SEAT AROSA (1997 - 2005)
MODELS COVERED: 3dr hatch [1.0, 1.4, petrol, 1.7 diesel.
base, S, Sport, SDi]
BY ANDY ENRIGHT
Nothing seems to split motorists opinions more than the desirability of city cars. You either love them or hate them, and there seems to be no middle ground. SEATs offering in this sector, the Arosa, has been quietly carving out an enviable market share against offerings such as the
Ford Ka,
Fiat Seicento and its VW Group sister, the
Volkswagen Lupo. Given that these cars see a lot of punishing city driving and are obviously built down to a budget, does a used Arosa hold any allure? Find out here.
Surprising
SEAT. Okay, so the tagline may have been purloined from another manufacturer, but its a fact. Anybody expecting the Arosa to be little more than a motorised Anderson shelter would be in for a vast shock. The interior quality is deeply impressive.
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Whereas radio telescopes can pick up faint echoes of
Fiat Seicento doors that were slammed three years ago, shut the door on an Arosa, and theres a reassuring thunk, Like an
Audi in fact. All models come fitted with power steering, making one wonder how we ever managed without it in days gone by. Theres also an adjustable steering wheel, drivers airbag, face-off stereo and VWs comprehensive 12-year bodyshell warranty. Theres also the three year unlimited mileage warranty to factor into the equation.
There is just about enough space for four adults inside, but dont expect to be able to carry their luggage with any great success. Nervous passengers are best sat in the front, as the rear seats can get worryingly close to traffic if it chooses to tailgate. The S variants received electric front windows, better quality upholstery, central locking and body coloured bumpers. If you want to make a statement, a Neon Yellow 1.
4 16V Sport is the model to plump for. This came with 14-inch alloy wheels, front spotlights, lowered suspension, a lairy exhaust, sports seats, dual airbags, a leather rimmed steering wheel and blue instrumentation.
Used SEATs used to have a residual value which could easily be counted in peseta terms. Using one hand. New models have changed all of that, and the Arosa is no exception. £2,100 may not sound very much for a 1997 P plate car, but seeing as the 1.
0 model retailed for only £6,850 new, it represents firm market action. Go for a 1.4 and the story is similar. A similar vintage 1.
4 auto will cost £400 more. The 1.7 SDi is probably the most desirable Arosa around, and a 1998 R plate example of one of these should retail at around £2,600. The newer 1.
4 TDI oil-burner that debuted in 2001 will cost from £4,300 on an X-plate.
Swiss watches. The sun rising tomorrow. The Irish winning the Eurovision Song Contest. All of these pale compared to the reliability of VW Group products, and the Arosa is no exception.
As many Arosas were purchased as post-driving test presents, check for parking bumps. On the 16V Sport model, ensure that the front tyres arent sizzled. Aside from that, the usual caveats of insisting on a fully stamped up service history and a good clutch action, crucial on a car which may be traffic bound for most of its life.
(approx based on an Arosa 1.0) No great horrors here. Arosa parts prices are generally reasonably priced, with a clutch assembly costing around £100, a full exhaust in the region of £140, front brake pads £35, and rear brake shoes £15. An alternator retails for approximately £170, and a starter motor £100.
A replacement headlamp unit will set you back £65.
The first impression upon driving the Arosa is of class-leading refinement. It may sound like a cliché, but it is one of those cars that genuinely does feel larger and more expensive than it is. You wont feel the need to flog it to death around every corner, as even the 1.0 litre engines are reasonably relaxed. One of the reasons for this is that manufacturing that quality feel invokes a weight penalty, and the Arosa doesnt have the playful puppy demeanour of Fiats Seicento.
The flipside of this is improved safety. The Arosa is eminently crash-proof, and provides such niceties as ISO-fix child
seat mounting points so you wont have to wrestle with seatbelts. The 1.7 litre turbodiesels are the most pleasant option, generating that great capability that only a small car with a relatively big engine can serve up.
A carefully selected SEAT Arosa is, alongside the
Ford Ka, the best value used buy in the supermini class. Less costly than a VW Lupo, and more durable than a Fiat Seicento, the Arosa is a measured choice. Pick of the range is the frugal 1.7 SDi, which offers great returns at the pump and a less than puny feel at the wheel.
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