MK3 MX5 2.0S or Clio 182 Trophy or ?

[wackojacko]

Evening all.


It has come to the time were I want to buy myself an early 19th Birthday present, my options of aeshetics (IMO) and driving pleasure have been narrowed down to a MK3 MX5 Sport with the LSD or a Clio 182 Trophy both of which options are based on reviews and friends experiences.

I need to drive both but from the outset the plus points are :

MX5
- RWD (and LSD)
- Well equiped for the money
- Revvy willing engine
- Relatively good running costs
- Japanese "reliability"

Clio
- Rare
- Great to drive
- Slightly quicker than the MX5
- Can seat 4 adults

I have looked into various other options but the long and short of it is that I cannot insure anything Japansese with a Turbo or ///M Cars.....


So what would you choose ? ... anyone have personal experiences with these cars ?

P.s Vx220's are also a no


Thanks in advance
Jacko.

[Codswallop]

NC Mx5 got terrible reviews didn't it? Handling, gearchange etc where are rubbish reputedly compared to the NB.

How 'bout a Mk3 MR2? 182 Trophy is meant to be great to drive, but does nothing for me. I'd prefer a Ep3 Type-R myself if going down the hot hatch route. Or maybe an ATR if you can find a good one.

[Codswallop]

Oh snap! B769 to Stewarton



Same corner too



All my other car profile pics were taken on the same road. God I miss living in Scotland

[anonymous-user]

Well... I can't comment on the MX5... but I just bought a Clio 172 for £1000, simply for a laugh and to thrash round trackdays until it either explodes or I crash it due to running out of talent.

I haggled the guy down to £1000 on the phone and wasn't expecting much from a car that cost less than a set of tyres for my usual ride.

I went to pick it up, drove it home and have had it over a week now and I'm amazed... I found it to be in excellent order inside and out with heaps of new bits including all new suspension, shocks, springs, bushes, plus loads of bills and history.

As a bonus it came fitted with a year old full scorpion stainless system from Motech which included a 4 branch manifold.

Thanks to the 4 branch system I suspect it is the thick end of of 180bhp and it goes like a fking bd, thanks in part to the fact it only weights under 1050kg (plastic wings, bonnet etc)

I have never had such a laugh in a car in ages. It must be about 6 years since I owned a hot hatch, and I have never owned anything French but this thing is utterly hilarious!

It enters some absolutely mental powerband at about 5500-6000rpm and throws itself at the redline like a loony.

Handling is good and it actually returns about 39mpg on a brisk longer run, which is really good considering the power output.

The interior is pretty nice as well.

Can't wait to hit the track

Sorry for the bad camera phone shots:

[wackojacko]

A few people have mentioned the cam step of the 2.0 Renault engines, sounds a laugh.


Part of me is saying get something RWD, hooligan part is saying get a Clio and cain it !

[Hoygo]

Trophy,can't comment on Mx5 but generally they are praised as heaps of sh!te.

If RWD,what about Elise 190's ?

[N24]

I went through this exact decision a couple of months back - I've had three MX5's before & I'd have another.
However I bought a Trophy...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7VkdGZObUM&fea...

It's such a hoot to drive - highly reccomend one!

[tank slapper]

Codswallop said:

NC Mx5 got terrible reviews didn't it? Handling, gearchange etc where are rubbish reputedly compared to the NB.

Can't comment in comparison to earlier models, but the handling and gear change are fine on the Mk3. The gearbox can be a little bit notchy when cold, but is good once up to temperature. Handling wise, it works well. There is plenty of feedback and enough grip to make very good progress cross country, but it's still lively enough to have fun with at sensible speeds. The suspension is fully adjustable, so it's worth having checked as it makes a huge difference when it's set up right.

[roystinho]

Used to have the Trophy, an absolute hoot of a car. A bit basic inside, but for a pure driving tool, nothing FWD comes close for me (maybe R26.r)

It's probably one of the b road blast kings, not much will keep up/leave you unless there's a few straights, goes round corners at silly speeds on 3 wheels

Just make sure Sachs dampers have been refurbed (£500 at BG Motorsports) and cambelt has been done (£450 from a specialist)

Edited by roystinho on Monday 16th January 20:54

[LukeBird]

Can't comment on the Trophy, but my dad recently sold his Caterham and my mum's 182 for a Mk3.5 2.0 Sport MX-5.
The MX-5 has better seating position, better feel to the controls and isn't really that much slower, I didn't drive the 182 much, but I would have said it was only quicker when going in a straight line beyond 80 or so.
My MX-5 (Mk2.5) is on decent aftermarket suspension and is immense cross country, I doubt a 182 would keep pace to be honest, the benefit of the LSD and RWD means you can get on the power so early and not have the torque steer to contend with.
I loved the 182 (I very nearly bought a 172 Cup) and would certainly consider one if I needed something more practical than the '5, but the '5 is more fun to drive and considerably cheaper to run.

[roystinho]

I'd be very surprised if a stock MX-5 could keep up with a Trophy with similar drivers round the country lanes. The Trophy suspension is just so good for going round corners and keeping your foot planted, doesn't really need a LSD (I say doesn't really as most cars would obviously benefit with one, but for cost v gains not worth it on the Clio imo)

[D1bram]

Gearchange on the MX5 is great, not sure where the earlier poster got the idea it's anything but?

Handling is fine, not as good as the Mk3 MR2 as standard, but apparently a geo setup works wonders, always intended on having mine done but selling it now so won't get around to it.

Altogether it goes well (noticeably quicker than the Mr2 was and keeps up with the wifes Cooper S no problem), handles and it pretty comfortable. The boot is also pretty good so it's a pratical car as well, albeit only for two.

Big thing for me though is the clio is always just a clio, the MX5 is built as a fun car from the ground up and top down motoring is ace

[roystinho]

D1bram said:

Big thing for me though is the clio is always just a clio, the MX5 is built as a fun car from the ground up and top down motoring is ace

But the Trophy isn't just a Clio, that's a bit like saying a 1M is just another 1 series coupe. I dare you to have a go in one and not want to buy one instantly, they're just such a laugh.

iirc there was an EVO group test that had it as the 7th greatest drivers car ever, beating the Ferrari F50 which was 8th. There's your bragging rights right there

[anonymous-user]

roystinho said:

I dare you to have a go in one and not want to buy one instantly, they're just such a laugh.

iirc there was an EVO group test that had it as the 7th greatest drivers car ever, beating the Ferrari F50 which was 8th. There's your bragging rights right there

Agreed.

As I said in my earlier post, the 172 I bought for a grand recently is absolutely hilarious.

I regularly drive my 911, a 3.2 Boxster S, Evo FQ400 amongst other stuff, but I have to say, the 172 is making grin like an idiot everytime I drive it.

It revs like something posessed and screeches round corners like a go kart.

You just get so much satisfaction from thrashing that French engine

[wackojacko]

Cheers for the response, I'm viewing this on Saturday morning :



http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3554908.htm