Ibiza OR Leon

[Nath.]

Not sure where to stick this so I'm going to go with the Mk4 Ibiza section.

Ok, I'm thinking of swapping to a mk2 Leon FR.

I have test driven both the Leon petrol FR and the Leon diesel FR and I'm a bit confused and disappointed.

Neither of the Leons felt quicker than my Ibiza although the Petrol Leon on paper is reported to be a tad quicker, whilst the diesel one is reported to be a tad slower.

The leon ride was sooooo much better.

Anyone explain why a quicker car didn't feel quicker? Also whats all this about the diesel making more like 190ps than 170

EDIT


THIS IS NOT A PETROL V DIESEL THREAD, RATHER AN IBIZA V LEON THREAD. Insurance, MPG and road tax are not an issue so don't go there.

 

[tom167]

My leon felt a hell of a lot slower than my ibiza but it wasn't. I generally put it down to the car feeling a lot more stable and comfortable at speed.

 

[QuietQuackers]

Having been in both an Ibiza FR petrol and a Leon FR petrol, I can say that the Leon is certainly quicker and is much more stable on the motorway. Smoother through the rev range aswell. Have you considered the Leon Cupra?

 

[kriso]

It must be partly down to the ride quality. Whenever I go in my bro's mk1 Leon it feels slower, 70 feels like 50 in my Ibiza.

 

[tom167]

It must be partly down to the ride quality. Whenever I go in my bro's mk1 Leon it feels slower, 70 feels like 50 in my Ibiza.

Its not great going the other way tho, changing from my leon to ibiza everything felt really unstable and twitchy, expect to be doing 120 and its like 80 lol

 

[Gazb]

Yeah I'd have to agree, its due to the longer wheel base and wider track it feels more planted when going round corners that you don't have the drama you have in the ibiza. It does however make the Ibiza more fun to drive up till the point where its nature to easily understeer spoils the fun.

Personnally if you can live with the dash in the mk2 leon (too much plain shiney plastic for me so I went for the Ibiza cupra instead) and want something that handles better then there's no reason not to go for the leon.

 

[DPJ]

Don't forget the Leon is a heavier car than the Ibiza.

 

[kriso]

I chose the Ibiza Cupra over the mk1 Leon Cupra as I preferred the handling of the Ibiza. The handling in Leon felt a bit boring, but over long distance it was more comfortable.

 

[si-mate]

Do you need the extra space? If not then why not hang on a few months until the more exciting Mk5 Ibizas come out?

 

[zippyprorider]

yeah its the fact that the leon is bigger, my 1.8se mk1 leon felt slower than a 1.4 polo, think its all to do with size and ride quality!

 

[Trumpetman21]

I too am considering chopping in the Mk IV Ibiza Cupra for the MkII Leon Cupra, but may wait to see that the Mk V Ibiza Cupra looks like close up & in the flesh.

 

[Nath.]

I too am considering chopping in the Mk IV Ibiza Cupra for the MkII Leon Cupra, but may wait to see that the Mk V Ibiza Cupra looks like close up & in the flesh.

Do you need the extra space? If not then why not hang on a few months until the more exciting Mk5 Ibizas come out?

I don't need any back seats really, I'm waiting to see what the hot MK5 ibizas look like but for me the front end of the mk5 needs to be a lot better looking in Fr or Cupra trim along with proper indipendant rear suspension.

 

[Trumpetman21]

Value for money has got to feature though - anyone have any idea how much the Mk V Cupra will retail for? It's got to be similar to the Mk IV IMHO for it to sell well - £15K max really.

 

[LoDa]

The leon is going to feel slower because of it's size. Did you find that the handling was better on the Leon? Leon will probally hold it's value a bit better too.

 

[Danneh]

Refinement. I would hazzard and guess that the Leon being a bigger, heavy car is more refined, so driving at speed and accelerating does not feel it.

That's really all there is too it. Drive a go-kart, then drive a car.. refinement! Your less 'connected'.

 

[kriso]

I don't need any back seats really, I'm waiting to see what the hot MK5 ibizas look like but for me the front end of the mk5 needs to be a lot better looking in Fr or Cupra trim along with proper indipendant rear suspension.

I wouldn't hold your breath for that independant rear suspension. If the standard mk5 doesn't have it, they aren't likely to change the chassis set-up. Even Honda went back to crappy rear suspension on the new Civic..I think you have to pay a bit more than Seat Ibiza prices for that

 

[BigWill]

Bigger cars usually feel slower than smaller ones even if it's doing the same speed, my opinion anyways

 

[Danneh]

It's pretty much a fact - the more refined a car is, the slower you actually feel you are going.

Having a bigger and heavy car also helps just as much as sound proofing etc.

My big old barge feels much different in terms of refinement and speed than my 800kg 1.3 swift!

 

[Fordy_FR]

I've just swapped from the Mk4 FR TDi to the Leon Cupra and it feels a LOT quicker. You should probably have a test drive in the Cupra. From what I've read the FR isn't as comfortable as the Cupra either and they're almost the same price if you're going for a used one.

 

[Poverty]

Not sure where to stick this so I'm going to go with the Mk4 Ibiza section.

Ok, I'm thinking of swapping to a mk2 Leon FR.

I have test driven both the Leon petrol FR and the Leon diesel FR and I'm a bit confused and disappointed.

Neither of the Leons felt quicker than my Ibiza although the Petrol Leon on paper is reported to be a tad quicker, whilst the diesel one is reported to be a tad slower.

The leon ride was sooooo much better.

Anyone explain why a quicker car didn't feel quicker? Also whats all this about the diesel making more like 190ps than 170

EDIT


THIS IS NOT A PETROL V DIESEL THREAD, RATHER AN IBIZA V LEON THREAD. Insurance, MPG and road tax are not an issue so don't go there.

If insurance etc isnt a issue why arent you going the whole hog and treating yourself to a cupra. Completely different animal to the FR's. Drive one