View Full Version : 180bhp MK4 Cupra petrol
ibizacupra
06-08-2004, 08:26
Saw my first one at Amethyst yesterday and had a snoop round..
Hmmm. What can I say.. :whistle: Not what I was hoping for for a Cupra in the looks dept.
Interior is very staid and normal... not a lot different from poverty spec models. Seats don't look to be very supportive for sporting driving, but given the hight of the motor I expect it to roll about a lot... fall out of window type feeling perhaps. (maybe not, need to test drive)
Engine layout is similar to Golf now, but a cross between a PD130 on the induction side.. tiny airbox.. but has FMIC with cast end tanks.. :) which looks a lot better suited than the MK3 letter box arrangment.
Brakes look pretty good... Bigger 312's but with SEAT Sport 4-pot calipers (AP ones). Wheels however are a sort of LCR style but in 17" and stick out in the centre (curbing going to be an issue). Its stance is way too tall, and the wheels look lost inboard the car's arches.... Deffo needs some spacers and lowering .
Twin pipe into oval exhaust like LCR style and a reasonable 'tone' to the exhaust I thought for a std car. The price? Well I would'nt buy one.. Mk3 was significantly better value 3 years ago IMHO.
Not driven it yet (being PDi'd as demo) but will do soon.
PD160 also being prepped which looked identical externally.
LCR is the look of car I hoped the Ibiza would turn into.... but not. :blink:
big ALI H
06-08-2004, 08:58
Seems to be that the majority of the Mk3 owners either dont like it or aren't sure about it. Most Mk4 owners seem to really like it. Suppose we've had more of a chance to get used to the looks.
Personally, i really like it but as usual now, the question over the price remains the strongest put off - if i was spending that kind of money, i'd much rather have the Leon Cupra (either 20VT or TDI).
ibizacupra
06-08-2004, 10:36
It stands too tall, and without side skirts that the Mk3 had, its out of proportion. I see better looking PD130's than the as is Cupra model.
Mk4 shape grows on me, but the skinny looking wheels, lost in the wheel arches from the rear make sits proportions look all out of whack to me... Top heavy, topple over look to it.
With mods it would look a lot better...
Not speaking as a Mk3 Cupra die hard, but this one visually does'nt come across anywhere near as good as the Mk3 did.
Larger front bumper and FMIC as std are nice MK4 additions tho... They got that bit right. :)
the mk3 took a while to grow on me,but it did in cupra version,i can't see the mk4 doing it,i've seen a mk4 cupra deisel,and it looks like a half finished project,like you say bill ,no skirts,looks like its on stilts ,the wheels don't suit imho,and why do they stick out in the centre?????they may have sorted out the cooling an dthe brakes may well be better,but tbh i don't think people will be that bothered,it is grannies runabout with a bigger engine.
mk4 owners ,sorry but this is just mho,it looks vile
christdi
06-08-2004, 12:15
Everybody is entitled to their own opinion. Naturally people will prefer thier own cars and think they are better looking etc. On the Golf forums, the MK4 owners where complaining about how bad the new MK5 looked, on the Renault forums, the Clio 172 owners never liked the new Megane 225, on here the MK3 Ibiza owners dont like the way the MK4 looks. Each to their own!
pbirkett
06-08-2004, 12:45
I like the look of the Mk3 but I think the Mk4 does look better. It looks more aggressive and less "ordinary". They are both good looking cars though.
BeezerDiesel
06-08-2004, 20:13
Keep seeing posts saying that for the money you could have a Leon, but it is not that much smaller a car than the Leon is, just walk into a show room and see the two side by side. The proportions are different but the overall size isn't too far removed.
If the next gen. mk2 Leon is big like the Altea then I don't think the Ibiza will look so tall in comparison.
Each generation of car from every manufacturer seems to be getting taller and taller.
Looks wise the mk4 Beezer is growing on me a bit but like Bill says even the Cupra's wheels look too far into the arches which neither the Polo or Fabia suffer from.
cpufreak
06-08-2004, 20:41
Its really odd they've not bothered putting skirts on it...
they sell them:
http://www.seat.com/su/com/ibiza/site/choices/accessories/sport/Aerodynamic-kit/main.html
I am slightly tempted to get them for mine, but have other more important things to get for it first.
