2019 Leon fr tsi 190

[James cupra 290 black]

Hi everyone

so I currently have a Leon cupra 290. This is the car of my dreams and I worked bloody hard to save up and buy her. I have moved in with my partner and now my commute to work is about 500 miles a week . I just can’t afford the fuel. Even driving like a granny I am only getting 38-40 mpg. That is bloody hard when every little boy racer sits on your rear bumper (I always have to teach them a lesson). So I am left with a dilemma. I think the cupra is going to have to go. That leaves a oil burner FR or a petrol FR. I have seen a 2019 2.0 FR with leather and digital dash with 16k miles for just shy of £16k.
What are they like in fuel?
How do they handle?
What else is out there?

thank you for any input guys.

 

[KXL]

That's 24,000 miles as year. Even a 2.0TSI 190 would only get you 43-45mpg best case scenario driving like a granny. I would suggest looking for a 2.0TDI 184, which should get you 55ish mpg or 60mpg driving like a granny. If you feel power is lacking (it has same torque as a Cupra) one can always bring it in for a remap and bring power figures to 220/230 mark which should be sufficient, whilst giving you still diesel economy figures.

 

[Mr Mustard]

The 190tsi won't give you a significant improvement in fuel consumption on your commute. It still takes a similar amount of fuel to move a similar mass at the same speed.

I suspect the 'cost to change' will far outweigh any small saving in fuel. There will be a small saving in road tax & insurance.

The handling, ride & performance is good, but not as good as your 290. You will end up with buyer's regret (I've made the same mistake in the past, swapped a gorgeous BMW 330ci for a 320D to save a few quid a week. I kept it 3 months before I sold it for something exciting, lost thousands). Make a saving somewhere else in your life if you can, or get a small diesel.

It will make you sad.

 

[BigJase88]

Yeah buy a cheap car that you can just bang miles on. Something like an old passat tdi / volvo diesel / honda accord diesel

something big comfortable and cheap that doesnt matter if you put 25k miles on a year

 

[James cupra 290 black]

Thank you everyone for your input it has certainly helped to put things into perspective. Unfortunately I can’t really save money elsewhere in my life (going through a messy failed business split lol) so a diesel might be the best option. I think I need to get to the main stealers and have a test drive in a diesel fingers crossed I don’t hate the really small power band lol. At least I have had a cupra I guess. In a couple of years time once I am financially sound again then maybe I could get another one .

 

[BigJase88]

A 3l diesel beemer is no slouch however wont get the mpg you desire probably 45mpg on a run so the saving would be negligable. Unfortunately you will be looking at a hum drum 4 banger 2.0l so you are not going to be impressed.

i would certainly be looking at a big comfortable barge to do that mileage. Would discount a Leon comfort wise.

 

[Jay5959]

I have a fr184 and when I go back to see the family, which is a 100 mile trip, at least 35 miles of A-roads and a few miles of city driving, it will easily do 50+mpg. Well worth a look if fuel economy is your main concern. Another bonus is £30 a year tax! To state the obvious, It will be no where near as fun as a cupra, but it’s not a bad drive. Feels nice and planted in the bends.

 

[cupra14]

I suspect the 'cost to change' will far outweigh any small saving in fuel. There will be a small saving in road tax & insurance

This may well apply to almost any other car unless buying something old, cheap & diesel

You'll hate it.

 

[SRGTD]

There will be a small saving in road tax & insurance.

Insurance could actually go up compared to what @James cupra 290 black has been paying before his circumstances changed.

Sounds like he’s now doing a higher annual mileage, and if he’s moved from what his insurer classifies as a low risk area to a high risk area, then the cost to insure an FR could be more than he had been paying for insurance on a Cupra. Having said that, under those circumstances, the cost to insure the Cupra would also increase.

 

[jack rush]

That's 24,000 miles as year. Even a 2.0TSI 190 would only get you 43-45mpg best case scenario driving like a granny. I would suggest looking for a 2.0TDI 184, which should get you 55ish mpg or 60mpg driving like a granny. If you feel power is lacking (it has same torque as a Cupra) one can always bring it in for a remap and bring power figures to 220/230 mark which should be sufficient, whilst giving you still diesel economy figures.

Before my Cupra I had the 184 FR with a tuning box, so should be similar to a remap.

I can confirm that it pulled like crazy - the extra torque really pushed you back in the seat.

 

[James cupra 290 black]

Thanks for all the input guys. Unfortunately yes I am moving into the centre of Nottingham so my insurance has gone up too. Thanks to the help you guys have given me I am 90% sure I am going to sell the cupra and get a tractor. Sorry did I say that out loud . Yes the toque figures are the same as the cupra but I am sure even with a map it won’t feel anything like the cupra. That said I don’t have much of a choice. So the next thing is selling the cupra I guess. Sad to see her go. She is a minter and drives f*****g awesome. Had some great fun down country lanes at ermmm the speed limit . If anyone is interested let me know.