Seat Leon 2004 1.4 - decent car?

NinjaMasterPro

I'm looking to buy this car. 80k on the clock. Seems to be mint condition with full service history & NCT.

I know water ingress can be a problem with this car.

Anything else I should know?

It has a VW Golf engine am I right? Which according to some threads here, is the worst thing in the universe in terms of reliability.

Any advice appreciated. Thanks,

ra0044

I have an 02 with the same engine and about 65kkm.

I personally think they sre a great little car. We have had it 12 years and have had the following couple of isues
- water ingress through dodgy door card seals. Its a known issue and really easy diy fix.
- engine over idle on occasion but sorted with a throttle body clean. Again easy diy fix.
- Air flow sensor fault but again easy diy fix.

Otherwise it has sailed through the nct first time every time.
The interior is standing up well to what the kids do to it.
Would recommend one to anyone.

NinjaMasterPro

I've also heard it's underpowered ie a bit slow for taking off from lights or into a roundabout. Any comments on this? Thanks

Mycroft H

NinjaMasterPro wrote: »

I've also heard it's underpowered ie a bit slow for taking off from lights or into a roundabout. Any comments on this? Thanks

The 1.4 golf, near enough the same car, is very underpowered with that engine.

gooner99

I have the same engine in a mk5 2004 golf. 150k miles on it.never missed a beat.just has a new clutch,thats it.serviced on time with the correct oil is the key with these. as for underpowered, sure its no record breaker, but fine for my needs.

JohnBoy26

They aren't the best car at all. They are a bit on the cheap side in places and they have a terrible 1.4 engine which is sluggish and can develop a habit of drinking oil. They are also not a very refined engine and can end up sounding like a bag of spanners as they age.

ra0044

NinjaMasterPro wrote: »

I've also heard it's underpowered ie a bit slow for taking off from lights or into a roundabout. Any comments on this? Thanks

I really can't say it is particularly underpowered. Deffinately much more responsive than the 1.4 golf which I have also had the misfortune of driving. The leon won't set any records but does well enough everyday.

folan

i had that car till i sold it. was unhappy with having to sell it, but needed the money.

check out the timing belt, it was an issue i had.

JJJJNR

I would go for the 1.6 its the 16v unit and is worth the small bit extra on tax. I had one and it did have issues with the starter motor, hazzard light switch x 2, water ingress, suspension was a bit noisey over the bumps after 100k miles, other than that a fine car.

NinjaMasterPro

Not too well versed with the technical side of things. Would a 1.6 drink petrol or would it be economical? I won't be doing a lot of motorway driving. It's only 5 miles to work.

JohnBoy26

NinjaMasterPro wrote: »

Not too well versed with the technical side of things. Would a 1.6 drink petrol or would it be economical? I won't be doing a lot of motorway driving. It's only 5 miles to work.

Get something Japanese Imo. It will serve you much better.

NinjaMasterPro

Looking at this too. Opinions? 2003 HOnda Civic 1.6.

Only pain in the ass is that the insurance company can't find it on their system. Apparently there's no such thing as a 1.6 civic saloon.

http://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=969235&r=s.php?l[]=6&e=2000&nx=8&g=4

Moneymaker

NinjaMasterPro wrote: »

Not too well versed with the technical side of things. Would a 1.6 drink petrol or would it be economical? I won't be doing a lot of motorway driving. It's only 5 miles to work.

No, the 1.6 would be more economical as it doesn't have to have the ****e revved out of it to go anywhere.

The extra few quid of tax is 100% worth it for better fuel economy, better performance and a more relaxing drive.

iano.p

I had a 04 1.4 and it was a good car. The lack of power was a big thing if you had a full load in the car. The 1.6 would be a much better car if you can find one bit better on petrol too

lomb

I keep saying this but the 1.6 is in fact an 8valve engine and not 16 and feels like a cement mixer. The 1.4 is a 16 valve engine and is smooth and revvy if looked after. If not run on fully synthetic oil changed regular they do develop an oil drinking problem.

transam

I've had a 1.4 bora years ago, very underpowered , its ok around town but the moment u hit motorway u think 2 ur self : what have I done also heavy on oil , in my opinion grand engine 4 a polo , anything bigger BIG no no

MuppetCheck

lomb wrote: »

I keep saying this but the 1.6 is in fact an 8valve engine and not 16 and feels like a cement mixer. The 1.4 is a 16 valve engine and is smooth and revvy if looked after. If not run on fully synthetic oil changed regular they do develop an oil drinking problem.

There was a 16 valve 105bhp in them too. The mark 2 reverted to the older 8 valve again. The Golf and Octavia also had the 16 valve for a while. It's preferable to the 1.4.

JohnBoy26

What's your budget?

NinjaMasterPro

Around 2,000.

bazz26

As MuppetCheck said there were 2 VAG 1.6 litre petrol engines back then. Both had 102bhp but one was an older 8v unit while the other was a 16v unit which really was a bored out version of the 1.4 litre 16v.

JJJJNR

Here's a nice 01 for under your budget, looks well looked after, nice wheels too.

16v