SEAT Leon Hatchback (2000 - 2005) 1.8 20V T Cupra 5d (2001/X) 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?
Leon Cupra (not the heavily bespoilered Cupra R) is very understated for a 180 bhp sports model: only the alloys distinguish it. Much better value than VWs and Audis: you won't get anywhere near the same specification and performance for this price.
What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?
Would you buy this car again and why?
Maybe. Good value: performance strong, specification good, car looked great. Build quality not perfect (but not terrible, either) and dealer was poor. Certainly worth consideration.
What are you likely to buy next?
Subaru Impreza turbo costs more and has a meaner interior specification but the build quality should be much, much better (and has 4WD).
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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?
£10,000
When did you buy the car?
March 2004
Did you get a good deal and why?
From a large franchise chain: reasonable price and trade-in.
Is there any special reason why you bought this car?
High performance and good specification at a low price.
What was the dealer like?
Poor. Local Seat dealer did servicing only (no sales) and was uninterested in fixing problems. Next nearest dealer is over an hour away.
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Driving it
What's it like to drive?
Lots of power, great for overtaking. Even in (low geared) 6th gear, engine is spinning at 3,000 rpm at 80 mph and wants to go much faster so watch those speed cameras. Cornering good but stiff suspension can cause car to bouce badly.
What's it like to park?
Reasonable. Cupra model has slightly heavy steering. The spoiler at the front is quite low, though.
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Living with it
Have you had any problems with the car?
Air mass flow meter: replaced under extended warranty. (Common fault with in this VW/Audi/Seat/Skoda engine type). Key transponder and/or receiver failed.
What's most practical about your car?
Roomy five-door body: reasonably sized interior and large boot.
Favourite gadget, option or accessory?
Electrically adjustable leather seats were a novelty but hard to get the right seating position. Also, door mirrors folded in at the touch of a button. Good spec all round compared to VW/Audi of similar price.
