Thinking of new motor...

Skilid · 8 Mar 2013 at 21:36

Hi guys,

It's not been long since I bought the Type R but I don't really get on with it, and I miss turbo power, so I'm thinking of getting a Leon Cupra R 225.

What are peoples opinions on these? I've found a nice example. 60k, tax & mot, recently serviced, timing belt done, gearbox rebuilt with receipt, standard car, decent tyres.

Only thing is the guy wants £5k which to me seems a little steep. It's an '04.

What do you lot think?

Vita · 8 Mar 2013 at 21:39

Off topic but what don't you like about the Type R you currently have? Apart from missing the power delivery of a turbo?

Skilid · 8 Mar 2013 at 21:41

Vita said:
Off topic but what don't you like about the Type R you currently have? Apart from missing the power delivery of a turbo?

Well, I've always been curious about the Type R. I always wanted one when I was younger. But I guess it just hasn't lived up to the hype for me. On a warm, dry B road it's wicked fun... But day to day it can be frustrating.. The clutch is quite snappy, throttle a bit too sensitive, steering is vague and the overall refinement is annoying (although I knew that when I bought it). I guess I just wanted to live with it to see if it grew on me, but it hasn't. 210 miles to a tank is frustrating around town too.

rodenal · 8 Mar 2013 at 21:42

I like them, will be a bit "numb" compared to the R but good cars nonetheless. Only you can decide on price really, I would have thought 4k was far fairer though

paradigm · 8 Mar 2013 at 21:50

Cupra R's held their value well. Sounds about right to me if it's a mint example.

Skilid · 8 Mar 2013 at 21:52

I'd probably be willing to pay £5k if it is in great, and I mean great condition. Regardless of what the car is actually 'worth'. Would prefer £4k - 4.5k though.

Vita · 8 Mar 2013 at 21:58

EliotG said:
Well, I've always been curious about the Type R. I always wanted one when I was younger. But I guess it just hasn't lived up to the hype for me. On a warm, dry B road it's wicked fun... But day to day it can be frustrating.. The clutch is quite snappy, throttle a bit too sensitive, steering is vague and the overall refinement is annoying (although I knew that when I bought it). I guess I just wanted to live with it to see if it grew on me, but it hasn't. 210 miles to a tank is frustrating around town too.

I see. 210 miles to a Tank? EP3 fuel tank is 50L IIRC. You must cane it everywhere or put some expensive V-Power/99 Tesco fuel in if I'm correct.

Would the Leon give you more miles, have you tried to change your driving style? Hondas, especially Type-R's are not refined in the sense of comfort. They're basically 'race cars' for the road. If you want refinement buy a proper refined car. A Turbo Leon may be better built, but I wouldn't call it properly refined.

Is your opinion of refinement, 'not in your face, don't need to take it to the max rpm to get the power?'

If you do want power kicking in earlier and to save on running costs (if you do many miles a year), buy a diesel and feel the torquess.

Steering is vague? I've found the steering to be precise and offer good feedback in an EP3. They are great cars if you're wanting a good pound for pound car, that offers great handling and power. They're not so so bad around the city. Yes running costs are above average but I'm sure the fun factor makes up for it.

Other than the Leon, have you looked at any other possible cars that tick your boxes? Maybe you're wanting to scratch the same itch that you had for the Type-R with the Leon?

lordrobs · 8 Mar 2013 at 21:58

EliotG said:
Well, I've always been curious about the Type R. I always wanted one when I was younger. But I guess it just hasn't lived up to the hype for me. On a warm, dry B road it's wicked fun... But day to day it can be frustrating.. The clutch is quite snappy, throttle a bit too sensitive, steering is vague and the overall refinement is annoying (although I knew that when I bought it). I guess I just wanted to live with it to see if it grew on me, but it hasn't. 210 miles to a tank is frustrating around town too.

Does a LCR have typical VAG handling? If so make sure you have a decent test drive.

Skilid · 8 Mar 2013 at 22:04

Vita said:
I see. 210 miles to a Tank? EP3 fuel tank is 50L IIRC. You must cane it everywhere or put some expensive V-Power/99 Tesco fuel in if I'm correct.

