Clio 172 and Civic Type-R EP3 - owners' views needed...
Discussion
I'm putting together the next 'Foes Reunited' story for PH, and am looking for the views from past and present owners of the Renault Clio 172 and Honda Civic Type-R. What do you love about them? What are they like to drive? Are they good to own? Have they been reliable?
Would be good to hear what you think - and how, if at all, your views of these cars have changed since they were launched.
The last 'Foes Reunited' piece can be found here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...
We're looking for the 'Previous experience' section to reflect your views of these two great cars.
Thanks for your help, and look forward to getting your views!
Would be good to hear what you think - and how, if at all, your views of these cars have changed since they were launched.
The last 'Foes Reunited' piece can be found here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...
We're looking for the 'Previous experience' section to reflect your views of these two great cars.
Thanks for your help, and look forward to getting your views!
I owned an EP3 for five years. It was absolutely brilliant and the cheapest car to run and maintain that I've owned. Ironic considering I expected it to be the most expensive. The EP3 was the reason I bought another Type-R, albeit an older cousin. If they'd made a UK five door Type-R, I'd have bought one. Apart from the thin paint, the poor steering feel and the oil tanker turning circle, I was gutted to see it go.
People talk about driver involvement - the engine and gearbox are sublime.
k me, I'm old.I bought a brand new EP3 and ran it for 3 years. Was a brilliant car, cheap to run, best engine and gearbox in its class and great fun. Slightly lacked on steering feel but nothing like the drivel is spouted about it. It was very sensitive to the correct tyre, especially at the rear.
I didn't have a 172, but I ran a 182 Cup for a year, that was a different kind of fun. It felt more like I was putting on a training shoe (I'm 6'4") but it had the control of a trainer, could chuck it at anything with and it would handle it with great aplomb, Had more gadgets than the CTR too, but it never felt as special.
I replaced it with a Megane F1 R26 which was the best balance of them both, and to this day the best hot hatch I ever had.
I didn't have a 172, but I ran a 182 Cup for a year, that was a different kind of fun. It felt more like I was putting on a training shoe (I'm 6'4") but it had the control of a trainer, could chuck it at anything with and it would handle it with great aplomb, Had more gadgets than the CTR too, but it never felt as special.
I replaced it with a Megane F1 R26 which was the best balance of them both, and to this day the best hot hatch I ever had.
Have a 172 Cup as my daily.
It came with Eibach springs fitted so it's even lower and firmer.
Expansion gaps make me cringe, I try to avoid drain covers.
It's very fussy about what CDs it'll play and when and whether it ever ejects them. It held one CD for over 2 weeks before finally letting me eject it.
It came with an aftermarket cat-back exhaust system fitted and drones like a b**ch.
In the 6 months(ish) I've had it's had new dampers, top mounts, steering wheel airbag connector, exhaust mounts and rear discs and pads (really just for the wheel bearings which are pressed in to the disc), high level brake light and one not-high brake light bulb. Next week I'm getting the steering arms and wishbones done. It'll need a cat soon as that's starting to split and the driver's side washer jet is weak as f**k.
I adore it
Have fresh AD08s on it and once the front suspension is done it'll handle even better, the brakes are phenomenal. It's not poor build quality, it's character
But it's on over 100k and the engine is still happy as Larry. It's built to a certain cost and weight and being exceptionally firm and fairly torquey it tends to shake and twist its self to pieces and that is why it's cool. A proper working class hero.
Also, no electro nannying
and lighter than the lardybut CTR
No such thing as a 172ff
It came with Eibach springs fitted so it's even lower and firmer.
Expansion gaps make me cringe, I try to avoid drain covers.
It's very fussy about what CDs it'll play and when and whether it ever ejects them. It held one CD for over 2 weeks before finally letting me eject it.
It came with an aftermarket cat-back exhaust system fitted and drones like a b**ch.
In the 6 months(ish) I've had it's had new dampers, top mounts, steering wheel airbag connector, exhaust mounts and rear discs and pads (really just for the wheel bearings which are pressed in to the disc), high level brake light and one not-high brake light bulb. Next week I'm getting the steering arms and wishbones done. It'll need a cat soon as that's starting to split and the driver's side washer jet is weak as f**k.
I adore it
Have fresh AD08s on it and once the front suspension is done it'll handle even better, the brakes are phenomenal. It's not poor build quality, it's character
But it's on over 100k and the engine is still happy as Larry. It's built to a certain cost and weight and being exceptionally firm and fairly torquey it tends to shake and twist its self to pieces and that is why it's cool. A proper working class hero.
Also, no electro nannying
and lighter than the lardybut CTR
MrsThatcher said:
I have a ph2 172ff and have dinner for 8 years. Love it!
BTW what 172? The 172 ph1 (ph-quick!) or a real mans 172cup?
The Clio nerds will get all excited about what one is best etc etc.
Everyone knows the Cup is fastest, as fast as the Trophy without the constant damper rebuilds (and no nannying) BTW what 172? The 172 ph1 (ph-quick!) or a real mans 172cup?
The Clio nerds will get all excited about what one is best etc etc.
No such thing as a 172ff
Edited by scarble on Thursday 27th February 21:41
I had a Clio 182 in 2005. My first quick car and I loved it, awful driving position aside. It was very economical too, regular trashing not withstanding.
