Leon Cupra 280, Focus ST or Golf GTi
Discussion
Apologies if this topic has been discussed on here already but I genuinely can't decide which of the above I should buy as my next car.
Has anyone else been torn between these three and what did you end up with.
I have run a Mercedes estate for the last 4 years whilst the children were tiny and no longer need such a large car.
I'm not buying new and will be looking for a 1-2 year old car from the dealer approved market, sub 10,000 miles and the budget is in the region of £19k. Not interested in lease purchase etc.
My only criteria is 5 doors, hatchback, must be good fun.
These three I have narrowed down from the current list or fast hatchbacks available.
All sensible thoughts welcome.
Cheers
Stuart
Has anyone else been torn between these three and what did you end up with.
I have run a Mercedes estate for the last 4 years whilst the children were tiny and no longer need such a large car.
I'm not buying new and will be looking for a 1-2 year old car from the dealer approved market, sub 10,000 miles and the budget is in the region of £19k. Not interested in lease purchase etc.
My only criteria is 5 doors, hatchback, must be good fun.
These three I have narrowed down from the current list or fast hatchbacks available.
All sensible thoughts welcome.
Cheers
Stuart
I perhaps can't help with the comparison, but I run a Cupra 290 daily and have done 12k miles in it since April.
The comfort settings for the suspension make it a fine daily, compared to my wifes Corsa VXR which has typical "hot-hatch" harshness. If I were to buy a new hot hatch in the near future, I think I'd expect some switchable suspension settings. On the Cupra mode, the steering weights up a bit and a bit of the harshness returns. Whatever electronics it's got going on up front do pretty well to keep traction in all but the wet/cold we've had recently.
Fuel economy I get 33mpg on my current 15mile stop-start A road commute, but when I was driving from Yorkshire to Kent a couple of times a week I was getting over 40mpg. Really impressive.
As Impressive as the engine is, it's also soul-less IMO. It sounds almost like a diesel, not very hot at all - and although it pulls really well, it's not particularly addictive.
Interior build quality is OK, got some doorcard rattles which is a shame but other than that it's a fairly comfortable place to sit... if anything, not very 'hot hatch'.
For my purpose, it's a pretty good car. I have an Elise for fun driving and the Leon is about as close to an "exec-saloon" type car you can get in terms of toys/comfort whilst still having decent performance. A really good compromise, but a hot hatch buyer may want something leaning a little more to the 'hot' side of the compromise.
The comfort settings for the suspension make it a fine daily, compared to my wifes Corsa VXR which has typical "hot-hatch" harshness. If I were to buy a new hot hatch in the near future, I think I'd expect some switchable suspension settings. On the Cupra mode, the steering weights up a bit and a bit of the harshness returns. Whatever electronics it's got going on up front do pretty well to keep traction in all but the wet/cold we've had recently.
Fuel economy I get 33mpg on my current 15mile stop-start A road commute, but when I was driving from Yorkshire to Kent a couple of times a week I was getting over 40mpg. Really impressive.
As Impressive as the engine is, it's also soul-less IMO. It sounds almost like a diesel, not very hot at all - and although it pulls really well, it's not particularly addictive.
Interior build quality is OK, got some doorcard rattles which is a shame but other than that it's a fairly comfortable place to sit... if anything, not very 'hot hatch'.
For my purpose, it's a pretty good car. I have an Elise for fun driving and the Leon is about as close to an "exec-saloon" type car you can get in terms of toys/comfort whilst still having decent performance. A really good compromise, but a hot hatch buyer may want something leaning a little more to the 'hot' side of the compromise.
A work colleague had a 280 and swapped it for a 290 just before Christmas, he had an ST previously and tested the newer one before he got the 280. I don't think the Golf was under consideration...
He is a keen driver and he liked the dynamics of the 280 more, though some of the decision was down to kit and price, LED headlamps being one of the options the 280/290 had/has.
He is a keen driver and he liked the dynamics of the 280 more, though some of the decision was down to kit and price, LED headlamps being one of the options the 280/290 had/has.
As much as i love the Golf GTI, the Leon Cupra is outstanding value for money. You're getting much more equipment and power so really depends if the the whole badge thing really bothers you.
Not really keen on the newer Focus ST so i'm not gonna comment much on that.
A Megane 265/275 would be a decent shout as an alternative though for consideration.
EDIT: Just realised you said needs to be 5 doors so scratch the last option.
Not really keen on the newer Focus ST so i'm not gonna comment much on that.
A Megane 265/275 would be a decent shout as an alternative though for consideration.
