So, my mk3 VRS TSI DSG hatch is coming up to 40k miles, has been remapped for 25k of those and has not missed a beat, massively practical, dependable and not a rattle in sight. I've had many cars in my 26 years + of driving and can honestly say this is one of the best cars I have ever owned.

 

I, like many, do tend to get bored with cars though and after nearly 16 months with the VRS, I started looking around as you do.

 

Finding a car that can do what the VRS can in terms of price/practicality is almost impossible, also finding a car that is such a great all rounder is almost as impossible.

 

However, stumbled across a Seat Leon Cupra hatchback at a very good price, gave them a shout and a deal could be done albeit me paying £60 extra a month for the swap (mainly due to high miles on my car driving px value down).

 

So the Cupra, slightly better engine, same lump just better internals and turbo. Fairly practical with good leg room in the rear albeit much smaller boot.

 

I'm not a fan of the Leon ST - just don't like the look.

 

The Cupra has the LSD and DCC so should cover ground quicker albeit not by as big a margin in real world as the motor journalist will have you believe, grip will be better of course.

 

So the question is this, stick with a car that hasn't let me down, no rattles or issues, reliable, dependable and practical (often carry 4-5 people) or change into a car that has known build quality issues (checked out the seat mk3 forum) and pay £60 a month more for the privilege of the LSD & DCC which are the only two real extra's the Cupra (also a very good all rounder) has over the VRS, bearing in mind mine's remapped anyway??

 

Help me guys, talk me out of the Cupra!!

I'd test drive it first because you don't want to regret the decision you make. Personally I'd rather spend the £60 a month on an extra tank of fuel!

I'd test drive it first because you don't want to regret the decision you make. Personally I'd rather spend the £60 a month on an extra tank of fuel!

Very true, it works out £68 a month over 4 years which is £3,264 more than the VRS - that's a lot of money, especially as the VRS is such a good car.

The grass isn't always greener. Although I know what it's like to want to try another brand. I used to change my car as often as my socks but I've calmed down a lot now. I have to say having only owned the skoda for 4 weeks I'm really impressed with it! I think it looks classy and I'm impressed with the build quality so far.

But ultimately it's your decision but I'd rather have the extra pennies.

The Seat will depreciate faster so watch the end of term stuff, or go for a MK7 Golf GTI, but for cheapness stick with what you have!

From all your posts is clear you like the Octy.  Even if bored and after a change I think you'll miss it, and regret the extra cost, unless you get a really nice improvement somewhere.  Would the cupra give that?  Doubt it.

 

I'll throw a couple of ideas for you to mull.

 

£3260 buys a few upgrades.  You've already mapped to more power than the cupra.  A Quaife, Wavetrac or Peloquin LSD would be half that, fitted.  Enough left for Bilstein adjustable shocks and new springs and a still a little left over.... Performance intake maybe, or some new tyres.

 

 

Idea 2.  Live with your vrs for anothet 18 months, saving the (nearly) £70/ week.  Then upgrade to say...a golf R estate.

Edited 12 July, 201510 yr by neiln

The Seat will depreciate faster so watch the end of term stuff, or go for a MK7 Golf GTI, but for cheapness stick with what you have!

I've had 2 x VW Golf GTI's, one was the ed30 (both mk5's) and didn't rate them that highly. My colleague at work has the mk7 GTI and after I've been out in his car and returned to mine, I've never felt short changed or that I'm driving the lesser car. If anything he's had a fair few problems with his and the odd really annoying rattle so as others have said, grass isn't greener that side.

From all your posts is clear you like the Octy.  Even if bored and after a change I think you'll miss it, and regret the extra cost, unless you get a really nice improvement somewhere.  Would the cupra give that?  Doubt it.

 

I'll throw a couple of ideas for you to mull.

 

£3260 buys a few upgrades.  You've already mapped to more power than the cupra.  A Quaife, Wavetrac or Peloquin LSD would be half that, fitted.  Enough left for Bilstein adjustable shocks and new springs and a still a little left over.... Performance intake maybe, or some new tyres.

 

 

Idea 2.  Live with your vrs for anothet 18 months, saving the (nearly) £70/ week.  Then upgrade to say...a golf R estate.

You're right, the VRS is a cracking car and one I think I will regret getting rid of.

 

The extra cost of a Cupra for what it actually delivers and at the same time loses, I'm not convinced is worth it.

 

I like your thinking though and to be fair hadn't considered the additional option of taking the spec on the VRS further - now we're talking 

 

As for the Golf R, again great car, however even base poverty spec, I'd be looking at having to pay quite a lump extra per month (due to the loss on px value of the VRS) and don't think the margin in performance (real world not track) warrants it, especially with the additions you've suggested for the VRS.  

