Seat leon 1.4

Chuchu

Just how inferior are the 1.4 Costas?
I am finally test driving. I think EPM gave me good advice previously and said go for a 1.6 (drove one last weekend but hated the red sports interior) the 1.6s are hard to come (Saab Ed's post re second hand car market comes to mind).
Anyway also drove the Focus (LX and Zetec both 1.4 waiting to test a 1.6) Thinking of testing A3 and Golf (but being warned off the latter).
Anyway I love the look of the Leon think its the nicest of the bunch but I'll be driving it not looking at it!!
I guess my main query is are 1.6s of these size cars safer or just a better drive? I will be mainly city driving and not clocking up too much mileage.
Thanks.

EPM

It's all to do with fuel economy to be honest. It's a heavy car and a 1.4 needs to be thrashed to go. Not that the 1.6 is a rocketship either but it's a little less effort to overtake etc. Plus driven within the speed limit is economical too.

What's your budget? Could you stretch to a 1.4 tsi? The red seats are toned down slightly in them too. The Costa interior is pretty miserable and lacks air con, multi-function wheel and alloys.

Chuchu

Hmmm good to know thanks. Yeah I knew the spec was crap in Costas alright but what you say about the 1.6 overtaking etc is what I wanted to hear. I just don't want a 1.4 and even though I'll be mostly city driving we will have it for the foreseeable and I'd rather a 'safer' car on the open road if you know what I mean! I should have said there are few 1.6s within my budget, it was originally 8k, I could stretch to 10 but only just.

Bodhan

I own an 06 1.6p "Sport up" model. I think it's a great car to drive and the economy isn't too bad, about 40mpg in real world driving. The problem with the sport up is that rear suspension, it's just too hard. If you can get one of the first that came to Ireland in 06 it will have everything because Seat didn't have any other models ready for sale.
Hope you find what you looking for.

I did a review of the car here http://smokerspack.wordpress.com/2010/05/23/seat-leon-1-6ltr-2006/

bazz26

The 1.4 litre non TSi in the Leon is the same rubbish 1.4 litre found in the Golf. I would avoid it to be honest, performance and fuel economy aside that engine was also not very reliable. The 1.6 litre while no ball of fire, can at least lay claim to being more trouble free than the 1.4 litre.

EPM

I'd be looking at a Stylance or Sport Plus (not the normal 1.4 Sport) model - and stick to 16's on the wheels.

If you do look at the 1.6 listen to the gearbox for any whining. Had to get mine done at 100k km and it came to a grand. 07 on also had aux in which is a nice touch

epopnomis

Tsi if you can, excellent car, good power for overtaking too and road tax isn't too pricey.... I was originally going to go for a 1.6 but test drove it and found it a bit sluggish...