A new car for me

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VA10

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Spider-man2099
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VA10
So next year i am planning on selling my Ford Focus and getting a Hot Hatch. I have started looking about and have narrowed it down to about 3 cars.. All of which i am going to be test driving soon.

Seat Leon Cupra
Ford Focus ST
VW Golf GTI MK5

Today i drove the Seat Leon Cupra K1. Its a 2.0 liter 240BPH. My First impressions are WOW. The power it lays down is like nothing i have driven before. On the test drive i got it up too 120Mph and there was no indication of it losing any of its umph. The sound is good also not so loud you can't speak to the person next too you but loud enough that it will put a smile on your face. The brakes are super sensitive just the slightest touch and you will be peeling your face off the window. It took me a while to get used to them the Seat chap said that everyone is the same with them. Its got a 6 speed manual gear box that can be changed with one finger its super light. Also the K1 body kit is damm sexy. My only problems are. The Handbrake is really close to the passenger seat. The ride was really firm. I know these type of cars have stiff suspension but this was a bit OTT. Only 1 12v supply and its in a rite awkward position on the center console. There also seems to be too many buttons. For instance to change direction of the hot/cold air theirs 3 different buttons. One would have been enough with 3 settings. The biggest problem was the Chap that was in the car with me.. 30 minute drive and i think he said two words to me. So to sum it up. Car was fantastic. Customer service / satisfaction very poor.

cupraK-1.jpg

seat-leon-cupra-k1-03.jpg


Next week i should be getting my hands on the Ford Focus ST-3 :D I can't wait.

Well i just got back from the Ford Dealership. The Focus ST was amazing as i expected it would be. Plodding around town was a doddle the ride comfort was exceptional for the type of car it is. It made the Seat Leon Cupra feel like a track car. The seats are really nice as well Supportive and Comfortable. The power felt more or less the same as the Cupra but the noise it made again was 10x better then the Seat. The deep bellow roar coming from behind me was exciting and i wont forget that in a long time. The ford however didn't have as many toys that i could find. Only ESP , Heat front and back windows , Adjustable steering strength and Air Con were the things that stood out. The ST also felt bigger and more roomy. I am 6ft4 so i need al the room i can get. I Did have a problem getting used to the Hydrolic Clutch but after 10 minutes or so i was back on form. The gear box felt more clunky then the Seat it wasn't as easy to move about. Not that it was a hard but it wasn't as smooth is all. Now the the customer service. Considering the chap spoke to me and checked my license already puts them light years ahead. He was actually trying to sell me the car rather then making sure i didn't steal one.

Out of these two what would i buy.

The Ford Focus ST all day long.

ford-focus-st.jpg

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The Leon is certainly the looker of the three for me, I've never liked the current shape Focus and the Golf is a bit boring for me too.

Look forward to hearing your thoughts on the other cars.
 
VA10
On the test drive i got it up too 120Mph...The biggest problem was the Chap that was in the car with me.. 30 minute drive and i think he said two words to me. So to sum it up. Car was fantastic. Customer service / satisfaction very poor.
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I would have loved that guy.
 
I love the MkII Focus as much as any Euro but my god that Leon is just serious business. I think its becoming my favorite hot hatch. The C30 just got dethroned. :D Get one in gun metal or black if you get one!

peeweegary
Holy crap...only if this was sold here....i so want one
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+1. No questions asked!
 
Got the Test drive in the ST Sunday :D.. I will edit my first post after with a little detail on how it went.
 
I'd say go for the Seat, purely because it's better looking and more exclusive, you see a fair few Focus STs on the roads these days and IMO they look a bit dated next to the Seat!
 
I personally dont want to make conversation with the sales person too much as I would want to concentrate on the car but each to their own.

Reasons why you should get the cupra:

1. Less common
2. Less of a asbo reputation.
3. Remaps to 310hp
4. Drinks less fuel than the ST.
5. 360hp available with upgraded fuel pump, new exhaust system and a forge DV.
6. Better brakes than the ST

TBH once you gave driven the Cupra and ST I wouldnt even bother with a standard GTI unless you want a less hectic hothatch and a nicer interior.

As someone else has said you should give the megane sport r thingy a try. They are really good also!

Im looking to be getting a Leon Cupra K1 come march. How much was the ST and the K1? If you go with the SEAT, get the best price of your dealer and then get in contact with these guys. They seemingly always beat everyone elses deals.

SEATcarsdirect.co.uk

P.S you can adjust the steering strength on VAG cars via VAGCOM iirc.
 
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Go with the one YOU think is best. By the way, don't things like computer remaps void the manufacturer's warranty?
 
Jim Prower
Go with the one YOU think is best. By the way, don't things like computer remaps void the manufacturer's warranty?
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In the UK on VAG cars it does depending on your dealership. Some dealerships will try and sell you a remap, most wont. In germany and other european countries the manufacturers have no problem with it. Dont know why VAG UK are lagging behind on that respect.

But then again if you start getting engine issues you can just take the remap off before taking it into the dealership.
 
VA10
Out of these two what would i buy.

The Ford Focus ST all day long.
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Saw that coming ;)

I'm guessing you'll find the Golf the most refined of the 3, although probably not the best in terms of handling. Brand wise, it's the most classy for sure, if not the prettiest.
 
never noticed that bit that he wants the ST!

I think its pretty much a given then? How come you havent considered the VXR, been around quite a few of them recently (I did originally write them off as rubbish due to what clarkson said) and after the Cupra it would be the VXR for me all day long, the production spec versions of the VXR dont suffer from torque steer as badly as the pre production one clarkson drove!

