depends on what yoru buying. You can now pick up 30k mile examples of early 1.8T Fr's for 6k. Cheapest i have seen the
cupra 1.8T's goign for is 7k for more miles. Engines are exactly the same and bar the map and intercooler. so if remapping ti will always be close between the 2, although for extra engine work you'll want the front mount. Brakes, i don't think its a case of the
Cupra ones are amazing its just that the FR ones are crap. thats why i fitted the Brembo GT kit on my
Ibiza and they were a lot better then the AP ones off the
cupra ont eh 2 i tried. Exterior the
Cupra is better on the early ones than the FR, however the phase 2 FR's stepped the game up a bit i think and can sometimes looka s good or if not better than the
cupra. interiro the
cupra wins only on acount of its black. however there is nothing on the inside any better than the FR as its all the same stuff just different covering or colour.
Big thing to bear in mind is the Insurance.
Cupra's are loaded compared to FR's,
Personally i don;t think you can go wrong with a £6k 2004
Ibiza FR 1.8T. Stealth car, can be made fairly quick. and fairly reliable.