Seat Leon FR TDI (MK1) or Alfa Romeo GT JTDM ?

[Amnika]

Hi there PHers, I'm looking for a decent reliable diesel soon and I've never owned a diesel and I'm looking to save a few pennies. I'm currently searching for a SEAT LEON FR TDI (04-05) or Alfa Romeo GT JTDM (upto 06). I understand the seat is german, a VW and the ALFA is italian but which one is more better in terms of reliability and drivewise? I currently own a ASTRA VXR and its expensive to run, ride isn't so good (lowered on 19s) and I just hate it now!

I was originally looking for a Audi A3 however reading the problems on the 1.9 and 2.0 TDI engines, I suppose it would have to be a miss.

Any comments most appreciated.

[Amnika]

?

[drophead]

Amnika said:

Hi there PHers, I'm looking for a decent reliable diesel soon and I've never owned a diesel and I'm looking to save a few pennies. I'm currently searching for a SEAT LEON FR TDI (04-05) or Alfa Romeo GT JTDM (upto 06). I understand the seat is german, a VW and the ALFA is italian but which one is more better in terms of reliability and drivewise? I currently own a ASTRA VXR and its expensive to run, ride isn't so good (lowered on 19s) and I just hate it now!

I was originally looking for a Audi A3 however reading the problems on the 1.9 and 2.0 TDI engines, I suppose it would have to be a miss.

Any comments most appreciated.

For one thing, the Leon shares the Audi engines! So if you're put off by the 1.9 and 2.0 TDI then don't buy the Seat.

I've only heard decent things about the VAG diesels to be honest. The majority of taxi drivers seem to swear by the 1.9

[snowdude2910]

A3 uses the same engines as the seats afaik, I think you can't really go wrong with the leon of that era back when VAGs were good reliable cars. I'd go for an anniversary golf though personaly if they're in budget I haven't checked the costs of any of the above in a while.

[snowdude2910]

I'd test drive one too vag have a very marmite derv engines there's nothing until 1800rpm and then it runs out again at 3500rpm BMW's are supposed to be much more petrol like and I'd have an e46 320/330d personaly.

[Amnika]

My budget is around the £4.5k figure. I've looked at a few anni tdi's but I'm not too sure as I've had 3 golf mk4s and experienced quite alot of 'common porblems' such as the dreaded clutch pedal failure, the door dropping, window regulators, starter motor noise etc.

I read on audisport.net that the 2.0 tdi have the cylinder head issues, turbo failures etc where as the 1.9 was alot more reliable?

What about the Alfa? I once heard someone say the most reliable diesel on the market?

[Amnika]

Also I've owned two BMWs in the past and I have to say as much as I like beemers, I just want a simple nice diesel like a FR or Alfa.

[Chris_VRS]

You'll find the Leon's drivetrain is the same as other VAG products, including the A3.

Out of the two I'd go with the Leon everyday of the week, 1.9tdi is a tried & tested engine which although may not be the smoothest engine compared to the most recent diesels in terms of torque delivery - (big hit of torque at 1900rpm) still makes for a brisk car in day2day driving and it's also pretty darn efficient.

I test drove a couple of JTD GT's a few months back and neither wore the miles well in my opinion (75k & 89k) both cosmetically and mechanically.
The engine was especially laggy and felt lethargic, gearbox action also woeful.
Also had the displeasure of driving a Saab for a few weeks with the same JTD engine and that felt the same, economy wasn't what you'd expect either.

I maybe slightly biased as I've had 7 VAG cars with the 1.9tdi engine in of varying outputs & 1 2.0tdi but only the 1 Saab above with the JTD engine.

[Amnika]

Chris_VRS said:

You'll find the Leon's drivetrain is the same as other VAG products, including the A3.

Out of the two I'd go with the Leon everyday of the week, 1.9tdi is a tried & tested engine which although may not be the smoothest engine compared to the most recent diesels in terms of torque delivery - (big hit of torque at 1900rpm) still makes for a brisk car in day2day driving and it's also pretty darn efficient.

I test drove a couple of JTD GT's a few months back and neither wore the miles well in my opinion (75k & 89k) both cosmetically and mechanically.
The engine was especially laggy and felt lethargic, gearbox action also woeful.
Also had the displeasure of driving a Saab for a few weeks with the same JTD engine and that felt the same, economy wasn't what you'd expect either.

I maybe slightly biased as I've had 7 VAG cars with the 1.9tdi engine in of varying outputs & 1 2.0tdi but only the 1 Saab above with the JTD engine.

Thanks for your input Chris. I've read that the Leon FRs can do 60MPG on a run and 45 in city driving? is this correct or is it just made up numbers which can never be achieved in the real world?

[Chris_VRS]

Amnika said:

Thanks for your input Chris. I've read that the Leon FRs can do 60MPG on a run and 45 in city driving? is this correct or is it just made up numbers which can never be achieved in the real world?

From experience that sounds like people plucking figures out of the sky. You may get somewhere close to 60 if you mixed it up with the trucks at 56mph with the a/c off on the motorway - which lets be fair is unrealistic!

Around town I think 34-38 would be more accurate and a sensible cruising speed on the motorway would see you return 45-50.

[Amnika]

Oh lol it's because I've seen a few traders on autotrader with a few Leon FRs write in the their advert it does high 50s-60mpg on a run and I was thinking WOW.

Do these have the trip computer? miles to empty? my friend had a 04 reg cupra 1.8T some years back and I remember that had it with the white dials?

Once again thankyou Chris for your input, much appreciated.

[Chris_VRS]

Ooh now there's a question! Yes they do if memory serves me right. Should be able to toggle through - time, outside temp, av speed, av economy, instant economy & miles left in the tank.