Opinions on a Seat Toledo V5 2001/2002

[ajgoodfellow]

Hi

Something like:

I will be buying a car at the end of the month when I finish uni for the Easter break

From savings, a small loan, the payout for my old car and selling a few items (my iMac, for example!) I'll have about £5k to spend, give or take a few hundred pounds

I was going to get a Vauxhall Astra Mk4 1.8 SRi - you can get a good 2003 model for this price. This was simply because I rather like this car in the price range, insurance is pretty good and it's cheaper than the slower 1.8 Focus (although that's a great car too)

Recently though I've been looking a little further afield and I rather like the Toledo V5. It's loaded with kit, it's got a nice interior and it's got a nice engine

Speed wise it's fast enough, about 8.5-ish seconds to sixty, give or take about half a second between the 150bhp 10V and 170bhp 20V versions

I've been reading about it and it's not a sports car but its said to be better to drive than the Golf/Bora its based on (good news IMO). It's said to be reliable, reasonably cheap to maintain and not too bad on fuel - they've said to expect 30mpg odd which is fine for me

I've also read that's it a chain driven engine so no cambelt to worry about and that it should be solid for well past 100k miles - would you agree with this?

Generally it gets a rather positive write up. I must say that I haven't yet driven one but it is at the top of my list. Has anyone owned one or does anyone have any opinions on the car? Are there any specific pitfalls to look out for?

What about this as a possible car?

What about the differences between the 150/170bhp cars? Is it worth holding out for the 170bhp version or just going for a good 150bhp model?

Many thanks!

 

[Scuzi]

The Toledo's are excellent cars. I bought a 20VT Sport over the 20V V5, purely because with a few quid spent on it, well over 200bhp is possible. The turbo is also easier on the petrol, but you'll pay more to buy one.

I test drove both and found the V5 (20v) to be very smooth. The power delivery is excellent for a cruiser, you'll be doing 3 figures without realising it. The sound of that V5 is also quite addictive The handling on the Toledos isn't exactly 'sportscar', it's more tended toward fast paced cruising. It's quite predictable which is nice when you're pushing it. Understeer is a bit of a problem on greasy roads if you're pushing but a really good set of tyres on the front will sort that out.

As far as equipment levels go you can't do any better than the V5. Most come with absolutely every extra including cruise, electric seats and sat nav. As far as I know the Toledo came out above the Bora/A4 in terms of reliability. Mine is built very well, no rattles or squeaks and has never hiccuped once since I got it last April. I drive mine hard most of the time too.

Where value for money is concerned, again the Toledo V5 has to be top of the charts. When you consider the engine, equipment levels, build quality and reliability, you'd be very hard pressed to do any better. They offer excellent bang for buck. The main downside to the V5 is that it has very little tuning potential compared to the 20VT. With a remap, exhaust, filter etc. you will find it difficult to touch 190bhp whereas with the 20VT, the above will get you over 210BHP.

If it were me buying one, I'd definetly get the 20V over the 10V. It has a bit more power and torque up the top end which is useful when overtaking and the like. Residuals will be better on the 20V as well.

Excellent choice!

 

[ajgoodfellow]

Hi!

Thanks for your reply - it's definitely looking like a great car! I did consider the 20VT but the insurance is a little expensive

I'll definitely go for the 170bhp model over the 150bhp

 

[unclelonghair]

When I was looking at replacing my old Golf I toyed with the idea of a V5, but was put off by the salesman at the garage. He reckoned the 1.8T was a better bet - much more economical, and as others have said, much more tuneable.

 

[Scuzi]

When I was looking at replacing my old Golf I toyed with the idea of a V5, but was put off by the salesman at the garage. He reckoned the 1.8T was a better bet - much more economical, and as others have said, much more tuneable.

The 1.8T is faster, 'sportier' and more tuneable but it'll cost a couple of grand more and isn't as well equipped. If you want performance and tuneability, the 1.8T is the one to go for. It's about a second quicker to 60 and is a much more responsive and aggressive drive. If you want to cruise in comfort, the V5 is the one to go for. All the equipment and a smooth powerful engine, designed for cruising.