FR TDI vs Reference TDI Experience

[S8N]

Well while my "hooligan mobile" is having it's skirts and grill fitted, I have a 1.9 TDI Reference as a courtesy car. I realise that there would be a difference internally (no climate, no cruise etc) but thought the general handling wouldn't be too different. My goodness me, was I wrong!

The reference is bouncy as a ball. Where as I can plough the FR into any corner or roundabout and it sticks like glue, the reference scared the living hell out of me. Now I will admit, I wouldn't drive the courtesy car the same (it's not mine after all and I don't fancy the bill) as my FR but I had to eek gently round my usual route home. It's a bit wobbly

I hit a major roundabout on my route home and feared for my life pulling into traffic where as the FR wouldn't have worried me. It's amazing how quickly you get used to having so much grunt under your loud pedal. This courtesy car is absolutely ashmatic! Yet, it's as powerful as my old Focus was. You do get used to the power all too quickly.

Don't get me wrong, I am NOT knocking the reference overall, I am sure it's a comfy car for those who want it but for me, it really has reminded me of how damn spoilt we are with the FR & cupras .. with performance, handling and toys!! suddenly I don't feel so bad about my £1350 insurance bill this year!

Looking forward to getting my baby back tomorrow afternoon!

 

[Deleted member 12175]

How much are you paying for your side skirts to be fitted?

 

[Tam]

LOL - that is so true.

Had a 1.8 vectra SRI for a couple of days while mine was broke....

Got back in mine and scared the hell out of me for a couple of days again


Its well worth swapping to a lower powered card for a few days ... to realise just how good the FR / Cupra are when you get back in them

 

[_Hellfire_]

ROFL - when I took my FR in for it's first service I got a new FIAT BRAVO 150GT... oh my dear God!!! The car has similar mileage and was a diesel likewise. BUT (at it is a big Butt!!) the FIAT wasn't just asthmatic is was chronic Bronchitis territory. The gear change was awful, the seats were like a park bench i.e. NO support. The handling was like, well.... trying to steer jelly through a sieve the brakes were weak, the power was, well... the power wasn't!!! Although in my opinion the FIAT is a nice looking car - by comparison to the SEAT it is a poor attempt at competing and need to go back to some market research.

 

[S8N]

How much are you paying for your side skirts to be fitted?

£300 and something. Not sure yet, haven't got the bill!

I am so looking forward to getting my baby back later. I popped to Tesco 24hr last night and the wind was howling. The wobble was distressing to say the least!

 

[johnvx220]

LOL - that is so true.

Had a 1.8 vectra SRI for a couple of days while mine was broke....

Got back in mine and scared the hell out of me for a couple of days again


Its well worth swapping to a lower powered card for a few days ... to realise just how good the FR / Cupra are when you get back in them

Must agree, its the only car in the last few years that I have had and driven that puts a smile on your face every time you get behind the wheel, (well thats in my buget).

 

[the cat]

Dunno like - I had a 1.9 tdi ref while my 2.0 was having its turbo replaced. Found the 1.9 to be a quiet animal and not too bad round the corners. In fact, I quite liked it

I think you've been spoilt by the FR!

 

[Wookie72]

Originally posted by S8N
Don't get me wrong, I am NOT knocking the reference overall, I am sure it's a comfy car for those who want it but for me, it really has reminded me of how damn spoilt we are with the FR & cupras .. with performance, handling and toys!!

I've never driven the Reference Sport, but can imagine it being quite soft. I never had the option of the FR back when I ordered my Leon, so I opted for the 2.0TDI Sport with SatNav/Bluetooth, CD changer, Bi-Xenons. 140bhp as standard was ok, but promptly chipped it to 180bhp plenty of grunt now!!

When mine was in the Stealership for warranty work for an airbag fault I was given a Ibzia 1.4 Sport....Sport??? Should have been called the Gutless. I was so grateful to get it back!!

I'm guessing the FR has an even stiffer suspension than the old, no longer in the line up 'Sport'?

 

[farrar]

I've never driven the Reference Sport, but can imagine it being quite soft. I never had the option of the FR back when I ordered my Leon, so I opted for the 2.0TDI Sport

The reference sport has the same suspension as your 2.0 TDI sport. It's possible the OP drove a standard reference with non-sport suspension.

 

[S8N]

The reference sport has the same suspension as your 2.0 TDI sport. It's possible the OP drove a standard reference with non-sport suspension.

Definitely not a ref.sport. It was .. yeah, a bit of a bouncy motor

 

[DanGB]

The reference sport has the same suspension as your 2.0 TDI sport. It's possible the OP drove a standard reference with non-sport suspension.

and the Sport has the same as the FR.