Seat Leon Cupra R v Golf R32

[jimmyV8]

I am looking at a medium size hot hatch that I can use daily and has enough room for my dog. Initially I had my eyes on a Seat Leon Cupra R, seemed to be relatively good spec, 260bhp, good to drive and apparent good value. A 1-year-old car with low mileage can be picked up for around £16k. For less money a 2006-07ish Golf R32 is also in the reckoning. My old man had a DSG one, which was great to drive and had a great interior feel. I prefer the look of the Golf, the interior, and the V6 noise is great, but low fuel economy has to be considered. My worries about the Leon are really the depreciation; I have a feeling it will depreciate a great deal more than the Golf.

Any thoughts or experiences would be great, thanks.

[Dave Hedgehog]

the R32 is a cult car but i do worry about the depreciation on any cheaper car that does low 20s and has a £450 tax disc

[TOENHEEL]

How about an Edition 30 mk5 GTI. Should hold decent money and for a few quid you can get a lot more bhp from it.

[kambites]

Why not buy a 2006-2007 Cupra? It still has 240ish BHP so it's not going to be slow and it will depreciate less than either; plus you can shove the rest of the money in the bank and earn some interest on it.

[simoid]

+1 to to a 2007ish Cupra R or Edn 30.

Surely if you can live with a 3 year old golf, you can live with a 3 year old Cupra over a new one?

[Jimmy No Hands]

Definitely an ED30. In red.

[simoid]

Jimmy No Hands said:

Definitely an ED30. In red.

Mmm yes, I'm looking at one just now

Or older R32? Midnight bluey colour!

[Vladimir]

R32 - it's AWD, sounds exotic when revved, has the best throttle response this side of a 458 (handle with care over speed bumps) and isn't much worse on fuel than a Cupra.

It's like a hatchback mini exotic for very little money.

[simoid]

Vladimir said:

...and isn't much worse on fuel than a Cupra.

Aren't we talking at least 1/3 more fuel? Low 20s vs low 30s or so? That could be a gamechanger if one is going to do any sort of mileage in it.

[Vladimir]

simoid said:

Aren't we talking at least 1/3 more fuel? Low 20s vs low 30s or so? That could be a gamechanger if one is going to do any sort of mileage in it.

I got mid 20s in mine. In similar conditions, I bet a Cupra R is under 30.

[simoid]

Vladimir said:

I got mid 20s in mine. In similar conditions, I bet a Cupra R is under 30.

Hmm... claimed figures for the Leon are 25/34/43.5 which is pretty much the same as my Clio.

YMMV I suppose

[mnkiboy]

On the Cupra mid 30's is achievable driven gently, but drive it like it's supposed to be driven and you will average around 27-28.

[Vladimir]

mnkiboy said:

On the Cupra mid 30's is achievable driven gently, but drive it like it's supposed to be driven and you will average around 27-28.

That's what I was thinking.

I could drive my R32 like a complete nutter and get lowish 20s at the absolute worst. Usually mid 20s, even high 20s she cruising.

[Lefty]

I do 15k a year in a mkv r32. Ragging it gets low 20's on my 35 mile commute, treating it like a kitten gets about 28mpg. Life's too short to worry about a 5mpg difference!

[FamilyDub]

simoid said:

Aren't we talking at least 1/3 more fuel? Low 20s vs low 30s or so?

I'm averaging 27-28mpg lifetime (c20k miles) in my MKV GTI, so I'd imagine the Cupra would be somewhat similar.

Lose a few mpg for the VR6 noise...? I would...

finances permitting

[jimmyV8]

I have recently changed jobs so have gone from a 90mile round trip commute to an 8mile one which has prompted my change, so economy is less important. What year of vehicle did the £400 a year tax come into force for? The interior of the earlier Leons is what really lets it down for me, its just really cheap looking and not a great place to be. The later Cupra R has a few nicer touches and just looks a little better.

[FamilyDub]

jimmyV8 said:

What year of vehicle did the £400 a year tax come into force for?

It's actually 460 quid and it applies to manual cars ('06 plates and later) registered after 23/03/2006.

DSG are the same dates, but sit in a slightly lower VED band - 445 quid.

[RobCrezz]

Out of them two the Cupra.

[simoid]

Megane 225?

[Rabbo]

The slower depreciation on the R32 will more than offset the additional fuel costs. The R32 is a car you buy with your heart rather than your head - if it's bragging rights at the pub about horsepower then the R32's not for you. If you want your driving experience to involve a bit of theatre and put a smile on your face, go for the R32 every time. I considered one before I bought my 130i and it was a close run thing. You might consider the 130i too...