starbank

Mmmmm...now there's a good idea!

Your lucky you've seen a few new Leons on the road! Before I picked up mine I'd only ever seen one up here in Scotland. The wheels are 16 inch - they come standard on the Ref Sport, the 17's come on the Sport. They will certainly do just fine for the time being until I've saved up for some 18's style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink.gif" />

Well folks after 3 hugely enjoyable years in the Loop, the 11 week wait to take delivery of my new Leon has turned out to be well worth it border="0" class="linked-image" /> border="0" alt="IPB Image" /> border="0" class="linked-image" /> border="0" alt="IPB Image" /> border="0" class="linked-image" /> border="0" alt="IPB Image" /> border="0" class="linked-image" /> border="0" alt="IPB Image" /> border="0" class="linked-image" /> border="0" alt="IPB Image" />

Aye that was me - I assume the silver one opposite the steps was yours! Mines absolutely filthy at the moment - you probably noticed! I will be getting the new Leon in a few weeks time so the wee Loop will be gone forever!

Well three years and 40,000 miles after I bought mine there have been very few faults..... High level brake light. Front brake discs warped. Alarm/key can be troublesome. The Aero windscreen wipers are naff. The exhaust brackets under the car will eventually rot and need replacing. The dashboard backlighting at the ventilation controls have gone blink. The rear original wiper mechanism is easily fecked by water - VW replace with a modified version. On the positive side.... The engine is an absolute gem. The six speed gearbox is a joy to use. The car is very chuckable - get rid of the standard Dunlops though they are useless in the wet. The build quality and finish is a cut above it's rivals - even when compared to the more recent introductions. The Xenons are the best I've ever experienced - unbelievable light spread. I love the leather steering wheel - perfectly proportioned. Good luck - don't think you will be disappointed.

If there's one thing I hate the most and that's fecking little w*nkers like these - bet they were wearing burberry caps and had the bottoms of their white shiney shell suits tucked into their socks - dare I say it but they are worse in Scotland too. It's happened to my bonnet too last year. Someone scratched their signature all over it - my jaw hit the ground when I saw it! Cost me about £130 to respray. What is it about these fcuks these days? Makes you one to go and get a big feck off gun and shoot the little runts. Jaysus, reading this my blood is boiling.

Good to hear you are OK and the Loop is as strong as we thought it was! My Loop GTi will be on a forecourt in Edinburgh in about 6-8 weeks if you fancy a butchers? 02, 47K miles, Black, CD, Pagid front discs/pads, lovely anthracite Bathursts - excellent order and hugely cared for. Should think the dealer will put it on the market for approx £6,000-£6,500.

Folks Just to confirm I placed the order on Friday for the new Leon - 12 week delivery. I look forward to spotting the Loop with anthracite wheels been driven about Edinburgh by someone else - it's a sound car and goes like stink! Cheerie

No pics just yet - placing the order this afternoon! Will be approx 12 week to delivery, but the pics below are of an identical car - minus sunroof! I drove an Altea on holiday for a week and was seriously impressed - in fact that along with the Leons sporty stance/interior and pert bottom persuaded me to do the deal. I think compared to any other car in it's class the Leon is the best looker by a mile. The new motor is near identical to the pics below...... border="0" class="linked-image" /> border="0" class="linked-image" /> border="0" class="linked-image" /> border="0" class="linked-image" />

I will miss the Lupo a lot and preferably I would like to keep it AND get the Leon - but financially no can do. I was at the dealer last night to talk money and there were a few surprises. The current part ex value of the Loop is £5,500.00 (45K miles, 02 plate) - I was expecting a little more I must say but they showed me the numbers and in fact they were being generous - £5,500 is based on approx 30K mile vehicle). Unfortunatley, and despite my efforts nothing available off the Leon - bloomin cheap anyway - however, as there is a 12 week delivery they have agreed to keep the Loop's part ex cost at £5,500 until I pick the car up in December - by then I will have reduced the Loop's settlement figure by further £800 - which in turn effectively reduces the overall cost of the Leon. Catch my drift? So on the road price for a new Leon 2.0l FSI Reference Sport in Metallic Back Magic and with an electric sunroof is around £14,055 - not a bad price me thinks. I asked about the Cupra while I was there - not officially launched until June 2007! They will be bringing out the FR version late 2006. To be honest, the 150BHP 2.0l FSI has plenty of punch and for me financially makes more sense. Not placed the order yet - the wife wants a drive first so fingers crossed (gulp).

They do a Turbo FSI with 185BHP if you are in interested???

