USED Seat Leon Hatchback (00 - 05)

My car

This is my second Leon Cupra. I briefly changed for a VW Bora 4Motion (4 weeks) before going back to another new Cupra. Whilst the 4Motion is an exceptional car (far better than the equivalent Golf, and BMW 3-series), powerful and surefooted in the wet, the Leon is just simply a better everyday car to drive and requires a lot less effort than the heavy 4Motion. Performance and handing are way beyond the Golf, the equipment list also shames its VW cousin. I recently drove my friend on a 100-mile round trip and he could not believe how smooth, stable and effortlessly powerful the car was. The cabin is also extremely comfortable, I opted for leather on my latest one. I've had this car for 12 months and it still feels absolutely brand new, i don't think there's a car on the market that can touch it pound for pound. What's going to be my next car? I was temped by the new Golf GTI, but I imagine Seat's next offering for the Leon will surpass the VW by a mile, as it has done already against the Mk4 Golfs. I used to own a Golf GTI (and loved it), but the Leon is the true GTI.

My car

Test drove a 1.6 Golf, 1.8 Focus and a 1.8 S40 as well as the 1.6 Leon.

The ride is superb, but I'm not too sure about running costs, as I have only had mine for a week.

The only thing I have noticed is that the door handles lose their vinal finish around the 4-year mark but it all comes off. That is the only thing bad I have to say about it.

It's simple, is great to drive, has good seats, and is good all round

My car

What a car!

I down sized from a BMW 540i Touring to the Seat and I have not missed the BMW at all.

I may have down-sized but certainly not down classed.

This car does everything. It's sporty, it's practical and it's frugal on the old go-go juice.

I get around 46mpg and although this is down on what it should be, it's still pretty good.

I can keep up with any car on the motorway, where I spend most of my time. Slip the car into 6th gear and just use that torque.

So that's going from a 540i with a 4.4-litre V8 to a 1.9 TDi and still feeling good... what more can I say!