Is a Clio Sport a backward step
Discussion
I`m 22, I replaced my 530d with a TT 225 which I then sold in Jan this year as I moved to London for work, I bought something cheaper a Vauxhall signum (Yes I know hearse, bla bla, agreed admittedly)
Even though I pretty much use it for motorway jaunts and maybe once a fortnight for work which it does pretty well, I am getting itchy feet having a boring car.
Will a clio sport feel like a step down, is it a bit chavvy?
Are they totally unreliable?
Insurance isnt really an issue as I have 4ncb.
Signum worth about £2700, would that buy a 182?
Even though I pretty much use it for motorway jaunts and maybe once a fortnight for work which it does pretty well, I am getting itchy feet having a boring car.
Will a clio sport feel like a step down, is it a bit chavvy?
Are they totally unreliable?
Insurance isnt really an issue as I have 4ncb.
Signum worth about £2700, would that buy a 182?
Edited by coley20 on Monday 2nd August 15:26
Never really understood the issue with taking a step down - I don't like using finance to buy cars, so I can only spend what I have spare - one year I'll be in something nice, the next an old shed. As my finances change, I can get something nice again.
The price of a car has little to do with the enjoyment to be had from driving it. In fact, the feeling of not havign to worry about big bills can add to the fun.
As for the Clio, I presume for that money you're talking about the 172? I had one a few years ago - good fun, a few common faults but nothing major to worry about:
Renault exhausts tend to rot quickly.
The engine mounts can wear, leading to an awful thumping noise under hard acceleration.
The steering wheel will melt and the thumb grips split apart.
The airbag warning light can come on because of dodgy wiring under the passenger seat.
The climate control fan (if fitted) can make an annoying noise.
Various bits of interior trim are prone to falling off.
None of the above are particularly difficult or expensive to rectify though.
The price of a car has little to do with the enjoyment to be had from driving it. In fact, the feeling of not havign to worry about big bills can add to the fun.
As for the Clio, I presume for that money you're talking about the 172? I had one a few years ago - good fun, a few common faults but nothing major to worry about:
Renault exhausts tend to rot quickly.
The engine mounts can wear, leading to an awful thumping noise under hard acceleration.
The steering wheel will melt and the thumb grips split apart.
The airbag warning light can come on because of dodgy wiring under the passenger seat.
The climate control fan (if fitted) can make an annoying noise.
Various bits of interior trim are prone to falling off.
None of the above are particularly difficult or expensive to rectify though.
Edited by Risotto on Monday 2nd August 15:36
I suspect after all those cars a Clio Sport (especially a well used one) will feel a bit rattly and cheap.
Renault's are a lot better than they were, but then so is everything else.
Doesn't mean it'll fall to bits or breakdown though and it'll be a lot more fun than the Signum (I drove one of those on a skiing holiday some years ago - a US version anyway - and it seemed quite a capable car, for its type).
M.
Renault's are a lot better than they were, but then so is everything else.
Doesn't mean it'll fall to bits or breakdown though and it'll be a lot more fun than the Signum (I drove one of those on a skiing holiday some years ago - a US version anyway - and it seemed quite a capable car, for its type).
M.
Risotto said:
Never really understood the issue with taking a step down - I don't like using finance to buy cars, so I can only spend what I have spare - one year I'll be in something nice, the next an old shed. As my finances change, I can get something nice again.
The price of a car has little to do with the enjoyment to be had from driving it. In fact, the feeling of not havign to worry about big bills can add to the fun.
As for the Clio, I presume for that money you're talking about the 172? I had one a few years ago - good fun, a few common faults but nothing major to worry about:
Renault exhausts tend to rot quickly.
The engine mounts can wear, leading to an awful thumping noise under hard acceleration.
The steering wheel will melt and the thumb grips split apart.
The airbag warning light can come on because of dodgy wiring under the passenger seat.
The climate control fan (if fitted) can make an annoying noise.
Various bits of interior trim are prone to falling off.
