Discussion
I'm finding myself strangely drawn to them. Getting a bit fed up of the general upkeep of the GTA. What are they like to live with? I like larger cars normally, but they look great, and fun too.
(I like French cars, and have owned a xsara vts, xantia activa and BX. No anti French bulls
t please)
(I like French cars, and have owned a xsara vts, xantia activa and BX. No anti French bulls
t please)It is fun, yes. It will be slower than your GTA, that's a given. It will not sound as good, and I'd struggle to see it getting a better MPG figure if I'm honest. The dealer network is shoddy, and a lot of things do go wrong, but I was strangely very fond of mine?!
I wouldn't personally make the move, but it's not my decision.
I wouldn't personally make the move, but it's not my decision.
The limits are very high so they're not that engaging at speeds you'll do 95% of the time and even once wound up the fun appears to me to be mainly astonishment at the cornering speeds and change of direction. I've owned mine 4yrs and reckon I had more fun in my mate's R26 in 20mins. Cup chassis is very stiff and for general day to day use it starts to grate. Way more uncomfortable than the R26.
Stuff goes wrong like any good Renault, but gearbox failures at low mileage is not uncommon. Just had mine rebuilt at 40k/4yrs - managed to get Renault to agree to 75% contribution but that still left a £500 bill.
But they look great
still glad I had one but won't miss it much when it goes I reckon.
Stuff goes wrong like any good Renault, but gearbox failures at low mileage is not uncommon. Just had mine rebuilt at 40k/4yrs - managed to get Renault to agree to 75% contribution but that still left a £500 bill.
But they look great
still glad I had one but won't miss it much when it goes I reckon.I've just got a 197 after lots of other stuff, inc a mapped Megane... The Megane is nice round the corners but it's not like the clio! The Megane was a lot faster but as effective as it is, it gets boring.. hence back into a NA Clio.
Nothing wrong with the ride with the Cup chassis tbh. Find it really comfortable.
Nothing wrong with the ride with the Cup chassis tbh. Find it really comfortable.
I've got a 200. Essentially the same car bar a few changes.
It's a fun car. Handling is what the car is all about. Grip levels are sublime and it will keep up with most things through the twisty bits.
Performance wise the engine needs to be revved hard. They can feel a little gutless at lower revs (a little bit Honda vtec'ish) and you may be left a little underwhelmed on a test drive. You'll just need to get used to the car though.
Build quality wise, as said, gearboxes (synchro) can be an issue. Renault know about it (and have done for a long time). If you have an issue they will normally stump up a good contribution towards a replacement.
Recaros (optional) can wear badly on the bolsters. Mine are showing a little wear at 4k miles !
Fuel economy isn't great. I'm averaging about 28 MPG and my car is babied for most of the time.
I bought the car because I was looking for an "old school" feel. Most of the other hot hatches feel big and lardy these days (Focus ST, Honda Civic Type R, etc. etc). On that score the Renault is a winner.
Loads of abused examples out there. Find one that has been cherished and I'm sure you'll love it.
It's a fun car. Handling is what the car is all about. Grip levels are sublime and it will keep up with most things through the twisty bits.
Performance wise the engine needs to be revved hard. They can feel a little gutless at lower revs (a little bit Honda vtec'ish) and you may be left a little underwhelmed on a test drive. You'll just need to get used to the car though.
Build quality wise, as said, gearboxes (synchro) can be an issue. Renault know about it (and have done for a long time). If you have an issue they will normally stump up a good contribution towards a replacement.
Recaros (optional) can wear badly on the bolsters. Mine are showing a little wear at 4k miles !
Fuel economy isn't great. I'm averaging about 28 MPG and my car is babied for most of the time.
I bought the car because I was looking for an "old school" feel. Most of the other hot hatches feel big and lardy these days (Focus ST, Honda Civic Type R, etc. etc). On that score the Renault is a winner.
Loads of abused examples out there. Find one that has been cherished and I'm sure you'll love it.
raptor600 said:
Swervin_Mervin said:
Cup chassis is very stiff and for general day to day use it starts to grate. Way more uncomfortable than the R26.
The R26 has the Cup Chasis 
I'm referring to the Megane being more fun and way more comfortable imo. You're probably thinking of tje R27 which is the Clio. As for ride comfort, my mate with his R26 was astounded at how hard my Cupped Clio is. Maybe the roads are better where other people are?
S10 GTA said:
Interesting comments. I'm told the 182 is better, but I think they are ugly 
It's a toss up between a 197, C4 VTS or keeping what I have.
I just bought an R27 F1 - it's awesome.It's a toss up between a 197, C4 VTS or keeping what I have.
Edited by S10 GTA on Sunday 3rd June 20:37
But - if you do a lot of motorway miles the noise at 90mph will get tiring quite quickly.
For A and B roads though it's a weapon - extremely fast and just so much fun to drive.
I have been driving around in an E46 M3 for the last week but I genuinely think the Clio is more fun 90% of the time. It just feels like a proper little race car...the noise...the steering...the seats (which are also extremely comfortable) and the looks.
Go for it!
I have an RS200 and very pleased with it. It's an FF with Cup option and is well equipped, well built and the ride is not hard. At most speeds it's compliant, but can be fidgety on fast undulating roads. The handling is sublime. All much better than the competition, and press rate it 'best in class'.
