Small comparison between Civic and Leon.

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chrisri

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Last few weeks I had opportunity to drive my BIL 2012 Civic with 1.4 16v I vtec and a new rental 2014 Leon 1.2 TSI (same as golf mk 7). What a difference ! I'm sorry to say because I'm not VAG guy and I liked Hondas in the past, but Seat is better in every aspect. I knew Civic won't be a fast car, but this was unbelievably slow, like 60s slow. Leon feels much faster and torquer (its turbo DI), and handling is much better, so is the build. It absorb potholes better, it shift better, the steering is so much more responsive. VW of today makes more sporty cars then Honda. Strange world !
 
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Yeah, my mother just bought a new Civic. She was initially going to get the 1.4 engine, and I strongly advised her against it. She got the 1.8 engine, and even that she says it's kind of gutless unless you run at high rpms which she is not used to doing. Her previous car was a 2-liter turbodiesel, so it had a ton of torque at low rpms. The NA 1.8 honda engine is a lot different in its power/torque delivery. She will have to get used to it.
 
BTW, the suspension and steering of the Civic hatch was retuned for 2014. Not sure noticeable these changes were in real life...

From wiki...

Quote:
Changes to Civic hatchback include retuned electric power steering to provide a more secure control during higher speeds, front and rear dampers were revised for improving body control, toe and camber of the rear suspension were realigned to improve the hatchback's handling,
 
Yes guys Civic is gutless, but I didn't expect much from beginning. The thing that shocked me was interior build quality (and I drive FIATs so no high expectations here) , and how car feels like a tin can. When you pull front side windows up whole doore is twisting, and so are interior linings on front doors. It's cheap car but I have never noticed that on my 06 Stilo.
 
QP I saw your mother Civic, this is the older one, a redesign of first series of this body. It's not a bad car, it will be reliable, but SEAT is in another league.
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: chrisri
QP I saw your mother Civic, this is the older one,

I thought the new one came out in 2011, no?


No idea really, maybe it was registered in 2012 for the first time so in papers is 2012, but is definitely older shape then your mothers car. This car is on German plates so I don't know what they put in documents, a date of built or first registration.
 
OT, but your countryman is playing the US Open final later today. I bet everyone back home is rooting for him. He's been playing very well!
 
Originally Posted By: chrisri
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: chrisri
QP I saw your mother Civic, this is the older one,

I thought the new one came out in 2011, no?


No idea really, maybe it was registered in 2012 for the first time so in papers is 2012, but is definitely older shape then your mothers car. This car is on German plates so I don't know what they put in documents, a date of built or first registration.


In the German cars paper it will have the EZ (Erste Zulassung) date not the build date.
If it was a 2011 and not registered until 2012, EZ 2012 will be in the papers.
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
OT, but your countryman is playing the US Open final later today. I bet everyone back home is rooting for him. He's been playing very well!



Yeah QP, Cilic is great lately, but man's got great trainer, a legend Goran Ivanisevic. Only few hours until match. Case of Flensburger ( very good btw) is on ice, pizza on order. Fun evening tonight!
 
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