I didn't really think the MK4 looked tall until I saw photos of mine going round donny:
http://badger.ing.me.uk/trackday/smcpufreak1.jpg (thanks m0rk).
and side skirts help make mk3 looks much shorter:
http://www.roamer.com/imaging/albums/2004-07-18%20Donnington%20Track%20Day/slides/IMG_245_4548_01.html
vs
http://www.roamer.com/imaging/albums/2004-07-18%20Donnington%20Track%20Day/slides/IMG_245_4547_01.html
(thanks roamer).
I think the MK4 ibiza is a great little car, but if Seat had gone to the bother of making side skirts, standard, and ensuring the wheels fill the arches, and put on all the other finishing touches (most of which can be found in its accessories catalogue), it'd have silenced its critics.
look forward to hearing how it drives bill :) (and please ensure your review doesn't just say 'its slow'). :D
Just a thought, if it was pre-PDI, it wasn't still on it's transit blocks was it?
I like the look of the Mk3 but I think the Mk4 does look better. It looks more aggressive and less "ordinary". They are both good looking cars though.
More agressive? IMO it doesn't look agressive, the lines, and especially the bonnet (The front lines to the lights in particular) make the car look like a girly car. (Sorry, I'm not trying to offend)
Everybody is entitled to their own opinion. Naturally people will prefer thier own cars and think they are better looking etc. On the Golf forums, the MK4 owners where complaining about how bad the new MK5 looked, on the Renault forums, the Clio 172 owners never liked the new Megane 225, on here the MK3 Ibiza owners dont like the way the MK4 looks. Each to their own!
Fair comment, but it doesn't apply in my case. I have a Mk3 Ibiza Cupra and I was looking forward to the new Cupra. I was planning on either trading my car in for one, or getting one for the missus, but once it arrived I was very disappointed (To say the least).
I have test driven the Cupra TDi and I have to admit that the power is quite impressive for a standard car, but the interior and exterior styling just isn't my cup of tea. The handling was so so too.
Ben
Saw my first one at Amethyst yesterday and had a snoop round..
Hmmm. What can I say.. :whistle: Not what I was hoping for for a Cupra in the looks dept.
Engine layout is similar to Golf now, but a cross between a PD130 on the induction side.. tiny airbox.. but has FMIC with cast end tanks.. :) which looks a lot better suited than the MK3 letter box arrangment.
Not driven it yet (being PDi'd as demo) but will do soon.
PD160 also being prepped which looked identical externally.
So is the petrol ones out now too :)
I asked my local dealer on tuesday and he did some checking for me and said there was no definate date for release. :confused:
I then emailed SEAT and they sent me the same reply back on Friday. No definate date yet. :confused:
So its actually out and SEATuk and 2 dealers don't know. LOL :roflmao:
Its funny reading the replys about the looks of the Mk4 cupra compared to the Mk3.
Some of the coments are the ones i thought when the MK3 cupra first came out. When i had my MK2 GTI16V.
When i went to test drive the then new mk3 1.8T cupra I parked my mk2 right next to the then brand spanking MK3 cupra. All the staff in the showroom were looking out the window to compare new with an as new car and quite a few came out to compare close up of the two cars they all agreed the MK3 was missing somthing in the looks compared to the mk2. Its the reason i never changed to a mk3 cupra. Now 5+ years later im hearing the same thing about MK3 v Mk4. funny how things repeat themselfs.
Ant FR Turbo
07-08-2004, 17:43
forget which one looks betterm i like my Mk4, but i still like the Mk3 especially as tehe cupras come with side skirts and do seem to sit lower than the mk4's.
Both are cracking looking cars,
But more importantly, did Bill say there is a front mounted intercoole on the petrol cupra, if there is anyone knwo costs of intercooler and pipes to fit to my FR that'll be great.
From the SEAT accessories site, about the skirts:
"Furthermore, the design of the additional parts will provide your vehicle with an irresistible look."
Erm, yeah, right.
