My Clio Cup 200
Discussion
BaronVonVaderham said:
Probably the best hot hatch ever made. There'll never be anything that comes close it terms of driver involvement and fun!
You're saying this about the 200, with it's power steering, ABS, traction and stability control and 1200kg weight?Go and drive an unassisted 205 GTI. Or a Renault 5. Or a 106 GTI/Rallye.
LookAtMyCat said:
You're saying this about the 200, with it's power steering, ABS, traction and stability control and 1200kg weight?
Go and drive an unassisted 205 GTI. Or a Renault 5. Or a 106 GTI/Rallye.
Yes, and it's air bags, cruise control and auto lights and wipers etc etc mean it's not a horrific or dangerous place to be for a 500 mile drive in the modern world.Go and drive an unassisted 205 GTI. Or a Renault 5. Or a 106 GTI/Rallye.
Ps check my profile
BaronVonVaderham said:
Yes, and it's air bags, cruise control and auto lights and wipers etc etc mean it's not a horrific or dangerous place to be for a 500 mile drive in the modern world.
Ps check my profile
So they are safe and comfortable, i'm not doubting that. What happened to "never be anything that comes close it terms of driver involvement and fun!"? It's just a bit of a ridiculous statement to make about a Clio 200.Ps check my profile
Even a Clio 172 MK1 is leagues ahead in the 'driver involvement' stakes, even when just talking about assistance given by the car which essentially disconnects you more from the road. Like I said, take away power steering, ABS, stability aids and surely that's much more driver involvement? And certainly more fun. I've driven a 197 and a 172, the 172 being obviously more a 'drivers' car. And then compare that to the cars I mentioned before, and that's another level of involvement again.
I stand by what I said. Hot hatches are meant to be practical and fun. The 200 is grown up enough to be refined but not so mature that it's lost it's mojo. It's replacement has missed the mark by a long way. There will never be another new hot hatch with a 2L n/a engine, manual box, extremely focused chassis and big brakes, it's all turbos and flappy paddles now. Hence there will never be anything that comes close - it's the last of its species.
Also I never said it was comfortable!
How are you getting on OP? Been on track yet?
Also I never said it was comfortable!
How are you getting on OP? Been on track yet?
I haven't made it onto the track yet - I was supposed to be doing the Goodwood trackday on Friday but had to cancel.
I have a ridiculously short commute everyday to work but its perfect for that...
Personally I think the car is fantastic in just about every way, i haven't driven a 172, 182, or 197 so I cant compare but my only criticism is the slightly vague steering - I have read the various issues with Clio steering etc and maybe this is where the 172 & 182 were superior??
Overall its a complete eye opener of how good a car can be for relatively little money - Chris Harris raves about them and I can see why...
BTW, did anyone see my Lotus Cortina at Goodwood Thoroughbred Sunday?
I have a ridiculously short commute everyday to work but its perfect for that...
Personally I think the car is fantastic in just about every way, i haven't driven a 172, 182, or 197 so I cant compare but my only criticism is the slightly vague steering - I have read the various issues with Clio steering etc and maybe this is where the 172 & 182 were superior??
Overall its a complete eye opener of how good a car can be for relatively little money - Chris Harris raves about them and I can see why...
BTW, did anyone see my Lotus Cortina at Goodwood Thoroughbred Sunday?
Nice car! I was going to get one (I had a 182 Trophy and loved it) test drove a non cup 200 and liked it. The steering wasn't as feelsome as my Trophy but I didn't think it was to bad. It felt very stable and the brakes were good. Only reason I didn't get one as I don't need anything pratical. So thought bugger it and got an Elise.
Thinking about getting a Clio 200 as a winter car though
Thinking about getting a Clio 200 as a winter car though
keo said:
Thinking about getting a Clio 200 as a winter car though
Me too. Looking for one now as a winter hack. I dont do a lot of miles so generally use my GT3 when im home but from Oct-March its in the garage. I had a 200 Cup when they were first released (and an R26.R at the same time) so im familiar with them. Great fun on a B road, will keep pace with most things if you keep it on the boil and are committed in the corners. On a few runs out a mate in his 240 Exige couldn't shake the little clio off.
Now to decide if im brave enough to get a green one...
Rs2oo said:
Not the best winter car to have. Rock hard suspension, Conti tyres and one of the worst cold early morning gearbox's I have personally known.
Wont be running Conti anyway (Probably supersports or Cup 2) It wont be used in the snow, or a get to work early on a cold morning sort of usage. Just a fun run about while the GT3 RS is sorned.I don't really get the comment re; vague steering.
I have the 200 cup with the quick rack steering and it's fantastic. It feels like a go kart, and it is the most fun car i've ever owned. I love the thing. And yes, i've driven 205 GTI's, Saxo's, 106 GTI's, 172's but the 200 cup still tops them in my opinion. It is absolutely brilliant. Ok it's not the fastest but if you drive it properly it is a quick car and can out handle a lot of other expensive machinery.
Makes me laugh that people cry about the suspension being hard - it's obviously going to be hard it's a sports hot hatch with renounced handling abilities. What else would you expect???
It's also fairly well put together compared to older french cars (mine already had a new gearbox under warranty when I bought it so I could buy with confidence!).
I have the 200 cup with the quick rack steering and it's fantastic. It feels like a go kart, and it is the most fun car i've ever owned. I love the thing. And yes, i've driven 205 GTI's, Saxo's, 106 GTI's, 172's but the 200 cup still tops them in my opinion. It is absolutely brilliant. Ok it's not the fastest but if you drive it properly it is a quick car and can out handle a lot of other expensive machinery.
Makes me laugh that people cry about the suspension being hard - it's obviously going to be hard it's a sports hot hatch with renounced handling abilities. What else would you expect???
It's also fairly well put together compared to older french cars (mine already had a new gearbox under warranty when I bought it so I could buy with confidence!).
Edited by Track_Cit on Tuesday 27th October 11:29
The steering on the car is vague - in my opinion it is the only minor element of the car which isn't as good for a small hot hatch. Yes, it handles like a go kart & is the most fun you can have for the money but I guess it comes down to what you have owned \ driven prior to the Clio that makes its steering vague...
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