Clio 172 Cup As A Daily Driver?

[Gwagon111]

Remember to fold the back seats down for that bit of extra va va voom, and don't get a puncture in the middle of nowhere, on a bank holiday .

[marcosgt]

There are faster Clios, but people who says a 172 BHP car is 'luke warm' are looking no further than the BHP figure.

It's a common trait on here...

On Topic - Someone at work just bought a 197 (apparently - I'm not a Clio expert) - Seems to like it.

M.

[V88Dicky]

Gwagon111 said:

It's a luke warm French hatchback.

I'm struggling to think of any French hatchback thats faster 0-60 (6.5 seconds).

I bought one brand new and ran it for 4.5 years/43,000 miles. Absolutely loved it. Even cross country blast couldn't get the MPG below 37.

Should be fine as a daily driver.

[300bhp/ton]

ron130888 said:

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?

Sorry but WTF????

It's a mass produced hatchback, how is it not suitable for daily duties?

[matt1269]

300bhp/ton said:

Sorry but WTF????

It's a mass produced hatchback, how is it not suitable for daily duties?

The lack of ABS makes it a bit dangerous for people that can't drive.

[Squirrelofwoe]

Chris71 said:

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

Well the Clio being the newer of the two will generally have more toys, but not by much - steering wheel stereo controls that kind of thing.

Both can be had with aircon - as stated I think that will mean a newer Clio (my housemates 05 plate doesnt have it). It's easier to find a JDM DC2 with aircon than it is a UK one - worth pointing out if you had a preferance of UK vs Import. The aircon in my 97 JDM ITR if certainly efficient, but not generaly used when 'pressing on' as the drag is noticable - im not sure you'd find this with the newer system on the Clios?

I find the seats MUCH nicer in the ITR. The Recaros are truly sublime, excellent support when on a blast and wonderfully comfortable on the daily commute. Not to mention the low down seating position really is spot on.
I don't think the Clio seats even come close- not to mention the higher up driving position is a personal (but apparently quite common) gripe.

There is more road noise in the ITR than the Clio, but it doesn't overpower the stereo on the commute and if your out for a blast the sound of the engine at 8-9k rpm is more enjoable than most music anyway.

As standard, the engine noise in the Clio is only really noticable above 5K rpm so on a daily commute it is very compliant - depending of course what car you are coming from.

Overall, I wouldn't chose between them on the basis of creature comforts.

If you want a newer car or "a bit" more load carrying ability - go for the Clio, it is a great car.

If you want a much better driving position, unbelievable gearchange and generaly more 'focused' drivers car at the expense of age and smaller load carrying then go for the ITR every time.

Ill happily be corrected on any of that essay, but I hope that helps!

[wackojacko]

matt1269 said:

The lack of ABS makes it a bit dangerous for people that can't drive.

Simples !

A) Buy a normal 172 If ABS is a worry

B) ......Learn to drive 'properly' without relying on Driver aids.
EFA

[ceebmoj]

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.

+1

However there are people on hear that commute in 7's and think of them as everyday transport so probably check what others dive as well

[300bhp/ton]

matt1269 said:

The lack of ABS makes it a bit dangerous for people that can't drive.

Most cars older than 8-10 years old don't have ABS.

[Gwagon111]

V88Dicky said:

I'm struggling to think of any French hatchback thats faster 0-60 (6.5 seconds)

[Chris71]

Squirrelofwoe said:

If you want a newer car or "a bit" more load carrying ability - go for the Clio, it is a great car.

If you want a much better driving position, unbelievable gearchange and generaly more 'focused' drivers car at the expense of age and smaller load carrying then go for the ITR every time.

Interesting, I assumed the load area would be quite a lot bigger in the ITR once the seats had been folded?

What sort of MPG do you get from the Integra?

I probably wouldn't be looking at a 172, I reckon my ideal spec would be a full fat 182 with the Cup packs fitted or a JDM Integra. Either way it had better be good. Come the summer - or possibly the summer afterwards if I can eak out a few more pennies - one of those will be replacing my TVR and my current daily driver in one go!

ETA On the subject of Clio seating: I've only driven one briefly, but found it fine after a certain amount of seat adjustment. I've heard a lot of people say they're uncomfortably on longer journies though - perhaps they're taller than me or maybe I didn't drive it long enough for the fatigue to set in! I think high seating is quite a useful thing in a road car in general though; the truck-like seating position in the Focus often allows you to press on when visibility over crests or hedges would leave you crawling in a low slung sports car.

Edited by Chris71 on Thursday 3rd February 12:32

[ron130888]

300bhp/ton said:

Sorry but WTF????

It's a mass produced hatchback, how is it not suitable for daily duties?

Maybe I should of said that I have used a Full-Fat 172 briefly but would a 172 Cup be noticably less refined day-day.

Thanks for everyone's positive comments. Test drive booked for saturday anyway so we'll see

[Baryonyx]

Chris71 said:

I think high seating is quite a useful thing in a road car in general though; the truck-like seating position in the Focus often allows you to press on when visibility over crests or hedges would leave you crawling in a low slung sports car.

Yes, the Focus does have a rather high seating position relative to the rest of the car. I found it to be quite pleasant though, as it was very comfortable on long drives (I've never known a car to have seat as nice as the heated leather ones in my Focus) and didn't make me feel detached from the car when I was pressing on.

[paoloh]

I have a 182 full fat atm but it was fitted with both cup packs at factory, so you get the best of both worlds.