EDIT: Just realised you said needs to be 5 doors so scratch the last option.
trickywoo said:
I'm in the Megane camp too.
Which isnt a five door....I test drove the ST and bought the Golf (The Leon isnt available in the US). They were very different in terms of personality;
The ST was more fun, but not as well rounded as a package
The Golf was good at everything, outstanding at none.
I would probably have gone for the ST if it werent for the looks; I just couldnt get on with them.
Golf has been great for two years, but there are definitely occasions where I wonder if I made the right choice.
Ahbefive said:
It's a shame that the 135i is just so ugly.
I have this theory that looks are subjective 
and/or looks might not be a priority for the OP.Personally if looks were important I'd prefer a M135i to a Golf R - it's unmistakenly RWD/longitudinal with that short front overhang, rather than pure shopping trolley.
Surely they're both far less council than a FRS for example !
Fonzey said:
As Impressive as the engine is, it's also soul-less IMO. It sounds almost like a diesel, not very hot at all - and although it pulls really well, it's not particularly addictive.
Interior build quality is OK, got some doorcard rattles which is a shame but other than that it's a fairly comfortable place to sit... if anything, not very 'hot hatch'.
For my purpose, it's a pretty good car. I have an Elise for fun driving and the Leon is about as close to an "exec-saloon" type car you can get in terms of toys/comfort whilst still having decent performance. A really good compromise, but a hot hatch buyer may want something leaning a little more to the 'hot' side of the compromise.
Similarly all I'm wanting is a fun & fast daily hack for my 24 mile commute to work.. It doesn't have to set the world alight which is why I've ignored the Golf R but 5 doors are essential otherwise the Megane would certainly be on the list. CheersInterior build quality is OK, got some doorcard rattles which is a shame but other than that it's a fairly comfortable place to sit... if anything, not very 'hot hatch'.
For my purpose, it's a pretty good car. I have an Elise for fun driving and the Leon is about as close to an "exec-saloon" type car you can get in terms of toys/comfort whilst still having decent performance. A really good compromise, but a hot hatch buyer may want something leaning a little more to the 'hot' side of the compromise.
nickfrog said:
Personally if looks were important I'd prefer a M135i to a Golf R - it's unmistakenly RWD/longitudinal with that short front overhang, rather than pure shopping trolley.
Don't get me wrong, they both look infinitely better than some cheapo fwd megane shopping trolley but you have shown the BMW from its most flattering angle. It's the face of the thing that is so ugly.I've previously owned a 2013 Mk3 Focus ST and currently own a 2015 Mk7 GTI
ST: suffered torque steer and I wasn't much for the interior (other than the excellent Recaro seats) and ford sync. Turning circle was dreadful / embarrassing. Issues I had with the car may have been addressed with the facelift in 2015 but I haven't driven one.
GTI: while it has less power than the ST, it's lighter and I think it feels slightly quicker as it puts its power down more effectively than the ST. The interior is a much nicer place to be too and standard spec is pretty impressive. I do find the throttle response slightly dead initially when compared to the instant delivery of the ST but plan to address this with a pedal box.
As a daily tool for getting to work and back, I find the Golf much better. On a country road jaunt they're much closer but maybe the Golf nudges it with better traction. Fuel economy is better in the Golf too.
I can't comment on the Leon but would say that the only car in the segment I'd change for would be a 140i for the 6-cylinder noise, although I never liked the pre-facelift looks..
ST: suffered torque steer and I wasn't much for the interior (other than the excellent Recaro seats) and ford sync. Turning circle was dreadful / embarrassing. Issues I had with the car may have been addressed with the facelift in 2015 but I haven't driven one.
GTI: while it has less power than the ST, it's lighter and I think it feels slightly quicker as it puts its power down more effectively than the ST. The interior is a much nicer place to be too and standard spec is pretty impressive. I do find the throttle response slightly dead initially when compared to the instant delivery of the ST but plan to address this with a pedal box.
As a daily tool for getting to work and back, I find the Golf much better. On a country road jaunt they're much closer but maybe the Golf nudges it with better traction. Fuel economy is better in the Golf too.
I can't comment on the Leon but would say that the only car in the segment I'd change for would be a 140i for the 6-cylinder noise, although I never liked the pre-facelift looks..
Ahbefive said:
nickfrog said:
Personally if looks were important I'd prefer a M135i to a Golf R - it's unmistakenly RWD/longitudinal with that short front overhang, rather than pure shopping trolley.
Don't get me wrong, they both look infinitely better than some cheapo fwd megane shopping trolley but you have shown the BMW from its most flattering angle. It's the face of the thing that is so ugly.Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff