RE: (Not) Spotted: Renault Sport Spider
Discussion
Perhaps the title might have read: (Not) Spotted (because I only looked in the PH Classifieds): Renault Sport Spider.
Perhaps not as "punchy" as the original, but I can't help feeling that it's more accurate.
On a more positive note, never ceases to amaze me: the premium that a set of funky door hinges add to the value of cars...
Perhaps not as "punchy" as the original, but I can't help feeling that it's more accurate.
On a more positive note, never ceases to amaze me: the premium that a set of funky door hinges add to the value of cars...
LARK F1 GTR said:
This the first Renault car to wear the Sport badge. I prefer the non UK cars (no windscreen)
Yellow is the best colour imo. I've seen a Silver one, that makes a change from the three main colours.
I'd imagine they're quite slow by todays standards? iirc they have re worked Clio Williams 2.0 16v F7R engine.
They might handle well but I've never read anything about them.
Didn't they use a load of other Willims bits? Brakes and so forth? Yellow is the best colour imo. I've seen a Silver one, that makes a change from the three main colours.
I'd imagine they're quite slow by todays standards? iirc they have re worked Clio Williams 2.0 16v F7R engine.
They might handle well but I've never read anything about them.
And I am right to think that the Spider was essentially built for a one-make promotional series and then they sold a few because people were asking for it? In which case it was never going to sell as well as the Elise, as it wasn't actually directly marketed at that segment.
Or am I talking rubbish?
Not for me but its good that cars like this exist!
From memory...no heater either...or where they optional? They just don't seem to be one thing or the other - no heater (if that's correct), no roof, very little space, too heavy,....which is fine if it goes like stink but guess what...it doesn't!
I'm told they handle really well but so does a 7, Elise, etc and they are...well...just better?
Even the looks are dubious? I think they look interesting but a little odd from some angles too?
The prices surprise me so somebody must like them!
From memory...no heater either...or where they optional? They just don't seem to be one thing or the other - no heater (if that's correct), no roof, very little space, too heavy,....which is fine if it goes like stink but guess what...it doesn't!
I'm told they handle really well but so does a 7, Elise, etc and they are...well...just better?
Even the looks are dubious? I think they look interesting but a little odd from some angles too?
The prices surprise me so somebody must like them!
stephen300o said:
matc said:
I drove one of these some years ago; the central tunnel got red hot and the perfromance was pretty poor; just felt too heavy.
They do look good though!
Didn't think there was anything in the central tunnel.They do look good though!
Garlick said:
another race car,
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C255638
ETA: and another
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C194799
Edited by S3_Graham on Thursday 31st January 17:27
matc said:
stephen300o said:
matc said:
I drove one of these some years ago; the central tunnel got red hot and the perfromance was pretty poor; just felt too heavy.
They do look good though!
Didn't think there was anything in the central tunnel.They do look good though!
Firstly I'd like to dispel a few myths. Whether the Spider is 'suitable' for touring Europe is open to debate, though having done this three times myself I can at least say it's possible. Yes, I got wet a couple of times, but let's face it, a bit of water has never done anyone any harm. For me the total lack of goodies is part of the appeal. Who needs windows, door locks, a radio or heater anyway?
In my opinion, the fact that a mainstream car manufacturer is prepared to produce something so off the wall says something for Renault; I can't imagine the likes of Toyota producing anything as niche as the Clio V6 or even the R26.R. Maybe I'm just bias (or slightly crazy).
The Spider may not go quite as well or handle quite as beautifully as the Elise but I challenge anyone to drive as it's designed to be driven and not have an absolute hoot!
And whilst my Spider may not officially be for sale, for the right offer I'd definitely consider selling. It's been joyful 6 and a half years but it's probably time for a change ;o) (Cheeky advert) Besides, I still have the Williams as an every day driver.
P.S. The heat comes from the engine sat a few inches behind you, not from the central tunnel.
In my opinion, the fact that a mainstream car manufacturer is prepared to produce something so off the wall says something for Renault; I can't imagine the likes of Toyota producing anything as niche as the Clio V6 or even the R26.R. Maybe I'm just bias (or slightly crazy).
The Spider may not go quite as well or handle quite as beautifully as the Elise but I challenge anyone to drive as it's designed to be driven and not have an absolute hoot!