Climate, traction, cruise etc etc.

It is happy poodling along but is also great fun to drive.

No reliability that I am aware of.

[300bhp/ton]

ron130888 said:

Maybe I should of said that I have used a Full-Fat 172 briefly but would a 172 Cup be noticably less refined day-day.

Thanks for everyone's positive comments. Test drive booked for saturday anyway so we'll see

I haven't been in either if I'm honest.

But I guess it's all about perspective.

On one hand I can't see that any Clio is actually that refined in the grand scheme of road going cars.

So while I'm sure the cup is rawer, I can't really see it being a complete night and day difference either.

And in fairness, I doubt very much that any mass produced road car such as this is actually that raw and unsuitable for daily use (bar the cage and harnesses in the R26r).

An Elise, a classic, even an MX-5 is probably more raw, yet all acceptable daily drivers if its your sort of thing.

[Squirrelofwoe]

Chris71 said:

Interesting, I assumed the load area would be quite a lot bigger in the ITR once the seats had been folded?

What sort of MPG do you get from the Integra?

I probably wouldn't be looking at a 172, I reckon my ideal spec would be a full fat 182 with the Cup packs fitted or a JDM Integra. Either way it had better be good. Come the summer - or possibly the summer afterwards if I can eak out a few more pennies - one of those will be replacing my TVR and my current daily driver in one go!

ETA On the subject of Clio seating: I've only driven one briefly, but found it fine after a certain amount of seat adjustment. I've heard a lot of people say they're uncomfortably on longer journies though - perhaps they're taller than me or maybe I didn't drive it long enough for the fatigue to set in! I think high seating is quite a useful thing in a road car in general though; the truck-like seating position in the Focus often allows you to press on when visibility over crests or hedges would leave you crawling in a low slung sports car.

Edited by Chris71 on Thursday 3rd February 12:32

The load carrying is down to the shape of the rear hatch. The ITR is more 'coupe shaped' and has a high lip. Not to mention the strut brace across the middle of the boot. With the seats folded, it is spacious though (I can get a bike in there). The Clio however, is more of a hatch with no real lip - we've had washing machines etc in my housemate's 172 cup!

MPG wise, I get 30-35 in the ITR (and mine's modded) comfortably on the commute (nearly all below 5k rpm), once driving with some enthusiasm however the figure will depend how much time you spend near the limiter!

I don't find the low seating an issue when pressing on (and mine has an even lower Bride seat rail) and im 5ft 10. It just feels to me more like you are 'driving it' rather than 'riding it' compared to the Clio.

But ultimately, if it's replacing the TVR as well, then I would definately go with the ITR no question. It's an event everytime you drive it, sounds incredible at full-chat, and the seats, handling and gearchange are out of this world.

Some people won't like the way you have to work the high revving V-tech to get the full performance out of it, but believe me the gearchange makes it an absolute joy and the engine noise is sublime.

I think with the Clio on a day-to-day basis you 'might' gradually get the impression that you are only driving an uprated version of a standard hatchback (all be-it a very good version!).

Try and get a test drive of both, you will either love it or hate the ITR, it certainly won't leave you feeling 'meh'.

Apologies to the OP for going a bit off-topic!

[paoloh]

The Crack Fox said:

That bad ? Or is that a typo ?

Git!!

No Issues.

[900T-R]

Squirrelofwoe said:

Try and get a test drive of both, you will either love it or hate the ITR, it certainly won't leave you feeling 'meh'.

TBH back then, it sort of did with me...

[Doniger]

Squirrelofwoe said:

Chris71 said:

Interesting, I assumed the load area would be quite a lot bigger in the ITR once the seats had been folded?

The load carrying is down to the shape of the rear hatch. The ITR is more 'coupe shaped' and has a high lip. Not to mention the strut brace across the middle of the boot. With the seats folded, it is spacious though (I can get a bike in there). The Clio however, is more of a hatch with no real lip - we've had washing machines etc in my housemate's 172 cup!

You're not wrong with any of that but the way you've said it is slightly misleading. The ITR probably has more space inside with the seats down, but won't carry something as bulky as a washing machine due to the shape of the space. A mountain bike with its wheels off will go in the boot without dropping the seats - ditto as much luggage as you'll ever need.

A strut brace across the middle of the boot isn't standard - you can get optional ones that are similar to the one in the engine bay, or aftermarket ones, but you don't have to have one if it's in the way.

As far as DC2 vs 172cup goes, Honda every day of the week for me. I worked at Renault while I had my ITR and drove pretty much every version of hot clio available to compare - the only one that even came close for smiles:miles was the 182 Trophy but even that still has that ridiculous steering wheel, vile gearbox, wonky pedals and compared to the B18 in an ITR, a soulless engine. (IMO).

As far as the OP goes, yes a 172 cup is fine as a daily driver...honestly, a bit of missing trim/sound deadening isn't anything to fuss about. It doesn't make it too noisy or even remotely hardcore. It's still a hatchback suitable for teenage girls, not an Ariel Atom.

[Squirrelofwoe]

900T-R said:

Squirrelofwoe said:

Try and get a test drive of both, you will either love it or hate the ITR, it certainly won't leave you feeling 'meh'.

TBH back then, it sort of did with me...

There's always one! As a car for engendering extremes of opinion upon initial impressions I've always considered them without equal! (very nice Saab 900 Turbo you had there btw )