MK3 Leon 1.8TSI FR or MK5 Ibiza Cupra (1.8TSI)

[j.owen]

Which would you go for?

I don't know if any of you remember my thread a month or so ago regarding me getting a Cupra - I've decided against it as I'm going to be spending a lot of money and don't want a used 280! I would however opt for a lease 290, yet as we all know "that ship has sailed". If there are decent lease deals floating around early next year I would still go for this (assuming I haven't already chosen from either of the two in the title).

I'm 21 with no kids or any other reason for extra space - Surely the Cupra is better suited? Especially when they're knocking about on AutoTrader for £13-14k with delivery miles, whereas a similarly priced MK3 Leon FR has around 15-20k miles and on a 14/64 plate.

Only downside to the Cupra for me is that I've got an Ibiza at the minute (Black edition) and it'd feel too similar (minus the obvious increase in power).

I feel as though I'm still swaying towards the Cupra after writing this, but instead of deleting it I'm just gunna let you biased Leon owners give your views.


Appreciated

 

[Jonno02]

Drive both. Make a decision.

Pictures and opinions on the internet will only get you so far.

 

[BenH]

I'm still a few weeks away from being a biased Leon owner but I think for raw power, cupra, for quality and practicality Leon, although I went for diesel over petrol as the sheer lack of torque and loss in economy made the petrol seem nothing but naff in comparison, I'd be comparing a Ibiza cupra with a FR 184, but that's just me

 

[Jonno02]

I'm still a few weeks away from being a biased Leon owner but I think for raw power, cupra, for quality and practicality Leon, although I went for diesel over petrol as the sheer lack of torque and loss in economy made the petrol seem nothing but naff in comparison, I'd be comparing a Ibiza cupra with a FR 184, but that's just me

Are you comparing a leon cupra torque to a leon FR diesel torque? As in 350nm to 380? If so, I wouldn't say naff...with what, double the bhp?

 

[BenH]

Are you comparing a leon cupra torque to a leon FR diesel torque? As in 350nm to 380? If so, I wouldn't say naff...with what, double the bhp?

No I was comparing a 1.8 Leon FR torque to a 184 torque so 250-380 haha that's what swayed my decision to go diesel, I couldn't let those 130nm escape

 

[BenH]

I wouldn't bad mouth Leon cupras, not in this neighbourhood, I'd be banished

 

[Jonno02]

No I was comparing a 1.8 Leon FR torque to a 184 torque so 250-380 haha that's what swayed my decision to go diesel, I couldn't let those 130nm escape

Fair point. I miss the smoothness of a petrol, but a diesel is more effortless to drive from the torque. So I tend to go back and forth between them. Swings and roundabouts.

 

[BenH]

If I was going to get a petrol I wouldn't see much reason to get a 1.8 rather than a 1.4. 1.4 has same torque, better economy and enough of a punch. Seems like Seat missed a trick with the 1.8 petrol in my opinion, doesn't seem all that desirable on paper

 

[Jonno02]

If I was going to get a petrol I wouldn't see much reason to get a 1.8 rather than a 1.4. 1.4 has same torque, better economy and enough of a punch. Seems like Seat missed a trick with the 1.8 petrol in my opinion, doesn't seem all that desirable on paper

I've heard great things about the 1.4, but also the 1.8. The 1.4 is more stressed and down the line things are more likely to go wrong. Think 1.0 ecoboost. The 1.8 isn't as stressed. Depends on age/usage I suppose.

 

[abulafia]

Completely different cars. The Leon is more rounded, more sophisticated, better built, more comfortable and refined. The Ibiza is louder and angrier. If you value power above all, get the Ibiza. Mind you the Leon even has better handling.

 

[BenH]

I've heard great things about the 1.4, but also the 1.8. The 1.4 is more stressed and down the line things are more likely to go wrong. Think 1.0 ecoboost. The 1.8 isn't as stressed. Depends on age/usage I suppose.

Just seems like a 1.8 petrol for the sake of it rather than being a desirable engine like the golf GTI for example. If VW have the golf GTD which is basically an FR184, the type R which is the same ball park as the Cupra then why does the 1.8 fall so far behind the GTI? Doesn't add up in my head haha

 

[j.owen]

Drive both. Make a decision.

Pictures and opinions on the internet will only get you so far.

Unfortunately all 3 of the dealers in a 30 mile radius of me have no Ibiza Cupra's in, not tried for a 1.8TSI FR (I suppose that subconciously shows my lack of interest in it). However, I have recently test drove a Corsa VXR Club Sport and a Fiesta ST-3 which were both impressive and at a similar price range, however I'm still waiting for a test drive in a Cupra before making a final decision.

