Leon Cupra or VW Golf V6 4Motion

[janners]

Good evening.

I currently have a problem. Have seen two cars I like and can't decide which one to go for.

I would be interested in any un-bias opinions regarding the pros and cons for both.

Car 1 - Seat Leon Cupra 52 plate (2002) 62,000 miles

Car 2 - VW Golf V6 4Motion 52 plate (2002) 85,000 miles

Both cars have FSH and are taxed and tested. Leon asking price is a bit higher than Golf.

Please feel free to give me some honest feedback which will hopefully help me come to a decision before I lose both.

Regards,

Janners.

 

[AntneeUK]

The VW has a DSG gearbox doesn't it? I'd probably go for the VW personally, were it not for the fact that I just love Leons. All other things being even, I'd go for the Golf

 

[Viking]

DSG gearbox wasn't an option in 2002 mate.

What sort of price are you looking at here?

 

[volvic]

i'd go for the cupra. purely as it is turbo charged and you can tinker with the engine. also that 2.8? will drink petrol like it was water.

 

[AntneeUK]

Ah. I'd probably still side with the Golf though

 

[Juba]

I'd go for the Golf. Just because of awd

 

[janners]

About £4000

 

[TrisLC]

Lots of £££ needed to get any decent extra power out of the 2.8, will drink fuel like its got a hole in the tank

 

[AntneeUK]

What MPG will you realistically get from the 4Motion?

 

[janners]

Why do you need more power?

 

[janners]

My guess from what I have read is about 18-20mpg around town?????

I suspect the Cupra to do about 23-25mpg around town?????

 

[AntneeUK]

Hmm. I've got a standard LCR210 that they quote at a combined 32mpg but I never see anywhere near that, so whatever the quote, drop the number a bit to see what you'll actually get

 

[janners]

Do you reckon less for both then as far as around town goes?

 

[AntneeUK]

As a rule I never believe any quoted MPG figures on cars or bikes. Like with most facts and figures, they make them out to be better than they are

 

[JamesL]

Have a look around a few of the threads in here regards cupra mpg - there are plenty of people on here with one which will give you an idea of what to expect.

Personally I'd go for the Seat, but then I'm getting sick of both the VW image and the clique-y scene behind it. I'd go and test drive both and get an idea of not only which is better in theory but also which is in better condition, which seems to be better maintained etc.

Whats your disposable income/likely yearly mileage looking like? The 2.8 will be more thirsty than the cupra, can you afford to run it?

so we're looking at

power
Golf: 204 bhp & 270 NM / 199 lb/ft
Cupra: 180 bhp & 235 NM / 173 lb/ft
0-60
G: 6.9
C: 7.5
insurance group
G: 17
C: 16
parkers quoted mpg
G: 25
C: 33
Road tax band
G: 264 g/km current - £215 future - £245 (this should technically be in the highest band of (currently) £405 but is in band K thanks to the fact it was registered pre-March 06)
C: 204 g/km current - £215 future - £245

Cupra is about a hundred kilos lighter than the golf too. Not sure about a handling comparison personally, but given the not massive performance difference, and the fact that a cupra is likely to be more moddable in terms of power, I'd go cupra.

Oh, out of interest which VW forum have you asked the same question on?! Dont expect an un biased answer from most of them lol!!

 

[Sparkie]

Do you reckon less for both then as far as around town goes?

I test drove 3 VW 4motions and found on open b roads max of 19 mpg
my LC 52 plate does 23 24 as an average,

I liked both but theres no boot space in the VW ( 4 wheel drive means its only 400mm deep) and had just had a baby, so no go for me.
Also all the golfs look alike even the 4motion to be honest. LC not half as common on the road.
But build quality just that bit better in the golf.
Looked at the V5 but sided with the Leon Happy days!

 

[janners]

Thank you for the info.

I don't think petrol usage is a big issue for me as I only do about 4 to 5K miles a year.

The main appeal for the Golf is the 4wd and sad to say the interior (I know that is not a good reason for buying a car).

I am not likely to do any modifications but thanks for pointing that out.

I have just posted the same thread on Club GTI (about 20 minutes ago) but have not yet received any replies.

 

[AntneeUK]

I still think 4Motion, especially if you're not doing many miles. And don't be ashamed to say you'd buy a car with a better interior. If it's what you look for then it's an important decision.

Which are you leaning towards already?

 

[janners]

Thank Sparkie.

Your mpg figures matched what I thought.

Boot space not a major issue but I will look into that.

 

[janners]

I still think 4Motion, especially if you're not doing many miles. And don't be ashamed to say you'd buy a car with a better interior. If it's what you look for then it's an important decision.

Which are you leaning towards already?

The Golf very slightly due to the my reasons already mentioned.