1999 Seat Cordoba S review from North America

Ignition failed when car was 22 days old and had to be replaced.

Stereo chewed up numerous cassettes and had to be replaced after 18 months.

Interior felt like it was made out of sardine tins.

When I bought a 99T Cordoba 1.6 S for £10,000, it was brand new and about £3,000 less than the equivalent Focus or Astra.

I soon realized that it was so cheap because of the low standard of quality.

The interior trim was really flimsy and about as well built as a sardine tin.

The ignition failed 22 days after I bought the car, and was replaced under warranty.

The dealership never provided me with a courtesy car when my own car was being serviced.

But at least the Cordoba had good engine performance and the handling was reasonable.

If I'd known how flimsy and tinny the Cordoba would be, I would have bought a Golf or a Focus because of the difference in quality.