Why is leasing so hard? Any recommendations please?

[dubber36]

You are looking with heart ruling head, otherwise you'd be looking at run of the mill cars for peanuts. For that reason, I think the R for £300 would be the car to go for. It was 18 years ago, but I went from a Mk4 Golf to a Mk1 facelift Leon Cupra. Great car that it was, it did feel like a backward step in terms of quality.

The problem that going for the R tho' is what do you get in 2 years time to better it?

[Guzzle]

Pretty sure the latest spec Cupra's have digital cockpit and dynamic chassis control as standard. You'd miss out on active cruise, rear camera, keyless (no big loss imo) and winter pack though.

How much are the upfront payments? Monthlies are only half the story.

As much as I like the R, an extra £3k or £4k over 2 years is a big chunk of money for a car you're only considering because what you really want isn't available.

If it's only for 2 years i'd go for one of the manual GTi's as the best compromise if they're still available.

[Hertsman]

Ok, update:

Golf GTI is gone (unless I pay way above market rate). 

I can choose between an R pre-enhanced (without keyless and rear camera), R enhanced (with both options), or Cupra 290.

The R is around £300 a month with another £30 for the enhanced. The Cupra seems cheap at £200 a month.

TCO for the Cupra is cheaper by £3-4K over just 2 years.

However, it doesn't have the digital dash which I really wanted, plus a few other options. I want something that's more at the comfort end of the performance/comfort compromise and the Cupra has a firmer ride with 19" wheels I am told.

Cost is of course a factor but I want comfort in a small hatchback with decent performance and lots of toys. Also, just looking for a 2 year lease for now before the Mk8 comes out.

Any suggestions as to whether the Cupra or R is a better fit?

Thanks

Does the R have the adaptive suspension at the rates you quote there? If so then its a stronger argument against the the Cupra without on 19"

We could all specify a lesser car and not specify options and save a decent amount of cash in the process, but we would likely not be driving around the car we really wanted.

I set my budget and am happy to pay a little extra to have the car I want and if this was me choosing I would happily pay the extra for the R - Some may call that badge snobbery etc. But I think the R is just a better package all around, especially in the cabin, the place where actually feeling good about where sitting really counts.

The keyless and rear view camera are easily livable without if want to save a little, neither would detract from the experience.

My lease expires in October and I have just ordered a GTI TCR and I added the Reifnitz Performance Pack, the Climate Screen and the 90% Tints and the Pure Grey Paint - I could have saved over £3000 by not taking them as options, but I put in a full week like most, and most goes into the family pot, and as driving is one of my life pleasure, it will always be money well spent to me, have never regretted spending that bit more for the feeling driving a car you want gives daily.

One thing I am though is totally honest with my budget, and have never chased anything beyond it - So I would say forget choosing between cars, go and have a good think about what can truly afford and happy to pay and then choose between the cars that fit that

[trueblue_ips]

You are looking with heart ruling head, otherwise you'd be looking at run of the mill cars for peanuts. For that reason, I think the R for £300 would be the car to go for. It was 18 years ago, but I went from a Mk4 Golf to a Mk1 facelift Leon Cupra. Great car that it was, it did feel like a backward step in terms of quality.

The problem that going for the R tho' is what do you get in 2 years time to better it?

That was one of the reasons for going for a GTI. I figured I didn't need and wouldn't want R level performance. I've come from a 10 sec+ 0-60 car so the GTI still feels very quick to me. Also, if I found the performance seductive, there is the logical next step of the R/S3 to go to as next car.
My heart is definitely ruling my head but I've always bought cheap cars till now and want something decent although I do a low mileage. I would much prefer to buy but it's just bad timing with the new Mk8 and new A3 just around the corner. A 2 lease gives me a chance to try a nice car without spending too much.
I can't help thinking I'd regret compromising on the Cupra and I do it see it as a compromise.
Then again, if I had a choice between a GTI and R at the same price, I'd go for the GTI.

[trueblue_ips]

Pretty sure the latest spec Cupra's have digital cockpit and dynamic chassis control as standard. You'd miss out on active cruise, rear camera, keyless (no big loss imo) and winter pack though.

How much are the upfront payments? Monthlies are only half the story.

As much as I like the R, an extra £3k or £4k over 2 years is a big chunk of money for a car you're only considering because what you really want isn't available.

If it's only for 2 years i'd go for one of the manual GTi's as the best compromise if they're still available.

I'm paying 9 months up front so that alone is about £1K between the Cupra and the R. I saw there is a Cupra Lux pack, maybe that has the digital cockpit but TBH the more I look at the Cupra interior, the more I prefer the Golf's.
There are 3 dr DSG GTIs about so I could maybe look at that again, but I definitely want the DSG. Never had a DSG before and want to experience it and 80% of my driving is driving in traffic.
You are right, the Cupra has ACC but the R doesn't. I just get the standard spec on a lease.

[trueblue_ips]

@Hertsman, that is where I am at. I would rather pay a bit more and feel that I've not settled for second best. Though of course some compromise has to be had on options, colour etc with a lease.
I really wanted the GTI but I have reconciled myself to the fact it is the R, or the Cupra. Also looked at the TCR but that is crazy expensive on a lease.
Deal is still good though on the R when I look at lease deals on the A class, or the A3/S3 for example.

[david25]

From CVL (models below are special offer)

TCR
Contract Length 36 Months
Initial Rental £3,000.00 inc VAT
35 Months @ £315.59 inc VAT per Month
Annual Mileage 5,000

R DSG
Contract Length 36 Months
Initial Rental £2,753.89 inc VAT
35 Months @ £305.99 inc VAT per Month
Annual Mileage 5,000

The GTI models are not currently on special offer, costing more than £320 / month

Cupra 290 with free metalic
Contract Length 24 Months
Initial Rental £2,400.00 inc VAT
23 Months @ £245.99 inc VAT per Month
Annual Mileage 8,000

[trueblue_ips]

@david25, I'd be OK with £320 now for a GTI but just checked and they have none in stock.

[sjw]

If the R had the camera and not keyless, I would have said jump on it.

I bet a manual GTI would be wicked fun.

Praying you find something as I'd like to see another Town fan in a GTI!

[Hertsman]

@Hertsman, that is where I am at. I would rather pay a bit more and feel that I've not settled for second best. Though of course some compromise has to be had on options, colour etc with a lease.
I really wanted the GTI but I have reconciled myself to the fact it is the R, or the Cupra. Also looked at the TCR but that is crazy expensive on a lease.
Deal is still good though on the R when I look at lease deals on the A class, or the A3/S3 for example.

There are cars I would love outside of my budget but do not chase them, first thing I do is set my maximum spend, completely honestly and then I go find the cars that fit that maximum and then choose, some come in on limit, others save me a little, the TCR for example came in under the R for me so I am actually going to be saving on what have been paying last 3 years.