Should I buy a Clio

[driftking]

At the risk of being lynched, i've decided to consult fellow 200 owners on the following issue.

I'm thinking about loosing the 200 for a Clio cup - the light weight 172 jobby.

Before everyone starts that "scrabbly fwd nonsense" crap, (although i would agree that proper drifting will be a thing of the past), ANYONE who HONESTLY believes and will state it here that the 200 is a better handler ALL ROUND... throw down the gaunlet. Yes, the 200 is rear drive LSD etc, but A-road fun factor...? I challenge anyone to have a go in any 172 for a proper blast and not come out of it with a grin ear to ear! And the Cup is not slow either - depending what press you read, as low as 6.6 to 60 and 140 top end; which, again, admit it everyone, in REAL LIFE terms, like down A-roads is as quick as a STANDARD 200. (if i get one i'll prove it to anyone) But then tuning is not so easy on the Clio so i'm f*c*ed if i meet a fettled 200...

I am in two minds, which is why i'm consulting both sides to weigh-up the pros and cons of changing or not changing.

I'm not looking for people to tell me "scrabbly fwd nonsense" or "can't drift so its crap", so please please anyone with something useful to say or 1ST HAND expirience of a 172 or cup let me know what you think.

Thank you. Nick

[Sx Drifter]

scrabbly fwd nonsense :nod: :whip: :ghey:

[driftking]

thats useful, thanks

[Plasterdog]

well ive been a passenger in one, and on tight and twisty roads they seem pretty gosh darn good, cant say any actual driving thoughts as i was only a passenger, but they seemed pretty quick and the friend of a friend who owned it seemed more than happy with it...read good things about it in magazines to, like its the pug 205 of this time in that it may be fwd but still a good handler..

it was fun to be a passenger if thats any help... did seem a bit small and erm i dont know i felt kinda vulnerable in it to be honest wouldnt want to be in a crash in one!

hope this is of some use..it probably isnt sorry :cry:

[Aitch]

Ask Sideways Danny his opinions on Renault Clios! ;)

[hadyn]

i've been impressed by them :nod:

[FullMetalGasket]

They are very quick on circuits as well as A roads :nod:

And leaving aside the scrabbly nonsence bit, lack of drifting ect, they have one major flaw.

As described to me by a friend at work who was considering one:

It's a girls car :smash:

He decided to stick with his old Pug 106 Rallye (also a bloody fast, excellent handling scrabbly piece of nonsense :wack: ) largly for that reason

[Bayside Blue]

Don’t French cars fall to bits? :D jap performance cars aren’t really shy of needing good maintenance but they are in the scale of things quite reliable apart from that. :thumbs:

[JB]

Each to their own :indiff:

[Mark]

excellent little cars and one of the best current hot hatches IMO but its not a 200 ;) You mod one and you just look like some max power nobber :D

[seb]

I can't comment on a Clio cup, never been in one, but my 205mi16 has better power-to-weight and probably almost as good handling.

Yet what do i find myself driving day in day out - the Monza. I guess I'm a RWD whore :) It's a heavy wallowy beast and only 170bhp, therefore it's obvious that I'd take a 200 over a FWD rocket any day.

[driftking]

Git. Didn't think of the girl factor.

Good point about the build quality. A lady friend of mine has a normal clio of '03 vintage and it seems fairly solid.

Thank you people for useful (and sensible) comments

[driftking]

excellent little cars and one of the best current hot hatches IMO but its not a 200 ;) You mod one and you just look like some max power nobber :D


:wack: Oh the Max Power... bless them and their :ghey: cars. Good point thou

[Wallers]

I wouldn't get the cup, losing saftey features for speed isn't clever. Go for a 172 or 182 and feel safer with your speed.

oh a guy I know has over 200bhp (proven) on his, he's selling and getting a 182 soon.

[Sideways Danny]

Don’t French cars fall to bits? :D jap performance cars aren’t really shy of needing good maintenance but they are in the scale of things quite reliable apart from that. :thumbs:

well my 170k 205 gti is doing just fine thanks, while my 105k s13 had killed just about every component it can since i've had it. and i've only managed to do 30k in it in 3 years :(

the 172 cup is a lot of car and i'd be very interested to drive one,

[driftking]

I wouldn't get the cup, losing saftey features for speed isn't clever. Go for a 172 or 182 and feel safer with your speed


Would tend to agree, but a mate had an older 172 with abs and said it used to cut in too early, he now has a Cup without abs and prefers it, but i take your point.

[driftking]

For the record, i have yet to drive a new 172, cup or 182.

[Leon]

At the risk of being lynched, i've decided to consult fellow 200 owners on the following issue.

I'm thinking about loosing the 200 for a Clio cup - the light weight 172 jobby.