After much enjoyment driving and owning the wee black beast, I have decided to move on and purchase a bigger black beast! I'm negotiating a deal with Seat for a brand spanking new Leon 2.0l FSI Reference Sport in Black Magic Metallic. Test drove the equivalent Golf GT in both 2.0 TDi and 2.0 FSI modes yesterday and neither could live up to the looks, driving enjoyment, low seating position/sports seats or more importantly price as the new Leon. 150BHP FSI engine has plenty of go and I still can't justify spending more money on a TDi - can't get used to the initial sedateness and noise of the diesel - petrolhead I am and always will be! Price for the new beast - circa £14,900 because I want a sunroof and the metallic black paint - minor niggle is the potential 10-12 week delivery. The ex demo Golf GT's I test drove yesterday were 9,000 milers and were £15,999 - work that one out? If you haven't seen the new Leon in the flesh (only officially launched last Saturday!) then you are missing a treat - I think it's gorgeous. Will keep you informed of progress and post pics as and when.

For squeeky/juddering wipers I would recommend buying some Comma glass cleaner. I was on the verge of buying a new set of wipers for the Loop but was recommended the Comma stuff and can't believe the difference it has made. It's a spray on foam that you wipe off the glass with kitchen towel. It's amazing how much grease and ***** comes off! No more annoying squeeks.

Heh, heh, it was me matey! I didn't recognise you this morning - still half asleep, you nearly missed the courtesy bus you chancer - I was sitting at the back catching some extra Zzzz's! Mines in to finally get the rear break light in the spoiler sorted out. They tried before but it failed again within days. I'll be going back on the courtesy bus at 4.15 from Castle Terrace if they fix it today - hopefully see you on there! Cheers

I e-mailed the Editor regarding distribution - here's his response..... Hi Andrew, The distribution network is rather scant, to say the least ­ we rely primarily on VW dealerships and our website/subscriptions etc to sell the mag Our distributor, MMC, does have a hotline which can advise customers of nearest stockist, by postcode Tel: 01483 211 222 But by far the best way is by logging on at our website at www.autometrix.co.uk and ordering online, or via mail order on 01525 750 500 Hope you find this useful regards Neil Birkitt Well worth getting a copy because in addition to the Lupo Gti feature there is good reading. One of the better VW mags I would say. Shame it's not readily available in all local corner shops!

Please correct me if I'm wrong but I thought the BMC kit came with one small length of connector pipe missing which you have to add yourself???

My old man is looking at buying a 1.4 Sport so we checked the VW website and trawled through the dealer second hand cars. Only 2 or 3 Sports in the entire country for sale at the various dealers! I haven't seen the sales figures but I reckon the Lupo Gti may have sold more than the Sport.

I think there maybe some confusion here - you do get the idea when you read the article that VW have indeed stopped production of the Lupo GTi. I contacted my local dealer and he informed me that Lupo Gti's are now only available in bog standard specification - that sounds to me like they are clearing out the old stock! However, as we all know the average VW dealer is not always up to speed with VW issues/information. Neil, if you can help on this one it would be appreciated.

I'm only 33! I must admit I got a wee surprise when I did the maths! I've suggested to the Editor that they do a follow up road test comparing the Lupo Gti with the Mk 1 and Mk 2 Golf Gti. I think that would make entertaining reading!

My only minor niggle was that they complained about the fact the speedo wasn't detailed enough i.e difficult to tell exactly what speed you are doing. Have to say it's never bothered me!

Heh, Heh. I was wondering who the good looking lady was stealing the limelight!

Go get a copy of this months VW Driver - the 5 page Lupo GTi feature is a good read, plus there's really stylish looking black Loop with anthracite wheels in there too!

I've seen the picture in this weeks Auto Express but I thought the report said it was to be a 'Sport' version of the Fox not the GTi shown above. Would explain the rather plain Jane styling. I can't understand what VW are doing with this Fox - One minute they are wanting to go more upmarket (Toureg, Phaeton, new passat) and then the next they unveil the Fox as the Lupo's replacement? As many in the motoring press have said, the Fox is no way near as interesting or as good looking as the Lupo and the cabin looks woeful in comparison, both styling and quality wise. From what I've seen recently of the new influx of supermini's such as the Totota Aygo, Suzuki Swift, and Daihatsu Sirion the Fox has absolutely no chance. At least the others have imagination! Personally, I would fork out my money on a Lupo, nearly new Fabia, Ibiza or Polo. It's that quality feel of a VW product you know it get's me everytime!

Personally, I would take another Lupo GTi over a Clio whether it's a 172, 182 or Trophy. I admire the performance Renault have squeezed out of the engine but the poor build quality and not so clever driving position put me off full stop. I really like the sound of this new Polo GTi and think 150Bhp is more than enough oomph for something of this size. You may pay a premium over the Beeza with more power but I think the solid build quality and quality finish will be streets ahead. I've also heard that the Beeza although quick has a shockingly bad ride and having owned a Mk IV Polo before the Loop I can assure you that it was very comfortable - even after the VW engineers have worked on the GTI's lowered suspension I think the GTI will a better all round hot hatch. You've just got to look at the Golf GTi to see what VW can achieve if they can be arsed! I would be very interested to see the Polo GTi's interior and back end - I really hope they give it a nice fat twin exhaust like the Golf. Not too sure whether a centrally positioned zorst like the Loop will suit? Can't wait to see it in the flesh.

I've got Pagid 8-Groove discs and fast road pads on mine. Bloody great they are too!