I know I used to have a Mk4 Ibiza, but I bought it for the 130PD engine which at that time was only otherwise available in the Golf and bigger cars. I always thought is was a bl00dy ugly car from the front with that stupid pinched-in cutesy face it has. I can't believe anyone would suggest it's MORE aggressive than the Mk3 :confused:
JohnnyBoy
07-08-2004, 18:02
From the SEAT accessories site, about the skirts:
"Furthermore, the design of the additional parts will provide your vehicle with an irresistible look."
Erm, yeah, right.
I know I used to have a Mk4 Ibiza, but I bought it for the 130PD engine which at that time was only otherwise available in the Golf and bigger cars. I always thought is was a bl00dy ugly car from the front with that stupid pinched-in cutesy face it has. I can't believe anyone would suggest it's MORE aggressive than the Mk3 :confused:
Its got a more aggressive face than MK3! Stance wise, it's way off unless you get some big alloys and lower it a fair bit, which on an FR or Cupra should already be done.
As for the new Cupra, it doesn't do much for me, the whole design doesn't seem to gel and it ends up looking too fat. :thumbd: For looks I much prefer my FR.
Anyone know why the FR and Cupra seem to sit so much higher than the standard models?? It's dumb.
Fair enough, some people see the face as more aggressive than the Mk3 then, but I just don't see it at all. To me aggressive is low, wide, mesh / openings (but let's not get Veilside about it ;)) and headlights that are narrow or hooded and somehow suggest scowling.
The Mk4 Ibiza's headlights have more ditzy blonde than anything else about them - the car looks startled. It would suit some eyelashes on the bonnet though...
Its got a more aggressive face than MK3! Stance wise, it's way off unless you get some big alloys and lower it a fair bit, which on an FR or Cupra should already be done.
As for the new Cupra, it doesn't do much for me, the whole design doesn't seem to gel and it ends up looking too fat. :thumbd: For looks I much prefer my FR.
Anyone know why the FR and Cupra seem to sit so much higher than the standard models?? It's dumb.
You're entitled to your opinion, but to me the 'face' looks very feminine. It looks about as agreesive as an Adrex puppy!
But more importantly, did Bill say there is a front mounted intercoole on the petrol cupra, if there is anyone knwo costs of intercooler and pipes to fit to my FR that'll be great.
Yes. We've known that for ages. Both the petrol AND the deisel Cupras have FMICs. These were on show at the British Motorshow. At least Seat have taken one step in the right direction.
As for when is it available.... my local dealership says its available to buy now!
Cheers
Ben
christdi
08-08-2004, 00:32
Like I said, a lot of people feel the need to come out and try to convince people that their car is better/nicer everytime a new model comes out, its the same on all forums.
ibizacupra owns and prefers the MK3 Cupra over the MK4
jason owns and prefers his MK3 Cupra over the MK4
Bens1 (MK3 Cupra owner) does not like the Mk4 cupra and would rather have the MK3
JonnyBoy prefers the looks of his FR over the Cupra
Fen just seems to hate the MK4 Ibiza full stop
Anyone else notice a pattern here?
Ballie says it was the same when the MK3 replaced the MK2 so this helps prove my point.
pbirkett
08-08-2004, 03:45
More agressive? IMO it doesn't look agressive, the lines, and especially the bonnet (The front lines to the lights in particular) make the car look like a girly car. (Sorry, I'm not trying to offend)
I like it, the wheels and front end make it look fairly aggressive, the old one seems to look more plain to me, but thats just my opinion, and IMO neither looks as agressive as the Fabia :p
BeezerDiesel
08-08-2004, 11:42
I know I used to have a Mk4 Ibiza, but I bought it for the 130PD engine which at that time was only otherwise available in the Golf and bigger cars. I always thought is was a bl00dy ugly car from the front with that stupid pinched-in cutesy face it has. I can't believe anyone would suggest it's MORE aggressive than the Mk3 :confused:
I wouldn't call it cutesy at the front, looks more like some sort of bird of prey (on stilts!) the Polo looks more cutesy with it's doe eyes.
Yours looked nice Fen with those 17's on but the factory versions have a strange offset.