None of the above are particularly difficult or expensive to rectify though.
Cheers for the input!The price of a car has little to do with the enjoyment to be had from driving it. In fact, the feeling of not havign to worry about big bills can add to the fun.
As for the Clio, I presume for that money you're talking about the 172? I had one a few years ago - good fun, a few common faults but nothing major to worry about:
Renault exhausts tend to rot quickly.
The engine mounts can wear, leading to an awful thumping noise under hard acceleration.
The steering wheel will melt and the thumb grips split apart.
The airbag warning light can come on because of dodgy wiring under the passenger seat.
The climate control fan (if fitted) can make an annoying noise.
Various bits of interior trim are prone to falling off.
None of the above are particularly difficult or expensive to rectify though.
Edited by Risotto on Monday 2nd August 15:36
What are they like on the motorway?
I`m also not talking about financially taking a step down, as it looks like ill have to put money in to get a 182. I mean in terms of the car and what ive had previously
coley20 said:
The silver wheels suggest it doesn't have the cup pack. No idea why some owners didn't specify this - it was only a couple of hundred quid extra. Personally I wouldn't want one without but having said that, the differences are only minor and probably not that noticeable.Edited by Risotto on Monday 2nd August 16:02
I did something similar - TT 225 to Clio 172 Cup.
Now, there is the image issue, granted, but in terms of pure driver enjoyment I put the Clio up there with pretty much any car I've driven. I took it on track and it held it's own with all kinds of more expensive and exotic machinery, I thrashed it every journey and it never missed a beat, 40 mpg was easy done on the motorway, and depreciation was minimal.
Now, the trim rattled a bit, but everything worked and it was a surprisingly good car to live with (decent boot, comfyish, decent stereo).
I say that everyone should get one, it's what driving is all about.
FF
Now, there is the image issue, granted, but in terms of pure driver enjoyment I put the Clio up there with pretty much any car I've driven. I took it on track and it held it's own with all kinds of more expensive and exotic machinery, I thrashed it every journey and it never missed a beat, 40 mpg was easy done on the motorway, and depreciation was minimal.
Now, the trim rattled a bit, but everything worked and it was a surprisingly good car to live with (decent boot, comfyish, decent stereo).
I say that everyone should get one, it's what driving is all about.
FF
coley20 said:
andye30m3 said:
I went from a E36 M3 Evo to a clio 172 and really enjoyed driving the clio.
In terms of fun the clio's not really a step backwards, maybe in terms of image.
I was thinking along the same lines TBH.In terms of fun the clio's not really a step backwards, maybe in terms of image.
In terms of mechanical reliability are they as bad as people say?
when I bought it it needed 2 rear shocks which were around £35each, other than that I changed a power steering hose (circa £200 fitted), wheel bearing (£80ish for a pair of rear discs and bearings) , exhaust mount (£30ish) and the exhaust centre section (£120ish for a genuine renault one), so whilst a few things went wrong nothing other than the power steering hose really cost a great deal.
a friend of mine has just bought one as a track car and more often than not he'll be out in the clio rather than his focus RS another friend has also recently sold a megane R26 F1 to go back to a clio cup, they really are just a lot of fun.
I only sold mine as I fancied trying an Integra type R, the only real advantages the integra had over the clio was the seating position, the seats and the LSD but it did cost twice the price for and older, similar millage car.
andye30m3 said:
I only sold mine as I fancied trying an Integra type R, the only real advantages the integra had over the clio was the seating position, the seats, the acceleration, the engine note, the handling and the LSD but it did cost twice the price for and older, similar millage car.
EFA.Anyway, I remember trying a Vectra 3.2 GSI when I had my 182, and that wasn't a patch on the clio, so I'd have no issues swapping a signum for one either! But I'd have an ITR instead, older or not.
coley20 said:
Park'O said:
coley20 said:
I'd advise you go for a 172cup, putting age into the equation, it's probably the best bang for your buck right now! Not alot of cash would need to be added either......
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