Also, very practical to live with and quite commodious. Nice, smooth engine,with plenty of performance when you get used to it, but c.30 mpg seems to be the norm.
I did look at 197s and was strongly advised to buy post-2008 (I think) due to some improvements, most notably the gearbox and ratios.
Also, very practical to live with and quite commodious. Nice, smooth engine,with plenty of performance when you get used to it, but c.30 mpg seems to be the norm.
I did look at 197s and was strongly advised to buy post-2008 (I think) due to some improvements, most notably the gearbox and ratios.
Geneve said:
I did look at 197s and was strongly advised to buy post-2008 (I think) due to some improvements, most notably the gearbox and ratios.
Pre 2007 -197's did have a known gear box issue I believe but this was sorted later As for the ratios - I don't think they are 'that' short to be honest - and in no way detract from the driving experience for me.
Definitely try before you buy to see if it suits you or not!
Regarding whats said above about pre 07/08 gearboxes. The revision was midway through 08 (longer latter ratios - better MPG at highter speeds).
I have a 56/07 registered car which is still on its original gearbox. Approaching 50k in mileage and not showing any issues and this is a box that has known some abuse but has been generally loved.
You hear about the ones that break more then you hear about the ones that never have issues.
I'm coming upto a year and a half of ownership (and daily driving) and my only niggle with the car is how easy it is to buckle an alloy on a pothole, seems like they are made from tin foil sometimes.
I've loved mine recently with the weather we have had. Pano roof open, windows down and its an amazing place to be.
Be aware that if you get one with the cup spoiler it will affect your MPG negatively. I averaged 1-2 MPG more before I had it put on.
I have a 56/07 registered car which is still on its original gearbox. Approaching 50k in mileage and not showing any issues and this is a box that has known some abuse but has been generally loved.
You hear about the ones that break more then you hear about the ones that never have issues.
I'm coming upto a year and a half of ownership (and daily driving) and my only niggle with the car is how easy it is to buckle an alloy on a pothole, seems like they are made from tin foil sometimes.
I've loved mine recently with the weather we have had. Pano roof open, windows down and its an amazing place to be.
Be aware that if you get one with the cup spoiler it will affect your MPG negatively. I averaged 1-2 MPG more before I had it put on.
LovelyTia said:
Regarding whats said above about pre 07/08 gearboxes. The revision was midway through 08 (longer latter ratios - better MPG at highter speeds).
I have a 56/07 registered car which is still on its original gearbox. Approaching 50k in mileage and not showing any issues and this is a box that has known some abuse but has been generally loved.
You hear about the ones that break more then you hear about the ones that never have issues.
I would echo this. Mine is also an 07 plate on 43k miles and the gearbox is still a peach. My only gripe about the car in general is the choppy ride on motorways, result of the short wheelbase I guess and it does seem to improve with a bit of weight in the bank, ie a full tank. And whilst the short ratios don't make for relaxed or economical cruising you can use the cruise control to fine tune the harmonics I have a 56/07 registered car which is still on its original gearbox. Approaching 50k in mileage and not showing any issues and this is a box that has known some abuse but has been generally loved.
You hear about the ones that break more then you hear about the ones that never have issues.
I find 72mph to be an acceptable compromise!The gearbox revision was late '07. Mine's a March '08 with the longer 5/6th.
I mention the 'box problems because there are still A LOT of failures. It would be stupid to not mention this when people are asking about the cars as the rebuild/replacement options could prove pretty costly.
I mention the 'box problems because there are still A LOT of failures. It would be stupid to not mention this when people are asking about the cars as the rebuild/replacement options could prove pretty costly.
If your thinking of a 197 from around 2007-08 bear in mind cambelt job can be costly and is not advisable to avoid so take that into account if buying.
I do urban driving rush hour and get around 21-23mpg. These will be the last na hot hatch which is why I bought one before everything goes turbo and this characteristic is lost however better the turbo may be economy wise.
I would say have a drive of one quickly on an A road not bother with a town or motorway and I bet it will steal your heart. It is French so build quality can be questionable and like all cars it has it's weak points.
I do urban driving rush hour and get around 21-23mpg. These will be the last na hot hatch which is why I bought one before everything goes turbo and this characteristic is lost however better the turbo may be economy wise.
I would say have a drive of one quickly on an A road not bother with a town or motorway and I bet it will steal your heart. It is French so build quality can be questionable and like all cars it has it's weak points.
On Sunday I drove my RS200 FF/Cup from the UK down to the South of France - 1,150 km in 9.5 hrs via Paris and Lyon.
Really couldn't have been in a better car (and I do have others).
Carried loads of luggage, great performance reserves, super comfy on the superb autoroutes (120-140 kph), just two stops for coffee and fuel, 29 mpg. Perfect size for nipping around down here and finding parking. And, getting lots of looks amongst the exotica.
I had thought of buying a lhd RS200 to keep down here, but they are expensive (15-20k euros - used) and fairly scarce.
Really couldn't have been in a better car (and I do have others).
Carried loads of luggage, great performance reserves, super comfy on the superb autoroutes (120-140 kph), just two stops for coffee and fuel, 29 mpg. Perfect size for nipping around down here and finding parking. And, getting lots of looks amongst the exotica.
I had thought of buying a lhd RS200 to keep down here, but they are expensive (15-20k euros - used) and fairly scarce.
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