clio 197 help and advice please

[ellis427]

Hello!

Well after working hard, I've decided to treat myself and I really want a renault clio 197, preferably with the cup chassis and recaro's, and seconding them the cup spliter and wing.

It would be my daily driver as well as doing the occasional sprint/hillclimb.

How will it fair doing 15,000 miles a year? i've heard they are pretty solid little cars, and I won't be ragging the arse of it every second of every day.

Anyone got figures for what average cost is to run per year? service costs/tyres/or any other fast wearing parts?

Also I am 19, so I have really got to do some hunting not spend a ridiculous amount on insurance, I have contacted a-plan and keith michaels, anyone got any other insurance companies they can recommend.
Do any specialists note passing your ards test as a extra qualification?

All help is appreciated cheers guys!!


Hopefully coming to a b-road near you soon

[cagedmini]

Ive had mine just over a year, great fun even fairly useful on track!

[ellis427]

cagedmini said:

Ive had mine just over a year, great fun even fairly useful on track!

does yours have the cup chassis/recaro's? or do you think wouldn't make much difference?

[RacingBlue]

I'm sure Technomatt will be along to tell you all sorts of tales of woe concerning the gearbox.

[Transmat]

I had one if these, they are great cars but I'm not so sure they be suited to hill climbing if I'm honest! 15k miles a year will be fine in one of these. The standard suspension is very firm.

[Mastodon2]

Presumably you will need to find additional specialist day cover for sprints and hill climbs? Also, get one without the wing, I always find it looks a bit silly.

[ellis427]

cheers for the replies, owh it'll only do a few sprints and hillclimbs for the crack and to double up my track time, as i have use of race car. regarding insurance it'll be fine usual insurance will do, and if i stuff it then well fk and i'll have to pay for it.

sounds like a good buy to me, trying to sort insurance.

and yeah the wing isn't a deal break for me to be honest, looks good in a dark colour though.

Edited by ellis427 on Tuesday 18th June 19:29

[roystinho]

Clio197.net is your friend

[ARobinson]

Did over 20k in the first year of ownership of my 200.

Average mpg around 28-32 depending upon how you drive and what type of roads. Obv mine was new so no issues.

They do need front balljoints doing which is a pricey job and they can be hard on wheel bearings if tracked a lot. Cambelt is cheaper than 172/182 but not that cheap. Clutches seem to last for ages. Some people have gearbox issues, as they did with 172/182 but mine all seemed fine.

[ellis427]

Thanks for informative reply, really am pushing myself into getting one! They look, and sound like the perfect car for me!
Also running costs no not seem to mental.

I would go 197.net but I fancied some unbiased replies, of which I feel I would have receive amongst many useful ones.