Would the Leon give you more miles, have you tried to change your driving style? Hondas, especially Type-R's are not refined in the sense of comfort. They're basically 'race cars' for the road. If you want refinement buy a proper refined car. A Turbo Leon may be better built, but I wouldn't call it properly refined.

Is your opinion of refinement, 'not in your face, don't need to take it to the max rpm to get the power?'

If you do want power kicking in earlier and to save on running costs (if you do many miles a year), buy a diesel and feel the torquess.

Steering is vague? I've found the steering to be precise and offer good feedback in an EP3. They are great cars if you're wanting a good pound for pound car, that offers great handling and power. They're not so so bad around the city. Yes running costs are above average but I'm sure the fun factor makes up for it.

Other than the Leon, have you looked at any other possible cars that tick your boxes? Maybe you're wanting to scratch the same itch that you had for the Type-R with the Leon?

I'm only putting ~40 litres in at a time I think. From warning light to click is about £54 @ 135.9p

The steering in mine is quite vague unless you're really on it. It doesn't self centre properly (common fault with electric steering on EP3) and the drive train is noisy. It just isn't for me.

I've been looking for ages. I just didn't want to spend much, otherwise I would have had a 2008- Focus ST-3.

Don't do enough miles to warrant a diesel and I hate the sound of them. No thanks.

lordrobs said:
Does a LCR have typical VAG handling? If so make sure you have a decent test drive.

Never driven a VAG car before, care to elaborate?

Gribs · 8 Mar 2013 at 23:52

EliotG said:
Never driven a VAG car before, care to elaborate?

There's very little feel in the steering and generally over servo'd brakes. The Cupra R adds too this with very unforgiving suspension. The cabin feels very dated, not really surprising as it's based on a 90's a3 though with worse materials.

Skilid · 9 Mar 2013 at 00:38

Gribs said:
There's very little feel in the steering and generally over servo'd brakes. The Cupra R adds too this with very unforgiving suspension. The cabin feels very dated, not really surprising as it's based on a 90's a3 though with worse materials.

Can't be less forgiving than an EP3 surely... EP3's are just plastic too so wouldn't exactly be left wanting.

ChrisD. · 9 Mar 2013 at 00:44

Leon interior is very dated, more so than an EP3. Also the 1.8 VAG Turbo is a boring engine.

ahenners · 9 Mar 2013 at 10:16

Would the Leon really get much more mileage wise per tank anyway?

ChrisD. · 9 Mar 2013 at 10:17

Skilid · 9 Mar 2013 at 10:46

Not much more, no. But at least I'd have some torque to show for it.

thepharcyde · 9 Mar 2013 at 10:50

I had an VTEC itch many years ago when I was driving an ST170. I test drove a Premium edition like yours one from a dealers having been a passenger in a Accord Type R that has a nice CAM changeover. I was merely underwhelmed with the Civic and choose a Mini CS instead. I think you have summed it up nicely, as a A-B blat they are well suited, but every day would be a chore.

Stormster · 9 Mar 2013 at 10:57

I had a Golf 1.8 20vt remapped etc before the Type R, it was a LOT better on go go juice.

I'm in the same predicament, enjoyed my type R but time for a change back to turbo power, Focus ST for me

Skilid · 9 Mar 2013 at 11:21

Stormster said:
I had a Golf 1.8 20vt remapped etc before the Type R, it was a LOT better on go go juice.

I'm in the same predicament, enjoyed my type R but time for a change back to turbo power, Focus ST for me

Cool! Yeah I would like a Focus ST but the problem is, is I would want a Facelift which are £10-11k. I'm trying to save for a good deposit for a house so if I bought that it would put me a long way behind. Hence the LCR.

Matt82 · 9 Mar 2013 at 11:23

i wouldnt want either tbh the ep3s ive been in felt insubstantial and cheap. leon cupra felt too vag to warrant that much money

rjk · 9 Mar 2013 at 11:28

EliotG said:
The clutch is quite snappy

not sure what that means, is it towards the end of its life? my clutch is superb, better in fact than most recent performance cars i have driven.

EliotG said:
throttle a bit too sensitive

thats a bad thing? :confused:

EliotG said:
steering is vague

£150 on a FRSU sorts that out.
add a JDM rear ARB to plant it more. transforms the handling.

EliotG said:
and the overall refinement is annoying

its a honda, so there is no argument from me there.