 

[BenH]

Unfortunately all 3 of the dealers in a 30 mile radius of me have no Ibiza Cupra's in, not tried for a 1.8TSI FR (I suppose that subconciously shows my lack of interest in it). However, I have recently test drove a Corsa VXR Club Sport and a Fiesta ST-3 which were both impressive and at a similar price range, however I'm still waiting for a test drive in a Cupra before making a final decision.

With regards to pricing, I was very close to buying a 65 plate with 4K miles for 15,500 including tech and convenience packs, there are good priced ones around, like someone else said it depends if you want power or a car you'd actually want to spend significant time in, VXRs and STs falling into the pure power category, I wouldn't spend any length of time in them

 

[j.owen]

If I was going to get a petrol I wouldn't see much reason to get a 1.8 rather than a 1.4. 1.4 has same torque, better economy and enough of a punch. Seems like Seat missed a trick with the 1.8 petrol in my opinion, doesn't seem all that desirable on paper

Well the 1.4TSI in the Ibiza Cupra's are dodgy to put it blunty and it's well documented on this forum. I know that the post 2013 (I think) models should be okay but it's just put me off completely. Also, the ability to remap/tuning box a 1.8TSI up to 230-250 is tempting. I am assuming that the 1.8TSI in the Ibiza Cupra is very similar if not the same as the FR, I'm sure someone here can correct me on that.

Also, no replacement for displacement (as lame as that sounds in this example).

 

[j.owen]

Completely different cars. The Leon is more rounded, more sophisticated, better built, more comfortable and refined. The Ibiza is louder and angrier. If you value power above all, get the Ibiza. Mind you the Leon even has better handling.

Cupra it is then >

The only downside is that I'm stuggling to find a well spec'd used one as like the Leon Cupra, they've stopped taking orders.

Looking for either black or grey with the sports seats and maybe even sunroof depending on price. Got white/black combo ibiza fr at the minute, don't want the exact same look haha, and red is a disgusting colour (sorry to offend).

 

[j.owen]

With regards to pricing, I was very close to buying a 65 plate with 4K miles for 15,500 including tech and convenience packs, there are good priced ones around, like someone else said it depends if you want power or a car you'd actually want to spend significant time in, VXRs and STs falling into the pure power category, I wouldn't spend any length of time in them

Cupra? If so, good job you didn't because similar are going for 2k less now, with less miles.

I'm actually baffled as to why the prices of them have dropped so dramatically since coming out like a year ago? They were listed at 18.5k now they're going for on average 14k with delivery miles.

 

[BenH]

Cupra? If so, good job you didn't because similar are going for 2k less now, with less miles.



I'm actually baffled as to why the prices of them have dropped so dramatically since coming out like a year ago? They were listed at 18.5k now they're going for on average 14k with delivery miles.

Nah FR 184, there's usually a reason prices drop rapidly and it's not usually good haha think if it's dropped a couple of k now what it'll be like in a few years when you want rid of it

 

[abulafia]

Cupra it is then >

To be perfectly honest, if I were you I'd be buying a Fiesta ST instead. Or wait for the new Ibiza Cupra (2017? 2018?).

 

[trebor]

Just seems like a 1.8 petrol for the sake of it rather than being a desirable engine like the golf GTI for example. If VW have the golf GTD which is basically an FR184, the type R which is the same ball park as the Cupra then why does the 1.8 fall so far behind the GTI? Doesn't add up in my head haha

The 1.8 Leon feels very different to the 1.4 though.
The 1.8 has better suspension and bigger brakes, as well as the engine difference.

Yes, on paper, the 1.4 is only 30 bhp down on the 1.8 but I found I had to work the 1.4 quite hard all of the time, whereas the 1.8 feels to me so much more natural and willing to supply the power when needed.
Also found the 1.4 to struggle on relatively shallow inclines, whereas the 1.8 seems to power through - but that's what i've found with all smaller capacity engines compared to bigger ones over the years.

Many love the 1.4, but for me the 1.8 was a much better overall experience. Will be quite sad to see it go next week .... but looking forward to the 290.

 

[BenH]

The 1.8 Leon feels very different to the 1.4 though.

The 1.8 has better suspension and bigger brakes, as well as the engine difference.



Yes, on paper, the 1.4 is only 30 bhp down on the 1.8 but I found I had to work the 1.4 quite hard all of the time, whereas the 1.8 feels to me so much more natural and willing to supply the power when needed.

Also found the 1.4 to struggle on relatively shallow inclines, whereas the 1.8 seems to power through - but that's what i've found with all smaller capacity engines compared to bigger ones over the years.



Many love the 1.4, but for me the 1.8 was a much better overall experience. Will be quite sad to see it go next week .... but looking forward to the 290.

I skipped that and went for the 184, I do 13k+ miles per year and the performance of the diesel seems better in every area over the petrol, going from a corsa so using a 184 as a stepping stone into the 300bhp+ region in a couple of years time haha