Go on, after looking into it purely out of interest 6 months back, a gear LSD like those I mention is easy to live with on the road( and Sainsbury car park), while not ultimately as high performance as a plate diff it's still very impressive.  They seem to make a big difference.

 

New shocks and springs should give better comfort as well as a bit of performance if that is a mix you want.

Go on, after looking into it purely out of interest 6 months back, a gear LSD like those I mention is easy to live with on the road( and Sainsbury car park), while not ultimately as high performance as a plate diff it's still very impressive.  They seem to make a big difference.

 

New shocks and springs should give better comfort as well as a bit of performance if that is a mix you want.

Now wouldn't it be great if an LSD company needed a development car, would make my decision that bit easier   

Another thought as I too tend to get that itch. Get some cream.......In other words change something on the car, maybe a track day to bring the love back.

Cars are like having nookie with the Mrsus sometimes you need to change things and treat her.......more likely to spice things up again.

Well so I've been told.

You're right, the VRS is a cracking car and one I think I will regret getting rid of.

The extra cost of a Cupra for what it actually delivers and at the same time loses, I'm not convinced is worth it.

I like your thinking though and to be fair hadn't considered the additional option of taking the spec on the VRS further - now we're talking

As for the Golf R, again great car, however even base poverty spec, I'd be looking at having to pay quite a lump extra per month (due to the loss on px value of the VRS) and don't think the margin in performance (real world not track) warrants it, especially with the additions you've suggested for the VRS.

The main thing you get the Golf R for is 4WD & the handling.

A mapped O3 vRS does about everything else.

I had a stage 1 vRS and loved it, but like you crave new cars all the time as I get bored easily aswell

I can honestly say after 2 AWD cars after my Octy I won't go back to a 2WD car, certainly not a performance 2WD car anyway.

Reading your posts though it sounds like you don't want to get rid anyway, and are just canvassing support to keep it.

Lol Telboy!   Not sure if Quaife etc have a diff for our gear box yet, but i assume if or box is new that it is minor tweaks from recent VAG boxes and doubt Quaife need to do much development..... Then again if they need to open one and check dimensions etc you may be just what they need.

Earlier this year when I was looking to change my Mk1 Octavia VRS that I had owned for 11 years I started looking around, firstly the Leon, then Festa ST and an 18 month old Audi S4 (V6 supercharged one).

 

The Leon I thought was very dark in the rear, the rear 1/4 panel blind spot is huge and in the flesh the design didn't really grab me from all angles.

Fiesta ST I took a dislike to as soon as I stepped on the Dealers forecourt, and despite the Audi's power and gadgets I found it had no feedback and rather boring, even in sport mode.

 

Then I went and looked at the Mk3 Octavia VRS, as I didn't want to be bias without checking some other cars first.

 

I test drove a manual VRS TDI hatch, even though I'm petrol head through and through, the following day I went to my local dealer and pretty much placed my order for my car.

 

I had looked many times while I owned the Mk1, but I was in the same boat, nothing really came close to what I already had unless I spent a silly amount, hence I kept it for 11 years.

 

To me it's a no brainer, keep it.

The main thing you get the Golf R for is 4WD & the handling.

A mapped O3 vRS does about everything else.

I had a stage 1 vRS and loved it, but like you crave new cars all the time as I get bored easily aswell

I can honestly say after 2 AWD cars after my Octy I won't go back to a 2WD car, certainly not a performance 2WD car anyway.

Reading your posts though it sounds like you don't want to get rid anyway, and are just canvassing support to keep it.

Too true, when a decision becomes this close, canvassing opinion of fellow briskodians is a must   

 

I'd love the MK7 R, however had 3 VW's in the past, even an R36 and whilst a blast to drive, especially with haldex doing its thing, the fact it was very unreliable and heavy meant that any decent diesel with a dollop of torque could keep up with it on the motorway, despite it being able to crack the 0-60 dash in 5 seconds flat each and every time.

 

I'd imagine the same could be said for the MK7 R, whilst lighter and quicker, a decent BMW or Audi diesel would keep pace real world where it matters on the main roads rather than the twisties or track. Mine spends its life on main roads and it's there where the light body weight makes the difference and once rolling AWD's advantages go. (on the majority of routes I travel anyway)

 

Either way, the MK7 R will always have a special place in my heart, just not on my drive as I need a car with a broader application/appeal and yes, you're right, I am talking myself in to keeping the VRS   

Lol Telboy!   Not sure if Quaife etc have a diff for our gear box yet, but i assume if or box is new that it is minor tweaks from recent VAG boxes and doubt Quaife need to do much development..... Then again if they need to open one and check dimensions etc you may be just what they need.