I changed it after 10 months for a last of the line EP3. I thought the Civic was a more grown up hatch and would be quicker (hours of studying EVO figures said it was) but I missed the Clio. The Civic had a cracking drive train but was not supple enough to drive down country lanes quickly; I also think the Clio's size gave it a lead here. I loved the bright red Recaros though.
Both good cars that excelled on some drives and I'd like to drive either of them again. Given the choice I'd have the Clio back for keeps though.
I changed it after 10 months for a last of the line EP3. I thought the Civic was a more grown up hatch and would be quicker (hours of studying EVO figures said it was) but I missed the Clio. The Civic had a cracking drive train but was not supple enough to drive down country lanes quickly; I also think the Clio's size gave it a lead here. I loved the bright red Recaros though.
Both good cars that excelled on some drives and I'd like to drive either of them again. Given the choice I'd have the Clio back for keeps though.
I have owned my ep3 for the last 2-3 years and 34k miles, I absolutely love it. I bought it as a bit of a gamble coming from an e36 328, 200sx s14a and 306 GTI6, it has not disappointed at all and has been utterly reliable. It's been on countless track days and even out to the Nurburgring where it performed brilliantly.
A couple of choice modifications transforms the car, an LSD, geo set up, jdm arb and ds2500 pads and your off to annoy most people on track days!
What has also surprised me is the fuel economy, my last tank averaged 34mpg from my daily commute!
I have never driven the Clio but would like to, they look like a lot of fun.
A couple of choice modifications transforms the car, an LSD, geo set up, jdm arb and ds2500 pads and your off to annoy most people on track days!
What has also surprised me is the fuel economy, my last tank averaged 34mpg from my daily commute!
I have never driven the Clio but would like to, they look like a lot of fun.
I have owned a Clio 182 and two Ep3 Type-R's. One before the Clio and one after.
I personally prefer the Civic, for me it has the Clio beat in nearly every area that is relevant to being a good hot hatch. Not beaten by much though.
The K20 in the Civic is a much better engine and I think this is the key to the Civic being my preferred hatch. It just feels like it wants to climb up the revs so much more and the sound above 5800rpm is addictive.
The gearbox is also much better, the one in the Clio is such a let down.
For me those 2 things are so superior In the Ep3 it's always one step ahead.
Handling wise, to me the Clio does feel a bit more chuckable, and it grips really well, but I still feel as though I can drive down the same roads quicker in the Civic. It's a bit more composed and seems to cope with bumps a lot better as well.
The steering is better in the Clio, it feels a little numb in the Ep3 but once you get used to the car it isn't bad.
The Honda certainly makes the better noise, which to me is quite important in a good hot hatch.
One thing the Clio does win on is how well specced they are standard. Climate, auto xenons, auto wipers, cruise control etc....the Civic has none of these which are quite a nice addition.
When these cars first came out most people said it was a close run thing but the Civic just came out on top.
After owning both models I think this is still the case. The Hondas have aged better looks wise(facelifted onces especially) and in build quality as well. The Clio 172/182 is a fun car and is still very quick for a small hatchback, but I'm glad I went back to a Type-R and I couldn't be happier with it.
I personally prefer the Civic, for me it has the Clio beat in nearly every area that is relevant to being a good hot hatch. Not beaten by much though.
The K20 in the Civic is a much better engine and I think this is the key to the Civic being my preferred hatch. It just feels like it wants to climb up the revs so much more and the sound above 5800rpm is addictive.
The gearbox is also much better, the one in the Clio is such a let down.
For me those 2 things are so superior In the Ep3 it's always one step ahead.
Handling wise, to me the Clio does feel a bit more chuckable, and it grips really well, but I still feel as though I can drive down the same roads quicker in the Civic. It's a bit more composed and seems to cope with bumps a lot better as well.
The steering is better in the Clio, it feels a little numb in the Ep3 but once you get used to the car it isn't bad.
The Honda certainly makes the better noise, which to me is quite important in a good hot hatch.
One thing the Clio does win on is how well specced they are standard. Climate, auto xenons, auto wipers, cruise control etc....the Civic has none of these which are quite a nice addition.
When these cars first came out most people said it was a close run thing but the Civic just came out on top.
After owning both models I think this is still the case. The Hondas have aged better looks wise(facelifted onces especially) and in build quality as well. The Clio 172/182 is a fun car and is still very quick for a small hatchback, but I'm glad I went back to a Type-R and I couldn't be happier with it.
This is all great stuff - really good - I'll be quoting this in the piece on PH.
Out of interest, if anyone would like to post me directly about their 172 (PH1, by the way, as the man said) or EP3 CTR, please feel free to email me - keith@aronline.co.uk
Ta in advance. This is going to be a nice feature, methinks - and hopefully one that'll get you all talking. Clearly back then it looked like the CTR was the one to have, but would that same opinion hold true today? Big question
K
Out of interest, if anyone would like to post me directly about their 172 (PH1, by the way, as the man said) or EP3 CTR, please feel free to email me - keith@aronline.co.uk
Ta in advance. This is going to be a nice feature, methinks - and hopefully one that'll get you all talking. Clearly back then it looked like the CTR was the one to have, but would that same opinion hold true today? Big question
K
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