I bought my Toledo TDi back in early 2004, it had 38k miles on the clock and was in very good condition. This is her story.....
From the moment I set eyes on her I was impressed, sleek, curvacious and to some extent, sporty looking were my first impressions. I'd never taken any notice ... Read review
Advantages: Speed, Comfort, Reliaility, Quality, Economy, Features, Looks Disadvantages: Door seals sometimes need replacing
...instruments. The front passengers seat was just as comfortable and both were height, reach and recline-adjustable, manually but what the heck. The back had masses of space, even enough for me and i'm 6'2! There were airbags in the front and ABS as standard. This car had air-con and a CD changer so i was happy. The top of the dashboard was flat and quite large so there was plenty of space to put those essential cluttering things such as a road map, ... ...parcel shelf was the same, adequate space for storing window shades etc for the kids or installing even more speakers (not that it needs them).
The factory fit sound in this car is outstanding. Door mounted low/mid-range combo with seperate tweeters and the same in the back make it kick out excellent bass for a factory fit unit, as well as the higher voice ranges for the all round music lovers everywhere. It came with a 6CD changer ... more
I bought my Toledo TDi back in early 2004, it had 38k miles on the clock and was in very good condition. This is her story.....
From the moment I set eyes on her I was impressed, sleek, curvacious and to some extent, sporty looking were my first impressions. I'd never taken any notice of seats before then apart from the Ibiza I learned to drive in so I'd not really looked at buying one. I saw her for sale at a local garage and thought i'd take a closer look. My partner at the time and I were expecting our first child, at the time I was driving a Rover 220SD and although it had 5 doors, it wasn't the roomiest car I'd been in.
So, I climbed in and instantly it struck me. Everything was laid out where you would expect, no silly dials in the centre of the dashboard, no funny looking buttons that had no purpose. This was a straight forward car that had the tools needed for the job. I gave the car a good going over, this is what I found....
Inside the car, a very comfortable drivers seat, upholstered in a dark grey, black and blue to match the black dash and instruments. The front passengers seat was just as comfortable and both were height, reach and recline-adjustable, manually but what the heck. The back had masses of space, even enough for me and i'm 6'2! There were airbags in the front and ABS as standard. This car had air-con and a CD changer so i was happy. The top of the dashboard was flat and quite large so there was plenty of space to put those essential cluttering things such as a road map, mcdonalds bag, wallet, phone you name it. The rear parcel shelf was the same, adequate space for storing window shades etc for the kids or installing even more speakers (not that it needs them).
The factory fit sound in this car is outstanding. Door mounted low/mid-range combo with seperate tweeters and the same in the back make it kick out excellent bass for a factory fit unit, as well as the higher voice ranges for the all round music lovers everywhere. It came with a 6CD changer in the glove compartment, easy access non of this under-the-seat or tucked away in the bot rubbish. The head unit itself is a pick of technology that integrates into the car. It is capable of Traffic Announcements, CD, Tape, FM, AM and long range radio. A repeat display in the centre of the driving instruments shows you what you're listening to. The sound experience is enhanced by a fully adjustable treble and bass with loudness option. The head unit can be programmed so you can set if it comes on with the ignition or remains off, the standard volume level, the traffic announcement volume level and security code.
Moving the the rear of the car, it is well rounded and has a massive boot. One of the largest available for this class of car (at time of manufacture - 1999). It's deep, wide and can hold 3 people (don't ask!). The only negative point is the opening, for such a big boot, the opening is not the widest, much of the available space at the side of the car being taken up by the light clusters. The lights themselves are cool, clear indicators with coloured bulbs give the car and extra look of sleekness.
Now round ot the front of the car., and my favourite part. My TDi is powered by a Volkswagen, Audi Group (Commonly known as VAG) engine. In fact much of the car is made from VAG parts but we'll get to that later. The engine is the 110bhp model giving excellent power and equally excellent fuel economy. I have modified the car by the way of an ECU chip modification courtesy of Dragon performance, taking the peak power to an estimated 145bhp. When theres a demand for power it is delivered and when driven sensibly the car produced an outstanding rate of economy, better than any diesel car i've owned to date. This engine is as reliable and bulletproof as they come. On Christmas eve 2004 I struck a dislodged manhole cover at speed, tearing off the lower engine bay cover and putting a nasty gash in my oil sump. Almost immediately the oil light came on but I was hestitant to stop the engine as I would have lost the power steering and some power to the brakes so I let it run until I could bring the car to a controlled stop. There was no oil left in the engine by the time I pulled over, the sump was repaired and the engine is running as new again. I've never had any issues starting or running the car. Being a VAG product it also features a very clever engine management system. If the car detects a problem it will preverve itself as best it can, for example, if you try to accellerate and at the same time press the brake pedal, the engine management will ignore the signal from the accellerator and stop any power from being applied to the drive wheels. Similarly, if there are any incorrect reading from any of the engines pressure or temperature sensors, the car will dive into a limp mode, providing enough power to move the car but without putting too much stress on the engine.
