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SSCooperS
620 posts
33 months
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Luke. said: Try a Mini Cooper S, it might surprise you. I did. I liked it for all of six months, and now I'm counting down the days until the dealer can have it back.
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Mastodon2
5,747 posts
34 months
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Jimmy No Hands said: Did you quote the wrong person there?  I certainly did, my apologies!
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Rammy76
573 posts
52 months
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SSCooperS said: I did. I liked it for all of six months, and now I'm counting down the days until the dealer can have it back. Just out of interest, why do you now feel like that? Has it been unreliable?
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SSCooperS
620 posts
33 months
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I mainly came to the realisation I don't like turbocharged engines. It is pretty responsive yes, but is also pretty characterless. The steering kickback is horrendous on bumpy roads and it torque steers and tramlines all over the place (this is just with 175bhp - I dread to think what the JCW's are like).
I don't think the build quality is up to much either. My car creaks and rattles more than the FRP I owned previously (that had a MUCH harder ride as well).
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roystinho
884 posts
44 months
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The Clio 200 is without doubt the best hot hatch on sale today*, and I include all the cars in the class above (megane, focus, astra etc). - if you want some high revving, sublime handing motor that rewards the more you kick its head in. If you want something soft go somewhere else
will.i.am said: you can go hard or you can go home Yes the lack of any real power under 4k revs can be slightly frustrating, but therein lies the fun. Mine has just gone as I want something more lively on track, which can't be replicated in these days with health and safety etc so got a 172 for that, and a clio V6 on the way when my house sells. Oh, this is my 5th Renaultsport and none have had any catastrophic failures Anyhow, I'll let PH's very own Monkey do the talking http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3e_mYY7Yr8
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ambuletz
2,003 posts
50 months
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Worth watching for people who like the focus RS but think a clio is crap. (i know its been posted before). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ae4RqTW5UDUNever owned one, but would love to. I can't imagine the reliability is that bad. Most cars come the turn of the millenium are decent enough. ClioRS doesn't seem to have any horror stories that I'm aware of.
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roystinho
884 posts
44 months
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The only criticism of the Clio 200 is the gearbox. 4th gear on some 'boxes can be weak and a new 'box is required if it goes. Mine had no problems in the 2 years and 20k that I had it. Even got 14k out of the fronts, and I certainly wasn't taking it easy (though never tracked it)
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barker22
472 posts
36 months
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All nonsense about the renaultsports breaking all the time. Services and parts are similar prices to lesser models except for 'the big one' belts etc.
My 182 in 3 1/2 years has cost me excluding fuel, insurance tax etc.
1st year - £200 for new dampers. It is 8years old afterall. Years 2+3 - £15 track rod end. That is all.
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cailean
523 posts
42 months
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Aren't the Renaultsports built at a difference place than normal Renaults, and tend to be better assembled?
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tjob
444 posts
20 months
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CurvaParabolica
2,028 posts
53 months
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cailean said: Aren't the Renaultsports built at a difference place than normal Renaults, and tend to be better assembled? 
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TheFungle
2,815 posts
75 months
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Altrezia said: I hated my 182. I loved my 182.
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wildcat45
Original Poster
2,542 posts
58 months
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So they don't come out of the normal Renault factory then? Bit like Alpina (I know it isn't part of BMW but you know what I mean.)
I really am likign what I am reading about these now.
One thing. There is a new Clio out soon. How soon, and how long before the chaps at RS start building them? I would prefer not to buy a new car and have it go out of production soon after, but that is a minor thing.
From what I am hearing the standard suspension seems the best bet as it will eba town car with the occasional weekend Scottish/Northumberland hoon.
I find the website confusing. Are things like all airbags realy optional?
I love the idea of a stripped-out racer but I do like my comfort. Ideally it shold have auto lights and wipers (My wife likes this feature and we have it on the other car. I have to remind her to put the lights on in the MX5 sometiems.)
air con, park sensors and leather. Anything else would be nice but not needed.
The plan was to perhaps get an XF or Range Rover but the drivewa at the new house is tough to get in and out from when the street is crowded. A little car makes sense, and I love the idea of having some sort of violent little yob of a car for a couple of years.
Undecided on dark wheels. Really like the yellow paint though.
Thanks for your responses. Anyone have thoughts about other cars that may fit the bill. Skoda, VW Seat?
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wackojacko
8,462 posts
59 months
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I've driven a few of the RS clios now.
172 cup IMO is way over hyped.... didn't feel very quick, weird driving position, weird clutch feel and I found the car very hard to connect with as I was always thinking about the clutch/driving position.
Whereas I loved the hated 197 F1 with the Recaros, felt so much more solid, stable at speed and when braking, wasn't noticeably slower than a 172 either. Overall felt like a better package and alot more engauging driving position.
This ofcourse is all in my opinion but I really was disapointed by the 172 Cup.
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MarkRSi
3,340 posts
87 months
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CurvaParabolica said: cailean said: Aren't the Renaultsports built at a difference place than normal Renaults, and tend to be better assembled? Quick search reveals RS models are assembled in the old Alpine factory in Dieppe.
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jbi
5,295 posts
73 months
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veevee said: jbi said: If you want a small "fast" car... than a clio is the wrong place to look.
This is before you even get to the horrible reliability/build quality. Why bother even commenting, if you aren't going to grace us with your wisdom? I see I have wound up the local Renault mafia  In my defence I had finished a bottle of splosh when I posted that last night. Normally I would be a little more courteous when making such a claim. That said, I stand by my first statement. In the grand scheme of things they arn't fast. Nippy perhaps. Build quality, i'm assuming the electrics and interior paneling/trim is the same as the rest of the range in which case my second statement stands. EDIT: If the OP wants a small fast car I would be looking at MR2 turbo's
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wildcat45
Original Poster
2,542 posts
58 months
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jbi said: I see I have wound up the local Renault mafia In my defence I had finished a bottle of splosh when I posted that last night. Normally I would be a little more courteous when making such a claim. That said, I stand by my first statement. In the grand scheme of things they arn't fast. Nippy perhaps. Build quality, i'm assuming the electrics and interior paneling/trim is the same as the rest of the range in which case my second statement stands. EDIT: If the OP wants a small fast car I would be looking at MR2 turbo's MR2 won't fit the bill. I have an MX5 which as become impractical. Besides they don't make MR2s any more.
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S3_Graham
10,690 posts
68 months
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Im looking to trade my Integra dc2 in for one in a month or so. Doing a few more miles these days do need something that will sit at motorway speeds a bit easier! + warranty would be nice.
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jbi
5,295 posts
73 months
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how about an Imprezza hatch?
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marcosgt
6,202 posts
45 months
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I have a friend with one ('07, 2 litre I think).
He likes it, it's more comfortable than I imagined it'd be, grips pretty well (seemed to from the passenger seat anyway) and looks a lot better built than I recall Renaults of old.
He used to have a Mini (not sure if it was a Cooper or S), but he prefers the Clio.
M.
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