Faults:

I've had this car for 8 months and had very few problems. It's used as a general runabout back and forth to work, etc..

I would say that Seat skimp on the body quality - I've had a chunk taken out of the bonnet from a stone on the motorway and the metal underneath has corroded which I have never seen on other cars. The panels are a bit flimsy - But you get reliable VW mechanics, so you pays your money...

The wipers need adjusting, but I'm being picky now. I've seen no evidence of leaks or condensation (touch wood) and I leave it outside all the time - I think Seat have changed the seals on the 02 model.

General Comments:

A great car! It's not the nippiest - don't be tempted with the dealer offers for a 1.4, 1.6 will have just enough for most drivers.

Very smooth ride, no sign of the old VW 'solid' suspension, and the gearbox and clutch are vastly improved over VWs earlier efforts.

Love the body design which is slightly retro 80s and quite distinctive.

Inside, it's comfortable on long hauls and the controls are basic, simple to use and sturdy - no curry-holders in here I'm afraid. The layout is very sensible and feels quite spacious. Good quality stereo and speakers - I'm told its comfortable in the back, but tall folk will struggle with clearance.

The rear seats don't go flat, unless driver and passenger are long-legged dwarfs - so you need to take the back seats out to maximise luggage space, but this is a doddle to do.

My dealer is very helpful, but overall no better or worse than dealers in general.

All in all, excellent value for money - you can tell that at heart it's a VW both from the ride, components and engine which feels like it will still be going strong long after the paint has fallen off.

If, like me, you always wanted a golf, but feel like you're being ripped off (you are) - this is the car.

Faults:

Turbo blew within 1,000 miles.

CD player rattles.

General Comments:

This car has serious go in it. 0-60 the same as a Golf GTI, but once you are moving the extra torque of the diesel is huge. I think I was unlucky and had a Friday afternoon car with the Turbo, but it was resolved quickly. Quality of the workmanship was very poor, but after threatening dealings with SEAT UK, the problems were solved quickly.

The seats are very comfortable for long distance driving and the stiffened suspension gives a nice firm ride.

Same MPG as the 90 hp, so why bother getting that when the 110 gives you much more power.

Faults:

Absolutely nothing.

General Comments:

Choosing the Recaro seats was a gamble that has more than paid off. They are supremely comfortable and provide excellent support.

I chose Black as the colour as I think this really suits the car which is something of a beast.

The quality of the finish is excellent and all the parts blend together well both in looks and quality.

The handling is superb and the straight line performance stunning, but best of all is its ability to handle a mix of tight, twisting, bumpy B roads as well as the straight smooth motorways.

Faults:

Absolutely nothing.

General Comments:

Having owned a SEAT Leon Cupra from December 2001, I had no notion of changing it until I test drove the Leon Cupra R.

The immediate noticeable difference was the R's handling, the old cliche "as if on rails" springs to mind! I was hooked!

The extra 30bhp is more noticeable in the middle gears where the acceleration is awesome although the huge torque from low-revs makes downshifts unnecessary during normal overtaking.

The huge front discs and Brembo 4-pots stop this monster with ease, aided by the huge 225/40/18" tyres, although these do make the steering slightly heavy during fast tight corners.

The car's looks are animal. Deep front and back spoilers and side-skirts together with the beautiful 18" OZ twin 5 spokes give the R awesome road presence and the R turns heads everywhere I drive!

The interior is very neat being all black with red stitching on the seats and trim. The standard sports seats are very comfortable, but leg support tilt is sadly missing.

One of the most satisfying features of the car is it's rarity value due to only 250 R's coming to the UK in 2002 and only 500 planned for 2003. I have only seen one other on the road in the past 5 months!

All in all, at only £17,000, the Leon Cupra R must be the best value hot hatch on sale today.

Drive one and I'm sure, like me, you'll be hooked!