SEAT Arosa 1997-

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  • Economy

    Value

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Paid less than £6000 new with 14"" Alloys, Electric Windows, Remote Central Locking, CD Player.

    Costs

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Group 2 Insurance, pretty economical, but over £150 for oil and filter change.

  • On the road

    Driving

    2 out of 5 2.0

    Not bad but very underpowered (less than 50 bhp) - brakes grind terribly after little usage.

    Performance

    2 out of 5 2.0

    Bit sluggish, sits at 4000 rpm on motorway at 70 mph.

  • Living with it

    Reliability

    2 out of 5 2.0

    It starts, but build quality is poor for a VW product - had replacement HT leads at just over 3 months old which took Seat dealers at least three times to diagnose - when car rattles like an old tractor you instinctively know there's a problem!

    Image

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Youthful I guess, seems to get appreciative looks from Saxo drivers, but I would recommend sober colours for best resale

    Comfort

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Excellent for driver, I'm 6'4"" and have loads of head/legroom but rear seat legroom not the best.

  • Security and Service

    Security

    3 out of 5 3.0

    No problems, but then I don't think anyone would steal a lime green Arosa.

    Service

    2 out of 5 2.0

    Was quoted one price for service, then charged £50 more with no decent explanation charged £30 to deglaze brakes but wasn't told at time of buying that screeching noise is a characteristic of the model, HT leads fixed but still unexplained loud rattle

  • Problems and Ownership

    Problems

    Engine

    HT leads at only 3,000 miles.

    Other

    Brake design apparently results in loud grinding noise that can't be cured.

    Ownership

    Did you buy the car new?

    New

    Would you buy the same model again?

    No

    Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?

    No