Manual gearbox Cupra, no more, where do I look next?

Cuprobbie

Active Member
May 4, 2016
91
26
Hamilton
I have a 2016 Cupra 290 BE which is nearing the end of a PCP, so I’m looking at the possibilities for my next purchase.
I was considering a brand new Cupra, but noticed it’s available with DSG only.
Really like the idea of a Golf R. Same story, DSG only.
I’ve owned 3 Civic Type Rs in years gone by, but being on the wrong side of 60 years old, I really can’t imagine driving around in a current Type R. I suppose if I was confident enough, I wouldn’t care what people think.
So, what are the alternatives?
I’ve been reading lots of good reviews of the Hyundai i30N Performance, so that’s a possibility.
Octavia VRs, petrol? Not exactly a looker, or very exciting.
 

Stoob

Active Member
Apr 21, 2018
165
38
Have you tried driving a car with the DSG box? I was a staunch 'manual only' driver till i test drove a DSG car, and now i can honestly say, If i have the choice, I'd choose a DSG over a manual anyday.. :)
 

Jonno02

Active Member
Apr 8, 2015
179
11
I just had my first DSG car, a 290 Copra, delivered on Friday. I've always been a "DSG's are for ladies, men drive manual." After one weekend with the car, I don't think I'd ever choose manual over DSG again.
 

Nobafett

Active Member
Dec 10, 2018
29
9
I’ve recently bought a Cupra 280 DSG and have always considered myself a manual purist with my last 5 cars being Renaulsports. However, I’m totally sold on the DSG. Totally relaxing around town and when cruising but also involving when in manual and hooning it on B roads. Maybe not quite as involving as a manual but not far behind and better in every other circumstance. Give it a go before you right it off.
On the other hand, I really wanted to get an i30n. It’s a truly brilliant drivers cars and is more entertaining than the Cupra. Unfortunately it was out of my price range. It’s also worth noting that the Type R is a 4 seater only.
What about the new Megane? 5 doors, 5 seats, manual or DSG. The new Trophy model is meant to be pretty great.
 

Oldbutswift

Active Member
Mar 23, 2016
285
91
I have a 2016 Cupra 290 BE which is nearing the end of a PCP, so I’m looking at the possibilities for my next purchase.
I was considering a brand new Cupra, but noticed it’s available with DSG only.
Really like the idea of a Golf R. Same story, DSG only.
I’ve owned 3 Civic Type Rs in years gone by, but being on the wrong side of 60 years old, I really can’t imagine driving around in a current Type R. I suppose if I was confident enough, I wouldn’t care what people think.
So, what are the alternatives?
I’ve been reading lots of good reviews of the Hyundai i30N Performance, so that’s a possibility.
Octavia VRs, petrol? Not exactly a looker, or very exciting.

I know what you mean about the latest Civic type R since I had one and am in my 60s,and didn't keep it long.
...BUT illness played a big part in me changing and as you say,if you have the confidence to ignore what others might think it is a really fine car,totally planted and secure handling,lovely gear change,and great engine too.
 

Polly

Active Member
Jan 16, 2019
289
60
I prefer the MANUAL to an Auto and I have had a DSG on an Audi RS Q3 as well.
I concentrate more and have to focus on my driving as that is what I do.

THE Type R was the next choice following the Golf R going.
Fortunately just got in on a Cupra R. Well pleased.

BUT just sat in and was offered a Demo in a i30 N great piece of kit. So worth a try as a saner looking motor.
BETTER still the new fastback.

[PS I am a silver haired Hot Hatch Fan too.]
 

Tara

Active Member
Jan 21, 2008
591
215
Bournemouth
Type R is definitely the most focused and most fun if you can get past the looks which I think i could , I used to own type R's in the past and loved then but my DC2 Intergra Type R was the pick of the bunch and enjoyed many track day's in it as it was a hoot , I think failing that the I30n would be the way to go for a manual.
 
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surrealjam

Active Member
Jan 8, 2015
328
53
If you're buying new I think the options are

Peugeot 308 GTi
Renault Mégane RS
Hyundai i30n
Honda Civic Type R

Hmm... Struggling to think of many other manual hot hatches.
 

