Hi all, Im new to this forum. Ive been lurkning for a few weeks reading old theads etc but I thought Id sign up and ask a few questions:

Im looking to buy a cheap to run little hatch back but I dont do boring little cars so it has to be a bit fun. Im starting a new job and the car will mostly be used for commuting but I have a really nice commute down nice unrestricted country lanes. After a few weeks of looking a various cars Ive been drawn to the Fabia vRS but after doing a little more research Ive seen that a lot of upgrade parts come from the Ibiza Cupra and also the Cupra has more BHP as standard so Im wondering not buy the Cupra TDi instead of the vRS?

How do they compare on:

Ride

Handling

Performance

Economy

Also what road tax band are they in?

Cheers

Dave

Edited 24 April, 201016 yr by Modelmakerman

Hi all, Im new to this forum. Ive been lurkning for a few weeks reading old theads etc but I thought Id sign up and ask a few questions:

Im looking to buy a cheap to run little hatch back but I dont do boring little cars so it has to be a bit fun. Im starting a new job and the car will mostly be used for commuting but I have a really nice commute down nice unrestricted country lanes. After a few weeks of looking a various cars Ive been drawn to the Fabia vRS but after doing a little more research Ive seen that a lot of upgrade parts come from the Ibiza Cupra and also the Cupra has more BHP as standard so Im wondering not buy the Cupra instead of the vRS?

How do they compare on:

Ride

Handling

Performance

Economy

Also what road tax band are they in?

Cheers

Dave

I think it depends on what engine you get in the Cupra as that determines the performance and Economy but from what I have head they are a tad firmer so handle a bit better as standard and a shade lighter then the Vrs. Are you looking at one with the pd160 engine?

How do they compare on:

Ride

Handling

Performance

Economy

Also what road tax band are they in?

Ride - the Cupra is like concrete compared to the vRS

Handling - the Cupra is altogether sharper than the vRS (it also runs 17" rims as standard)

Performance - with an extra 25% power, the PD160 Cupra is MUCH faster and can be tuned MUCH harder - 200bhp is quite easy with a PD160 as the start point

Economy - pretty even really if both are driven about the same. The PD160 isn't that much less fuel efficient than a PD130.

No idea on RFL bands for the Cupra, but the Skoda is pretty good at £120/year.

The Cupra PD160 was roughly £14,000 on the road new against a vRS at about £11500 so the Cupra was, and still will be, much more expensive. It also only came as a 3-door if that's an issue. The Cupra also has proper digital climate control (Climatronic) whereas the vRS has the less clever Climatic with a temperature dial, although it still works fine.

I think the PD160 Cupra looks hideous, but that's just my opinion. I would have loved a PD160 motor in my vRS!

Sorry to thread hijack but just to clarify - are the PD130 and PD160 engine identical except for the map on them? and the air intake? or are there other componts that differ?

I think it depends on what engine you get in the Cupra as that determines the performance and Economy but from what I have head they are a tad firmer so handle a bit better as standard and a shade lighter then the Vrs. Are you looking at one with the pd160 engine?

Yeah Im looking at the Cupra TDi with the PD160.

Ive never been a fan of Seat but at the end of the day its a VW just like Skoda. Tbh Ive never owned a car thats not Japanese, as someone who is very mechanically minded I end up fixing lots of other peoples cars which has lead me to loathe and detest certain makes eg. anything French, Fiat, Vauxhall and Ford! I prefer to spend my time tuning and tweaking than fixing. But since there seems to be a distinct lack of any decent Jap diesel hot hatches Im left with the only other reliable car makers the Germans.

:EDIT: Sorry gone a bit OT there with a random little rant! lol

Edited 25 April, 201016 yr by Modelmakerman

12 months tax cost me £125 earlier in the year and for 100+ miles a day, 5 days a week the ride is perfectly fine in the Cupra. It's just not as soft as the jelly-like vRS

looks are 100% subjective and I disliked the Cupra less than the vRS, which along with the increased sportyness swayed it for me when I was looking for a smallish diesel hatchback

Hello and welcome to the forum.

