2004 Seat Cordoba SE 130 1.9 Tdi

Summary:

Understated little beastie

Faults:

Nothing in 2 years.

General Comments:

Had the car a few years now so feel qualified to review it.

I thought I would miss my Celica, but this car has been great fun and a faithful friend.

I didn't expect reliabity or durability, but I've got it.

Personally I love the looks, I think it's mature and stylish. No rattles or creaks at all even though the suspension is on the firm side, ride quality is great, I love the feeling of safety I get from the way it clings to the road.

I chose the Cordoba because in my opinion hatchbacks tend to be louder and rattle more, the Ibiza has 45 profile tyres the Cordoba has 55 making it a bit more comfortable drive for my needs.

Inside the dash isn't the most exotic, it looks plasticky, but it really doesn't rattle anywhere, my car is very well screwed together, I had chronic rattles from the dash and hatch and C pillars of my Celica.

Everything works fine after 2 years, air con is great, fine 8 speaker CD player, and nice red lighting to the dials at night too.

The gearbox is accurate and slick, but a bit mechanical, steering is sharp, but could do with a tad more feedback. Not much wind noise, but a fair bit of road noise, I guess that is the low profile tyre and hard suspension combo that causes that.

Paint and exterior fit and finish is great, no complaints there at all, doors shut with a solid thud.

The engine... well this is a light car so it pulls like a train, I cannot imagine many cars can out drag it mid range, not that I'm of that persuasion, but my high revving VVTi Celica would be simply left in a puff of dust. The acceleration is storming, the car is roughly 80kg less than the Skoda Fabia vRS so it's a wee bit quicker than that too.

Simply a great car, looks totally inoffensive, but really hauls ass in comfort whilst returning 55-60 mpg.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th August, 2006

30th Apr 2007, 11:02

Informative review, there is one thing though, the Ibiza 130 diesels suffer from tracking problems, yet the Cordoba which is just an Ibiza with a boot does not. Anyone know why this is? Overall I'm a big fan of the Cordoba, it does everything the Ibiza does, but better I reckon, plus it has no boy racer image whatsoever.

2004 Seat Cordoba SE 1.9 TDi PD

Summary:

More pulling power than David Beckham

Faults:

Climate control LCD display faulty

Squeaks and rattles from the dashboard.

General Comments:

Lots of money and ideas went into the exterior styling.

The money ran out when it came to the interior dashboard.

Thankfully they had enough left to put in one of the best engines bar none.

A bit to quick for the cars handling abilities - easy does it.

Would look better still with shiny silvered alloys not matt silver as fitted although this seems to be a Seat thing.

There really should sell these in droves, but they don't and I'm glad for it.

One day VW and Audi drivers will learn what "S" stands for "Seat" AKA style.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st April, 2004