The SEAT Leon celebrates 25 years – let’s take a look back

[Nathan penney]

Yep. I had a Cupra R 210 on the company car scheme back in 2003. List price was epic at 16995. The 225 model went up by a grand if I recall. No one really had a clue about what these cars were at that time.

Think in 2002 my 1.6s with optional paint and a couple of other bits was under 12 grand.
Bargain!
PN52 HGP if I remember correctly.

 

[tracktoy]

My MK3 Cost £20k 1 year old but I can honestly say its the most enjoyable motor I have owned although if I ever get a bit of spare cash I would love a MK1 as well.

Monday was out and about with the old girl using her for what she was designed for (going fast round twisty corners)

 

[BadBoy03]

Those prices!!

My thoughts exactly! I'll take all of them please

 

[Nathan penney]

My thoughts exactly! I'll take all of them please

You could have one of each for the price of a new top spec Cupra Leon now I bet.

 

[Nam-uk]

Are those brand new list prices?!

yep the days when government's didn't tax more than what they cost too build

 

[tracktoy]

I was out on a track day today and got to see the whole family up to the MK3 in one go

 

[realtoker]

my 3 generations over the years

 

[leonlad]

Are those brand new list prices?!

Lol yes !

Shows what a joke the cost of motoring has become, i bought a 2001 leon 1.8 180bhp brand new for £15500 with the leather seat option. And then the 1.9 150bhp tdi which was awfull for 14.5k. Actually the mk3 1.8 dsg i bought for 15.2k in 2014 less than a year old was the best bang for buck of the lot.

Back in 2000 to 2005 a lot on here were buying them from holland and importing them you could pick them up for 12k brand new with more options you could spec in the uk. The pound to euro exchange rate was very generous. High eu taxes =low uk prices when you could pay the vat in the uk and not in holland.

 

[Syphon]

Hi Syphon, Happy New Year to you & hope you had a good Christmas
Can I ask you a question please?
Out of your extensive SEAT collection, which has been the best to date & why?
I ask because I bought a 2012 Seat Ibiza TDI at Xmas & so now I have experienced two very different SEATS.
The Ibiza is modern, (by my MK1 LC standards) responsive, comfortable & more solid but it does not come close to the exhilaration & manual feel I get from my somewhat basic MK1 & certainly no where near it's performance (for obvious model reasons). I would therefore choose my mk1 every time, but I am getting quite used to the reliability & comfort of a modern drive & therefore wonder if you look back on your past cars missing them or just onwards & upwards.
You have obviously owned the best SEAT could offer, so I am very intrigued as to how you've felt about your models & the upgrades/changes they've offered.
Sorry if it's a daft question!
Thank you.

Hi @BadBoy03 of course, not a daft question and Happy New Year to you too.

It's a tough one, I have enjoyed all the cars I have owned. The manuals (MK1 LCR, MK2 Leon CUPRA, Ibiza CUPRA 1.8T) have probably been the most fun, the Ibiza I'm selling has been a hoot due to it's size, power, handling and probably the most enjoyable to chuck around. I have missed the relative luxury and comfort of the more modern cars and the new CUPRA Leon (1 week in) is ace, not manual, but I don't have any regrets. Nothing lasts for ever and the Ibiza and previous cars all served me well.

Hope this helps?

Cheers,

Scott