SEAT Leon - Older Leon 20VTs - still good?

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Wed 29 Aug 2012 23:48
SEAT Leon - Older Leon 20VTs - still good? - Jase

Evening All,

Bit random this.

Years ago I had a Leon 20VT and loved it. We swapped it for a C-Max when the children came along, but the original multispoke wheeled 180BHP models are now well under £2k and I quite fancy one again as my runaround. Currently enjoying a '99 T reg 3.0 V6 Accord Coupe, which is fab and very reliable, but I am tempted by pointy squirty 20VT fun again.

Question is are they money pits after 10yrs? Anyone got any experience of running an older 20VT up and beyond 100k miles? Do the oily bits last (I accept the cabin will rattle!)

Thanks

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Thu 30 Aug 2012 01:23
SEAT Leon - Older Leon 20VTs - still good? - Avant

Like anything else at the age you're looking at, it'll depend on how well it's been looked after and whether it's got a service history - probably no more of a gamble than anything else of similar age. An Octavia vRS is an alternative - maybe not quite as nippy as a Leon.

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Thu 30 Aug 2012 18:20
SEAT Leon - Older Leon 20VTs - still good? - BenG

Check out seatcupra dot net for more information about common faults. I have a diesel Leon and AC fans tend to fail and are pricy to replace (mine cost £440). Check for fans pulsing on and off when the AC is on auto.

Don't buy a yellow one - the paint fades (mine has) due to poor UV protection in the clear topcoat.

Check for water ingress into footwells if possible - door seals fail (but easy enough to fix yourself).

Not sure about 1.8T-specific faults, but there's plenty on the forum above.

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Thu 30 Aug 2012 19:12
SEAT Leon - Older Leon 20VTs - still good? - Honestjohn

There's a lot in the link below, especially this bit: www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/seat/leon-1999/?sect...d

HJ

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Thu 30 Aug 2012 21:08
SEAT Leon - Older Leon 20VTs - still good? - Wukl

They do say "never go back"... it'll not be the same second time round.

In a similar vein, I'm trying to keep off Autotrader looking for another FIAT Coupe!

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Thu 30 Aug 2012 23:04
SEAT Leon - Older Leon 20VTs - still good? - Jase

Thanks for all the replies. I have resurrected my old SeatCupra.Net account! Wanted to get some independent opinions too, but seems like no-one on here is running an older Leon.

HJ - have read the CarByCar a million times now over the years!

Octavia vRS a good suggestion thank you Avant. Will add it to list.

Will continue in the Accord for now (and quietly watch AutoTrader....)

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