which one Leon sc fr / Mini cooper s / Astra 1.6 200bhp

[steveogt4]

hi folks ive just signed im needing some advice on picking my new car ive got it done to these three there all 2014 models

leon fr three door 1.8 180bhp
mini cooper s
astra 1.6 200bhp

any suggestions which is the best out of the three thanks .

[AlexIT]

I have a Mk3 Leon (albeit not a 180 bhp, but a 1.4TSI FR 5 dr.) and I'm more than happy.
Second one is expected in 2 months time, an ST 150TDI as company car.

[JackReacher]

The mk3 Leon is very good, pick mine up next week.

The astra wouldn't interest me unless it was significantly cheaper. Mini will probably be the best to drive but far less practical and probably more expensive than the Leon when specced up to equivalent level of the Leon.

[steveogt4]

ive got booklets in from the dealerships the mini has a very good spec alot better than the previous model the only thing im not sure about the mini as alot of people call it a womans car as also considering the ibiza cupra but not sure on the dsg gearbox thanks for the replies .

[ziontrain]

I think if you put that much weight on what 'people' think of your car you'd be better off with a bus pass...

[ferrariF50lover]

You seem awfully concerned about what other people think. You could try buying the car you like most and which best fits your budget and requirements.

I had a look at fast Binis for a short while a few months ago, because they seemed like the sort of thing I might enjoy. I ended up sacking it because I didn't fancy the interior. That some builders or the bloke down the kebab shop thinks it's 'a car for girls' never entered my head.

People make judgements about almost any car. Big Jags are for old men, Morris Minors are for Morris Dancers, Audis are for dheads. None of that matters. What matters is that you go to work 40 hours a week to earn money and you spend that money on whatever the hell you want.

Fine, ask advice about reliability or whether to bother with the uprated stereo, but asking about "girly cars" is completely meaningless.

Simon.

[AlexIT]

ziontrain said:

I think if you put that much weight on what 'people' think of your car you'd be better off with a bus pass...

THIS!

The Mini is much smaller inside than both the Leon and the Astra.
I wouldn't consider it with a family. For the rest it's just a matter of taste.

[va1o]

I'd go for the Leon. As long as you're happy with the interior quality its an excellent car and best in class. A pleasure to drive, aggressively priced and very well equipped.

The 1.8 TSI is only worth it if you're going with the DSG 'box. In Manual form the 1.4 TSI is actually the sweeter engine, offering the same torque and better throttle response. Genuinely a junior GTI quite incredible how well it performs.

[s m]

va1o said:

The 1.8 TSI is only worth it if you're going with the DSG 'box. In Manual form the 1.4 TSI is actually the sweeter engine, offering the same torque and better throttle response. Genuinely a junior GTI quite incredible how well it performs.

Is this the COD engine with 140-148 bhp? If so, I tend to agree on the performance front

[va1o]

s m said:

Is this the COD engine with 140-148 bhp? If so, I tend to agree on the performance front

Yeah that's the one

[s m]

va1o said:

s m said:

Is this the COD engine with 140-148 bhp? If so, I tend to agree on the performance front

Yeah that's the one

Ah, in the A1 they must be in the 7s - I imagine the Leon is similar or maybe quicker