Why would I ???

[warren_cox]

An independent point of view from a non SEAT man.

Whilst I don't particularly mind the ST, to me it was a bit of a missed opportunity. Audi's new 2.5T lump will be outputting well in excess of 300bhp from factory, and whilst I fully appreciate power is nothing without control, the 220 odd brake seemed conservative and Volvo'ish. The car was almost more about viper stripes and loud colours, than giving the capable platform the power it could really deserve straight out the box.

I'm perusing the Focus RS as a possible next car, but I still have an issue with the colour palette (no grey, silver or black), and the interior is a bit so/so. I don't doubt it will be a masterpiece to drive, but will no doubt suffer from appauling combined MPG, and possible from a lack of scope to modify further. Hopefully the RS badge will protect the buyers re-sale value a little better than the ST badge does at present. Once our local dealer has their demonstrator in we are signed up to test it, and if it is as good as the hacks say I could be tempted.

That said, if I don't go that way, the Leon Cupra is without any doubt the best bang for your buck on sale at the moment. It has all the engine trimmings of the pricey S3, without the transmission loss of the Haldex system. It has the same engine power, and recent revisions to the dash have improved the cabin quite a bit. If they do a Bocanegra version I could be very tempted to return to the SEAT fold. If it hadn't been for the interior of the early Mk2 I'd be in a Cupra today.

 

[Al]

If they do a Bocanegra version I could be very tempted to return to the SEAT fold. If it hadn't been for the interior of the early Mk2 I'd be in a Cupra today.

Thats whats stopping me ordering a facelift Cupra. And I agree about the interior of the MK2 Cupra - The centre part of the dash is cheap nasty and horrible looking.

 

[EmDee]

If you want my opinion (), with that money I'd get a white Octavia VRS Estate and then spend the remaining 2-3 grand on the engine and coilovers.
Maximum stealth, reliability, economy, performance and practicality

Glad you asked aren't you?

 

[RickyD1975]

I was looking at getting an ST before I bought the Cupra. Due to the fact that I couldnt even get my hands on a 5-door one in the North East I bought the Cupra as soon as I test drove it.

The 2.0 TFSI engine is a lot more economical compared to the 2.5 Volvo 5-Cylinder (The sound is awesome though). The Cupra's insurance is more likely to be cheaper as it doesn't have the ASBO status that the ST has.

The ST's are good cars, although there are far too many of them. Since buying my Cupra there was only one other Yellow one in Northumberland for the 1st year of ownership. Now there is a white K1 and another Cupra which I cannot remember the colour. Everwhere I drive I see ST's..........

The ST's don't hold their value as well as the Cupra's either.

If you were thinking and RS Foci, then that's another story. But if I had RS money I would be buying a used Evo X or RS4....

Good luck and enjoy the search.

 

[phil3012]

I have owned the Cupra and test driven the ST.

In hindsight the Cupra was a very bad motoring choice, the build quality is terrible people slate Ford and Vauxhall but they are miles ahead of SEAT.

By the end of my Cupra owning days I wished I'd gone for the ST.

Pros for the ST: Engine sound, build quality
Cons for the ST: MPG, resale value, too common, poor image

Pros for the Cupra: Engine, economy isn't bad in comparison, running costs aren't bad, less common
Cons for the Cupra: 5 door only, very poor build quality, poor dealers, 98RON petrol recommended, alloys too vulnerable, retained value not great (but better than ST).

If I was buying a hot hatch again, I'd probably got for the Golf GTi, unless I could pick-up a used ST at a reasonable price used, but not as my main car.

 

[EmDee]

Only on SCN will you get such honest and diverse opinions. Reason to buy the Cupra if you ask me, you would be part of the greatest owners club EVER

And we're modest too.

 

[Al]

Cons for the Cupra: very poor build quality.

I dont think its that bad being fair. I do think the centre part of the dash is crap though.

 

[DaveysFR]

In the immortal words of Decepticon Soundwave,

Cupra Superior, ST Inferior!

LOL

 

[Invisible]

If it was the styling of the ST that appealed to you then going for the Cupra k1 as an alternative is you best option.

Price seems about right (similar to what I paid for mine) but drive a hard bargain. K1 prices vary widely now that out of production can be sought after more.

I pretty much concur with opinion here;

SEAT is VAG with a cracking engine and plenty of tweaks to be had. The ST probably sounds better noise wise but you can easily get a resonating box from Milltek if you want that noise.

Buy it and stick a remap on for instant 300bhp (all the standard brakes and kit handle this fine, no need to uprate anythingelse). Well until you get the bug to go stage 2 that is!

Good luck and go for the cupra above all elese you will get cracking support from the community here

 

[Al]

SEAT is VAG with a cracking engine and plenty of tweaks to be had. The ST probably sounds better noise wise but you can easily get a resonating box from Milltek if you want that noise.

