2002 Seat Leon Cupra R review from UK and Ireland

I currently have a cooling fan problem (the fan doesn't kick in so engine overheats), which I have been told was the fan by one garage and 1 of two switches that powers the fan by another garage.

I went to a Seat garage on a weekend to try get a fan, but they had locked the stores up and only sales staff were present, who couldn't be bothered to open the stores and have a look. Very very helpful, not! At least they saved me 93 pound as I have been told by a garage it is a switch costing 60 pound now.

CD changer works and doesn't work, very intermittent.

Glove box handle broke off.

Based upon the MkIV Golf, but with greater emphasis on looking and feeling like a true sports proposition, the Cupra R is a VW group bargain. The Audi TT uses this engine yet costs £27,000.

It's an easier car to drive quicker than the Honda Civic Type-R or Ford Focus RS, and it also comes loaded with equipment. If you want a lot of car for your money that works well every day, then the Cupra R is for you. Very quick and very well equipped. Top Spec, A/C, PAS, Sports Seats (recaro seat upgrade expensive, but very nice), ABS, Traction Control, Drivers & Passenger airbags. Extremely nimble, great handling and fun to drive. All in all very happy apart from cooling fan problem.

For about 10 grand you should get a very decent second hand bargain. Don't get me wrong, this isn't the best built car in the world. I think the glove box and the indicator switch is made from cheap materials, but everything else feels like it has had extra time spent designing and building this car.

No it won't beat a Subaru WRX Sti or a a Mitsi Evo, but it will put up a fight. I can say it will beat a Focus ST and normal Subaru WRX. I don't know why, but the closest thing was a Honda Civic Type R, but couldn't overtake me. Also only 700 are imported into this country a year, so quite rare.