Flogged my MK1 Fabia VRS on Thursday, so need to by another sharpish. I've seen both of these advertised for about 4000. The Cupra is an 04, has full service history, apparently mint condition bar a few wheel scuffs with 66k on the clock. The Octavia is an 06, part service history, scuffed rear bumper and 77k on the clock. Is there a massive difference in performance with basic mods and a remap ? Do I go for something newer at a bargain price (the octy is being sold to pay for a wedding) or get the older slightly sportier one ? Opinions guys !

Bump.

Which one you like best ?

Brain says Octavia. Heart says Cupra. Basically I'm after a quick petrol that doesn't demand high running costs (like these two). But I don't want to buy the Octavia and be miles behind performance wise to the Cupra.

The Octavia vRS TFSI will not be left behind by a mk1 Cupra R. You're looking at 25 bhp at most. I'd follow my head, get the mk2 Octavia vRS.

A simple map and the vRS is completely transformed. Also the Cupra R is known to have gearbox issues (friend has one).

Real world performance- on a trip to Germany my mapped vRS TFSI held its own very well against my friends mapped mk1 Focus RS.

Also my average fuel consumption is about 31 mpg's. This can increase to over 40 mpg on a long run, down to 21 mpg around town.

Known gearbox issues in the cupra R? None that I've ever heard of and have owned Cupras for the last 9 years.

An 04 plate Cupra R is most likely the 210bhp engine, the 225 was a little later I think. Great cars and look awesome, wish they still made them TBH, but new models (up until the 2014 one) just don't do it for me. Remap usually takes the cupra to 260bhp ish.

Personally can't fault the SEAT.

I'm actually in the process of selling my Ibiza Cupra (54plate) for a much newer Octavia vRS diesel - but only because I now commute further and also need a bigger car/boot. Otherwise I'd be looking at the Leon again.

Both good cars - whichever you prefer! Personally think the Leon is more aggressive/sporty looking but the Octavia can be a real sleeper

Good luck!

Oh and mpg on the LCR is around 30mpg real-life combined.

It's a 225 model. Looks almost mint. BUT it's nearly 2 hours away. Should I put off by the low price of the Octavia ? Most are still around 5000-6000 with that milage.

Ah ok - bonus :-) still a hard choice tho. Does sound like the vRS may be a bit unloved by your description but without seeing them both I wouldn't want to decide for you. The insurance group any different? I would expect the LCR to be in a higher category but could be wrong.

From the pictures and description it's only a paint scuff on a rear bumper from someone backing into him. It also states it was a higher price before but it's re advertised due to time wasters. Had the cambelt changed at 50k by skoda. Seems he might just need a quick sale.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Skoda-Octavia-VRS-2-0ltr-TFSI-/151257399600?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2337a4c130

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-Seat-Leon-Cupra-R-225-BAM-only-66k-miles-full-service-history-/261421274950?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3cddec1746

The LCR is modified. I can see a couple of tell-tale signs but obviously not possible to spot others that may not be pictured, so expect it to be owned by someone who 'tinkers'.

Edited 21 March, 201412 yr by Pabs

Expand ?

Well, polished charge pipe under bonnet, polished strut top caps as well, fabia rear wiper... All just to name a few. These are common mods done by people in the know, most likely someone who has been on SCN at some point. Could be remapped, as is a common mod too. That's about all I can tell from the pics tho. But he doesn't mention these in his ad so either he doesn't know about these or is hiding them to make it more saleable.

Oh. Plus RR graphs in paperwork photo. I'd say definitely remapped.

Aaaaah. I don't think I'll touch that one. It's too far a treck to see it only for it to be shady.

Actually - receipts show more - paperwork from AMD so likely that is who that has mapped it. Nomad receipt too - think they make the boost gauge a-pillar pods and stuff. Unless you want a modified car I'd steer clear.

The octavia has a mod too... A transformers front badge... Who knows what else they've done to that! Lol

I wouldn't mind one. But I'm not trecking two hours for it. Untouched, yes. Potential boy racer, no. Yes, I'd mod it myself, but I won't rag it to death everyday.

**** me, it does ! The stuff you don't notice when looking on your phone.

I'm on my phone too.... hope it's helped anyway. Personally would never buy a car from eBay but just my opinion.

Good luck!

It's not a bad place for cars. Just see them in person ! I'd never blind bid on a car.

I had this dilemma. the mk2 won for me, I do like the Cupra R but the vrs is a better all round car imo

I'm pretty stuck now.