Author Topic: Cupra Leon v Mk8.5 GTi  (Read 1831 times)

Offline Grizzle34

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Cupra Leon v Mk8.5 GTi
« on: 21 March 2025, 19:28 »
Wife just got her new Cupra Leon and by god is the spec for a V2 (it's only a 1.5etsi thing) Far far better than the Golf.

I'm now questioning my decision on wether I should have went for a VZ3 Cupra Estate.

Elec memory seats, half leather, illuminated sills, better interior none of this gloss black nonsense.

Yes it's slower but it's averaging around town at 44.3mpg it's got 12 miles on the clock. 

Offline Exonian

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Re: Cupra Leon v Mk8.5 GTi
« Reply #1 on: 21 March 2025, 19:51 »
I talked a colleague into getting a Cupra Leon 245PS a year or two ago when it was on 0%.
He loves it, so did his son who subsequently went out and bought one himself.
The interiors make the A3 look cheap never mind the Golf. Lovely inside.
‘23 8R, ‘20 8CS, ‘19 135iX, ‘19 TCR, ‘17 Ed40, ‘17 GTD, ‘15 7R, ‘13 GTI PP, ‘11 GTI, ‘09 GTI, ‘98 Ibiza Cupra, ‘05 GTI, ‘06 Polo GTI, ‘04 GT TDI, ‘05 Fabia vRS, ‘02 GTI T, ‘03 Ibiza TDI 130, ‘01 Leon 180, ‘89 mk2 16v, ‘99 Ibiza TDI, ‘96 VR6, ‘98 Ibiza TDI, ‘92 VR6, ‘88 mk2 8v, ‘92 Polo G40, ‘91 mk2 8v, ‘89 mk2 8v, 205 GTI 1.9, ‘83 mk1 GTI, ‘80 Scirocco GTI, plus some others I’ve forgotten 

Offline Carlosfandango

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Re: Cupra Leon v Mk8.5 GTi
« Reply #2 on: 22 March 2025, 00:48 »
I looked at and test drove the Cupra Leon and the focus ST back when I still had my F40 M135i, both were great, but I’m a sucker for a GTI, just kept being pulled back to one.
Current -
8.5 GTI, Dolphin, Pan roof, Area view, DCC, Queenstown wheels, HUD, HK, Spare wheel.

Gone -
2022 Mk8 GTI DSG, Kings Red.
2020 BMW M135i xDrive, Storm Bay Metallic.
2016 Mk7 GTI DSG, Carbon Grey.
2010 Mk6 GTI Manual, Carbon Grey.
2009 Mk6 GTI DSG, Black Pearl.
2008 Mk5 GT sport DSG, Glacier White.
2003 Mk4 R32, Reflex Silver.
2002 Mk4 GTI, Indigo blue pearl.
1991 AX GT.
1984 Mk1 XR2.
Plus many more.

Offline Beebopper

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Re: Cupra Leon v Mk8.5 GTi
« Reply #3 on: 22 March 2025, 07:38 »
I had a MK3 Leon Cupra around ten years ago when they first came out (EA888), it was really cheap to buy and gave the Golf R at the time a good run for its money. Even the seats, and cabin quality were really good. I do miss it sometimes, but doesn’t have the heritage or kudos of a Golf GTi.
Prior - MK2 GTi Big Bumper in White
Current - MK8 GTi Clubsport in Moonstone Grey
(Plus Many other non-Golf hot-hatches in-between!)

Offline Exonian

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Re: Cupra Leon v Mk8.5 GTi
« Reply #4 on: 22 March 2025, 20:57 »
but I’m a sucker for a GTI, just kept being pulled back to one.

I’m much the same.
I’d happily recommend a Cupra and admire them myself, but the draw of a Golf always sucks me back in.
‘23 8R, ‘20 8CS, ‘19 135iX, ‘19 TCR, ‘17 Ed40, ‘17 GTD, ‘15 7R, ‘13 GTI PP, ‘11 GTI, ‘09 GTI, ‘98 Ibiza Cupra, ‘05 GTI, ‘06 Polo GTI, ‘04 GT TDI, ‘05 Fabia vRS, ‘02 GTI T, ‘03 Ibiza TDI 130, ‘01 Leon 180, ‘89 mk2 16v, ‘99 Ibiza TDI, ‘96 VR6, ‘98 Ibiza TDI, ‘92 VR6, ‘88 mk2 8v, ‘92 Polo G40, ‘91 mk2 8v, ‘89 mk2 8v, 205 GTI 1.9, ‘83 mk1 GTI, ‘80 Scirocco GTI, plus some others I’ve forgotten 

Offline Adam T7

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Re: Cupra Leon v Mk8.5 GTi
« Reply #5 on: 23 March 2025, 06:20 »
but I’m a sucker for a GTI, just kept being pulled back to one.

I’m much the same.
I’d happily recommend a Cupra and admire them myself, but the draw of a Golf always sucks me back in.

Bit like this advert?

https://youtu.be/omAwEPbHmV0?si=apDZAjF36F9KGtZA
MY2019 GTI Mk 7.5 Performance. DSG, 5 Door, Rear Camera, Climate Windscreen and Rear Window Factory Tints, Indium Grey.

Offline DrivenToDistraction

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Re: Cupra Leon v Mk8.5 GTi
« Reply #6 on: 23 March 2025, 08:08 »

Bit like this advert?

https://youtu.be/omAwEPbHmV0?si=apDZAjF36F9KGtZA


"....from only £13,585". Wow, where did the time go?
Ford Focus ST Mk 4.5
Gone: Mk 8.5 GTI in Dolphin Grey
Gone:2017 Mk 7.5 GTI, manual, black.

Offline Adam T7

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Re: Cupra Leon v Mk8.5 GTi
« Reply #7 on: 23 March 2025, 08:36 »
Ad campaign started in late 2009 apparently.
MY2019 GTI Mk 7.5 Performance. DSG, 5 Door, Rear Camera, Climate Windscreen and Rear Window Factory Tints, Indium Grey.

Offline Carlosfandango

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Re: Cupra Leon v Mk8.5 GTi
« Reply #8 on: 23 March 2025, 10:49 »
Ad campaign started in late 2009 apparently.

Yes, Mk6 shown at the end.
Current -
8.5 GTI, Dolphin, Pan roof, Area view, DCC, Queenstown wheels, HUD, HK, Spare wheel.

Gone -
2022 Mk8 GTI DSG, Kings Red.
2020 BMW M135i xDrive, Storm Bay Metallic.
2016 Mk7 GTI DSG, Carbon Grey.
2010 Mk6 GTI Manual, Carbon Grey.
2009 Mk6 GTI DSG, Black Pearl.
2008 Mk5 GT sport DSG, Glacier White.
2003 Mk4 R32, Reflex Silver.
2002 Mk4 GTI, Indigo blue pearl.
1991 AX GT.
1984 Mk1 XR2.
Plus many more.

Offline Adam T7

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  • Posts: 1,135
Re: Cupra Leon v Mk8.5 GTi
« Reply #9 on: 23 March 2025, 11:16 »
More than doubled in price over 16 years. Base Golf not much cheaper than what I paid for my GTI PP when I ordered it in June 2018😳
MY2019 GTI Mk 7.5 Performance. DSG, 5 Door, Rear Camera, Climate Windscreen and Rear Window Factory Tints, Indium Grey.