Looking at selling my Golf in the next few months and was thinking of an Ibiza Cupra 20vT.

Just looking for some unbiased thoughts on whether to go for a Cupra and fit a chip, or whether to co with the Cupra R and leave it standard to retain value/exclusiveness... There seems to be about £3k between them, but is the R worth the difference?

The reason that I'm looking at the Ibiza is cos they (appear) to have VAG quality without the VAG servicing costs, and for now I still can't realistically afford to run a Scoob. Being sensible for a few years more!! Also, wanting to stick to the VAG brand if possible.

 

thought about a Leon Cupra R too?

had a quick think about em. Nice looking cars. go some too.
very exclusive. same plus points as the ibiza

getting good reviews. Didn't get round to testing one myself though.

i appreciate you're after unbiased but the guys on the cupra forum are very friendly and you're gonna get some bias (one way or the other) whatever forum you ask on! These should have some experience of the cars

http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/
http://www.seatcupra.net


[Edited by juan - 2/10/2003 8:55:21 PM]

 

Get the standard cupra not the R (its not much faster). Then get a decent chip,exhaust and suspension setup and then go and scare a few standard scoobs!!

 

I had a standard Leon Cupra. Oh dear... Sold it after 9 months. Back in a Scoob (thank God).

 

Am konda un biased on this as im in the process of selling my 8v cupra and getting a toyota supra. Been in a few 20vt's and they are quite fun. To be honest i wouldnt consider the R unless it was a company car ( ie cant mod it ) as you can build a better can for cheaper. As for the build quality, its not bad but in my opinion its no VW and i have had both in my time . Best thing is to co and have a test drive, you'll soon know either way then

 

Thanks Juan, I'm actually the Scottish Region Co-ordinator on www.seatenthusiasts.co.uk which is why I ventured here to get some unbiased advice. The general consensus is to go with the Cupra and chip it.

Thanks all who replied - you gave the answer I was hoping for!

Mike

 

A chipped Ibiza TDi sport identical to mine kept up with lightly a modded Cupra R to 120 mph on Sunday. A standard Cupra was a rolling road block.

Fen

 

See here: http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14418

 

For £1300 you can get the leon Cupra R pushing 270 bhp. It's just an S3 in Seat clothing. If you import they are very reasonably priced, you can save about 4k off list (£14500 ish i think maybe less)

 

Just got rid of Carolyn's STi Type UK and got a Leon Cupra.

It's a damn good car! Got £1000 off from a main dealer, and at £13,995 it's a snip

 

Churchwa if you can find any importer that gives even £1k off UK list on a Leon Cupra R then please post their details up here.
When I was enquiring the savings were very small, typically £500 (on a £17k motor) so no one was bothering importing - in fact there was nothing in it if if you swung a discount from a UK dealer.

In contrast the regular Leon Cupra is well worth importing, with a solid 2 grand saving, even more if you load it with electric leather seats, etc. It even looks "proper mean" these days.