Civic Type R v Seat Leon Cupra - Help Me Choose!!
Discussion
Hello people!
I recently test drove a Civic Type R and thought it was a fantastic steer. Enormous grip and stunning acceleration. I loved it.
Problem is, I drive 20,000 mostly motorway miles a year. Much of this is on the M25 in traffic jams. Based on the test drive I'm not sure that the CTR won't end up being a bit draining after a while. Also when doing a decent crusing speed
the engine is really zinging along at quite a volume.
The Leon Cupra I test drove on the other hand was not as exciting as the CTR to drive, but had huge amounts of effortless, no fuss performance. Probably a better buy for the driving a do.
What I need is some advice from people who drive these cars.....particularly the CTR. How do you find it on a long distance drive...say 200 miles or so?
My head says buy a Leon but my heart would really like the Civic. HELP ME CHOOSE!!!
I recently test drove a Civic Type R and thought it was a fantastic steer. Enormous grip and stunning acceleration. I loved it.
Problem is, I drive 20,000 mostly motorway miles a year. Much of this is on the M25 in traffic jams. Based on the test drive I'm not sure that the CTR won't end up being a bit draining after a while. Also when doing a decent crusing speed
the engine is really zinging along at quite a volume. The Leon Cupra I test drove on the other hand was not as exciting as the CTR to drive, but had huge amounts of effortless, no fuss performance. Probably a better buy for the driving a do.
What I need is some advice from people who drive these cars.....particularly the CTR. How do you find it on a long distance drive...say 200 miles or so?
My head says buy a Leon but my heart would really like the Civic. HELP ME CHOOSE!!!
I've got a CTR. I find it a very relaxing motorway cruise. But then again my other car is a TVR! 
Maf
Edited to add look at the CTR in my profile if you want to see my thoughts on the other cars I test drove before buying, inc Seat Cupra (not R).
>> Edited by Maf on Tuesday 16th December 22:19
Maf
Edited to add look at the CTR in my profile if you want to see my thoughts on the other cars I test drove before buying, inc Seat Cupra (not R).
>> Edited by Maf on Tuesday 16th December 22:19
Well, I've done 25,000km in my Civic so far, looks like being about 30,000 for he full year. Luckily for me most of it has been a-road equivalent (but quieter!) or gravel 
I did also try the Leon and although it is more "refined" I don't think the Civic is that harsh. Certainly not harsh enough to put me off anyway...
It's perfectly fine over long distances, thankfully I don't spend too much time in stop-start traffic but when I do it's just as happy there. It's got a split personality! But if the vast majority of your travelling time is at about 20km/h I'd probably buy a big old comfortable barge and then something else quicker for weekend fun.
I did also try the Leon and although it is more "refined" I don't think the Civic is that harsh. Certainly not harsh enough to put me off anyway... It's perfectly fine over long distances, thankfully I don't spend too much time in stop-start traffic but when I do it's just as happy there. It's got a split personality! But if the vast majority of your travelling time is at about 20km/h I'd probably buy a big old comfortable barge and then something else quicker for weekend fun.
I have an M100 for the weekend and a Superchiped PD150 Golf for work ( I do about 700miles a week). The Golf is running about 190 bhp with 270ftlb of torque and does 45 mpg. It does not handle any where near as good as the Lotus but for motorway driving its the dogs.
The golf will do 0-60 in 6.8 sec according to a test in a mag, but the pull is unreal, try it you WILL like it. AND its insurance group 14.
The golf will do 0-60 in 6.8 sec according to a test in a mag, but the pull is unreal, try it you WILL like it. AND its insurance group 14.
I have a 03 plate CTR which i've used to travel up nd down the country.
Motorway speeds are actually quite comfortable. It'll cruise at 80-90 without the engine noise becoming too loud.
200 mile trips left me able to get out of the car and stand straight without any twinges in the ol' back which is always a sign of a nice drive
Before i bought the Civic i tested the LCR and found it wasn't the car for me. The handling was a little soft compared to the CTR but the power delivery meant you didn't have to push the car.
I like to use the gears alot, so the CTR suits my driving style I suppose + the arse end looks soooooo much better on the civic
what were seat thinking with that tail gate.......?
The designer must have been booked on the last scooter to bland city
>> Edited by nighthawkEP3 on Wednesday 24th December 15:36
Motorway speeds are actually quite comfortable. It'll cruise at 80-90 without the engine noise becoming too loud.
200 mile trips left me able to get out of the car and stand straight without any twinges in the ol' back which is always a sign of a nice drive
Before i bought the Civic i tested the LCR and found it wasn't the car for me. The handling was a little soft compared to the CTR but the power delivery meant you didn't have to push the car.
I like to use the gears alot, so the CTR suits my driving style I suppose + the arse end looks soooooo much better on the civic
what were seat thinking with that tail gate.......?
The designer must have been booked on the last scooter to bland city
>> Edited by nighthawkEP3 on Wednesday 24th December 15:36
One of my cars is a SEAT...
I respectfully suggest that your choice should be influenced by what dealerships are near youas they are going to look after your new car...
The Honda probably won't go wrong and will need only the basic service schedule (which is not cheap!). The SEAT, despite VAG family membership will probably have a few "niggles" and need unscheduled visits to the the dealership. I have experienced an absolutely horrible SEAT dealership and perservered with them for as long as I could bear...they were so bad I wanted to sell the car rather than deal with them. For example...how about "we cleaned the brake dust from the rear brakes", this is on a car that had covered 6K miles from new...they had put £46 on the bill without getting my permission, needless to say I had the charge taken off the bill!