Ok, so that's the technical bit covered. As for fuel economy, I can averege around 55 / 65 urban, 60 / 70 motorway which isn't bad. The car uses EGR or exhaust gas recirculation which means some of the exhaust gas is put back through the engine and re-burnt, this increases fuel burning efficiency and reduces waste gas from being released to the atmosphere.
Front fogs give the car that extra look as well as the convenence of being able to see your way forward in the worst conditions.
Both the bonnet and boot are hydraulically assisted and dont require any support once opened.
Handling, well, it handles well for it's length and weight and the ABS makes the car safe in wet conditions. I have put the ABS to the test on several occasions and it has helped avoid a catastrophy! The only thing the car lacks is traction control. There is so much power that it does need it, even on dry roads.
The car has it's own immobilisor build in as part of the clever engine management.
So, its reliable, safe, spacious, comfortable, secure, looks good, handles well, performs well, is economic and quite possibly the best purchase i've ever made.
Advantages: Fast, reliable, smart looking, Disadvantages: Tyres/wheels are not the best at gripping the road, power outlet is not in a very good place
...giving you a very comfortable seat - these are also in the rear. both front visors have missors with lights if needed. There are plenty of little storage compartments (under the seats, in the central armrest, door wells and glove compartments). Inside the book there is the spare wheel, a cargo net and also a board that fits over the whole boot. The power socket is near the central arm rest so if using sat nav and need the power outlet it might be ... ...and get the power to reach - the power lead may also be in the way of hte hand break and gear lever.
Features
Central locking, power steering, ABS, climate control, cruise control, tinted rear view mirror ( no more getting dazzled), tinted windows, electric side mirrors, on board computer, rev counter, CD, traction control, alloy wheels, tiptronic (that might not be the correct spelling) gear box and I'm sure a lot more features. Overall
This ...
bettyboouk 30.01.2007
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of SEAT Toledo 1.9 TDi
...is good although I think Seat should bring the 150 BHP engine available on the continent here to the UK and then the car really would be a true sports saloon.
Handling is spot on and the steering provides a good feel - not too light, but not too heavy.
All in all a fine package which I would have no hesitation in recommending to anyone wanting something a bit different. ...
rob_roy 17.02.2003
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of SEAT Toledo 1.9 TDi
Advantages: Economy in Fuel, Insurance and Servicing, while giving executive car feel. Disadvantages: Many people still regard SEAT marque with some skepticism.
...downside is people's perception of Seat as a marque, but their impression is immediately changed when they get inside. Customer service has been great, with what few minor niggles I've had - being taken care of immediately by Seat, and they offer a free courtesy car every time mine's in for servicing. (You'll need to get your insurance to fax a cover note to get it free or pay £20 for the day to have their insurance cover you).
However, what have ... ...Family car? Yes and utterly revolting, if you want something classic, sporty and stylish. And horror of horrors, Seat now only offer black leather as an option. Oh dear oh dear. So I've decided to keep my money and stick with the beautiful and totally reliable car I already have! ...
caligulase19 14.06.2005 (15.06.2005)
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of SEAT Toledo 1.9 TDi
Advantages: solid build,excellent economy,abundance of standard features Disadvantages: unrefined engine sound on startup
...and solid build. Knowing that Seat was part of VW I researched the Toledo and was staggered by the results. All the reviews, by both professional writers and private users indicated only minor issus such as the relatively cramped rear seating. Having traced one via the Internet and finding it was very well priced I test drove it and found it was right up to expectations.
After the initial start up of the engine which is quite unrefined, the engine ... ...push you back in your seat and the economy for a heavy car very good, with around 40 mpg in soley urban driving in cold weather.
The standard feature list is excellent with the usual power steering, electric front but also rear windows, remote central locking wth inbuilt alarm and immobiliser and the boot is cavernous. Nice to haves include a 6 cd changer (meaning 7 cds can be in the system at once), cruise control which can be surprisingly useful ...
amonline 21.02.2004
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of SEAT Toledo 1.9 TDi
Advantages: Tons of extras, competitive price Disadvantages: tight boot opening,
...side airbags, front and back seat arm supports, electronic airconditioning, front and rear fog lights, CD player with 8 loudspeakers, electric windows (all managable from driver's seat), etc. As I bought a special "limited edition", mine even has motorized sunroof and cruise control. Good package at a reasonable (does not mean cheap) price in its category.
I bought the car on a Monday morning, and the same day I was on the road towards Spain, a ... ...us in the car, and on the first 2000 kilometres I was driving someone more cautiously (avoiding high rev, etc.) The back journey was somewhat more lenient. Fuel economy was similar to what I had expected from reviews of other owners. A quick and rough calculation showed that we had saved the money for 2 or 3 extra hotel nights in Spain by going there in the new car instead of the Skoda Felicia 1.3 I changed from. Then we do not speak of the comfort ...
ha5xa 04.08.2003
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of SEAT Toledo 1.9 TDi
Value for Money
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