manual cars

2019/2020 honda hrv sport ( rarer model with the 1.5t ) = circa £14.5k with 36k miles - essentially same engine as honda civic sport but based on jazz so has torsion rear suspension.


Swift sport 1.4 2019 circa £12,k with 40k miles - I like the look but cheap inside.

Wildcard

2017/2018 seat leon fr technology, 1.8 tfsi , cica £11.5 k with 42-45k miles. Seems well kitted for money, proper rear suspension. Lots of tech, but ABIT boring, would need to add some styling touches, wheel upgrade . Decent engine , ea888 but need to budget for future water pump.



Have I missed any other options?

Max 15k sub 50k mileage, manual
Reasonably quick ( not fast) just quick.

At this stage the Leon is leading

Edited by KARL-v5ofl on Thursday 15th October 08:09

[BlueJazz]

Given your experience with VAG quality with the Skoda, you may want to stay away from the SEAT and go Japanese.

[KARL-v5ofl]

Hi blue,

That's why I'm looking to move back to manual.


The more research I do the more I see issues with all 3 in my shortlist.


Leon = ea888 water pump is the main oven about £700

Swift sport, see multiple reports of cracking cylinder heads on the zc33s.


Honda hrv is now out, test drove one today, didn't enjoy it, also YouTube is littered with head gasket issues.


Out these, for my sins I may still go Leon, the engine (gen 3) has multi port injection for less carbon, the engine is not stressed in the 180 bhp form.

[ChrisH72]

Mazda 3?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202609075...

Basically an mx5 hatchback.

[Ecosseven]

I've owned a 1.8 leon FR 5 door for 11 years and covered around 85,000 miles. Can't really fault it to be honest. Only issues have been a coolant leak.

[ZX10R NIN]

ChrisH72 said:

Mazda 3?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202609075...

Basically an mx5 hatchback.

It's not even close.

[ZX10R NIN]

Kia Ceed GT:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202610026...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202609075...

ST 3 Focus:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202609226...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202609206...

308 GTI, cracking steer:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202610026...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604251...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202609286...

[KARL-v5ofl]

Updated,

I went for the Leon fr.

Feels solid on the road, responsive acceleration.

Probably paid £500 too much


2017, 42k miles , fr technology spec. £11,500 , there were some 2018s for this price but this was local, 2 owners with full seat history, premium tyres is always a good sign

[Mr Tidy]

It's always good to know the final outcome, and I hope the Leon treats you well. I really liked the 2000 Leon Cupra I had many years ago!