2000 Seat Leon 20VT 1.8 turbo petrol

Summary:

Bargain Road Rocket

Faults:

Very little even considering my car is one of the earliest to be built and has done 40'000 miles.

The rear folding seat catch gave up.

The folding electric mirrors work occasionally.

The remote locking has been a constant pain only working 50% of the time.

It has a huge appetite for front tyres!

General Comments:

None of the faults I have experienced in any way detract from the experience of owning one.

I had mine chipped to 220Bhp and fitted Yokohama A539 Tyres to replace the (too hard) Pirelli's.

Nothing on the road can live with it this side of a 911 Porsche.

I advise NOT to turn off the traction control system in the wet as the car will bite!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th February, 2002

2000 Seat Leon S 1.6 petrol

Summary:

An absolute bargain: no-one should buy a manual VW without going to their local SEAT dealer first

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

VW build quality from Barcelona.. platform for the car is identical with the VW Golf at anything up to £2000 less in price.

The Leon is roomier and has a bigger boot than the Golf, though the interior quality is akin to the old Golf and is more plasticky than the current Golf which has an interior finish like an Audi, almost in the BMW/Mercedes category.

The car is put together to the true VW standard and leaves the US marques (Ford & GM) miles behind.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st July, 2001

2000 Seat Leon Sport 20vT 1.8 turbo

Summary:

An excellent all round performer

Faults:

No major problems with the car, rear window demister did not work and the car was delivered with a couple of scratches. All sorted out with out any fuss, Major headache was the price drop 2 weeks after I bought it.

General Comments:

The main I enjoy about this car is the amount of torque it delivers at such low R.P.M, the turbo cuts in at 1800 R.P.M and this almost eliminates all turbo lag and combined with the traction control it makes for a get away from the lights that will leave most cars at the line.

Still this cars is about the all round package, not only is it fast you can push it hard through almost any corner and you will come out the other side with a grin on your face, especially when you look in the mirror and that V.W Golf that was right on your bumper is now nowhere to be seen.

If you get a chance take a Ibiza Cupra for a drive I found it to be even more fun, but not that practical.

I cannot wait for the four motion version to come out, I think I will be on the list to buy one.

I am also very interested in getting a body kit fitted on my car, does anybody know a UK source for these parts?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd March, 2001

2000 Seat Leon Cupra 1.8 turbo

Summary:

Seat is the new word for sports car

Faults:

When received from the dealer the car was:

1. Very dirty.

2. Leather seat damaged.

3. One rear head rest fabric on a full leather car.

4. Plastic cover missing.

5. Plastic trim very badly marked.

General Comments:

The dealership did replace everything on my car when returned for one day.

The car is fantastic.

Seriously fast.

Everybody looks at it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th March, 2001

24th Apr 2001, 17:23

I am the very happy owner of a Diesel 1.9 Seat Toledo 110 bhp. As it is directly linked with the Leon I can tell you it is a fabulous looking car and mine has been 100% reliable. Not far from 40.000 miles and not a rattle! Excellent Belgium build quality. I hope they bring in the new 115 bhp diesel engine in with the Toledo as they did with the Alhambra.

2000 Seat Leon Cupra 20VT 1.8 turbo petrol

Summary:

Real world complete family performance workhorse

Faults:

Tailgate lock modified under warranty.

General Comments:

Previous cars have been sporty Mercs, but Blair's tax planning has forced me to down-size.

Due to our happiness with my wife's Seat Ibiza 8v Cupra Sport, decided to investigate a Leon 20vt for myself.

More toys and comfort than the Merc, just as quick, very family friendly for my 3 kids in the back.

Torquey turbo performance makes it better to drive than the Honda Accord type R I test drove as well.

I haven't missed my Mercs at all despite having driven them for the last 12 years.

Only downsides - poor rear 3/4 visibility and suspension set up too soft to cope properly with the weight transfer when switching from accelerating to braking.

Chassis is grippy though and capabilities are high.

Not as much car park kudos as my previous Mercs, but then again people actually let me pull out of side streets in this car (they never did in the Merc).

Despite no auto box I haven't had any problem with stop start traffic due to the controls and steering being so light and easy to use.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th January, 2001

2nd Mar 2001, 14:45

I want this car, but aged 27 with a clean licence and 5 years discounts, I am still quoted over 1000 quid to insurance it by online brokers! :-(

21st Mar 2001, 09:00

You need to shop around, I have got 6 years NCD with 5 points on my licence nce and I pay £800 a year and that includes having my wife as the main driver, she has only had her licence for 1 1/2 years and has 1 years NCD.

I found the best place to get a quote was on-line just do a search for motor insurance or car insurance and away you go.

22nd Mar 2001, 02:07

Oh sorry, I forgot to mention I am 27 as well.

6th May 2001, 17:09

Give Charles Alexander Associates a call, they are great.

Guarantee to get the cheapest premium, 23 year old, no NCB, 1 accident, V-reg 2.0 SRi Vectra.

£800 quid, see if you can beat that.

18th May 2001, 13:23

Well not as cheap, but been quoted 1100 for the Cupra Leon, 23 years old, no NCB, 1 accident. Told you they were cheap.

27th Jun 2001, 06:35

The best insurance quote I had was £450 from directline for a Leon 20vT, pick it up next week. I'm 28 5yrs NCD live in Cambridge.

21st Sep 2001, 11:01

Directline seems to be the one to go for. I am 30 with full NCD and was quoted £438 in the cambridge region.

3rd Jul 2002, 08:12

I'm 25 with 6 years no claims living in London. It has Cat 1, 2 and 3 alarms and I pay £800 protected!