Before everyone starts that "scrabbly fwd nonsense" crap, (although i would agree that proper drifting will be a thing of the past), ANYONE who HONESTLY believes and will state it here that the 200 is a better handler ALL ROUND... throw down the gaunlet. Yes, the 200 is rear drive LSD etc, but A-road fun factor...? I challenge anyone to have a go in any 172 for a proper blast and not come out of it with a grin ear to ear! And the Cup is not slow either - depending what press you read, as low as 6.6 to 60 and 140 top end; which, again, admit it everyone, in REAL LIFE terms, like down A-roads is as quick as a STANDARD 200. (if i get one i'll prove it to anyone) But then tuning is not so easy on the Clio so i'm f*c*ed if i meet a fettled 200...

I am in two minds, which is why i'm consulting both sides to weigh-up the pros and cons of changing or not changing.

I'm not looking for people to tell me "scrabbly fwd nonsense" or "can't drift so its crap", so please please anyone with something useful to say or 1ST HAND expirience of a 172 or cup let me know what you think.

Thank you. Nick

Personally, having had RWD and now having a FWD "sporty" car (2.2 VTEC Prelude), I'd stick with RWD every single time.
having driven a fair number of FWD "sports" cars in my last job, I'd stick with RWD at every post.

Oh, and if it is the stats you are worried around - Starions are 6.4s 0-60, 155mph top end, highly tunable with 400bhp availalbe from the 2.6-litre and, if you get to know their nuances, stick like custard to an egg tart on the twisties. I was able to do things in mine that would have upset pretty much every other car i've ever driven...

[JB]

Personally, having had RWD and now having a FWD "sporty" car (2.2 VTEC Prelude), I'd stick with RWD every single time.
having driven a fair number of FWD "sports" cars in my last job, I'd stick with RWD at every post.

Oh, and if it is the stats you are worried around - Starions are 6.4s 0-60, 155mph top end, highly tunable with 400bhp availalbe from the 2.6-litre and, if you get to know their nuances, stick like custard to an egg tart on the twisties. I was able to do things in mine that would have upset pretty much every other car i've ever driven...
All in theory of course as in practice they are non runners :wack:

[Leon]

All in theory of course as in practice they are non runners :wack:

i don't have any anymore...
my old red one is currently running 18psi by all accounts tho...

You're just a mean old man :cry:

[Aitch]

my old red one is currently running 18psi by all accounts tho...
Yes, but for how much longer? :whip:

[yeager]

After fitting new shocks, springs, ARBs to my S13 it handles like no other car i've driven. I would happily take you through some twisties some time :)

[Aitch]

A standard MR2 with 50bhp less would run rings round a Clio on the twisties. :nod:












As long as it was in dry conditions :wack:

[Tenman]

All I can say is if you really MUST have a FWD car then at least get a Fiat Coop 20VT or 16VT then you've got a turbo and even though they do look a little :ghey: , they look far less :ghey: than a Renault Clio

After me shout :

NICOLE

[Aitch]

NICOLE

:smitten:

[SteA]

Cool cars but nothing at all like a 200, image, driving style etc etc etc, all depends exactly what you want from a car? And how much do you want to spend to get it? Personally, even though they are fantastic at what they do I would just never want to own one, I prefer RWD, nutjobs in the wet, need lots of love n attention turbo nissans. if I was to buy the GF a car the clio would be behind the prelude......

You could always ask papa for his opinion ;)

[John D]

Having used to work for Renault, i can confirm that the Clio is mainly made from twigs, wire mesh and tin, just make sure you assemble it correctly again when it falls apart :thumbs: Especially for when it rains, cos the sunroof will leak! :)

[arry]

I'm gonna disagree with a few characters here and say I'd have one. I've been beaten by one round the twisties and have heard some rave reviews about em - especially as a track car.

Would I swap the 200 in for one? :no: but yeah, i'd own one if I had the chance perhaps

[skyshack]

Fastback coupe or hot hatch?

Go to Homebase buy 2 glass shower doors. Open hatch, drop rear seat and offer them up. Take both shower doors home in SX with seats reclined a bit more. Leave them behind and take a day off work to wait for them to be broken in a Homebase van if you have a hot hatch.

Get 26" bicycle out of shed. Open hatch, fold back seat. SX throw bike in, could throw a second one in on top if you wanted. Hot hatch, throw bike in, close hatch bugger bikes wheel and your paint, or go find a spanner.

Go to Focus buy 10ft curtain pole for patio door. SX insert fully, close hatch. Hot hatch cut it up or poke it out of the passenger window, kebab a bus queue?

Hatch hot or otherwise is too short and fails to deliver on it's supposed practicality.

Want to check out kerb to kerb turning circles? Clio's is over 1m bigger than a SX. About the only thing in these days of FWD cars that can beat a SX is a MX5, even the 350Z loses out bigtime. So the SX is actually more manoverable and easier to park in the supermarket car park than those girly little shopping trolly hatch backs.

