Seat Leon Alternative

[Yorkshirepud]

Hi,

Had my 2004 Seat Leon Cupra TDI written off, what do I get now? The only think I see that I like (that's realistically obtainable to me) is the MkI Cupra R.

Don't like the looks of any other VAG car.

Wouldn't mind something with 2 seats, just something around £4-8k is pretty much my criteria!

Oh and not ridiculous to insure.

[Dr G]

Leon Cupra R is a really nice car actually - you could look at TT, S3, Ibiza Cupra, Octy VRS.... Of those I'd take one of the Seats.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1431740.htm

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1435102.htm

Your budget would net you a lovely Leon or the cleanest of the clean Ibizas and change.

[Yorkshirepud]

See that's just it, I loved my car ( so can't see anything that's even close for the money of an R spec.

Not a fan of Audi styling and like you say, given the choice of any VAG car the Leon is...best lol.

[missing the VR6]

Clearly has to be the Leon Curpa R, no contest over anything else on the MK4 platform.

[galenthe2nd]

As you had a Seat, my friend has a candy white FR550, 170 standard but it was remapped by the previous owner to 213bhp. Torque is about 390Nm as far as i can remember. No comments from the clutch department so far, but i feel he will come knocking in due course.
Its super in the twisties, comfortable, and looks great and not a slow car!.. Good value for money considering what you'd pay for a similar spec A3.

Maybe above budget tho..

Edited by galenthe2nd on Wednesday 13th January 17:07

[Cupramax]

Dr G said:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1431740.htm

Why do people insist on b*llsh*tting in adverts. That ad clearly claims Recaro seats yet the pics show its not got Recaro's. For those looking, Leon Cupra R's with Recaro's have the RECARO logo in large writing on the front seats.... and deep breath.

I'd second the R, great car, I'd have one again without hesitation.

[sider]

If you can cope with 3 doors, i'd highly recommend an Ibiza Cupra TDI 160!

[Dr G]

Cupramax said:

Dr G said:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1431740.htm

Why do people insist on b*llsh*tting in adverts. That ad clearly claims Recaro seats yet the pics show its not got Recaro's. For those looking, Leon Cupra R's with Recaro's have the RECARO logo in large writing on the front seats.... and deep breath.

I'd second the R, great car, I'd have one again without hesitation.

To most people any seats with more bolstering than a park bench are 'Recardos'

[Yorkshirepud]

I've realised a lot of R drivers don't realise the Recaros were an option, rare from what I've seen.

So, no alternative makes or anything anyone? I got looking at all sorts and realised it's hard to actually find much faster for the money.

[Cupramax]

Yorkshirepud said:

I've realised a lot of R drivers don't realise the Recaros were an option, rare from what I've seen.

Yep, they were a £1200 factory option on new orders... wasn't just the front seats though, you got different rear seats as well with proper side bolsters and a retractable centre armrest with drinks holder. Did make it a definite 4 seater though.

[Yorkshirepud]

yeh a thread on those appeared on seatcupra.net the other day. Look nice. There was a 210 for sale this week with them.

[cuprabob]

Cupramax said:

Yorkshirepud said:

I've realised a lot of R drivers don't realise the Recaros were an option, rare from what I've seen.

Yep, they were a £1200 factory option on new orders... wasn't just the front seats though, you got different rear seats as well with proper side bolsters and a retractable centre armrest with drinks holder. Did make it a definite 4 seater though.

The rear bucket seats were only an option on the early models. For some reason SEAT withdrew it and gave the option for the Recaro front seats.

I had one of teh early 210bhp models and did over 80k miles in just over 3 years and it never missed a beat. I would certainly recommend one but there are a few common faults that plaque cars based on the Golf MKIV plafom so do your homework if that's what you decide to go for.

[missing the VR6]

Yorkshirepud said:

yeh a thread on those appeared on seatcupra.net the other day. Look nice. There was a 210 for sale this week with them.

But you'd want the proper full fat R with 225 BHP really!
Could always retro fit the Recaro's into the R.

[Yorkshirepud]

missing the VR6 said:

But you'd want the proper full fat R with 225 BHP really!
Could always retro fit the Recaro's into the R.

Can't argue with that, 225 the only way. Not sure after spending on the car I'd have the cash for the Recaros after, pretty hard to come by too.

Was just looking at the 350z but just a bit out of reach for now.

[missing the VR6]

Yorkshirepud said:

missing the VR6 said:

But you'd want the proper full fat R with 225 BHP really!
Could always retro fit the Recaro's into the R.

Can't argue with that, 225 the only way. Not sure after spending on the car I'd have the cash for the Recaros after, pretty hard to come by too.

Was just looking at the 350z but just a bit out of reach for now.

The standard seats were certainly good enough to hold my large frame in place while I flung the car round the lanes!

[Yorkshirepud]

Yeh the standard seats are identical (except stitching) to the Cupra I had.