SideShowBob

Which is ultimately the better car, as a day to day, good fun sporty hot hatch?
I know the Cupra will be built better, but around £10k gets you a 2004 182, or a 2002 Cupra (are the cupra's all R's? as in this one?: http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW...00524196797914 , or is this a model down?)

Is the Cupra worth the extra on insurance (only about £100 more), and is servicing and running costs around the same for both, or is the Clio considerably less to run? The Clio would also be a couple years younger, so im really trying to gauge from anyone who's owned one or both whether its worth giving up a couple years for the SEAT or not.

From my experiences with a 172, I know the Clio is a lot of fun, but havent looked at SEAT's before. With a turbo, I would hope they'd be quick, with lots of torque, as opposed to the more revvy nature of the Clio, but do they perform the same?

Cheers
SSB

stilover

I'd go for the Cupra, the get it Superchipped.

Scrappy2

No that ones an older shape Cupra. Cupra's are 180bhp. Cupra R's where 210bhp, newer ones are 225. Also come with tasty 18" wheels and Brembo brakes.

Cupra's where facelifted end of 2002 with 17" wheels and body kit and look MILES better than the outgoing model. Hunt around and you should be able to get some good deals as the new shape Leon is out soon.

I've got the 'R'... cracking car... as much as the Clio is supposed to be a great drivers car, 1. its French and 2. looks like a girls car... Just my opinion mind...

Andy M3

I would go for the LCR. The 182 is the better car, but I wouldn't like to be lumbered with the hassle of seeing the dealer every week - and loosing all that money and struggling to sell it as there are 5 million other 182's for sale - lol

SideShowBob

Thanks for the above, done some research, and the Cupra R would definitely be the choice of the Leons, as you recomended.
As far as running costs, are these relatively cheap to run? especially with regards MPG, tyres, and servicing, as if I do sell the S2000 for one, would like to have cheaper running costs, even if only a slight saving.
I know the Clios are good value, but not a match quality wise, which is a bit of a worry.

Insurance isnt too bad with the Leon, S2000 I pay around £1100, Leon would be £650, so thats a plus.

In the approx £10k hot hatch stakes, which dont cost a bomb to run, would there be anything else worth looking at? or are these two the best choices?

SideShowBob

Also, anyone know a good SEAT forum?

Andy M3

Wait a moment. I didn't know you had an S2000. Did i miss something !?!?

If you drive the best production car in Britain, you need to come back down to earth slowly. The leon will be far too vague for you, and the handling is no where near good enough and the fact it is FWD will drive you nutts. It is too boring for an S2000 driver.

The 182 is nearer the mark - but niggly problems and poor dealers may put you off. The driving position is not the best either - but point to point it makes reasonable progress.

Personally if i were you the Civic Type R is the choice car. It will feel very similar to drive as the S2000 in the same way as all VAG stuff drives the same.

SideShowBob

Yeah, had the S2000 for a little over a year, but have recently moved house, and would prefer to free up some dosh to do various bits to the place.
The S is very nice, do enjoy it, but for the sake of the house, would prefer to sell it, get a nice hot hatch for 2 - 3 years, and then get something mental again.

Thats pretty much why id prefer to keep running costs and initial outlay low, so I can free up a decent amount to splash out on the house.

matlow

http://seatcupra.net/forums

i went from a 182 to a cupra r (225 now revo'd), they are both hot hatches but they go about things in a completely different way. the clio is more seat of your pants than the cupra r.

bit short on time but quickly here's my comparison:

clio:

for- superb levels of feedback and handling. quick off the mark and doesnt lose traction as easily as the Leon. cheap to run, i averaged around 29 - 32 MPG. standard levels of kit are high

against - seating position was awful for me, different sizes and builds may find it better. build qualty was very suspect, paint is damaged by strong winds. steering wheel has been stolen from a minbus

Leon:

for: build quality, seating position, in gear acceleration, tuneability, four doors decent boot, and for me looks. handling (to a point). mpg of between 25 and 30, although now its chipped i can see as low as 20 at times.

against: vague turn in, traction in the wet (although binning the std rubber is a must)

more i could say and i hope this helps but i'm running late. if you want more info i'll reply in a bit if i can.

SideShowBob

Definitely helps Matlow, thanks.
Ive looked around, and my £11.5k gives me a choice of about 1 Cupra R 225, and a choice of loads of 182's, so budget wise, the Clio is certainly the more relaistic prospect.
I keep reading about Clio's falling apart, going back to dealer, being rejected, and it is a bit off putting, althou I did once have a 172 Cup which I had no problems with.

I could up the budget I suppose, and get a Leon, but at some point, it defeats the purpose of selling the S, so unless a test drive of the Cupra R blows me away against the 182, it may be the Clio is the only realistic choice left, simply because they go very cheap.

Cant think of anything else for around £10.5 - £11.5k, been looking on auto trader, and things like the Celica are available, but somehow dont appeal, thou suppose may be worth a look.
Ive had a DC2, and thou loved it, wouldnt go back to one, as I had it over two years, and kind of had my fill of them.

Cupramax

If your looking at LCR's get a 210, they are just as tunable as the 225 and there are loads for that price. Just sold mine after 2 1/2 years, excellent cars... Revo remap and away you go, 270hp missile Beware of the price of tyres and brakes though.... Front tyres will last 8k ish if you drive around town all the time, brake pads at £120 fitted every 10k, Brembo disks will last 20-30k and a set will cost £400ish fitted at a dealer... not cheap motoring but fun.

SideShowBob

Cheers Cupramax, I generally do pads and disks myself on cars, so could save a bit there, and if tyres are around the £100 mark fitted (?), it wouldnt be too bad, as currently cost £140 per corner, and last about 9k miles.

If you have them to hand, what are the main differences between the 210 and 225? Cosmetically, I love the look of the 225 ive seen pics of, but difficult to tell the differences. Engine, gearbox, suspension all similar? and interior quality? airbags and safetly features?

I would dig deeper if the Cupra was the choice, and get the 225 if safety, interior etc were all better than a 210's, but otherwise, the 210 could be ideal.

Mitchy260

Sideshow bob you'll not get a 225 LCR for £10000. The cheapest will probably start around the 12000 tag and this will probably be a high miler. A good 225 will cost you upwards of £13500

You will get a 210 high miler for around £10000 though but for a decent 1 around £12000

The only differences between 210 and 225 is the power output, updated steering wheel and a red 'cupra' badge on the back as opposed to a black 'cupra' badge for the 210 models. There was an upgrade to teardrop wing mirrors for 03> cars onwards but this was a 210 upgrade. 03 being a 210 and 53 being a 225.

So no differences at all really.

Cupramax

As Mitchy says, virtually no real difference between the two, just noticed your post on Cupranet

Chins

The early 225 had tracker fitted as well didnt they?

I'm an ex Cupra, Cupra R and 182 driver. Never had any problems with any of them, inc the 182. 9.5k will get you a 9 month old 182 with cup pack, hard to beat IMHO. Most of the niggles should of also been sorted out. Its not like you plan to keep it for 20 years

Gutmann pug

I think its a testiment to the Clio thats its held in such high regard in performance circles. Basically for just over £11K you can have a proper quick, track going road car. It holds up very well against other cars in its bracket and infact the bracketr up to £20K including the standard wrx,.

As for build quality it seems like your lucky or your not. My wife and I both had 172's. Mine was perfect and hers had teething issues.
The dealers are pretty poor but in fairness aren't they all?

Would I have another one ....yep, your damned right I would.

Gary