Many people call the Leon dated but when you see it in certain colours coming up behind you it looks lean and aggressive but looks a bit awkward at the rear in some colours.
Yawn...another "we hate the MK4" thread by everyone that doesn't own one.
Sure you're entitled to your opinion, but the same people say the same thing every single time! It's getting a little tedious now...
Ant FR Turbo
08-08-2004, 14:13
yeah it is borrowing, I'm sure if i started a thread slagging the mk3 i'd get shot down, agrea to differ,
And if you still agrea to disagrea then just think who's will be down the scrap yard first,,,,,
BeezerDiesel
08-08-2004, 14:48
Don't take it to heart guys, same as football, a teams harshest critics are their own fans...(ya never know I may well turn up here with an FR TDI one day myself)
My local dealer did a drive day thing a few weeks ago to celebrate the Altea launch and the Beezer 1.8T FR was the most enjoyable to drive of all the models I sat in (obviously not the fastest or the roomiest etc. but it was very chuckable and lively and on the short test route I didn't think the suspension was anyway near as bad as you mk4 owners make out so perhaps it's just the weight of the Diesel engine as you see Fab vRS owners complaining of the same thing).
Wheels stick out in the centre (curbing going to be an issue).
I was also thinking damage to the wheels when its time to get new tyres as the face will be agaist the machine and also no trim edge to the wheel for the machine to rest on,
I can see a load of these wheels getting damges from tyre fitters, :confused: :(
I've had a MK2 and now have a MK3. I think the MK2 is the classic Ibiza look, which the MK3 has copied, and improved in some areas whilst worsening in others. However the MK4 is plain podgy and shouldn't have the Ibiza name really. It's lost the whole "swoosh" and edge that the previous Ibiza's have. There's no sharp edges and the front is all squished like some kind of play-dough! The MK4's rear is the only area where there are mild improvements and even there they messed up and the lines don't fit too well (a bit like the MK3). However I admit my MK3 also doesn't have some of the sharpness of the MK2, but then the MK2 was slightly blocky I guess, but I still like to see MK2's on the road and would still own another one defo! Lets put it this way, I'd have definitely bought a MK4 had it improved on the MK3 however I don't think it really has! No more Ibiza's for me!
Ant FR Turbo
08-08-2004, 21:40
I've had a MK2 and now have a MK3. I think the MK2 is the classic Ibiza look, which the MK3 has copied, and improved in some areas whilst worsening in others. However the MK4 is plain podgy and shouldn't have the Ibiza name really. It's lost the whole "swoosh" and edge that the previous Ibiza's have. There's no sharp edges and the front is all squished like some kind of play-dough! The MK4's rear is the only area where there are mild improvements and even there they messed up and the lines don't fit too well (a bit like the MK3). However I admit my MK3 also doesn't have some of the sharpness of the MK2, but then the MK2 was slightly blocky I guess, but I still like to see MK2's on the road and would still own another one defo! Lets put it this way, I'd have definitely bought a MK4 had it improved on the MK3 however I don't think it really has! No more Ibiza's for me!
Yeah but he still walks around doin Ali G impressions, likes listening to s club 7 and is generaly locked in the late 90's. Designs change and get up to date.
Also which is the oe that won all the awards, think it's been the mk4 thats won most
ibizacupra
09-08-2004, 08:17
Everybody is entitled to their own opinion. Naturally people will prefer thier own cars and think they are better looking etc. On the Golf forums, the MK4 owners where complaining about how bad the new MK5 looked, on the Renault forums, the Clio 172 owners never liked the new Megane 225, on here the MK3 Ibiza owners dont like the way the MK4 looks. Each to their own!
Not a case of prefering my own car... thats irrelevant to me..
Cupra should look more like a Cupra.. (eg like the LCR....)
ibizacupra
09-08-2004, 08:30
Like I said, a lot of people feel the need to come out and try to convince people that their car is better/nicer everytime a new model comes out, its the same on all forums.
ibizacupra owns and prefers the MK3 Cupra over the MK4
jason owns and prefers his MK3 Cupra over the MK4
Bens1 (MK3 Cupra owner) does not like the Mk4 cupra and would rather have the MK3
JonnyBoy prefers the looks of his FR over the Cupra
Fen just seems to hate the MK4 Ibiza full stop
Anyone else notice a pattern here?