[docwra]

At the risk of sounding like a cracked record (I have said this many times before) my brother has a 172 and I think it is fabulous - its so eager to go. The VVTEC works exceptionally well, it handles like its on rails and the feedback from the steering, suspension and brakes is superb. Its the only car I have driven that is impossible not to speed up when you change gear - it just lurches forward like a terrier on a lead :)

They are fooking dangerous in the wet coz they are well light and heavily damped (do a search for Clio + sideways + 85mph :eek: ) but I think the quality of build is better than I have seen on other Clios.
Long and the short of it - if you arent a RWD freak (like me) I reckon you should go with it :)

Who here has driven one then?? Not many by the sounds of it .......... ;) :wack:

[docwra]

Hatch hot or otherwise is too short and fails to deliver on it's supposed practicality.

So the SX is actually more manoverable and easier to park in the supermarket car park than those girly little shopping trolly hatch backs.

a) Buy a van. Other option would be making two trips using the same amount of petrol :wack:
b) If you say so, but the fact you cant see the end of the bonnet or the back of the car doesnt help does it :ghey:
Never mind the fact an S13 is 4 odd foot longer than a Clio for instance :rolleyes:

[Genjuro]

If they are anything like a 205 gti then they must be great at driving on country roads, i used to love hammering my old 205 down a road like it was a WRC stage! The only problem was the girlfriend didn't like it, she cried if i went too fast and reminded me every 5 minutes about blind bends, animals etc. She also said it looked like a girls car.

Now i have a 200 everythings fine, she can relax and sit quietly in the car while i drive just as fast as i did before but without all the fuss and the noise. :thumbs:

Another point of note is that i've heard clios have an ape like driving position, which can't be good, i ge really irritated by the driving position in small cars as it makes my legs and feet go numb within an hour, but i love the driving position in my 200. :smitten:

[Sideways14a]

i almost chopped in the 200 for a clio cup a while back, it was a great back road car very point and squirt. However its driving position was nothing like the 200's and it wasnt exactally a rocket after 80mph either, plus i couldnt drift it :D
In the end i just sorted out the suspension on the s14a and i am now very happy chappie :)

[GmasterT]

The Clio Cup is an amazing little car!!! The only thing the 200 has over it is RWD & styling (well the S13 has! ;) :D )

The clio is better handling (depite being FWD, a shock to some!)
The clio is probably faster (in standard form)
The clio is easily gonna be cheaper to run (at least on fuel and for the next point)
OK, french build quality is a bit shite, but the clio's aint bad & its easily gonna outlive an S13 & S14 without needing a major engine rebuild!!! (and 'box!)

The ownership of 200's is a very involved affair and imo takes a particular love! :nod: :thumbs:

[SFC]

You could get one but you'd have to start wearing loud shirts and gelling your hair. :nod:

[Rob-S13]

You could get one but you'd have to start wearing loud shirts and gelling your hair. :nod:

Whats new then! :thumbs:

[Mark]

About the only thing in these days of FWD cars that can beat a SX is a MX5, even the 350Z loses out bigtime. .


Errrrrr these are both RWD :wack:

[dunc]

Errrrrr these are both RWD :wack:

Think that was the point, the only thing that can beat a sx is a rwd car despite all the FWD one's about.

Dunc.

[Mark]

oh right i read it as he was implying they was FWD :rolleyes: :o

[dunc]

oh right i read it as he was implying they was FWD :rolleyes: :o

It was deffo one of those ones you have to read 10 times to get it right :)

[driftking]

Fastback coupe or hot hatch?

Go to Homebase buy 2 glass shower doors. Open hatch, drop rear seat and offer them up. Take both shower doors home in SX with seats reclined a bit more. Leave them behind and take a day off work to wait for them to be broken in a Homebase van if you have a hot hatch.

Get 26" bicycle out of shed. Open hatch, fold back seat. SX throw bike in, could throw a second one in on top if you wanted. Hot hatch, throw bike in, close hatch bugger bikes wheel and your paint, or go find a spanner.

Go to Focus buy 10ft curtain pole for patio door. SX insert fully, close hatch. Hot hatch cut it up or poke it out of the passenger window, kebab a bus queue?

Hatch hot or otherwise is too short and fails to deliver on it's supposed practicality.

Want to check out kerb to kerb turning circles? Clio's is over 1m bigger than a SX. About the only thing in these days of FWD cars that can beat a SX is a MX5, even the 350Z loses out bigtime. So the SX is actually more manoverable and easier to park in the supermarket car park than those girly little shopping trolly hatch backs.

Being the owner of a performance car and being a petrol head and being young my priorities are to have fun, not being able to fit big things from b&q, if i wanted to to that i'd be on the transit forum.

[driftking]

The clio is better handling (depite being FWD, a shock to some!)
The clio is probably faster (in standard form)
The clio is easily gonna be cheaper to run (at least on fuel and for the next point)
OK, french build quality is a bit shite, but the clio's aint bad & its easily gonna outlive an S13 & S14 without needing a major engine rebuild!!! (and 'box!)


AGREED! love that man! ;) Do you read evo mag by ant chance?

[driftking]

(sorry to moderates for the original title of this thread, by the way. Its good for getting lots of people to read it. Obviously it had nothing to do with sex. Unless you are very very lonely.)