I have since found that this scam is done by the same dealer 
with other brands that they have franchises for!
I have now found another SEAT dealership...no further problems and service costs are lower (I thought these things were supposed to be regulated by the manufacturer)?
You know all the other stuff about the car and depreciation...just though I should remind you to think about who you buy the car from!
Good luck!
PS. I have also bought a new TVR and didn't like the franchise dealer at all and now have found a wonderful "independant" Bought a C5...the car has been dodgy but a wonderful dealer has made the ownership experience superb! My Jaguar XJ8 came from the same dealer chain as my SEAT and they were also dreadful
I respectfully suggest that your choice should be influenced by what dealerships are near youas they are going to look after your new car...
The Honda probably won't go wrong and will need only the basic service schedule (which is not cheap!). The SEAT, despite VAG family membership will probably have a few "niggles" and need unscheduled visits to the the dealership. I have experienced an absolutely horrible SEAT dealership and perservered with them for as long as I could bear...they were so bad I wanted to sell the car rather than deal with them. For example...how about "we cleaned the brake dust from the rear brakes", this is on a car that had covered 6K miles from new...they had put £46 on the bill without getting my permission, needless to say I had the charge taken off the bill!
I have since found that this scam is done by the same dealer with other brands that they have franchises for! I have now found another SEAT dealership...no further problems and service costs are lower (I thought these things were supposed to be regulated by the manufacturer)?
You know all the other stuff about the car and depreciation...just though I should remind you to think about who you buy the car from!
Good luck!
PS. I have also bought a new TVR and didn't like the franchise dealer at all and now have found a wonderful "independant" Bought a C5...the car has been dodgy but a wonderful dealer has made the ownership experience superb! My Jaguar XJ8 came from the same dealer chain as my SEAT and they were also dreadful
Mungo...my point exactly!
Your dashboard niggle was fixed by presumably a decent dealer!
My SEAT had a faulty dash light dimmer control and that was gouged out by the dealer with a screwdriver and replaced with a new unit...still got the gouges in the dash to prove it!
My SEAT also had a fault in the information display panel..yep you guessed right! The dealer gouged out the radio and replaced it and the display panel...still got the gouges in the dash to prove it!
BTW the dash now rattles as the SEAT dealer has disturbed the wiring inside! The new SEAT dealer we have found seems OK and is going to have a go at rectifying some of the damage and poor maintenance we have from the original supplying dealership...
Pays your money..takes your chance!
Your dashboard niggle was fixed by presumably a decent dealer!
My SEAT had a faulty dash light dimmer control and that was gouged out by the dealer with a screwdriver and replaced with a new unit...still got the gouges in the dash to prove it!
My SEAT also had a fault in the information display panel..yep you guessed right! The dealer gouged out the radio and replaced it and the display panel...still got the gouges in the dash to prove it!
BTW the dash now rattles as the SEAT dealer has disturbed the wiring inside! The new SEAT dealer we have found seems OK and is going to have a go at rectifying some of the damage and poor maintenance we have from the original supplying dealership...
Pays your money..takes your chance!
One looks quite cool and has rally history.
One is a van/mpv cross that goes very fast.
If you want the extra speed and don't mind the stigma of been seen it it, go for the CTR.
If you have some taste, then go for the Seat.
Still can't decide?
You meet two sisters at a club. One looks nice, the other is a minger. However, you've heard that the minger is a bit dirty. Which one do you choose.
One is a van/mpv cross that goes very fast.
If you want the extra speed and don't mind the stigma of been seen it it, go for the CTR.
If you have some taste, then go for the Seat.
Still can't decide?
You meet two sisters at a club. One looks nice, the other is a minger. However, you've heard that the minger is a bit dirty. Which one do you choose.
Civic. Every single time.
Your original post implies you may take the SEAT as its a bit softer for the motorway cruises. If thats what you want buy a Mondeo. Its clear your heart wants a sports car and in my experience compromise on cars can only end in disappointment and regret. Get what you really want, not what you think you need. If you love the car you'll forgive it anything. If you secretly wanted the Civic but bought the SEAT for the reasons you mention, you WILL end up resenting it and finding fault with it.
Your original post implies you may take the SEAT as its a bit softer for the motorway cruises. If thats what you want buy a Mondeo. Its clear your heart wants a sports car and in my experience compromise on cars can only end in disappointment and regret. Get what you really want, not what you think you need. If you love the car you'll forgive it anything. If you secretly wanted the Civic but bought the SEAT for the reasons you mention, you WILL end up resenting it and finding fault with it.
I've driven both cars, and they both have good and bad points. In the CTR the engine can get annoying and noisy, and is slightly less comfortable than the leon, The CTR also doesn't come with Aircon, which is nearly essential for long journeys.
The leon doesn't handle quite as well, but i think they both look really nice. The leon has a bigger boot (If you need to carry stuff) and os also 5 door, which is easier to get people in. The performance is easier to achieve in the Leon, cause you don't have to rev the engine as much (But that's the fun of the CTR).
I do think that the gear stick is far better positioned in the CTR though, and it's a couple of thousand cheaper.
But hey, this is only my opinion, i've got a VR6 golf and i love that!
The leon doesn't handle quite as well, but i think they both look really nice. The leon has a bigger boot (If you need to carry stuff) and os also 5 door, which is easier to get people in. The performance is easier to achieve in the Leon, cause you don't have to rev the engine as much (But that's the fun of the CTR).
I do think that the gear stick is far better positioned in the CTR though, and it's a couple of thousand cheaper.
But hey, this is only my opinion, i've got a VR6 golf and i love that!
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