Is it worth changing to a Cupra R(265)

[9designs]

While I had high hopes for the latest R before it came out I was a little disappointed with the low key styling it arrived with... K1 kit looks better to me.
So I ended up buy a used 2007 Cupra in grey..... which was modified from new by the first owner.
So it has all the extras except the sunroof, has the BTCC kit, 19 lightweight alloys, re-trimmed in AMG Red/Burgundy Leather and Revo Stage 1.
Done about 48K miles..... I’ve had it about 4 years.

Local dealer is listing an R, seems to be a good spec... 2011 plate. What’s the general view on the Cupra R... good car, bad car ? ... Worth changing from my earlier model ? ...... While the idea of newer face lifted spec and interior, few extra toys like built in Satnav etc is appealing..... I’d be losing something that is unique for a “standard” car.

 

[Nath.]

I wouldn't bother. It won't be any quicker, in fact it may be slower than a stage 1 Cupra. Also it will cost you an arm and a leg.

Buy yourself some goodies for the Cupra and refresh your love for it.

 

[robdf2]

While I had high hopes for the latest R before it came out I was a little disappointed with the low key styling it arrived with... K1 kit looks better to me.
So I ended up buy a used 2007 Cupra in grey..... which was modified from new by the first owner.
So it has all the extras except the sunroof, has the BTCC kit, 19 lightweight alloys, re-trimmed in AMG Red/Burgundy Leather and Revo Stage 1.
Done about 48K miles..... I’ve had it about 4 years.

Local dealer is listing an R, seems to be a good spec... 2011 plate. What’s the general view on the Cupra R... good car, bad car ? ... Worth changing from my earlier model ? ...... While the idea of newer face lifted spec and interior, few extra toys like built in Satnav etc is appealing..... I’d be losing something that is unique for a “standard” car.

It all depends what you want
you have a 5.5 - 6 year old car , so i can see the temptation of a newer car.

The Cupra R is suppossed to handle better , and the power smoother thanks to the uprated intercooler , but as said you could modify these yourself.

But resale value or the R will be high even when the new MK3 version comes out so at the end of the day its a personal choice.

If it was me i would be looking at other brands not just SEAT.

 

[Marshall]

I changed from my 07 FR Revo stage 2 and bought a mk2 R
In some ways I loved it but it never ever replaced the FR.
In standard form my mapped FR was much much quicker than the R.
Handling I found it very skittish on 19"s but once lowered it handled well.
The R had much more toys than my previous FR.
In the 18 months ownership I lost £6000 come trade in time and it was 1 year old when I bought it!
If I was to do it again I'd stick with my FR and save all that cash. I always wanted an R but ownership wasn't all I'd hoped it would be.

 

[Mikey-D]

I'd keep what you have and buy some toys. Go stage 2 or 2+ and as someone said above, refresh your love whilst saving money at the same time!

 

[LeonCR]

I wouldn't go from a cupra to a cupra R

would be a different story if you had an FR IMO

 

[9designs]

Thanks for the feedback and views..... I guess it's age the old question how long do you keep a car for, and the "temptation" of newer and less miles crosses your mind.... (mines in for service and MOT today at the main dealer).

When I saw the listed price on the R, just under 16K, and I know less than a year ago same dealer had R's for around 20-22K as we bought a used Civic 2.2D from them as our everyday car..... Well it's start you thinking is there a deal in the offering

Perhaps wait to see what a Mk3 looks like ?.....

Other brands, always wanted a Focus RS.... still around 20K for a good one ? now not so sure........ S3 perhaps...hot 1 Series Saloon, hell it's a second car, a Boxster even !!..... Wouldn't touch a Renault...
There isn't many cars that these days really inspire me... well in my sub 20K price point....

When I collect mine tonight perhaps I'll have little look around the R

 

[Marshall]

Is it a car we know?
What colour is it?

 

[cupra_ahhh]

Modding your Cupra will be a hell of a lot cheaper than a new one, and it'll be like a new car once you go further up the stages too.

The Cupra and Cupra R both map to the same, so there's no advantage other than the out of the box power.

 

[Adman77]

Can we see the interior?

 

[9designs]

Mine is grey, the R is Red.... Like I say mine is preface lift on an 07, with re trimmed seats and door cards in Merc/AMG dark red leather, looks unique and very good..... no pictures with me, on the PC at home.

Not after more power than my Stage 1 /300bhp... it can't put it down on road the anyway... I'd put new exhaust on, just have bit nicer note and perhaps top end breathing.... better 60-80 performance ?

So is the chassis and handling better on the newer R ? (mines on 19's with 35 series)

 

[9designs]

Update, they sold the car at the weekend, though I was still able to take a look at it. Big disapointment, inside has so little changed from mine, basically put a new head unit in my dash and I'm there. The quilted seats are not as nice as mine ...... Well that's about 7grand saved LOL.
I'll wait for the Mk3 Cupra, hopefully they will be a bit more adventurous with that one.

 

[Nath.]

Update, they sold the car at the weekend, though I was still able to take a look at it. Big disapointment, inside has so little changed from mine, basically put a new head unit in my dash and I'm there. The quilted seats are not as nice as mine ...... Well that's about 7grand saved LOL.
I'll wait for the Mk3 Cupra, hopefully they will be a bit more adventurous with that one.

*Dell Boy voice*

You know it makes sense....

 

[AndrewJB]

I wouldn't go from a cupra to a cupra R

would be a different story if you had an FR IMO

Spot on in my opinion

 

[Marshall]

You both say that but have either of you had a petrol FR?
Very little difference really.

 

[kazand]

You both say that but have either of you had a petrol FR?
Very little difference really.

I disagree. We went from a petrol FR (211) to an R , and there is a difference, not just in the performance. Brakes,gear change,handling,ride all different. Only minor in some cases but still noticeable. Better lighting and interior too.
Is it worth the extra cash? Not sure really, its all a bit subjective as it depends how you use the car. Both cars are/were standard btw , maybe I'd feel different if the FR had been modded.

 

[LeonCR]

You both say that but have either of you had a petrol FR?
Very little difference really.

Massive difference in performance drive and spec IMO

 

[Marshall]

A mapped FR is what I'm comparing a standard R too.
The FR has a much better seating position and yes the R has much more spec but the argument is if you had an 07 cupra pre facelift with a trade in value of £6k would you pay £10K to go to an R and the answer is definitely not.
That's pretty much what I did with mine and it never lived up to the FR.
In my opinion the pre facelift car is better built than the facelift with much less rattles.
We are all entitled to our own opinion and that's mine and that's from doing 40k in an FR and nearly 20k in my R and modded both.

 

[LeonCR]

Even a mapped fr has nothing on a mapped cupra, I did say that I wouldn't change if I had a cupra already, to be honest I wouldn't have got the r if it wasn't for the deal I got on it

 

[kazand]

A mapped FR is what I'm comparing a standard R too.
The FR has a much better seating position and yes the R has much more spec but the argument is if you had an 07 cupra pre facelift with a trade in value of £6k would you pay £10K to go to an R and the answer is definitely not.
That's pretty much what I did with mine and it never lived up to the FR.
In my opinion the pre facelift car is better built than the facelift with much less rattles.
We are all entitled to our own opinion and that's mine and that's from doing 40k in an FR and nearly 20k in my R and modded both.

Both the FR and R we've had have been facelifts, previous Ref Sport was a pre f/l and I'd tend to agree felt better built, the ride however was atrocious, rock hard. It improved on the FR (on 18"s ) however on the R (19"s) I find it tramlines more. The turning circle on the R is poor too because of the wheels. I also (and it may just be me) find the R's gearchange not as precise as the FR. As you have said, a modded FR would be (I imagine) as good as, if not better , than an R, I personally would prefer high power in a more discreet looking car, but then ours was a joint purchase and a woman was involved..... Each to his own