The car I won - finally got it
 

So, after much malarky, today I picked up the SEAT Ibiza I won (see I won a new car!!! And am 'Young Driver of the year' thread) from the dealer. I've driven it around 25 miles, can't do too many as I'm hoping to sell it and buy that 500E ;)

It's a pretty neat car, nippy with its 1.4-16v 100bhp engine and light weight, and is top of the line spec too. Oh and SEATs are simply rebadged Volkswagens, built by VW, and often using newer technology than their VW cousins as something of a 'testbed' before they are used in VWs core models (Golf/Jetta/Passat etc). This is based on the very latest Polo platform.

Here's some pics

http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/russ/...s/Img_5374.jpg
Sport spec. includes: Rear Spoiler, Sports seats, Sports leather steering wheel/gearlever/handbrake lever


http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/russ/...s/Img_5361.jpg
Climate Control, Electric windows/mirrors (heated), Twin Airbags with passenger side de-activation, Side Airbags

http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/russ/...s/Img_5349.jpg
9 Miles on the clock
http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/russ/...s/Img_5363.jpg
http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/russ/...s/Img_5384.jpg
Traction Control, ABS (Anti-lock braking) & EBA (Electronic Brake Assist)

http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/russ/...s/Img_5391.jpg
Front Foglamps, CD Player & 8 speakers, Trip Computer

http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/russ/...s/Img_5407.jpg
http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/russ/...s/Img_5355.jpg
16" Alloys, 4 wheel disc brakes, Remote Central Locking, Alarm, Immobilizer

http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/russ/...s/Img_5385.jpg
http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/russ/...s/Img_5393.jpg
http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/russ/...s/Img_5357.jpg
http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/russ/...s/Img_5410.jpg


http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/russ/...s/Img_5364.jpg
None of the 190E's multi-link independant rear suspension here!
http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/russ/...s/Img_5366.jpg



To help me sell it, I've put all these on a web site..:

http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/russ/seat/

Neat little car! :)

Good for the daily grind while you tinker on the others!

Easy on the (rising cost of) gas too! ;)

Do you pay taxes on winnings like we do here in the US?

That's kinda slick looking! Congrats!:)

Thanks, No we don't pay any taxes at all :)

I forgot to mention my driving impressions: on the sports suspension it's a little firm riding as you'd expect, and a little thumpy with those wide low-profile tyres, but it does have good damping (far better than the usual VW/Audi fare) and little body roll, and inspires huge confidence going quickly through bends. A lot of fun on the open road actually, less fun in town because of the lack of torque (needs variable valve timing!). Steering is quite direct and not bad for feel either, which helps. Far more fun than any recent Volkswagen I've driven, (which is most of them). It's a change, despite the 190E's excellent handling, to have a lighter, more stiffly sprung car.

High revving on the motorway though, and not even attempting to be close to '80s Mercedes interior quality, even if it's not bad for a small car, and far better than Ford's.

cool little car.

now hurry up and sell it so you can enjoy spending the money it on something you really want!

Alon

I wouldn't mind if the VW Group brought Seat over here to compete against the Koreans. Hell, that car is very stylish compared to anything that comes out of Korea, and I like the interior.

Do they offer the 1.8 T engine in there, or the TDi, in Britain?

-Sam

Hey Russ!

Congrats! Sweet win! You should sell it as a "lucky winners car" or something...probably squeeze some extra cash for it from superstitous types. ;)

How'd you win it? Racing?

Good luck on the hunt for the 500E...

The undercarrige is just so clean :eek:

Quite - how does a 130bhp/229 lbft 1.9 Diesel take you? No?
What if they bludgeoned in the 210bhp version of the 1.8 Turbo in the Audi TT/S3..
Bear in mind, the version I have weighs 1049 Kg (2300 lb)... that will make a very fast car.

These fast versions are called 'Cupra' and 'Cupra R'

And yes, you do sadly miss them in the USA, perhaps they are a little too 'hardcore' though?

I think it's kinda cool. I wish I could win something like that

Wow not a bad looking little ride....Especially for a freebie

You're kidding, right? Official average is 42.2 mpg.

The 130bhp diesel does 55.4 mpg :eek:

Too bad the diesel is now considered the 'Evil Engine' by our EPA(s).

Happy Motoring, Mark

russ

way to go! nice little econo car.

who the hell would want a 500e when they have 100 horses?
just kidding, the line starts right behind me.

didn't they fill up your tank??
most times when you buy a new car in the u.s. you get your first tank of gas free.


also do your fogs stay on with high beams [in europe]??

peter

Fogs are just completely switchable on/off, and they stay on with high beams

No full tank :( , I think someone at the press office mentioned to the dealer I'd won the car, and they did a pretty sloppy PDI. oh well.

Weird how you guys call a small car an 'econo' car.. in Europe many of our small cars are some of the best engineered, and best to drive, around... you'd never get away with calling them 'econo' cars ;) :D

no offense intended...

i guess [to me] an econo car, is like a 'mini' type car that gets over 40 mpg.

peter

500E for sale
 

Pentoman, I know you're looking for a UK 500E. In the current (March 2003) edition of Mercedes Enthusiast is the following private ad (I have nothing to do with it, have not seen the car, don't know the seller &c, &c):

500E, 1993, limited edition. LHD, 326 bhp, Bornite metallic. This rare car is in immaculate and faultless condition. Full leather interior, all extras inc. Sigma cat 1 alarm and Becker sound system. Brand new Michelin Pilot tyres, 138,000 miles with FMBSH. Recent major service undertaken. Offered with tax, MOT and cherished plate 'K500 AAS'. New 500SL arriving soon. An appreciating asset and future classic. Prompt sale required. £10,950 ovno. Tel: 020 8890 5912 or 07860 223 649. Middlesex.

Sounds interesting.

Thanks JJR that's very helpful, as 500E supplies just seem to be running dry in the UK. It's the right colour and spec, only issue is, it's done almost double the mileage of my current Merc, and though that's no problem to a 500E, it doesn't quite feel right to go from a 75,000 mile car to a 138,000 mile car while investing £10,000.

BUT, if I can sell my SEAT quick enough, I will go and look at this car and see how it fares at that mileage.


thanks again

Russ

I'd be wary of a mileage that high, too.

Russ,

Great looking car!! I drove a SEAT a few years ago throughout Spain and loved it.

Did you notice the steering wheel is on the wrong side? :D