VZ2 or VZ3; stick or twist?

[Bahnstormer_vRS]

It's two years already since I acquired AK , my '23' plate Ateca VZ2, and I'm looking at the options to change.

I've been really happy with AK as the VZ2 spec gives me Leather upholstery which my previous VZ1 didn't, plus it's got the Panoramic Roof, and is a great car to drive but my funding / personal preference is to keep in as new a model as possible, without buying new. Moreover, the Ateca suits my needs really well so I'm not looking at any other models.

I'm looking around for something that is less than a year old, preferably only six months, with as low mileage as possible; AK came to me at 6 months & 1,500 miles - perfect. I'm happy to wait for the right car and there don't seem to be any VZ2s around at the moment, but I have come across a couple of VZ3s at sensible prices available now.

The VZ3 majorly give the Brembo brake upgrade (as I'm sure we all know) which has + & - points; better performance vs. greater cost of replacement pads/discs. There's an additional factor in that I wouldn't be able to use my current 18" 'winter wheels' although have got a spare set of 19" that I could put winter tyres on - and yes, I know that living in East Anglia I don't truly need winter tyres but I've been running them for 15 years or so and like the confidence they give.

Bottom line; should I 'Stick' with a VZ2 or 'Twist ' and upgrade to a VZ3?

Guy

 

[Seastormer]

It's two years already since I acquired AK , my '23' plate Ateca VZ2, and I'm looking at the options to change.

I've been really happy with AK as the VZ2 spec gives me Leather upholstery which my previous VZ1 didn't, plus it's got the Panoramic Roof, and is a great car to drive but my funding / personal preference is to keep in as new a model as possible, without buying new. Moreover, the Ateca suits my needs really well so I'm not looking at any other models.

I'm looking around for something that is less than a year old, preferably only six months, with as low mileage as possible; AK came to me at 6 months & 1,500 miles - perfect. I'm happy to wait for the right car and there don't seem to be any VZ2s around at the moment, but I have come across a couple of VZ3s at sensible prices available now.

The VZ3 majorly give the Brembo brake upgrade (as I'm sure we all know) which has + & - points; better performance vs. greater cost of replacement pads/discs. There's an additional factor in that I wouldn't be able to use my current 18" 'winter wheels' although have got a spare set of 19" that I could put winter tyres on - and yes, I know that living in East Anglia I don't truly need winter tyres but I've been running them for 15 years or so and like the confidence they give.

Bottom line; should I 'Stick' with a VZ2 or 'Twist ' and upgrade to a VZ3?

Guy

You pay your money and take your chances or stick for now, as something may come up soon.

 

[Bahnstormer_vRS]

One thing at the back of my mind is that the Ateca, and it's sister model Skoda Karoq, won't be around forever. At some point Skoda will cease production.

 

[Tell]

Cupra have the Terramar if production ceases on the Skoda production line. Going to leave a hole in the regular Seat's. End up with a Swiss cheese line. I wonder what they will do with Seat dealerships if I haven't missed anything. Skodas electrification of the range may dictate what happens to the Karog. Yet to sit in an Elrog it's supposed EV twin.

 

[Bahnstormer_vRS]

Appreciate your comments @Tell and, shall we say, I'm with you in your thought process.

I checked out the Terramar shortly after it's release and found it disappointing. It's bigger on the outside compared to an Ateca, but smaller on the inside especially in the rear (which is important to me as I often carry adult passengers). Best performance is only 204PS, compared to the Ateca's 300PS and I have an arguably illogical loathing of column mounted gear selection levers!

Skoda Elroq? I've checked that out too. I came to Cupra 4 years ago when I needed to replace a 10 year old Skoda Yeti, I'd had an Octavia vRS before that, and couldn't get a suitable Karoq. I'd happily go back to Skoda if they have the right car.

Looking at the Elroq, on paper it would fit the bill for me, appropriate size, suitable equipment and performance, especially the recently released vRS version BUT it suffers from having the battery pack in the floor. This raised the floor level by 4 - 6 inches turning and SUV seating position into a 'normal' hatchback/estate seating position.

Importantly, again, rear seating is poor. I can comfortably sit in the rear of my Ateca behind the drivers seat set for me (6'2" - 110kg). In the Elroq it felt that my knees we up around my ears due to the high floor level; okay they weren't of course but they were definitely high and I was in an uncomfortable position.

All the above, leads me to a desire to stay with an Ateca and get a newer model before production ceases and the conundrum of should I 'Stick' with a VZ2 or 'Twist ' and upgrade to a VZ3?

Guy

 

[Tell]

I'm not replacing my standard Ateca either. Still batteries will get thinner with time so you dont loose that legroom height which is important to me. Seat / Cupra are putting us in an unfortunate position if we have brand loyalty. Still I have no pressing need to change right now so I'm seeing which way the land lays. The dealer network may change if Seat dont keep up a reasonable offer. Cupra dealership is 80+ mile round trip rather than a mile away with Seat. The specialisation of Cupra to named dealers hasn't really helped. EVs there will be even less maintenance work for them. My dealer also does rugged farming vehicles . Probably end up with a 4 cab. I can see them giving up Seat in the longer term. They are prevented from selling Cupras except secondhand.