A Milltek wont make the Cupra sound like an ST mate. It will however give it a lovely rip which will make it sound more like an Evo than anything else when used in conjunction with a down pipe and non-res centre section.

The noise of a 5 cylinder engine is unique, and when used in conjunction with a Turbo Back exhaust, it sounds like an 80's Audi Quattro rally car . Not many cars sound better IMO.

 

[phil3012]

Only on SCN will you get such honest and diverse opinions. Reason to buy the Cupra if you ask me, you would be part of the greatest owners club EVER

And we're modest too.

Aye that's why I still hang about here

I dont think its that bad being fair. I do think the centre part of the dash is crap though.

The dash didn't bother me too much, sure wasn't great quality but you could live with it.

It was more the number of issues the car had in a year of ownership.

Apart from the rusty hubs which is common across all brands, off the top of my head in a year I had:

Both front windows were out of allignment from new and caused major rattles.
Stereo kept coming up with disk error (but did settle down eventually).
Back bumper damaged by dealer at 3 weeks old and never fixed 100% (granted not SEAT's fault)
Rattle from CD holder
Rattle from air vents (dealer took the passenger door to bit to try and fix)
Rattle from under the bonnet due to lose housing around the clutch cabel
Smell of sick coming from the aircon
Funny smell coming from the exhaust (probably an issue with the cat)
Stitching came away from back seat that was only used about 5 times (took a month to get a new cover)
Mirrors squeaked when folding
Back seat bench not even attached to the car (probably as a result of the new cover)

Out of 6 brand new cars (2 Ford, 1 Vauxhall, 1 Toyota and an Audi) it was just a headache. The first Ford was the only one that came close in terms of issues.

Between both SEAT and the dealer it was a nightmare year of ownership, wanted to get rid of the car sooner but was waiting for the new seat cover.

That was just my experience in 15 months and 14K of ownership. Certainly compared to Audi the build quality is a million miles apart, but there are plenty of people on here, a few who I've met have had relatively few issues.

I think part of the key is finding a good dealer. SEAT customer services are pretty good actually, just let down certain dealers. Also every visit resulted in an escalation to SEAT.

 

[EmDee]

lol phil3012 = nightmare customer

just kidding, that is a lot of issues, and I too have had issues with SEAT dealerships, BUT once you find a good one you're fine. I think that's the same with all makes, but I would agree that SEAT UK have been great in all cases.

I think you'll find by asking the new mkii owners on here that your case is pretty unique. I know of at least 5 new owners who have had zero issues and are over the moon.

It's funny how you ask any other owners club and they'd all be blindly biassed and full of loyalty, but we're all talking you out of it!

I think you should buy the SEAT mate, you'll love it. Right - I'm off to do some work...

 

[Poverty]

I dont think its that bad being fair. I do think the centre part of the dash is crap though.

My local audio installer reckons the Leon is put together better than the focus, and so is also a hassle to get stuff installed.

TBH the astra focus and leon interiors are all a bit rubbish when combined to their hottest models. Interior not matching exterior but i couldnt really care about that as its bang for buck im sure the majority of us are after.

 

[jcp]

The Fr Tfsi strikes me as a mk v Golf Gti with a cheaper quality of interior fitments the result of a substantially lower purchase price. I believe the quality issues are no more than those you would expect in the price range. The rusty hub threads are imo the result of unrealistic expectations, easily cured and a sign of normal build quality.
The Leon is a quick, or, in cupra form, a really quick hatch and will provide good driving and above normal performance.
Ask yourself though what value you attribute to great styling, and a degree of exclusivity and then look at a Focus and see how Ford have converted a splendid warm hatch with great style-Mk1 into a fussy ugly car with cheap go faster bits stuck to it.
The Ford will give good service and value and is said to be a good drive but will never delight the eye.

 

[dickyst170]

Well people, am finally going to drive the Cupra tomorrow. If all goes well (that means if I like it & can beat the salesman for a deal), I will be picking it up Saturday.

Many thanks for alll your comments, they have made for very interesting reading. Will let you know how I get on.............

 

[Al]

Well people, am finally going to drive the Cupra tomorrow. If all goes well (that means if I like it & can beat the salesman for a deal), I will be picking it up Saturday.

Many thanks for alll your comments, they have made for very interesting reading. Will let you know how I get on.............

Good show. Looking forward to your thoughts

 

[EmDee]

Jolly good show old bean.

EDIT - lol sorry djhorace didnt see your reply i wasn't taking the piss hehehe

 

[robdf2]

Good show. Looking forward to your thoughts

was good to speak to you last night mate.

Cheers

Rob.