Ballie says it was the same when the MK3 replaced the MK2 so this helps prove my point.
as I said before... (but won't waste my time saying again) my view on the MK4 Cupra is irrelevant to what I personally have.. If it looked better, more sporting, I would say so... Fact is for me, it does'nt have the impact of the Leon Cupra-R, which is a shame.. Not mentioning the price too which is too high for what you get. IMHO.
all these are opinions of course... and we all have em. :)
christdi
09-08-2004, 09:25
all these are opinions of course... and we all have em. :)
Couldnt agree more, I was just pointing out how most peoples opinions naturally favour their own cars
As for it being overpriced, when you look at the price of some of its competitors (hot hatches with between 160-180bhp) I dont think its THAT overpriced.
MGZR 160= 15000
Mini Cooper s (with similar equipment level to Cupra)= 16000
Focus ST170= 16000
Peugeot 206 180= 15200
Renault Clio 182= 14700 (which is a bargain)
So its maybe a few hundred pounds overpriced? hardly the daylight robery people make out.
ibizacupra
09-08-2004, 11:42
Couldnt agree more, I was just pointing out how most peoples opinions naturally favour their own cars
As for it being overpriced, when you look at the price of some of its competitors (hot hatches with between 160-180bhp) I dont think its THAT overpriced.
MGZR 160= 15000
Mini Cooper s (with similar equipment level to Cupra)= 16000
Focus ST170= 16000
Peugeot 206 180= 15200
Renault Clio 182= 14700 (which is a bargain)
So its maybe a few hundred pounds overpriced? hardly the daylight robery people make out.
I guess 3 years on and things have all risen... £12,200 when mine was available.. as Mk3 Cupra.
Not too large a gap between Ibiza and Leon.
obviously I'm out of touch.
Never buying new again.
step daughters boyfriend bought a brand new Clio 182, and within 2 months sold it again (big loss!) and bought a TT 225 roadster. He hated it, bargain on paper.
Should be good aftermarket stuff to sort the looks dept out on the new MK4 Cupra's... skirts, lowered suspension and decent looking/sized rims.
Its the interior which is the biggest let down for me on the Mk4.. not that i liked retro pods ever anyhow. (Capris anyone?, Manta) ;)
Like I said, a lot of people feel the need to come out and try to convince people that their car is better/nicer everytime a new model comes out, its the same on all forums.
ibizacupra owns and prefers the MK3 Cupra over the MK4
jason owns and prefers his MK3 Cupra over the MK4
Bens1 (MK3 Cupra owner) does not like the Mk4 cupra and would rather have the MK3
JonnyBoy prefers the looks of his FR over the Cupra
Fen just seems to hate the MK4 Ibiza full stop
Anyone else notice a pattern here?
Ballie says it was the same when the MK3 replaced the MK2 so this helps prove my point.
My intention hasn't been to offend, and if I have then I appologise. I fully understand that people don't like it when other people say bad things about their car... I would probably be the same. I also agree that you point about people normally preferring their own car is probably true in most cases.
I think my case is an exception. I truely wanted, and planned on getting the Mk4 Cupra. My girlfriends car is about due for replacement, and our plan had been to go for the Mk4 Cupra. We waited and waited, and eagerly read up on every tiny detail and rumour that was leaked out. We test drove the TDi130 to get an idea of what the new Ibiza was like... we were reasonably impressed by the 130 but it needed a bit of work on the looks (Inside and out), handling and power depts. Fair enough we thought, the Cupra version should address these areas. Unfortunately in our opinions the Cupra wasn't what we were expecting. :(
I can honstly say that I'm not being biased. In fact if anything I would be biased towards it because I was looking forward to it so much!
I was driving up the M3 this morning and I saw a Mk3 next to a Mk4. Comparing them side by side I agree that the Mk3 rear looks a bit more dated than the Mk4 (Although I'm still not 100% sure about the lights on either model). Also the side profile of the Mk4 is quite nice. Its the front that I really dislike, and the un-Cupraness of the Cupra version.
