My current crisis.

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Discussion

horsemeatscandal

Original Poster:

1,171 posts

103 months

Thursday 21st April 2016
quotequote all
So at the end of summer I'm going to get a new car. Long story short, my heart says Clio III RS 200, but my mind says Peugeot 208 GTI 200.

This is my current weigh-up:

The Peugeot is a lot better on fuel. Round my way, it's a bit rarer. Nicer inside, a few toys. Cheaper tax.

The Renault is better looking. Cheaper to buy and insure. Generally easier to maintain (cheaper, more knowledge out there).

Probably a couple of other things I've missed.

There's a lot out there on the net about the Clio, not so much on the 208. Any advice here?

Thanks in advance. Feel free to ask me anything about.... my vehicle requirements.

horsemeatscandal

Original Poster:

1,171 posts

103 months

Thursday 21st April 2016
quotequote all
Oh yeah, a lot of the MoT histories of Clios are questionable. Obviously not so much info available on the 208 because they're a couple of years newer.

If I was to buy now, for a number of reasons reasons, these are likely what I'd buy:

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

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

tonyb1968

1,156 posts

145 months

Saturday 23rd April 2016
quotequote all
You need to drive both to see which one suits you, Peugeot servicing at a good dealer isnt crippling, my RCZ-R only cost me 436 quid at its last service, 2yr is quite big plus that included geometry and aircon re gas.

Renault servicing has a lot to be desired, plus after service care.... if you go for the Clio you need a good specialist really, that may restrict your options.

Also dont restrict yourself to one area or none dealers, this is probably a better 208 than the one listed, 500 quid more, half the miles and 1 year dealer warranty (Robins and Day are Peugeot UK)

http://www.usedcars.peugeot.co.uk/208/1.6-THP-200-...

Edited by tonyb1968 on Saturday 23 April 08:45

daemon

35,724 posts

196 months

Saturday 23rd April 2016
quotequote all
Clio 200 all day long over the Peugeot.

Cheap as chips to buy. Immense fun to drive.


tonyb1968

1,156 posts

145 months

Sunday 24th April 2016
quotequote all
[quote=daemon]Clio 200 all day long over the Peugeot.

Cheap as chips to buy. Immense fun to drive.

[/qkuote]

He needs to do his homework, but just saying buy it because its "better" but giving no explanation wont help, both cars can suffer problems, the clio has a lot of expensive issues compared to the Pug (gearboxes which are not a cheap fix), the pug can have sensor issues.

The best advice is look at the 208 and clio forums as well as test driving both smile

daemon

35,724 posts

196 months

Sunday 24th April 2016
quotequote all
tonyb1968 said:
daemon said:
Clio 200 all day long over the Peugeot.

Cheap as chips to buy. Immense fun to drive.
He needs to do his homework, but just saying buy it because its "better" but giving no explanation wont help, both cars can suffer problems, the clio has a lot of expensive issues compared to the Pug (gearboxes which are not a cheap fix), the pug can have sensor issues.

The best advice is look at the 208 and clio forums as well as test driving both smile
Of course. However i did give an explanation - cheap as chips to buy, and immense fun to drive. wink

Theres also loads of reviews out there with decent detailed info about the cars too. The RS200 would probably have better forum support and there is a good indie support network out there for them too.

I would say those who have gearbox problems drive them harshly.

At that money though the Fiesta ST is coming in to budget. If you can live with the harsh suspension, it is better than them both.



Edited by daemon on Sunday 24th April 11:19


Edited by daemon on Sunday 24th April 11:24

daemon

35,724 posts

196 months

Sunday 24th April 2016
quotequote all
tonyb1968 said:
Renault servicing has a lot to be desired, plus after service care.... if you go for the Clio you need a good specialist really, that may restrict your options.
There are good Renault Dealers and bad Renault Dealers, just like there are good Peugeot dealers and bad Peugeot dealers.

Some Renault dealers are RenaultSport Certified. I dont think they all are. The one i use is, and they've been great so far.