Either way out of all the hothatches we can choose from in the UK, non would disappoint!
 
forza2.0
2. Less of a asbo reputation.
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Only just. A remarkable percetage of hot SEATs I've come across are driven by complete pillocks. It's a pity, because I generally like the cars themselves, especially the Leon.
 
forza2.0
never noticed that bit that he wants the ST!

I think its pretty much a given then? How come you havent considered the VXR, been around quite a few of them recently (I did originally write them off as rubbish due to what clarkson said) and after the Cupra it would be the VXR for me all day long, the production spec versions of the VXR dont suffer from torque steer as badly as the pre production one clarkson drove!

Either way out of all the hothatches we can choose from in the UK, non would disappoint!
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I haven't even given the VXR a thought because of what Clarkson said about torque steer. If its not that bad i might have a look at one of them.

The main reason i chose the ST of the Cupra is because of Ride Comfort.. its ok blasting past people doing 100+ but when you slow down to city traffic. ( I Live in London ) the Cupra's Mix of Hard Suspension and Run Flats make it unbearable. The focus is or rather feels alot softer and less Spine Shattering. If you was going to do alot of Track stuff the Cupra i think would be amazing. But for day to day stuff. Gotta go ST
 
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homeforsummer
Only just. A remarkable percetage of hot SEATs I've come across are driven by complete pillocks. It's a pity, because I generally like the cars themselves, especially the Leon.
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Yeah people seem to have caught onto just what exactly SEAT is and the cupra range is starting "to go to the dogs" a bit like scoobies did/are.

Its sorta sad but inevitable really!

Apparently its so bad in spain that if say a brit drives to spain in a cupra people say that chances are they will not return with the car, and therefore discourage fast SEAT drivers from taking their cars to spain.

I haven't even given the VXR a thought because of what Clarkson said about torque steer. If its not that bad i might have a look at one of them.

The main reason i chose the ST of the Cupra is because of Ride Comfort.. its ok blasting past people doing 100+ but when you slow down to city traffic. ( I Live in London ) the Cupra's Mix of Hard Suspension and Run Flats make it unbearable. The focus is or rather feels alot softer and less Spine Shattering. If you was going to do alot of Track stuff the Cupra i think would be amazing. But for day to day stuff. Gotta go ST
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Yeah the suspension on SEAT's throughout the range is hard barring the non sporting versions. The FR is even worse than the cupra believe it or not. Didnt know that the cupra was now coming with run flats, but yeah on london roads it can leave alot to be desired sometimes, especially by female passengers wont appreciate it.

I hope you test drive the VXR and do a little review, not many people have driven all 3 hothatches, usually just 2 so it will be good to see how you think they each compare to each other.
 
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forza2.0
Yeah people seem to have caught onto just what exactly SEAT is and the cupra range is starting "to go to the dogs" a bit like scoobies did/are.

Its sorta sad but inevitable really!
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It is really. I suppose it happens to a number of performance cars. If I were going to buy any SEAT, Audi, Subaru or whatever (all cars developing image problems thanks to the drivers), I think I'd try and go for something low-key. I'd get the Cupra in something like black as opposed to bright boy-racer yellow (much as the yellow looks great), if I was to get a Focus ST it'd be blue (not ASBO orange) etc.
 
I noticed the Cupra you drove was the FR...anyone know if the normal Cupra is a bit softer, or not?

As for the ST...well, ever since I was a kid, I've thought Fords looked best in Blue...probably because of a big blue Ford pickup that left a big impression, and partially because the oval is blue. The primary exception was the GT, which I think looks best in Red.
 
Jim Prower
I noticed the Cupra you drove was the FR...anyone know if the normal Cupra is a bit softer, or not?

As for the ST...well, ever since I was a kid, I've thought Fords looked best in Blue...probably because of a big blue Ford pickup that left a big impression, and partially because the oval is blue. The primary exception was the GT, which I think looks best in Red.
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The cupra he drove is the K1. Its exactly the same as a normal cupra except that when it arrives in the UK, at the ports they then swap the bumpers for the one in the pic in the original post, and they cut off the exhaust and fit the more restrictive center exhaust. The K1 was meant to be more powerful than the cupra with about 285ps thanks to a mild remap, but because SEAT UK/ VAG UK havent officially approved remaps the K1 had to come with standard power.
 
Jim Prower
I've thought Fords looked best in Blue...
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I'd tend to agree with you. I own a blue Ford, and my favourite Ford full stop, the Racing Puma, is only available in blue.

The primary exception was the GT, which I think looks best in Red.
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Looks best in Gulf livery... blue (and orange...)
 
forza2.0
this test of pretty much every hothatch on sale is interesting albeit not overly informative!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUS3xmhz04c&feature=related
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I see what you mean about not too informative, though I do know there was a proper test in the magazine to back this vid up so I expect that's much better - Autocar for me is one of the best car magazines out there as far as in-depth testing goes. I'd be inclined to believe their verdict anyway, but I have to say I'm surprised about the Audi S3, I didn't realise it was that good.

Re the thread though, maybe the Renault Megane is worth a try if the OP is still searching for hot hatches, even if the styling isn't to his taste.
 
A New car has been added to the list ... while its not a hot hatch its cheep and good looking .. Mazda RX8
 
Ah, yes, Rotaries. From what I've seen, you've gotta be a special kind of person to drive a Rotary. Keep a quart of oil in your car, keep her topped up and well-maintained, and you'll have a really nice sports car. oh, and if you don't mind the low-end-torque, or lack thereof...that can be a turn-off.
 

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