Also, I think the Ibiza is the best looking of the new bunch of Seats coming out (Altea, Leon, Toledo etc).
Once again, I do appologies if I've offended anyone. This is just a personal opinion, and I think its fair for people to post both positive and negative opinions. Imagine what would happen if car programs or magazines were only allowed to do positive reviews.
Cheers
Ben
PS. I love some of the new Ibiza features, such as the autolocking doors, the double release on the door handles, the 2 stage lock and unlock, and the lane change 3-flash flick of the indicators.
big ALI H
10-08-2004, 13:54
My intention hasn't been to offend, and if I have then I appologise. I fully understand that people don't like it when other people say bad things about their car... I would probably be the same. I also agree that you point about people normally preferring their own car is probably true in most cases.
I was driving up the M3 this morning and I saw a Mk3 next to a Mk4. Comparing them side by side I agree that the Mk3 rear looks a bit more dated than the Mk4 (Although I'm still not 100% sure about the lights on either model). Also the side profile of the Mk4 is quite nice. Its the front that I really dislike, and the un-Cupraness of the Cupra version.
Also, I think the Ibiza is the best looking of the new bunch of Seats coming out (Altea, Leon, Toledo etc).
Once again, I do appologies if I've offended anyone. This is just a personal opinion, and I think its fair for people to post both positive and negative opinions. Imagine what would happen if car programs or magazines were only allowed to do positive reviews.
Cheers
Ben
PS. I love some of the new Ibiza features, such as the autolocking doors, the double release on the door handles, the 2 stage lock and unlock, and the lane change 3-flash flick of the indicators.
I'm not offended, everyone has their opinions. Totally agree with the comments of the Mk4 in general. IMO, it looks like SEAT have had 5 or 6 designs and have tried to pick the best bits from each. Only problem is that it hasnt worked out too well (dont forget i own one too!). There are lots of nice little design touches IMO but they just havent been put together right really. From some angles it looks great, from others it looks fat and extremely out of proportion.
IMO the Cupra looks 10 times better and makes the front look a lot more aggressive than the standard car. I think i like it because i've had chance to get used to the shape of mine and its grown on me (when i bought my Leon last year i hated the Mk4 Ibiza!), the styling bits on the Cupra just make some of those imperfections go away in my eyes. I like the wheels but would be a bit concerned about kerbing them and it still needs lowering further and for SEAT to put a big order in with Bill for some spacers.
ibizacupra
10-08-2004, 15:28
I wish they could have had the balls to make the motorshow concept Cupra a reality... that would have sold big time on looks alone.. :drool:
big ALI H
10-08-2004, 16:10
I wish they could have had the balls to make the motorshow concept Cupra a reality... that would have sold big time on looks alone.. :drool:
Now that would have been nice and would probably have jusified its £15,500 price tag too. Like you say Bill, it would have sold on looks alone easily. Perhaps they have plans to bring it out with the 3.2 V6 and twin turbos to rival the Clio V6 [B)] :drool:
ibizacupra
10-08-2004, 18:00
we can dream I spose... :D
come on Seat... do it... go on... you know you want to.... suits you sir... :D
Boing_Boing
11-08-2004, 13:11
Anyone point me at a picture of the Motor Show Cupra?
Cheers
Chris
But you don't want a heavy 3.2 litre engine in it, when a lighter 1.8T engine can produce just as much power. The extra weight of a 3.2 litre engine would make the nose even heavier, thereby upsetting the handling and creating even more understeer. :(
Thats the main reason I prefer the older 1.8T Audi A3 and TT's. The new 3.2 litre replacements just aren't as good (Around a track).
But yes, if the car looked anything like the concept then IMO it would of had a massive following.
Ben
big ALI H
11-08-2004, 14:16
But you don't want a heavy 3.2 litre engine in it, when a lighter 1.8T engine can produce just as much power. The extra weight of a 3.2 litre engine would make the nose even heavier, thereby upsetting the handling and creating even more understeer. :(
Not if it was mid-engined and rear wheel drive! ;) [B)]