Don't ask you don't get although yep you're right, I doubt they'd need a development car   

Earlier this year when I was looking to change my Mk1 Octavia VRS that I had owned for 11 years I started looking around, firstly the Leon, then Festa ST and an 18 month old Audi S4 (V6 supercharged one).

 

The Leon I thought was very dark in the rear, the rear 1/4 panel blind spot is huge and in the flesh the design didn't really grab me from all angles.

Fiesta ST I took a dislike to as soon as I stepped on the Dealers forecourt, and despite the Audi's power and gadgets I found it had no feedback and rather boring, even in sport mode.

 

Then I went and looked at the Mk3 Octavia VRS, as I didn't want to be bias without checking some other cars first.

 

I test drove a manual VRS TDI hatch, even though I'm petrol head through and through, the following day I went to my local dealer and pretty much placed my order for my car.

 

I had looked many times while I owned the Mk1, but I was in the same boat, nothing really came close to what I already had unless I spent a silly amount, hence I kept it for 11 years.

 

To me it's a no brainer, keep it.

I think like you, this is the first car I have really struggled with in terms of trading in, all the others were gone within the first 13 months!!

 

Like you, I could also see me in this one for 11 years as they are that good as an all rounder car.

 

Agreed, the more I think about it the more I think it's a no brainer,.....keep it   

The seats in the VRS are better than the Cupra.  The dash is better in the VRS, there's more space in the VRS.  Why do you want the poor cousin?

 

You seem perfectly happy with the chipped engines performance, itchy feet are a killer but the Leon isn't worth it.

http://www.wavetrac.net/

 

http://www.peloquins.com/products_02Q.html

 

http://quaife.co.uk/quaife-products/quaife-limited-slip-differential/

 

Go on.....

http://www.wavetrac.net/

 

http://www.peloquins.com/products_02Q.html

 

http://quaife.co.uk/quaife-products/quaife-limited-slip-differential/

 

Go on.....

Stop it, must resist selecting the link and emailing, must resist   

The seats in the VRS are better than the Cupra.  The dash is better in the VRS, there's more space in the VRS.  Why do you want the poor cousin?

 

You seem perfectly happy with the chipped engines performance, itchy feet are a killer but the Leon isn't worth it.

Starting to see that now, the mapped engine is exceptional, and the practicality is on another level,...

Starting to see that now, the mapped engine is exceptional, and the practicality is on another level,...

 

Get the map taken off for a month or two (or for me i'd swap with the missus car for a while), then put back on and you'll enjoy it again - natural to get used to something ;-)

Get the map taken off for a month or two (or for me i'd swap with the missus car for a while), then put back on and you'll enjoy it again - natural to get used to something ;-)

Wife doesn't drive, takes the bus to work so that would work wonders for me, imagine having to use the bus (may speed 30mph) and then going back into  330BHP+ VRS, like your thinking though as taking it back to stock for a while will soon have me hankering after the extra power soon enough    and then loving her all over again,...

i guess you could just stick her in Eco i suppose (car not the wife). I tend to do this just to calm my right foot as it certainly numbs the acceleration and then enjoy 'treating' myself to a bit of power - and mines just a standard tractor.

So, my mk3 VRS TSI DSG hatch is coming up to 40k miles, has been remapped for 25k of those and has not missed a beat, massively practical, dependable and not a rattle in sight. I've had many cars in my 26 years + of driving and can honestly say this is one of the best cars I have ever owned.

 

I, like many, do tend to get bored with cars though and after nearly 16 months with the VRS, I started looking around as you do.

 

Finding a car that can do what the VRS can in terms of price/practicality is almost impossible, also finding a car that is such a great all rounder is almost as impossible.

 

However, stumbled across a Seat Leon Cupra hatchback at a very good price, gave them a shout and a deal could be done albeit me paying £60 extra a month for the swap (mainly due to high miles on my car driving px value down).

 

So the Cupra, slightly better engine, same lump just better internals and turbo. Fairly practical with good leg room in the rear albeit much smaller boot.

 

I'm not a fan of the Leon ST - just don't like the look.

 

The Cupra has the LSD and DCC so should cover ground quicker albeit not by as big a margin in real world as the motor journalist will have you believe, grip will be better of course.

 

So the question is this, stick with a car that hasn't let me down, no rattles or issues, reliable, dependable and practical (often carry 4-5 people) or change into a car that has known build quality issues (checked out the seat mk3 forum) and pay £60 a month more for the privilege of the LSD & DCC which are the only two real extra's the Cupra (also a very good all rounder) has over the VRS, bearing in mind mine's remapped anyway??

 

Help me guys, talk me out of the Cupra!!

One way to market your car I guess.

 

Hope you make the correct decision and enjoy whatever you get. (Ex - mk3 Octavia vRS owner.)