Cupra 290 4K miles in...

[Madhatter]

Well after a great days' fishing up in north wales, which coincidentally is next to what I would say is the best 20 miles of Tarmac in the Uk, I just wanted to commend the cupra for being absolutely astonishingly entertaining. Windows down, warm weather and the turbo hissing away out of corners, this car just gets better as the miles pile on.

My Poor brother in his shiny new 330d was unfortunately left behind and had to phone me for directions. You really can't appreciate how well set up these cars are until you get them on a decent open road.

Random post I know, but just wanted to say I'm loving the cupra, it's bloody fantastic. Only gripe is the cup holders arenot deep enough

 

[ESS]

Good review


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[shadak]

Very nice to hear, Im just about to set off for a trip to Germany, almost across the whole country on A3 so hopefully some parts wont have speed limits to test this out a bit

 

[matthab]

Yep love mine in everyway. Its enough to make you smile but without appearing yobish.

 

[zondaff]

Yes then cup holders finally someone else agrees

 

[kazand]

Yes then cup holders finally someone else agrees

Yeah, they are a bit cr*p, especially when being, erm, enthusiastic.....

 

[Peller]

Nice piece. I'm on the verge of getting the Cupra but not too sure if it'll be a harder ride than my FR. How do you find it for standard journeys?

 

[Madhatter]

Yeah things fly out of the cup holders when, as you say; being even slightly enthusiastic

And to answer question re the ride, I actually find it very comfortable even in cupra setting. But my last car was a bmw with ridiculous runcrap tyres which was enough to make you slip a disc on anything but the smoothest of roads. Put me off buying another car with them ever again.

 

[Peller]

Cheers Madhatter, I'm gonna take one for a test drive. My local dealer has a nice black 5 door ex demo with 2k miles. Full leather and full spec for 20k. If the sums work out alright I could trade in my FR at minimal cost. I just need to know if it would be suitable for my day to day needs. They look awesome cars!

 

[StylancePaul]

I'd agree with Madhatter, the DCC does an excellent job, and its very comfortable in "comfort" mode.

I had a Mk3 FR 150 before chopping it in for the 280 almost a year ago, never once have I looked back.

 

[Peller]

Thanks StylancePaul. I'm going to try for an extended test drive on my own if the dealer is kind enough. I'm loving the FR but just want a bit more power without shouting about it. The Cupra does this perfectly and at least I won't look like a Golf R ****!

 

[Ken H]

Considering all the money its rivals spent on Marketing etc..... When the dust settles the seat Leon cupra , as a road car and a track car is a Performance bargain , bar none! In order for me to find another car that is as capable, I would need to spend at least another €10,000 on any of its rivals . Any review I've seen so far,it gets nothing but high praise. The fact it doesn't shout out about its performance is more appealing to me than anything else. Honda can keep its spoilers and air vents and ford can keep its yobbish drift mode , 8 cars in and this is by far my favourite!

 

[Peller]

Ken H. I totally agree! I can't imagine dropping my kids off/shopping etc in a Type R! I'm 40 now but still like a bit of power, that is why the Leon has got it so right. The Golf GTI/R looks knobish, the less I say about Audi S drivers the better. The Leon is VW group finest, I'd rather have an Octavia than a A3/4!

 

[Ken H]

44 years young, 2 kids and a dog, opted for the Cupra st. Don't get me wrong , the civic and ford are cracking cars but I'd feel a bit embarrassed in them to be honest. I think my kids would be slightly embarrassed for me too, not to mention the wife!

 

[ESS]

I had a civic type r on overnight test drive when they came out last September. Great car but to harsh on the road with my daughter in it.
I drove a S3 but was un ticking boxes at 42k
Drove the Cupra ST and couldnt believe the spec you got as standard.
Add a couple of extras like the pan roof full leather seat sound and DSG and you have a great car in my eyes.
I took it on holiday around Wales last month with 2 dogs in the boot and the family. It was smooth and comfortable. Roof box going on next month for my next holiday.
I wouldnt dream of taking my previous car focus RS on holiday as it wasnt practical.
Last weekend i used my car to go to a track day CUPRA all the way and what a transformation from smooth and comfortable to so planted on the road and goes like stink.

Love it cant see what i will be upgrading to when and if i decide to change.

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[golfhappy]

Thanks StylancePaul. I'm going to try for an extended test drive on my own if the dealer is kind enough. I'm loving the FR but just want a bit more power without shouting about it. The Cupra does this perfectly and at least I won't look like a Golf R ****!

If it's the dealer i know they'll be kind enough! usually give them a hard time when i visit.

 

[Cuprobbie]

I find the ride quality in the Cupra perfectly acceptable, even on the poor quality of surface we all have to drive on nowadays.

It is a perfect day to day car, for me anyway.

The road holding and handling is every bit as good as my Civic Type R, without rattling out your fillings. I don't understand why Honda had to make it so stiff and uncomfortable. SEAT have shown that (relative) comfort doesn't have to be sacrificed for a sporty drive.

I saw a brand new Golf GTi in red in a car park yesterday. It confirmed my choice of the red Cupra!

 

[Slipps]

No regrets here absolutely love it, an absolute scream when you fancy it and civilised and responsible when you don't. I find the ride to be good and surprisingly absorbent, when you expect a jarring thump you don't get one even on the wider rims and while it does firm up nicely in Cupra mode I don't even find that to be over harsh.

I'd echo what's been said about BMW and run flats in fact my wife's Mini Clubman has them and it's destroyed the ride comfort ... bloody harsh and fidgety with the absorbency of an original Mini

 

[chrisjgill]

How do people find the build quality? I've read reports on here and another Leon forum about interior parts rattling more than a mk2

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[Slipps]

How do people find the build quality? I've read reports on here and another Leon forum about interior parts rattling more than a mk2

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My FR one was one of the first on the road and TBH that had new car development issues such as the infamous door cards and a creaky instrument panel but my Cupra is well sorted, rattle and creak free