We rented one for a week in Spain, earlier this year. Pleasantly surprised by how good it was. Very smooth drive and very economical. I don't know what the prices are like but it's got to be up there among the best in its class. I'm a BMW driver myself and would rather go for something similar if and when I get rid of my X3 but the Leon was certainly a great rental car.
I work for VWG, decent car. Same chassis as the Octavia/Golf but slightly sportier drive. Not quite as well screwed together as it’s cousins. I’m not saying it’s badly put together, the other two are excellent! But is little cheaper to compensate. Which one have you ordered?
I drive a Leon FR - definitely one of the best cars I have had for the driving experience. Bit rattly now after 140000 km though. Son has a 1.6 ecomotive and also likes it (he has coilovers etc on it)
Had them a hire cars a few times on business trips in Europe - I quite liked them very nice to drive and feel a bit sportier than the equivalent VW and definitely cheaper. Wouldnt swap my BMW 520 for one but if I was looking for a car of that type I would give it a serious consideration Hope you enjoy it when you get one.
I've had one 2 and half years, it's a cracking car and really good value. Never have any issues with it and good on fuel etc. Only issue I have with it is that it's a bit low and bumpy, but then again it is a sporty car so I can't complain but I'll be getting a more comfortable car next time - might be the fact that I'm turning into an old man before my time.
Cheers guys for all them thoughts. I've got a Polo GTi 1.8 at the minute but due to go back soon. I've ordered the Cupra which I know has the Golf GTi engine in but tweaked. We've got a big family car (Audi Q7) so I just have one for pottering.
To be honest the FR is dearer per month on the deal I have, even the 1.0 TSi is more money. U can have a ride if u want
One bonus for you, having had one for a vhile. No car vill ever be less comfortable than the Polo GTi.
I've loved having the Polo, even extended the lease for another year. I've found it very comfy and loved driving it
I had an Octavia Diesel Estate for a few years when moving stuff from UK to Italy prior to the big move. Loved the build quality and driveability. Needed a 4x4x living here in rural Italy and ended up replacing it with a Yeti w6 years ago hich I fully expect to last for several more years. Skoda - VW chassis, engine and electrics without the German wages to put it all together. One or two materials are inferior to my old 5 series BM (carpets are a sod to vacuum unlike the BM which was like velour and simple to clean) but VW. I liked the Seats but remember the orange instrumentation was a bit OTT for me (may have changed now) and felt the Skoda was nearer to the Conservative - black and chrome no-nonsense interiors of German cars which I prefer.
OTT but if you work for VAG you will know about the EA 189 issue. Just out of interest . I had problems with my Yeti soon after the modificationcarried out in the UK as, even though I have low mileage most of which is on long motorway or rural road journeys' the engine light came on and the EGR valve/sensor was diagnosed as the problem which they cleaned (FOC). It also started recycling once or twice a week even after long journey. I took it in twice to my local VW service centre here in Italy and am convinced that the pragmatic Italians have remapped to engine back to its original settings pre-fix as the car is its old self and no longer 'pinks' or recycles (except after very rare occasions when I have done a few short start stop journeys in quick succession. This is something the Dealer in the the UK refused to do.
I had a Leon years ago. Even though I’ve spent the last few years in Mercs and BMWs, I still think my Leon was an awesome car. For the money and spec you’ll not go wrong. I had the 2 litre Diesel and it would piss on the 2.2 litre Merc I have now in terms of performance.
It's a virtual cockpit so no bright orange instruments. I agree with the carpets, they were easier to vacuum in the Audi's I've had. A friend has just ordered the new Skoda Octavia
I could go for a Merc but not get the performance for the same money. Apart from the new dash on the new A Class which does look nice I always found they wernt sure what to do with the screen and just plonked it on top. I dislike BMW's so they don't get a look in
The EA189 software can’t be taken back to the original. The software comes straight from VW via ODIS so it can only update the current version. The reason it’s regenerating more often is due to the new software. The newer EU6 engines regenerate roughly every 600 miles so the new software follows a similar track. If you have any more questions feel free to PM me.
