First time buyer here, is this worth the money?

[Ghosttt]

Hey everyone! Hope you're all doing well.
I'm a brand new member here and a first-time car buyer! With plans to finally get on the road soon, I’ve been searching for my first vehicle and this particular one really caught my eye.

Yes, I know it might be a bit much for a first car, but I’m getting into driving a bit later than most and would like to keep something like this for many years. That said, I only know the basics when it comes to cars, so I’m not sure if the asking price of £8,950 is fair considering the vehicle and all the modifications listed. I’d really appreciate any input or advice from those who know more, you can find the full details and photos below!

---

Seat Leon Cupra R – 5 Door | 6-Speed Manual Transmission

Exterior: Grey Metallic
Interior: Black Cupra R Cloth
Mileage: 142,500 miles
Service History: Backed with the majority, if not all, of its service history

---

Extensive Modifications & Performance Upgrades

Engine & Internal Components:

• Fully forged engine, bored out to 1.9L
• 82.5mm J.E. forged pistons
• I.E. Riffel-drilled Tuscan forged crank (BAM block)
• Calico-coated King Race crank bearings
• ARP crank main stud kit
• 9.25:1 compression ratio
• ARP 2000 rod bolts
• King Race rod bearings
• AGU large port head
• ARP head stud kit
• MLS head gasket
• Supertech black nitrile race exhaust valves

Timing & Oil System:

• Gates blue carbon Kevlar race cambelt kit & water pump
• New oil pump chain and tensioner
• New VVTi solenoid with new cam chain and tensioners
• New hydraulic lifters
• New genuine thermostat

Turbo & Intake:

• K04 hybrid turbo (billet internals) built by Midland Turbos
• BMC carbon intake
• Trackslag charge pipe
• All red silicone hoses by Creation Motorsport

Exhaust & Cooling:

• Straight-through custom exhaust
• Boost gauge fitted into driver’s air vent

---

Drivetrain & Handling

• Stage 2 race clutch
• M1 short shifter with matching gear knob
• 4th gear support
• New alternator
• Coilover suspension
• Braided brake lines
• Drilled front discs
• Brembo braking system

---

Styling & Extras

• 18” alloy wheels
• Front splitter
• Rear diffuser
• Upgraded front halo headlights
• Team Heko side wind diffusers
• Rear wiper delete
• OMP steering wheel
• Upgraded sound system

---

 

[Alexis27]

That's just too custom to guage whether it's "worth it". It's worth what anyone will pay for it.

You never get back what you put in, but I'm sure he'll tell you he's put twenty grand into it.

But you'd think he'd put a double din and a Carplay touch screen in there

When you say first time car buyer do you mean you've just passed your test?

 

[Ghosttt]

That's just too custom to guage whether it's "worth it". It's worth what anyone will pay for it.

You never get back what you put in, but I'm sure he'll tell you he's put twenty grand into it.

But you'd think he'd put a double din and a Carplay touch screen in there

When you say first time car buyer do you mean you've just passed your test?

Haha I appreciate the response! Yes I've only recently passed my test at the age of 28, little late to the game but first time bare in mind

 

[BadBoy03]

For a first car, I expect insurance will be a stinger for such a modified vehicle. I'd also be prepared for endless niggles & £££'s if something goes wrong.
Lovely car though.

 

[Ghosttt]

For a first car, I expect insurance will be a stinger for such a modified vehicle. I'd also be prepared for endless niggles & £££'s if something goes wrong.
Lovely car though.

Yeah I've got a feeling the insurance is going to sting a bit, personally I didn't actually think of all the issues that might come along the way due to it having all these bits and bobs done to it! It's just I'm not a big fan of all these new vehicles and would rather secure something like this from my childhood since sooner or later these vehicles will be no where to be seen.. I've seen a few more kicking about that are in a "reasonable" condition, half the price but just no where near as much work done to them. I must agree, the car is lovely to the eyes, but got no idea what it's like in person until I go and view it in a couple of weeks.

 

[Battoussai]

Once you drive it, you won't leave it.

For a first car, it is definitely too much, but if you got the brain and not eager to get out and show off on the road, then I would buy it. Just learn your way into soo much horsepower.
It appears to be on good condition and seems nothing is left to do or take care of. Just the usual to keep the beast running. And it is pretty awesome to look at!

 

[Ghosttt]

Once you drive it, you won't leave it.

For a first car, it is definitely too much, but if you got the brain and not eager to get out and show off on the road, then I would buy it. Just learn your way into soo much horsepower.
It appears to be on good condition and seems nothing is left to do or take care of. Just the usual to keep the beast running. And it is pretty awesome to look at!

I got that feeling

Honestly the vehicle would be pretty much a daily driver so I'm not looking to beat it about just to please a few others that's for sure, I've always had the mindset of tracks are the place to do that and not public roads. But like you've stated it is a lot of horsepower for a first timer but one thing I can say is if I'm spending that type of money on something you can be damn well sure I won't be jeopardising that beauty in anyway

 

[tracktoy]

I am an owner of a heavily modified car and I would firstly check what the insurance cost is going to be.

Normal insurance companies will almost certainly not want to touch insuring this motor (hopefully I am wrong) so you will be going to a much smaller pool af people who will insure it and you can bet it wont be cheap (but best to check) with the added downside that you have just passed your test.

I personally would also worry about the straight through exhaust because that may make it very noisy but also if there is no Catalytic Converter then you may not be able to get it M.O.T tested (if the car had one from factory)

But its a great setup and looking motor but I would check the cost's of insurance before you fall in love with it.

 

[mty12345]

What 'Tracktoy' said....... I very much doubt you will even be able to get insurance on it as a first car. No insurance company is going to want such an inexperienced driver in something like that. That'd be a handful even for someone who's been driving for 20 years. It's 10x more challenging to drive something like that than a 2024 BMW/Audi with equivalent power. Odds are you'd crash it inside a month, either that or get 6 points and lose your licence.

If you really want a cupra then get a unmoddified R.