Clio 197 ...

[darren9]

Recently bought a polo gti and just haven't bonded with it. It's just too numb and boring. Too German. Too VW.

I'm thinking of moving it on for a clio 197 (I know the 200s are better but they're more expensive) I've read the evo buyers guide but I want to know what they're like to live with day to day.

[EC123]

Hi mate

After years of yearning I took the plunge and got a 59 plate 200 on 36k

I have already spent £2500.00 at a specialist, the suspension is made of chocolate, I actually had a look to see what brand chocolate ( I'm joking ).

I;m not joking you can drive over a one pence peice and you will it in the whole of the car, bloody irratiting espically with the dogs road in UK.

Megane 250, Audi S3, these are better choices and I will be making a move as soon as I can be bothered to go through it all again.

[darren9]

Thanks. That's not something I've come across while I've been researching. Is it a common fault or are you (really) unlucky? I was hoping to use it as an occasional track car but obviously can't if the suspension is made from dairy milk.

[EC123]

It may well be I bought it at that point in it's life where it all weared down and needed to be changed.

I have had to have 2 wheel alignments in 9 months also, give you an idea of Stiffness.

Anyway don't want to put you off!

Pro's:

- Amazing drive
- Outhandle expensive machinery with ease
- RARE
- Get some good looks and feels very special ( Albeit being a Friday Afternoon car ).

I would stretch to a 200 though, the increase in low end torque is fantastic, sounds much better too .

Edited by EC123 on Monday 30th November 16:17

[darren9]

The 200s really are much more expensive though. I could get a megane R26 for the price of a 200 and I'd probably chose one of those.

[HJMS123]

darren9 said:

The 200s really are much more expensive though. I could get a megane R26 for the price of a 200 and I'd probably chose one of those.

Get an r26!! loved mine lol although consumables are more expensive than the clio's

[DS197]

You're better off going to clio197.net and reading what the owners think. It's a great site that tells it like it is. None of that blinded fanboy stuff on there.

[EC123]

Haha!!!!!!!!!

Did you just refert to clio197.net as somewhere where there isn't blinded fan boys?

You feeling alright matey

At least I gave feedback for the Op.

[DS197]

EC123 said:

Haha!!!!!!!!!

Did you just refert to clio197.net as somewhere where there isn't blinded fan boys?

You feeling alright matey

At least I gave feedback for the Op.

Believe me, it's a million times better than some of the forums i've visited. The members on there know that the Clio isn't the greatest car in the world and don't claim it is. But obviously you think differently and that's fine. I'm just adding my input.

And regarding feedback, i'll give mine but it's the complete opposite of yours as perhaps I didn't buy a dog. I've had mine since June and it's been great. I mostly use it around town and dual carriage way. Around town you can get 17-24 mpg.

Perhaps more if you live in a town with 0 traffic or traffic lights as around here there is always traffic. I got an indicated 40 mpg sitting on the motorway at 50 with 4 other people in the car and 3 suitcases which I thought was good.

Maintenance isn't too bad on these as i'm sure you know if you've done your research. Cambelts are expensive depending on if you get the whole lot done. Straightline speed is not as bad as everyone goes on about. At the end of the day is a 2 litre engine and whilst it won't set your hair on fire, it is fast enough as long as you're in the right gear.

If there's anything i've missed out that you want to know, just let me know op.

[darren9]

Cheers for the help everyone. I had a look at 197.net it's the same as most 1 make forums.

The mrs has told me I have to keep whatever I get for 5yrs + now. Not sure if a clio is a long term prospect or not?

[DS197]

I think it's possible for a long term car. Engine dynamics will be releasing a low boost turbo conversion which retains the standard internals if you get bored after a while.

[GrumpyTwig]

Depends on its use, daily drive? Megane every time. Relatively practical second car that can be used for a bit of fun? Clio.

[Tickle]

I had a 200 Cup as a daily for a couple of years. Fantastic car, faultless too.

They are stiff cars but that is forgot about when on a good stretch of empty, twisty road.

Great chassis and brakes too.

I only got rid of mine because I wanted back into Lotus ownership.

[darren9]

Going to look at a white 197 cup Monday or Tuesday. Doesn't have the recaros but other than that it's. ideal spec.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

[Steve H]

That looks like great value to me, more smiles to the mile than 99% of stuff out there.

[Quhet]

They're great cars and I've been very happy with mine over the last couple of years and 15k miles.
Mine's non cup so I get cruise control and keyless entry but I don't feel like I'm missing out on the cup chassis. it still handles brilliantly and is a much more capable car than I'm a driver.

It can be a bit boomy on the motorway and the fuel economy is fairly dire. Touch wood I've been lucky with expenses - I've changed the cambelt etc and the tyres but the gearbox hasn't exploded and the interior is still in good nick.

How did you find the Clio you went to see OP?

[EC123]

Found some more love again for my 200, always seems to happen when I think of selling up