Leeoncupra

Active Member
Feb 12, 2017
764
191
Halesowen
Focus st250

I have the diesel as our family daily its been remapped by collins performance and its surprisingly quick and returns great mpg aswell

My mate had the petrol 250 tuned to 310bhp and it went very well

Love the handling on the focus chassis being the 4th ive owned now always found the 3 leons ive owned inc a mk2 cupra and they feel lethargic and not as responsive but that may be me being used to always owning a focus at the same time , even reviews rate the fords for the handling

Food for thought...

leon mk1 cupra
 

delticdave

Active Member
Dec 17, 2016
12
0
I have a 2016 Cupra 290 BE which is nearing the end of a PCP, so I’m looking at the possibilities for my next purchase.
I was considering a brand new Cupra, but noticed it’s available with DSG only.
Really like the idea of a Golf R. Same story, DSG only.
I’ve owned 3 Civic Type Rs in years gone by, but being on the wrong side of 60 years old, I really can’t imagine driving around in a current Type R. I suppose if I was confident enough, I wouldn’t care what people think.
So, what are the alternatives?
I’ve been reading lots of good reviews of the Hyundai i30N Performance, so that’s a possibility.
Octavia VRs, petrol? Not exactly a looker, or very exciting.

I, (actually both of us), are even older oldies, & are quite happy with our DSG Golf R's.
I'm now looking to replace my ancient Superb with a narrowish car, such as a Cupra ST which appears to be fitted with a 7-speed DSG.

We can still drive manuals, but we no longer enjoy them, we were lumbered with a rented manual on our last trip abroad & realized that the extra workload (wrong side of road, etc.) spoilt the whole experience.

As for the current vRS, Skoda aren't allowed to sell a decent high-performance version so you're stuck with "only" 245 ps, but it is a decent sized car, maybe more practical than sportive?
The i30n is manual only, so it wouldn't suit us but it could fit your needs.
New Focus ST some next year? Audi S3 if you want to stay with VAG?

DC
 

LouG

Active Member
Dec 1, 2017
1,319
481
Nelson, New Zealand
I've just driven a Cupra R manual, it is a nice 'box mostly, but was a bit jerky in heavy traffic on the 1 - 2 shift. Almost felt like it had the old Mini rubber drive couplings. I could live with it if all my driving was in light traffic.
On the other hand, the DSG is the best of both worlds, and is the only choice for really quick driving on tight, twisty roads. When you only have 100- 150 metre straights between tight corners its instant shifts between 2 and 3 is brilliant. Its variety of modes makes it as involving as you want.
Plus, it farts.
 

TvpSeat

Active Member
Feb 1, 2019
21
6
I use VRS's at work. Superb cars for the money and nearly got one. But a lease deal on a Leon cupra st 4drive was pennies a month cheaper so that's what I'm getting. The VRS's we use are fantastic cars though and they are a fair bit bigger than the Leon. Personally I'd rather have a manual on the leon but I've never driven a dsg other than a superb 3.6 v6 so I'm willing to give it a try. Give a VRS a try!
 

delticdave

Active Member
Dec 17, 2016
12
0
I use VRS's at work. Superb cars for the money and nearly got one. But a lease deal on a Leon cupra st 4drive was pennies a month cheaper so that's what I'm getting. The VRS's we use are fantastic cars though and they are a fair bit bigger than the Leon. Personally I'd rather have a manual on the leon but I've never driven a dsg other than a superb 3.6 v6 so I'm willing to give it a try. Give a VRS a try!

Umm, who uses vRS's for work?
Politie, NHS......?

The v6 Superb is nice, but I prefer my tweaked 2.0 TSi, a bit lighter & better economy, but no 4WD.
The Leon ST 300 does have 4WD though, as can the Octavia Estate with the 190 ps 2.0 TSi.

Still not sure what to buy next though...........
 

TvpSeat

Active Member
Feb 1, 2019
21
6
Umm, who uses vRS's for work?
Politie, NHS......?

The v6 Superb is nice, but I prefer my tweaked 2.0 TSi, a bit lighter & better economy, but no 4WD.
The Leon ST 300 does have 4WD though, as can the Octavia Estate with the 190 ps 2.0 TSi.

Still not sure what to buy next though...........

Yes police, our driving school use them and i spent a couple of weeks driving the vrs at silly speeds along with the superb. Superb was quicker on paper but didn't feel quicker and needed filling twice a day! I really liked it but it felt a bit soft and didn't feel like a 3.6 v6 however the 4x4 made it feel hugely stable. I only do about 6K a year so fuel isn't really an issue but I'd be disappointed with a superb rather buy an old Audi s4 v8....

I really loved the vrs though and it did everything very well and when I started looking for a new car this was top of my list but as I'm leasing and a leon was only 20 quid a month more than the vrs and has 4x4 and 55bhp more plus a few extras (dcc and front parking sensors). If the vrs had worked out financially I'd have been very happy with it....comfortable, fast when you want it to be and a cruiser when you don't....

The new 280bhp Superb 4x4 Sportline looks very nice but I couldn't find one in my budget....

I think it's going to become a struggle to find anything manual in coming years especially when modern autos seem to perform better in emissions regulations.
 
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