Suzuki Ignis Sport vs Clio 172
Suzuki Ignis Sport vs Clio 172
Author
Discussion

lee_erm

Original Poster:

1,091 posts

222 months

Tuesday 25th February 2014
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Seriously contemplating purchasing an Ignis Sport, I reckon it would make for a great little run around to replace my current MX5 with. Question is though would I be better off with a Clio 172? 172's are actually a little bit cheaper if anything also.

On paper everything probably points to the 172, bar reliability perhaps, I can live with the odd electrical gremlin though. Ignis Sports have a certain character though that I kinda like!

MissChief

7,987 posts

197 months

Tuesday 25th February 2014
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Go test drive both, see which you prefer? (It'll be the 172)

cianha

2,175 posts

226 months

Tuesday 25th February 2014
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It depends on what you enjoy. I traded my IS for an MX5, and it remains one of the few cars I'd buy again. Running costs will be lower on the Iggy, and in the bends they're pretty much equal. Mine earned its nickname "Rocky the Randy Terrier" for it's ability to stick to bigger cars, like an overamorous housepet.

Interiors in both aren't spectacular, the Iggy's is 90s plastic, harder wearing than the Clios, and the Recaros Seats/wheel/pedal are perfect.
In a straight line, (as was demonstrated on a dual carriageway in the West of Ireland) the Iggy is quick, but the the 172 is _faast_!

trickywoo

14,164 posts

259 months

Tuesday 25th February 2014
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No cambelt to worry about on the Suzuki.

I've got a Swift which is so easy to work on. All servicing items take minutes DIY. Not sure the same can be said of the Renault.

4evernewbie

21 posts

161 months

Tuesday 25th February 2014
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I'd go for the Suzuki purely for the fishnet headrests on the recaros!

Paul

C.A.R.

3,992 posts

217 months

Tuesday 25th February 2014
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Saxo VTS?
306 GTi6?
Yaris T-Sport? (bit slower)
Early Mini Cooper?

Trying to think of viable alternatives. Anything but a Mk4 Golf 1.8T!

Fastra

4,289 posts

238 months

Tuesday 25th February 2014
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Panda 100hp???

QuantumTokoloshi

4,277 posts

246 months

Tuesday 25th February 2014
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C.A.R. said:
Saxo VTS?
306 GTi6?
Yaris T-Sport? (bit slower)
Early Mini Cooper?

Trying to think of viable alternatives. Anything but a Mk4 Golf 1.8T!
Seat Cupra, Ibiza Cupra (R), SEAT Cupra R, Skoda Fabia VRS (okay an oil burner,but still fun), Honda Type S / R.

ryanthescot

287 posts

183 months

Tuesday 25th February 2014
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I've had 2 Ignis Sports and if I ever needed to go back to a cheap, fun, small car with more than 2 seats I'd get another. Although not all that fast, it feels light and agile. I loved the way you could feel it struggling for grip under hard braking and it made you feel like you were driving it hard even at modest speeds. In that sense it's similar to the Mx5 in many ways, but if you dont need the extra room I think an Mx5 is slightly more fun.

The Ignis parts are cheap and it will be cheaper to run than a 172 i.e. brakes, tyres, fuel (the Iggy will do close to 40mpg). Also it's chain driven as has been mentioned so no need to worry about that. Both of mine were faultless in the time that I owned them.

The Clio will be considerably quicker, but I dont think that quicker is necessarily more fun.

Best thing is to try both (or get another Eunos)

MrsThatcher

3,775 posts

224 months

Tuesday 25th February 2014
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Depends on your budget. Having owned a 172 for 8 years I'm biased. That said I'd not be buying one now. I'd go for a 182 or 197 due to the 172 being so old.

Lots of abused dogs about now. Mine has been great over 100,000 miles and it's been used and abused as a daily driver. Its on 132,000 now and wears it well.

Lots of little things like bushes, clips, cloudy headlights, washer jets and boot struts need fixing on many. Lucky I like tinkering and I'm on first name terms with my local Indy and Renault parts guy. If not I'd be one of those bitter 'French cars are crap' brigade. They are fairly cheap to maintain with OEM parts.

They are fun cars on the twisties, but I like mine for long distance too.

Look at the buyers guide on here and built the belt, dephaser and engine mounts into your price if you decide to buy one.