The guys on the likes of Cliosport.net will keep you right for the best dealers. Also, loads of specialist indies about for RS cars who really know their stuff. Not so much with Peugeots GTIs

tonyb1968

1,156 posts

145 months

Sunday 24th April 2016
quotequote all
Yes I know quite a bit about bad Renault dealers lol, especially the one who didnt tighten up my sump plug on my R19 16v back in 1995! redface

daemon

35,724 posts

196 months

Sunday 24th April 2016
quotequote all
tonyb1968 said:
Yes I know quite a bit about bad Renault dealers lol, especially the one who didnt tighten up my sump plug on my R19 16v back in 1995! redface
20 year old grudge. lol. Maybe time to Let Go?? smile

I never rated my local renault dealer however my FIL bought a year old Nissan Note off them and they were exceptionally good. Far exceeded our expectations in terms of professionalism, price and courtesy.

I took the 197 there for its Belt / dephaser pulley / water pump and they were very knowledgeable about the car, did a perfect job, picked up on a couple of things i might want to get sorted at some point, put a years warranty on the work and left it back washed and hoovered.

Couldnt complain at all.

In fairness, i would recommend using a good indie. I've a great mechanic that i use, however the t/belt needs specific tools so i went to renault as there are no RS indies in my area.



Edited by daemon on Sunday 24th April 11:59


Edited by daemon on Sunday 24th April 12:06

tonyb1968

1,156 posts

145 months

Sunday 24th April 2016
quotequote all
daemon said:
tonyb1968 said:
Yes I know quite a bit about bad Renault dealers lol, especially the one who didnt tighten up my sump plug on my R19 16v back in 1995! redface
20 year old grudge. lol. Maybe time to Let Go?? smile

I never rated my local renault dealer however my FIL bought a year old Nissan Note off them and they were exceptionally good. Far exceeded our expectations in terms of professionalism, price and courtesy.

I took the 197 there for its Belt / dephaser pulley / water pump and they were very knowledgeable about the car, did a perfect job, picked up on a couple of things i might want to get sorted at some point, put a years warranty on the work and left it back washed and hoovered.

Couldnt complain at all.

In fairness, i would recommend using a good indie. I've a great mechanic that i use, however the t/belt needs specific tools so i went to renault as there are no RS indies in my area.



Edited by daemon on Sunday 24th April 11:59


Edited by daemon on Sunday 24th April 12:06
I've no grudge with Renault, in fact I purchased another one as a run about, but it is the only dealer, be it Vauxhall, Ford, Peugeot, Subaru (ok one issue but got that sorted) etc that have been fine.

As for knowledge on the 1.6ltr Prince engine, Peugeot do fine with it, it doesn't need specialist training, if anything the 1.6ltr HDI's are more of a pain, but they can have problems, mainly sensor related, again Peugeot don't rob you rotten, a full service on my RCZ-R including a/c re gas and geometry was £436 quid, not a killer really.

Indies are great if you find a good one, they come and go, seen that in the Subaru crowd, but the OP needs to drive both then think about what he wants to do, but also as you say, it does open up to a MY13 Ford Fiesta ST, hitting around the £10k mark now.

daemon

35,724 posts

196 months

Sunday 24th April 2016
quotequote all
tonyb1968 said:
the OP needs to drive both then think about what he wants to do, but also as you say, it does open up to a MY13 Ford Fiesta ST, hitting around the £10k mark now.
Yes, its a matter for personal choice. For one thing the 197 / 200 needs a lot of revs to bring it to life - 5000 to 7500 before its really on song. Below that theres not a big amount happens. Works for me as i do a lot of cross country driving so i can buzz along quite nicely.

Around town, i'd say the turbo'd 1.6 would feel more lively.

As you say, the ST is definitely worth factoring in. Probably is best in its class since Renault made such a balls of the mk4 RS, so if pure driving pleasure is your thing, its probably the one. Having said that - in reality for a lot of people its not all about pure driving pleasure though - they want (quite reasonably) a more rounded experience.