Leon Cupra 225

BinnsY

BinnsY

BinnsY

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So I've decided the time has come to change my MX-5 and one of these has really caught my eye. Specifically this one.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201601210283417

Is there anything particular people can recommend I look out for when viewing? I know the mileage on this one is particularly high but both the mot history and service history look excellent on this one. I've found that they can sometimes let water in through failed door seals and they have a habit of eating coil packs, but both of these are quick and cheap fixed. I also know it likely needs a cambelt / waterpump change (i need to check when it was last done but some are recommending every 60-70k miles so it could just be due a second, even if this adds £400 to the purchase cost that's one I'm ok with.

MPG / Tax / Insurance are all comparable to my MX-5 so I'm not too worried about any of those.

Has anyone owned one and have any particular recommendations or advice about the model in question? I'm also open to suggestions of alternatives to look at, but it needs to be no more than £4500 and of a similar performance caliber to this model.

Thanks,
 
Coming from an MX5 the Leon will probably be quite disappointing.

They aren't great deal faster in a straight line (6.7 vs 8.1 0-60mph), they're fairly dull to drive IMO but they are more refined and a nicer placer to be than an MX5
 
Unfortunately one of the requirements is that I need something more practical. (Doesn't have to have 5 doors but 4/5 seats are a must) and there really isn't anything in my price range that will give the MX-5's handling / fun along with the practicality that I'm after. I've had my MX-5 for the best part of 5 years and I know it's somewhat spoilt me in terms of the fun it gives on the road so I'm just accepting that whatever I buy isn't going to be quite as much fun.

I think 6.7 vs 8.1 is a pretty massive difference though, it's almost 20% faster and factor in that gap will only widen the higher the speedo goes. That's before you consider the huge amount of extra torque the leon has that I imagine will make it "feel" faster in pretty much any gear.
 
I had a Leon Cupra (04) form new for 5 years and loved it (bar the wet rear carpets). The 180 bhp felt ok, remapped to 215 it felt lively. I test drove a couple of Cupra Rs shortly after buying the Cupra and was annoyed at myself. The Cupra R remapped is a great driving car and while pootling along will do decent mpg too.
If it wasnt for buying an Impreza, Id have had another one in an instant.
 
BBR TUNED 320BHP
Click to expand...
eep :eek: At least the boots a decent size so you can fit a couple of spare front tyres in there..

also it doesn't seem prudent to replace the bonnet and cover the top mount intercooler without replacing it with a FMIC.
 
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That Leon looks soo dated now. It's aged terribly. And as for the MPs links there surely going to be dogs with 100k miles on they are high maintenance at the best of times. A good MPS would cost 5k plus as I looked at them myself.
Op I got a ST225 1 owner with 70k on for 5k 4 months ago. That's the sensible option in the hot hatches for that budget IMO.
 
The Leon's were a great car in their day, If you can find one in particularly good condition it could be worth looking at - the problem will be that you will pay a relative premium for one considering the age, but then it's "only" 3 grand
 
Siliconslave said:
also it doesn't seem prudent to replace the bonnet and cover the top mount intercooler without replacing it with a FMIC.
Click to expand...
They haven't its only the Mk2 that has a bonnet scope, the Mk1 has it integrated into the underside of the bonnet like the 6.
 
The Mazda 3 is one I've looked at in the past but as others have said the particular examples close to me don't look as good as this example of a Leon.

I'm going to give the leon a view and see what it's like, but I think I'll make an effort to have a look at the Mazda as well.
 
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