Opinions: Vectra 1.9CDTi (150) v Leon FR 150

[Angel Boy]

Pretty much as the title says really. Had to get rid of my Ibiza Sport as it just isn't big enought for the three of us travelling up and downt he country etc. So was looking at the Leon FR with leather etc. However have been offered a year old 150bhp Vectra for a similar amount of cash but it includes leather, sat nav etc but doesn't have climate control.

Has anyone any experience of these cars, tuning the engine etc as for what I am being offered it is a lot of car for the cash?

Many thanks,
Andy
ps not given up on Seat's yet as I will be getting the misses 1.4 mk2 Ibiza

 

[dangel]

FR is a far more rewarding drive, plenty of space. Vectra depreciates like a rock, has horribly stupid indicator and looks shite
But you must of been thinking that already?

 

[flashbsd]

sat nav but no climate? thats funny

 

[allaction]

Depends if you want a sporty looking car or not. I agree that a Vecta is a lot of car for the cash as is Mondeo STtdci. But has already been menioned they are still going to lose a fortune. They're also are very 'popular' (not common you understand!). Seats still have that element of the unusual about them, plus in my opinion look a lot more performance orientated.

 

[Bunglebonce]

The lump is the alfa / fiat engine and is very good. My friend test drove a 147 with the same engine and then my fr back to back and although the alfa handles, steers and brakes better, the opinion was that whilst the performance appears very similar on paper, the SEAT is very much quicker (conservative performance data from SEAT )


Tuning wise, they cannot be rempaped but can be lifted to similar levels as remaped engines via the likes of "Tunit" boxes etc.


Style wise, I think there is no contest - its a vauxhall ffs

Depeciation will also be worse than even the SEAT.

If I were after a large saloon I would look no further than a 156 multijet you could even try the 2.4 multijet

Style, performance, economy, and if you're worried about reliability, the money you would save could buy you an all singing / dancing parts and labour warranty (that said, they're no where near as bad as people make out - my mates had zero mechanical problems with hers, just the odd italian electrical quirk that you live with for having a stunning looking car )

I'd think hard on this one - when was the last time you passed a vectra and thought, mmm I could see me in one of those?

 

[rhumber]

sat nav but no climate? thats funny

Must have air-con though I would expect at least ?

Different type of car I would say, I would have the Leon, but then I hate Fectra's!

If you're wanting extra boot space, what about a Toledo ?

 

[pbirkett]

What about the new Passat TDI PD170?

 

[basstard]

C'mon are we really comparing a common rail jtd to a PD tdi?

I must admit the vauxhalls [or opel as they're sold here] have made great steps forward in the last 1-2 years [they don't have to spend time on building shite engines anymore - fiat will do it for them]. The new vectra and astra are quite cool and have that 150hp 1.9 diesel which is quite sexy,,,
anyway, putting the common rail jtd in the same league of the PD is just dumb IMHO.
Look at the torque figures and the possible chipping gains [the new fiat lumps can be chipped AFAIK] and you know who's got the leading edge technology,,,

[then what's the story of the climate control???]

 

[Angel Boy]

The SRI model I am looking at has air con but no climate.

Test drove it this week (we have SEAT local dealer) so I need to arrang ethat next week. The Vectra had loads of grunt from about 3000rpm but didn't seem to do anything before hand. Was quite surprised cause my Ibiza TDI Sport seemed to pick up around 2000rpm.

The jury is out still. Understand what you are all saying about the Leon and if it was just me and the misses and the little one was a few years older it would be no contest, but as we need a huge case for him and then he has his huge pram the Leon is running short on boot space. (We travel up and down the country a fair bit visiting family etc).

This is doinf my head in so I am going ot bang it against a wall to see if it helps!!!!

Thanks,
Andy

 

[SCORPION]

Andy,

I have a Leon TDI PD 150 Cupra and its fantastic, loads of torque and 6 speed box makes for excellent mpg when travelling long distances. Always average over 50mpg.

 

[dajackos]

Leon over the vectra anyday

 

[ChrisUK]

Get a MK1 Leon FR TDI

 

[struass]

Leon over the Vectra any day of the week. One of my mates has just swapped the Vectra for a Leon Mk1 fr 150 and is loving it!!

 

[Tom B]

Jeez, not another pointless old thread brought back to life!

 

[muddyboots]

Old Thread Alert !

 

[devonutopia]

I can't believe this was asked on a Seat forum?! Just about the most biased site you could have chosen!

 

[Angel Boy]

LOL. I had completely forgotten about this and yes not the most sensible place to ask this kind of question

Andy

ps the Vectra won, but mainly on the size of the boot. Still hanker after a mk1 Leon though

 

[dajackos]

didn't realise the thread was that old. Was havin a skive at work n got lost in reading the forums.
Still think the Leon rules!!!