Have to disagree with that. The polo is a quiet and comfortable car and doesn't have a jarring ride and that's exactly the same car underneath as the
ibiza - same goes for the fabia. It's just hard to find aftermarket suspension kits that focus' on good ride comfort (to the standard that would be expected from the factory) and has decent handling as well. The sound proofing issue is Seat penny pinching and also perhaps making the car not quite a 'solid' feeling as the polo so that it does'nt overshaddow it, therefore taking a share of their sales.
Thanks for that rf860. I'm sure you are aware Seat as a brand are/were (when they brought out the Mk4) positioned within VAG with a "youthful sporty profile". I suppose that's why we have TDi Sport, FR - Formula Racing and
Cupra - Cup Racing models of
Ibiza. I presume Seat produced those Mk4 models with that in mind to appeal to young at heart drivers who like a youthful sporty drive. I also guess Seat and VW had focus groups discussing the Mk4's suspension/handling/noise and comfort aspects and tried to differentiate from the Polo and Fabia in the ride/sound quality of their models while keeping true to the youthful sporty drive tenet. Agreed regarding the Mk4's sound proofing, that might be penny pinching, but how do we know it wasn't decided the extra noise contributed to the aesthetic of the car? BTW I am no newbie to VAG group cars having owned five with differing performance levels over the years - a Golf, a Jetta, two
Ibiza's and a Polo. The Price/Comfort/Handling factors are a compromise are they not which in my FR's case I am more than happy with. This FR I have now is the best of the bunch by a long way in my opinion.
If people aren't happy with the ride/noise of their cars why did they buy them in the first place? I suppose that is the issue we disagree on and what I plainly don't understand. Secondly if people aren't happy with after market suspension manufacturers products, complain to them, or buy and fit OE Polo/Fabia suspension units. There is a third option... Some folks don't seem to understand the purpose of a test drive or have the ability to sell the car they're unhappy with and buy a car they do like. Again, that's what I don't understand, why folk spend thousand's on a car then say ooo my suspension and tyres are unbearable. It's like someone buying a Rolls Royce and then complaining it doesn't drive like a Caterham. Why buy it in the first place is my question.