I've been pushed down the company car lease-to-buy scheme and the only cars that seem interesting on the list, are as above.

I'm test driving a Cupra and an 'R' tomorrow. Any suggestions??

Would you believe? No Subarus, Hondas or Mitsubishis!

Focus RS is also a tad expensive - but I wouldn't buy one ;)

I was quite impressed with the Octavia vRS - quick'ish and loads of space if that is an advantage. But to be honest I would get the PD150 and then get the 'Smartbox' (in Autocar this week) takes Torque to nearly 300 lbft !! And you can just take it off when selling the car - only abt £500.

yeah gotta say with company car tax etc and emissions the PD 150 is a stormer of a car.

when Jon wakes up ;) he'll probably try and convince you to get an RS but dont listen to him :rolleyes:

If you're interested, they're doing a Fabia RS with the PD130 this year, which looks like it'll be a hoot to drive, especially with a tuning box :)

I personally own an Octavia vRS, so I'm naturally biased and will tell you to buy one of those. However, you might also want to consider the Octavia 4x4 which has the same engine as the vRS, only detuned. It's very easy to remap it up to about 225 BHP.

When I test drove the Leon Cupra, I liked it, but it felt a lot cheaper and flimsier than the Octavia - a problem shared by the Cupra R which I had the privelidge to sit in a couple of weeks ago. Not much of an improvement, apart from the optional Recaros.

As for the Golf - you're getting less car for your money. It's nice, but just doesn't have as much as the Seat or the Skoda.

Get the Cupra R, I take its a Leon, take it to APR, get it chipped for awesome power.

More info at www.seatcupra.net

I would say Cupra R as well, chipped its an absolute menace, mines been RR'd at 282hp & 289lb/ft. If tax is a problem then its got to be the Golf but remember the Tavia and Leon are a far better ride dynamically.

"mines been RR'd at 282hp & 289lb/ft"

Is that the time the gearbox broke, or was that earlier Max?

Cheers

Hi Mike, long time no here... hows things? My gearbox was faulty out of the factory and wasn't related to the above figures.

"My gearbox was faulty out of the factory"

Same as the one on my Cupra then I guess.

I'm doing fine Max thanks; and you? Are you at Cardiff this afternoon? I hope you got a ticket and you enjoy the day and you win!

Take care

Mike

PS I'll try and spot you in the crowd if you're there!

SEAT have had the Ibiza with that combo out for over a year (same chassis as Fabia, newer shape, slightly less downmarket badge if that matters to you). I had one chipped to produce 184bhp & 307lb/ft (Revotechnik).

That chip is programmed through the diagnostic post, switchable back to standard, undetectable and much more sophisticated than a tuning box.

Fen

Thanks for the replies as I need to get this one right!

I drove the Leon Cupra and 'R' back-to-back and found them both responsive, the 'R' having better brakes and dare I say - fantastic steering. The standard Cupra did feel more flexible lower down the rev range.

I then went next door and drove a Bora 130 PD (didn't have a 150 sport) - I was impressed with build quality and the engine and could imagine it would be more impressive in a tuned guise (is the pressure box removable for servicing?).

As for Skoda I'm there tomorrow and will follow the advice on testing 2 or 3 models as above.

Cheers

Nik

Personally, I hate the new shape Ibiza. I drove the 130 HP diesel model, and while it did have plenty of pick up, I didn't like the inside much, and the exterior looks awful. The Fabia vRS is a different matter. Can't wait to see it "in the flesh".

As for "downmarket badge", I'd argue that Skoda has a better brand name than Seat now, considering the panning Seat has had for reliability/build quality issues recently.

Nothing is undetectable to VAG COM. You're much better off finding a service manager who's sympathetic to tuners.

I'm interested to hear how you got on...

[Edited by Witchfinder - 5/19/2003 9:57:51 AM]

I'm not going to to say what you should buy. You need to consider what you use the car for, how many miles you do and if you are going to end up having to sell it at the end.

Do you need a big boot? If you do its got to be the Octavia.
Are you worried about company car tax? If so I'd rule out the Seat.
Do you have to pay running costs? If you do I'd get the Skoda
Do you pay the fuel? If you do, get the Golf.
Are you getting it chipped? If so get the Cupra R
Residual? Bit of an unknown on the R, residuals are excellent on the RS, don't know about the Golf.

Me, I went for the Skoda. It has a huge boot, is cheap to run, reasonably economical, fun to drive, adequately brisk in most circumstances, oh and I love the looks from people when you overtake them in a Skoda! :D

Seat are bringing out the Seat Ibiza Cupra with the 150bhp PD engine. i imagine that would be very :cool:

deleted cos I cant read ;)

[Edited by Cupramax - 5/19/2003 4:23:29 PM]

Aren't they also doing a 1.8 20v T version as well? That would be pretty nippy :)

Yup - two versions of the Cupra - petrol and diesel. What the UK gets.... who knows :rolleyes:

i think that they are getting both version ! :D