The Mk4 Ibiza FR TDI has the same engine as the vRS (PD130) and the Cupra has the PD160. It might be worth comparing the FR to a vRS

I'm sure the Cupra is in a higher insurance group, I'm not sure about road tax. The Cupra and FR were only 3 door (but I'm not sure about that), the Fabia has 5. If you do choose the SEAT, have a look on SeatCupra.net for advice.

pretty sure the Cupra is/was group 16

think the PD160 is mechanically the same as the PD150 but with a bigger FMIC

You can't really compare the two... an Ibiza FR TDI and Fabia vRS are identical basically.

I used to own an 03 Ibiza sport TDI (same as FR), it was good and enjoyed it for four years but the Skoda is more solidly built.

The Cupra has bigger brakes, an FMIC, bigger turbo, bigger air intake, bigger wheels etc

My best mates misses has an 08 FR TDI and hates it because its too firm and noisy, went out in mine last night and she really liked it! And the car!

Its better built and uses better materials.

the Seat will usually be more expensive, im presuming its within your budget

You can't really compare the two... an Ibiza FR TDI and Fabia vRS are identical basically.

I used to own an 03 Ibiza sport TDI (same as FR), it was good and enjoyed it for four years but the Skoda is more solidly built.

The Cupra has bigger brakes, an FMIC, bigger turbo, bigger air intake, bigger wheels etc

My best mates misses has an 08 FR TDI and hates it because its too firm and noisy, went out in mine last night and she really liked it! And the car!

Its better built and uses better materials.

Agree with Ad Lav, i have the VRS and missus has an 08 FR TDI and we were talking about which one to sell as I want something different and we both agree the VRS is a far nicer drive. My opinion is the VRS is quicker than the FR despite both being standard. The FR is too firm and with the 17's on is very noisey. Don't know how much better the cupra is though?

Daz

Hmmm seems the only way to tell is to test drive both.

Buy the Cupra TDi

better than fabia vrs

massive front mount intercooler

bigger turbo (more reliable)

better looking

4 pot AP front brakes

17" wheels

All depends on your budget. I pick the vRS out of the 2 130 bhp versions as it looks nicer and doesnt feel cheap like the seat version. the PD160 Cupra is a mean lttle car but it is very noisy and stiff, plus the insurance is a joke!!!

I prefer the skodas interior, ibizas are boring. Also vrs lot less of them around, to me ibizas more boyracer following and will be branded with that lable. As for the car not much in it really, but my fabia costs less than a punto 1.2 to run!

Buy a vRS, then remap at £300-£500 making it 160-170 BHP. This will be much cheaper than a Cupra

Simples.

Edited 24 April, 201016 yr by Jim H

Buy a vRS, then remap at £300-£500 making it 160-170 BHP. This will be much cheaper than a Cupra

Simples.

Or get a cupra and map it to 200 - 220 BHP :p

I researched both before getting the VRS. The main reason for getting a new car was to save money. VRS was cheaper to buy, insure and run. Can't remember the tax differences (auto trader do a comparison of a number of cars with stats) but tyres are alot cheaper on the VRS

if your choice isn't so much about budget then take them for a spin and see what feels good for you. I used to drive a type r so this is quite a bit underpowered in comparison but with the turbo it's a nice drive with a good mpg return

I pay 68 for 6 months tax if that helps with your tax question

Ride - the Cupra is like concrete compared to the vRS

Handling - the Cupra is altogether sharper than the vRS (it also runs 17" rims as standard)

Performance - with an extra 25% power, the PD160 Cupra is MUCH faster and can be tuned MUCH harder - 200bhp is quite easy with a PD160 as the start point

Economy - pretty even really if both are driven about the same. The PD160 isn't that much less fuel efficient than a PD130.

No idea on RFL bands for the Cupra, but the Skoda is pretty good at £120/year.

The Cupra PD160 was roughly £14,000 on the road new against a vRS at about £11500 so the Cupra was, and still will be, much more expensive. It also only came as a 3-door if that's an issue. The Cupra also has proper digital climate control (Climatronic) whereas the vRS has the less clever Climatic with a temperature dial, although it still works fine.

I think the PD160 Cupra looks hideous, but that's just my opinion. I would have loved a PD160 motor in my vRS!

I agree with all this. The tax is now £110 per year. The VRS has 5 doors and the Cupra only a choice of 2 doors if it's importatant to you.