Clio 172 Cup As A Daily Driver?

Clio 172 Cup As A Daily Driver?

Author
Discussion

ron130888

Original Poster:

131 posts

171 months

Thursday 3rd February 2011
quotequote all
I've decided to get myself a Clio 172 and have seen a Cup which I like the look of.

Anyone used these as a daily driver?

Is the lack of sound deadening a big issue?

a11y_m

1,861 posts

224 months

Thursday 3rd February 2011
quotequote all
Didn't think there was that much difference in sound-proofing between a Cup and full-fat 172? Either way, should still be easily refined enough for a daily driver. Good on the juice too for the performance IME (full-fat 172, not Cup).

waterwonder

995 posts

178 months

Thursday 3rd February 2011
quotequote all
I used one for a couple of months when I worked for Renault.

I don't think it'll be an issue they're not really that loud sub 5k revs. Although I suppose this depends on what you're used to.

I'd be more concerned about some of the missing creature comforts and ABS.

Smiles per mile are guaranteed tho!

Edited by waterwonder on Thursday 3rd February 09:15

Hugo85

105 posts

161 months

Thursday 3rd February 2011
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Not a bad daily driver IMO. I used to have a cup but now run a 182 as my daily driver and cover about 30k per annum in it.

I find it easy to live with day to day.

Gwagon111

4,422 posts

163 months

Thursday 3rd February 2011
quotequote all
It's a luke warm French hatchback. It will be fine as a daily driver. They're reasonable on fuel around town, and their small size makes them easy to park. The ride of the cup version is a little harsher, and there is no air con. So if you like your creature comforts, especially on hot summer days, you'd be better off with a stock 172.

briers

873 posts

181 months

Thursday 3rd February 2011
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They are faster than 335i's

Apparently.


Carfiend

3,186 posts

211 months

Thursday 3rd February 2011
quotequote all
I used a S2 106 Rallye as a daily driver for two years. It is fun at first but the noise will grate on long commutes in the end. A clio cup won't be as bad but it will get old in the end.

Gwagon111

4,422 posts

163 months

Thursday 3rd February 2011
quotequote all
briers said:
They are faster than 335i's

Apparently.
And they're quicker than a VXR8, according to a spotty yoof, with his collar turned up, and too much hair gel, down my local

350Wedge

2,364 posts

275 months

Thursday 3rd February 2011
quotequote all
The later ones had air con as an option so you can find them with it fitted. Mind you we only get hot weather for about 2 weeks a year so is it really a problem!! My Cup didnt have air con and never got to the point where I wished it had. Just open the window!!

I had a 52 plate 172 cup with sensible engine/induction mods churning out near as damn it 200bhp. Very quick little thing, a real hoot to drive. Very economical as well, used to get nearly 40 to a gallon out of mine.

I'd definitely have another one, just check the standard exhaust as they are prone to failing and remember that the Cup doesnt have ABS like the standard 172.

bmthnick1981

5,311 posts

218 months

Thursday 3rd February 2011
quotequote all
I used a 172 Cup as a daily for about 6 months, was absolutely fine, and very economical (35mpg) if driven not too hard.

jimbo2728

232 posts

198 months

Thursday 3rd February 2011
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Gwagon111 said:
It's a luke warm French hatchback. It will be fine as a daily driver. They're reasonable on fuel around town, and their small size makes them easy to park. The ride of the cup version is a little harsher, and there is no air con. So if you like your creature comforts, especially on hot summer days, you'd be better off with a stock 172.
Luke warm??? Ok...

I have used mine daily for the last 4 years, it's never missed a beat and the ride is perfectly acceptable day to day. I would recommend sticking the best petrol you can afford in it (which is obviously a pain at the moment) as I notice a signicant change in how smooth it runs from cold not forgetting a noticable increase in grunt.

It can pootle along or can be thrashed to b*ggery, it's happy doing either. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

You will also enjoy showing people up in more expensive motors who think it's just a "luke warm" hatchback....

Before the "spotty yoof" comments, I am married in my late 20's with a decent job, not a teenager that hangs out at the local KFC! :-) I would never claim it is faster than something it is clearly not, but it's about how it carries speed and handles for me, as well as being rapid enough to keep you happy behind the wheel!

Edited by jimbo2728 on Thursday 3rd February 10:33

900T-R

20,404 posts

259 months

Thursday 3rd February 2011
quotequote all
Gwagon111 said:
It's a luke warm French hatchback.
172 horses meet 955 kg... that's like saying a Focus RS is a 'lukewarm' hatchback.

jimbo2728

232 posts

198 months

Thursday 3rd February 2011
quotequote all
900T-R said:
172 horses meet 955 kg... that's like saying a Focus RS is a 'lukewarm' hatchback.
Agreed!

matt1269

598 posts

176 months

Thursday 3rd February 2011
quotequote all
Where has the 955kg figure come from?

The cups are good fun, i've owned mine for a year now and i'm still enjoying it. They really come alive on track smile

Gwagon111

4,422 posts

163 months

Thursday 3rd February 2011
quotequote all
Here we go hehe.

Squirrelofwoe

3,189 posts

178 months

Thursday 3rd February 2011
quotequote all
My housemate has used his 172 Cup as a daily driver for over 4 years with no complaints at all. I don't consider it comprimised in any way what so ever (except perhaps seating position), certainly not in terms of comfort.

But then I find my DC2 ITR a nice place to be on the daily commute so like someone said, it depends what kind of car your used to!

The Clio has also been remarkable practical in terms of space/load lugging - we've had a washing machine, dishwasher, cooker in the back no problem (not at the same time obviously!)

I find the driving position too comprimised and the gear change too imprecise to "properly" enjoy as a B-road machine, but then im used to the 'on the floor' seating and rifle bolt gearchange of the ITR so im obviously biased- make no mistake the Clio is A LOT of fun.

As an all round everyday car I think the Clio is absolutely fantastic. (plus the strut-brace in the back of ITR does somewhat preclude the carrying of large kitchen appliances biglaugh)

I hope some of that is of use.

The_Gza

591 posts

253 months

Thursday 3rd February 2011
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I had one from new - it was my daily driver for 18 odd months. Great little car - performance and handling was spot on, and economical with it. Only blots were the Dealers comedy attempts at 'service' which, given the age of them now you hopefully won't need to deal with!

wackojacko

8,581 posts

192 months

Thursday 3rd February 2011
quotequote all
I would have thought a 172 cup as a daily would be fine , a friend of mine has a track prepped 182 (fully stripped , cage , rock solid suspension, stupid plastic widows that don't open, Harneses etc) and he manages a 50mile daily commute. eek

so a Standard 172 cup should be fine...... Depends what you're use to.

Squirrelofwoe

3,189 posts

178 months

Thursday 3rd February 2011
quotequote all
Oh, and as someone else noted- DO check the exhaust if it's the standard item. Both people I know with Clio 172's (1 cup and one standard) had no end of trouble. It didnt help that the Renault garage they used were either incapable of fixing them, or were replacing them with paper mache substitutes... I think a subtle aftermarket stainless steel item would be a wise investment.

Chris71

21,536 posts

244 months

Thursday 3rd February 2011
quotequote all
Squirrelofwoe said:
My housemate has used his 172 Cup as a daily driver for over 4 years with no complaints at all. I don't consider it comprimised in any way what so ever (except perhaps seating position), certainly not in terms of comfort.

But then I find my DC2 ITR a nice place to be on the daily commute so like someone said, it depends what kind of car your used to!
ears

How would you rate the Clio versus the ITR for creature comforts? Those are the top two candidates for my next daily driver.