Wanting advice/opinions on what car to get next as a toy/weekend car as I have a diesel daily. I'm torn between a facelift focus st3 or a facelift leon cupra . Already had a mk5 gti for nearly 2 years so looking for something a bit different..

I know the leon will be the favourite on this forum & a fair bit quicker when tuned & presuming better to drive, however the st3 does come with a better spec as standard i.e xenons, heated leathers, DAB radio etc...plus they have that exhaust note :think: 

Opinions on both? Anyone on here owned both? Wanting something that's a bit of an event to drive, also welcome to other suggestions, my budget will be around 9-9.5k.

Please bare in mind there both around the same price, with insurance & running costs included

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The facelift Cupra won't be released until next summer.

Sorry should've put it in the post, I'm on about the mk2 Leon & mk2 Focus

I'm going to say get the Ford ASBO, just because it's not another VAG and will drive different as a result.

Having a not too dissimilar thought exercise myself.

 

But if it's a weekend 'event' car is something like a Leon or ST not just a bit too close to being a fast 'normal' car.

 

Would you be better off with something a bit less ordinary like an  S2000 or an older Elise?

 

Possibly seat numbers are an issue for you.

As much as I'd like either of those cars, insurance would be an issue as I'm only 23. Also need 4 seats ideally, wouldn't mind a 3 door though. I've also looked at Scooby STI's & Evo's, however same issue with insurance.

 

The Leon & Focus are the only cars I could think of in that price range that have the best combo of looks & performance.

Dealers have 2015 Fiesta ST advertised at around £10,000, so that comes into your budget.

Fiestas aren't really my thing, they're still a young lads boy racer IMO. They're quite nice little cars though.

Cheap MX5, super / turbo charger kit and suspension = lots of fun and well under budget...

Agreed on the boyracer part, but then that probably why so many middle aged and older drivers seem to buy them, get something they maybe never had when young and a change from their dirty diesel daily driver.

Just a bargain hot hatch that handles according to middle aged journalists and enthusiasts.

Like Cupras, Evo's, Ford Focus ST's and the likes really.

Edited 9 November, 20169 yr by Offski

^^^

I'm middle-aged and swinging towards a Fiesta ST .

Edited 9 November, 20169 yr by Brian69

Brian you can be in my gang. Once they do a ST Power-shift.

Edited 9 November, 20169 yr by Offski

As much as I'd like either of those cars, insurance would be an issue as I'm only 23. Also need 4 seats ideally, wouldn't mind a 3 door though. I've also looked at Scooby STI's & Evo's, however same issue with insurance.

 

 

Isn't it an issue at your age whatever the motor?

If you have a MK5 Golf and want something different the only option is the ST, the Cupra is the same car. 

I'm 50 something and had a brand new Fiesta ST3 last year for a short while, it was a hoot and a peach of a car. Really handles well

Isn't it an issue at your age whatever the motor?

Not really mate, majority of hot hatches are quite cheap on insurance, even b6 rs4 & e92 m3 are cheap to insure compared to evo's & scoobies for me

If you have a MK5 Golf and want something different the only option is the ST, the Cupra is the same car. 

They are similar I know what you mean, I'd only be getting the cupra for power. When tuned the Cupras are in a different league to ST's or GTI's.

Edited 10 November, 20169 yr by GTIkyle

9k buys a lot of petrol. Might you be better off just buying a fast car and commuting in it rather than running two cars?

 

What about something older that you might be able to run on classic insurance? Not sure if an early MX5 would count. Maybe even an early Boxter?

mx5's aren't yet classed as classics but  you can get modern classic insurance for them very cheaply - I think mine starts at under £100 for limited mileage...

Out of the two cars you have mentioned i would have the focus.....the 5 pot engine is great.....thirsty though but that wont be a problem for you if its a weekend toy,id looked at a 63 plate new shape focus st as a replacement for my octavia vrs but i wasnt that impressed with it & the interior is a bit of a mess & the running costs made it a no go as a daily driver for me. 

I am leaning more towards the focus at the min, due to thinking it'll be more of a fun car even though its slower. Plus a TFSI will never sound as good as that 5 pot sound track. I agree with you on the mk3, there a bit dull. The mk2 has a lot more character IMO

They are similar I know what you mean, I'd only be getting the cupra for power. When tuned the Cupras are in a different league to ST's or GTI's.

 

Are they?! Surely a tuned Leon will be the same as a tuned Golf GTi? I'm not familiar with a ST but they're the same basic setup underneath as a RS so I cant imagine they'll be too shy either. 

Are they?! Surely a tuned Leon will be the same as a tuned Golf GTi?

 

A standard Cupra will be about the same as a tuned GTI.

Cupras come with the KO4 turbo, whilst the GTI only has the KO3. KO3's max out at about 290bhp but make for quick spooling punchy fun

 

KO4's can go to around 370bhp & 400Ibft :clap:

 

ST's come with a smaller turbo than the RS but no sure what bhp they can achieve?

Just had a quote for an 8p Audi S3 pre fl, and its only £150 per year more expensive than the st or cupra , and in similar price bracket :think:  worth the extra pennies?