And whilst my Spider may not officially be for sale, for the right offer I'd definitely consider selling. It's been joyful 6 and a half years but it's probably time for a change ;o) (Cheeky advert) Besides, I still have the Williams as an every day driver.
P.S. The heat comes from the engine sat a few inches behind you, not from the central tunnel.
I have driven them a number of times:
Not particularly quick, but certainly more of an event than driving an Elise.
The brakes needed thorough warming before they worked properly. They were then pretty good.
The whole car felt very mechanical.
They are a bit twitchy in the damp - the impressive fish tailing I encountered pulling out of a petrol station and accelerating hard to impress some kids was testament to that.
I would love to have one in my garage - missed the opportunity to buy one quite cheap about 6 years ago!
Not particularly quick, but certainly more of an event than driving an Elise.
The brakes needed thorough warming before they worked properly. They were then pretty good.
The whole car felt very mechanical.
They are a bit twitchy in the damp - the impressive fish tailing I encountered pulling out of a petrol station and accelerating hard to impress some kids was testament to that.
I would love to have one in my garage - missed the opportunity to buy one quite cheap about 6 years ago!
I have have a great Sport Spider.
A great car to drive on track or the road, it is almost as it came out of the dealer, apart from the catalytic convertor. It could do with a few more BHP, as its original there is a lot of scope in the engine to deliver on the promise.
All the posts are correct, the back wall of the cockpit does heat up, you just forget. Open to the wind you just get pulled into the experience, the ride is great so you get an almost single seater feeling. One of my cars owners fitted a radio, I have never worked out why as unless you are parked up, you can't hear anything.
Sad to say, my car is for sale, so if you want to experience a sublime drive, why not email me
David
A great car to drive on track or the road, it is almost as it came out of the dealer, apart from the catalytic convertor. It could do with a few more BHP, as its original there is a lot of scope in the engine to deliver on the promise.
All the posts are correct, the back wall of the cockpit does heat up, you just forget. Open to the wind you just get pulled into the experience, the ride is great so you get an almost single seater feeling. One of my cars owners fitted a radio, I have never worked out why as unless you are parked up, you can't hear anything.
Sad to say, my car is for sale, so if you want to experience a sublime drive, why not email me
David
I was lucky enough to drive a 'press' model a few years back thanks to a friend of mine who used to work for a car magazine.
It was quiet a pleasant experience. You can imagine people's face when we were pulling alongside at traffic lights with full-face helmets on.
But to be honest I was expecting much more, so much more. What I remember of that day above everything else is taking home the feeling of being very underwhelmed by the engine ....
It was quiet a pleasant experience. You can imagine people's face when we were pulling alongside at traffic lights with full-face helmets on.
But to be honest I was expecting much more, so much more. What I remember of that day above everything else is taking home the feeling of being very underwhelmed by the engine ....
Redgate said:
I was lucky enough to drive a 'press' model a few years back thanks to a friend of mine who used to work for a car magazine.
It was quiet a pleasant experience. You can imagine people's face when we were pulling alongside at traffic lights with full-face helmets on.
But to be honest I was expecting much more, so much more. What I remember of that day above everything else is taking home the feeling of being very underwhelmed by the engine ....
Yes the press reviews and general consensus when they came out was one of disappointment. They did not live up to the trailers Renault put out, they were slower than expected and heavier, and really were/are more show than go. It was quiet a pleasant experience. You can imagine people's face when we were pulling alongside at traffic lights with full-face helmets on.
But to be honest I was expecting much more, so much more. What I remember of that day above everything else is taking home the feeling of being very underwhelmed by the engine ....
Redgate said:
I was lucky enough to drive a 'press' model a few years back thanks to a friend of mine who used to work for a car magazine.
It was quiet a pleasant experience. You can imagine people's face when we were pulling alongside at traffic lights with full-face helmets on.
But to be honest I was expecting much more, so much more. What I remember of that day above everything else is taking home the feeling of being very underwhelmed by the engine ....
Yes the press reviews and general consensus when they came out was one of disappointment. They did not live up to the trailers Renault put out, they were slower than expected and heavier, and really were/are more show than go. It was quiet a pleasant experience. You can imagine people's face when we were pulling alongside at traffic lights with full-face helmets on.
But to be honest I was expecting much more, so much more. What I remember of that day above everything else is taking home the feeling of being very underwhelmed by the engine ....
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