SEAT Leon FR (2006 - 2012) 2.0 16V TDI FR 5d (2008/08) Owner Review
Want to know everything there is to know about this car?
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Summary
What does this car say about you?
Its sporty but not in your face shouting "look at me, im here!"
What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?
Like it very much, it has a natural sleak shape, and looks smart from any angle.
Would you buy this car again and why?
Defiantly, especially if it had a more powerful diesel engine with rear or 4WD (perhaps Audi Quatro?)
What are you likely to buy next?
Same/similar again, but something larger may be required due to babies etc.
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Buying experience
Type of dealer you bought from?
Franchise
Did you buy this car new?
No
What price did you pay?
£13,900
When did you buy the car?
October 2008
Did you get a good deal and why?
Sticker price was £16900, got that down to £13900, also halved the interest on the PCP from nearly 16% to just under 8%. With that and the car reduction, i was saving nearly £100 per month in payments
Is there any special reason why you bought this car?
Liked it better than any of the Rivals, much better looking and a better drive
What was the dealer like?
V-good, very reasonable. All aspects of finance well and properly explained. A warning about issued with the DPF if im mainly doing town driving and why i should/shouldn’t go petrol or diesel. Diesel was my pref.
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Driving it
What's it like to drive?
Great, very stable and smooth. 1st to 2nd can be annoying in traffic as you need to take 1st upto 2k revs, then 2nd will come in at 1k revs. Good torque, the pull even in 5th/6th is impressive between 1800 and 2500rpm where peak torque is. High revs are still smooth once engine warm. Standard breaks are good. Need to be careful in 1st and 2nd, the huge lowdown torque causes the traction control to cut in even if your not pushing it. 3rd gear is very responsive and will happily do 70 a safe few 100rpm off the red line. full power 3rd can still cause the traction control to come in, even on dry roads. too much torque for 2WD/front WD perhaps
What's it like to park?
Need to be careful, esp with the 18" alloys. Kerb'd it twice all at low speed. Reversing at night can be hard as the reverse light is poor. You cant see the rear passenger side wheel in the mirror from driving position so it takes some practice not to hit or be a mile from the kerb. Reversing or driving into spaces is easy enough.
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Living with it
Have you had any problems with the car?
No (not yet?) Slight brake squeak when damp, more than other cars, will get it looked at with service. Common issue with the model of condensation in headlamps and also more than normal condensation/moisture in the car. Dealer fix available for condensation in the car. Engine gets wet if you open the bonnet when there is water sitting on it. Need to close the boot quite firmly, more so than average id say. Radio display only backlit when side/head lamps on so i tend always to drive with headlamps on to make the instruments clearer. Reversing can be difficult as the light is poor. All just niggles but nothing more so than any car.
What's most practical about your car?
Spit rear seats, you can put the windows up and down on the keyfob! handy for warm days (not had any since owning it, but it will come...) Bluetooth is v-good a v-clear. MP3 cd as standard, dont waste money on ipod/usb i think. Seats are the comfiest seats ive even sat on in a car
Favourite gadget, option or accessory?
Bluetooth MP3 CD Cruise Control Hidden away window wipers Tyre pressure monitor 18" alloys folding wing mirrors
