Why buy an FR instead of the Ref Sport??

[Ruddmeister]

OK well I have a dilemma;-

Looking at nearly new cars the cost is fairly similar and I like the look of the RefSport with Aerokit and I could afford a remap. A remapped 140 shouldn;t be much slower than the FR Tdi170 so are there any other reasons I should go for the FR?

Anything I've missed ?

Reference Sport with Aerokit

or a TDI FR 170

 

[DanGB]

insurance, warrenty.

does ref sport have things like dual climate etc?

FR 'badging'

 

[P0LKR]

The FR has ESP (a very important safety feature) , climate control, much nicer upholstery, chunky steering wheel, steering wheel radio controls, cruise control, ugraded speakers, white dials etc. Also the FR will probably hold its value better.

 

[Ruddmeister]

Good point

Electric rear windows, dual climate are two options I would loose although so long as I have aircon I'm happy.

I am very old so insurance isn;t an issue.

Also the FR badge means nothing to me, Cupra was a brand I recognise and Cupra R but (maybe it's just me) I can;t see the Fr badge has much kudos

 

[Ruddmeister]

What is the difference in suspension, anyone know??

 

[Fishy]

I picked the Ref Sport just down to the looks. They had the Ref Sport and a normal model side by side and just no competition in my eyes.

But everyone is different and like different things. Go with your heart, if you have one (unlike me )

Fish

 

[Ruddmeister]

I picked the Ref Sport just down to the looks. They had the Ref Sport and a normal model side by side and just no competition in my eyes.

But everyone is different and like different things. Go with your heart, if you have one (unlike me )

Fish

I saw a ref sport with aerokit at my local dealer yesterday (in Luna grey) and I love it, the rear bumper is not 100% to my liking but I love the look of the rest of the car.

It's the only car that reminds me of my old LCR in terms of aggressive looks.

It's really wierd because there should be loads of cars I like but the only other car on the short list that I like is Volvo V50 Sport which isn;t exactly aggressive looking. Infact aggressive and Volvo can;t be used in the same sentance

 

[Craig Senior]

My boss has a V50 Sport SE 2.0TDI. Very nice car, looks nice on the 18s, decent ride.

Engine seems more relaxed than my Cupra but it would be a car I would definately consider when the time comes to change mine.

 

[Ruddmeister]

My boss has a V50 Sport SE 2.0TDI. Very nice car, looks nice on the 18s, decent ride.

Engine seems more relaxed than my Cupra but it would be a car I would definately consider when the time comes to change mine.

Agreed on needing the 18's

 

[BeezerDiesel]

I agree with the V50 (and S40 for that matter), they look good with 18s in a haunched feline sort of way.

As for the FR vs Aero dilemma, I would go for the FR plus a set of side skirts from the Aero. The Aero's looks may or may not become annoying after a while by attracting the barry boys plus I'd get fed up cleaning all the little bits hollowed out if the bumpers after a very short time. They certainly look better in the flesh than in photos though.
Having seen an FR with the Aero skirts, it's the way to go......

 

[Ol' Timer]

Based on those two photos the FR wins by a mile for me. (Very good photo of the FR and terrible angle for the Ref Sport.) Once you imagine that huge bottom grille on the Aero kit as a gaping mouth it's hard to ignore it and it looks very odd to me. I think the FR is more subtle and classy looking and as Beezer Diesel says I think the looks of the Ref Sport could become rather annoying in time.

At resale time I am sure the FR would be a better proposition as it will be in all the price guides, whereas a remapped Ref Sport with the Aero kit and other tweaks will be a bit of an unknown quantity and might even be worth less than a standard one. Just my opinion.

 

[Ruddmeister]

Fair point made on the resale issue, hadn't considered that.

Seat couldn't have given the car a longer name could they

Seat Leon 2.0tdi Reference Sport with Aero Kit

 

[Ol' Timer]

I'm not sure the special offer of the Aero kit on the Ref Sport is quite the bargain SEAT would have us believe.

The special offer price is £16995 including the body kit, twin exhaust and 18 inch wheels.

The standard Reference Sport is £15395 list price, so the extra items are included for an additional £1600.

On a quick total up of the cost of the extra bits, it looks as if they cost about £1300 excluding fitting. Add in fitting and painting costs and it looks as if the special offer is only worth about £100 or so.

 

[Tam]

I'm not sure the special offer of the Aero kit on the Ref Sport is quite the bargain SEAT would have us believe.

The special offer price is £16995 including the body kit, twin exhaust and 18 inch wheels.

The standard Reference Sport is £15395 list price, so the extra items are included for an additional £1600.

On a quick total up of the cost of the extra bits, it looks as if they cost about £1300 excluding fitting. Add in fitting and painting costs and it looks as if the special offer is only worth about £100 or so.

Cost of the aerokit by itself fitted, is £2500 according to others on here who fitted it before the offer - so there is a bit of a saving

 

[Ol' Timer]

Cost of the aerokit by itself fitted, is £2500 according to others on here who fitted it before the offer - so there is a bit of a saving

I guess I must have underestimated the fitting charges.

From the accessories section of the SEAT site:

18" wheels as an option £350.
Front spoiler £250 + 100 TU fitting time.
Rear skirt £250 + 100 TU
Side skirts £200 + 60 TU
Twin exhaust £250 + 50 TU

It's those TUs which do the damage.

 

[Xe]

FR looks better imo. Aero looks bloated, but it could just be the photo angle, post some different angled shots, and you may get a different response.

What does the Leon look like with just the side skirts? does it not look weird without the front and back bumper? Any pics?

 

[MUFFIN]

FR for sure.. All the reference sports I've seen have poorly matched paintwork on the kit. The kit is prob painted on plastic giving a different shade to metal. FR FR FR FR FR

 

[RobM]

My 2 cents...

I love the look of the Aero kit, it's what I think the Cupra should have looked like as standard as it's just aggressive enough without being OTT.

But, the more I think about it, I'd go for the FR. Looks aside I think you're getting a better car. The interior extras you get aren't essential, but may just turn a good drive into a really good drive and may make the car that much nicer to live with and enjoy driving.

Then there is the difference in power. The 170 is obviously going to perform better than the 140, but just imagine how well it will perform when chipped?

I just think the FR is the better all round car and the one that, once you're used to the looks, will keep you happier for longer. The only thing I think it needs is the side skirts from the Aero kit and 18's just to make it look spot on!

 

[Ruddmeister]

Thanks for the input all.

The Aerokit I think looks great but it's resale that worries me in say 3 years time.....plus the kit may 'age' well or may not over those 3 years.

I think that TBH I am moving towards the FR TDI or Volvo V50 sport.

 

[MUFFIN]

You are very old if you choose the Volvo. If you go for the Leon FR, there's a bit of child/kid left in you yet.. Enjoy while you can, save the Volvo for your seventies! LOL