SEAT Leon Cupra R - Why so hard to sell?

Adam

Adam

Adam

Soldato
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18 Oct 2002
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I'm looking at the Leon Cupra R, amongst other cars, as a car for the summer until hopefully the housing market picks up and I can invest in property. One of my requirements will therefore be saleability.

I have found myself discounting the LCR now purely for the fact that they seem extremely difficult to sell. Browsing ebay, pistonheads, autotrader, LCR forums etc, you see cars that have been for sale for months. Some of this is down to over ambitious pricing, but even the reasonable ones seem to take a long time to sell. Even parkers mentions this car as being very decent but don't expect to sell it quickly.

Why is this?
 
To be honest, I wasn't aware there was a facelift...

While the residuals may not be quite at VW standards, SEAT have a good reputation and are well built to my knowledge.
 
Only is one "face" version, although there was a very small tech spec change from 210 to 225 brake. Bumpers etc stayed the same and the wing mirrors went from square to teardrop.
All cars are hard to sell at the moment, especially turbo charged motors on group 16/17.
 
Loans now more expensive and harder to get.

LCR is not seen as a sensible car in a climate where everyone wants to drive an Aygo.

Hence, limited demand.
 
But looking at Civic Type-R's and Mini Cooper-S's that doesn't seem to apply quite as much. Maybe it's because there are more of those cars around? The LCR seems to be quite rare.
 
Fuel prices, tax hikes all put people off buying. It really is a buyers market out there if you have the readies.
 
Adam said:
But looking at Civic Type-R's and Mini Cooper-S's that doesn't seem to apply quite as much. Maybe it's because there are more of those cars around? The LCR seems to be quite rare.
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Both the Type-R and the Cooper-S is a 'safer' place for your money, they tend to hold their value better and are a bit softer/more appealing to the average joe.
 
I'm currently toying with idea of changing the mx5 and have been keeping an eye on seat leon cupra's.
For me while I know the R is the better car I still can't justify the cost of one over a standard cupra. Plus I prefer the looks of the cupra, the alloys are far too big on the R and it just means more expensive tyres for no good reason.

Only thing that lets them all down is the interior, really is very dull.
 
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People are still there you just need to advertise a bit more to find them, what with the fuel and tax prices people are scared off, I think the media are to blame for this just as much as the government, if it wasnt for the big bold headlines saying we are in meltdown etc etc then people probably wouldnt be reacting how they are.

Im personally in the market shortly for a new motor and the LCR isnt crossed off yet!
 
[TW]Fox;12025228 said:
There wasn't, really, but there was a power increase from 210 to 225bhp.
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Its more than that, but even that is wrong.

It was a power increase from 210BHP to 225PS (about 221BHP), it got teardrop shaped mirrors rather than the normal ones off a MK4 golf, a chunkier steering wheel with red detailing, electric folding and heated mirrors, and the R badges changed from black to red :p

Facelifts were late 2003 onwards, however there was a point where both cars were in production, so check for the red centerline on the steering wheel, and that the engine is a BAM revision.

MonkeyMan said:
Plus I prefer the looks of the cupra, the alloys are far too big on the R and it just means more expensive tyres for no good reason.
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The R is an altogether more aggressive car, in both styling, and ride/handling. The reason for the bigger wheels is not "for no good reason", you simply will not fit 17's over the brakes.
 
lukechad said:
People are still there you just need to advertise a bit more to find them, what with the fuel and tax prices people are scared off, I think the media are to blame for this just as much as the government, if it wasnt for the big bold headlines saying we are in meltdown etc etc then people probably wouldnt be reacting how they are.

Im personally in the market shortly for a new motor and the LCR isnt crossed off yet!
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Good for us though. I'm also in the market and neither the fuel increases nor tax scare me. :p
 
Surely if they're not selling you can use this to get a bargain? Thus minimising future loss? Though I suppose if you'd then need a quick sale yourself, it aint so good.
 
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