Underwhelming Clio 200 Test Drive
Discussion
Trying to decide on my new car and as my local garage had one in, I thought it would be good to drive it and see what was what.
Firstly, the steering feel was excellent. However apart from that, I wasn't blown away by anything else. The test route was quite short, but included a bit of every type of road.
There are 2 key factors I feel I ought to mention:
1. The salesman was seriously obese (at least 130kg), so no doubt this hindered acceleration
2. It was a non-cup chassis Clio
I know power comes at the top end, but it didn't feel much quicker than my 2.2 diesel Mazda 6!
Am I missing a trick here? I also couldn't live with the Recaros on a daily basis.
My other options include a Z4 Coupé.
Firstly, the steering feel was excellent. However apart from that, I wasn't blown away by anything else. The test route was quite short, but included a bit of every type of road.
There are 2 key factors I feel I ought to mention:
1. The salesman was seriously obese (at least 130kg), so no doubt this hindered acceleration
2. It was a non-cup chassis Clio
I know power comes at the top end, but it didn't feel much quicker than my 2.2 diesel Mazda 6!
Am I missing a trick here? I also couldn't live with the Recaros on a daily basis.
My other options include a Z4 Coupé.
I had a similar thing when I was going to get a 182, got out of a Saab Turbo with less power (150 bhP) and more weight, I expected the Renault to feel much faster, it didnt, I revved it and just as it seemed to have got going I hit the limiter, was dissapointed as otherwise I loved it, I suspect given more a of chance it would have felt better but NA cars generally feel a bit flat after a turbo unless they are huge capacity.
I owned one for a few years, up until 6 months ago.
I wouldn't say the steering feel is good at all on them, but no worse than a lot of new cars with electric steering.
They are not particularly fast in a straight line, if that's what you want its not the car for you.
They are however exceptional at corners and breaking, I don't think you could get to feel these features too much on a test drive, especially next to said blob.
Finally the cup cars have stiffer/lower suspension as you already probably know; they also have a quicker steering rack which makes the steering far more direct.
They are cracking cars, I still miss mine to some extent. To 'get' what they are about you need some nice B-roads and revs, lots of revs!
I wouldn't say the steering feel is good at all on them, but no worse than a lot of new cars with electric steering.
They are not particularly fast in a straight line, if that's what you want its not the car for you.
They are however exceptional at corners and breaking, I don't think you could get to feel these features too much on a test drive, especially next to said blob.
Finally the cup cars have stiffer/lower suspension as you already probably know; they also have a quicker steering rack which makes the steering far more direct.
They are cracking cars, I still miss mine to some extent. To 'get' what they are about you need some nice B-roads and revs, lots of revs!
Edited by Tickle on Saturday 31st January 15:21
I went from a 1.8 mkIII MX5to a 184bhp MINI Cooper S. Yes the MINI is quick but it was far from the rocketship I was expecting.
I seriously think u should look at the 2.0 MX5 Sport Tech. If the hottest of hot hatches aren't floating your boat perhaps you need a completely different driving experience. It's not the very best roaster you could have but on the same principle that drew you to the Clio choosing the MX5 would put you in a much newer and lower mileage car than any of the other options.
I seriously think u should look at the 2.0 MX5 Sport Tech. If the hottest of hot hatches aren't floating your boat perhaps you need a completely different driving experience. It's not the very best roaster you could have but on the same principle that drew you to the Clio choosing the MX5 would put you in a much newer and lower mileage car than any of the other options.
Tannedbaldhead said:
I went from a 1.8 mkIII MX5to a 184bhp MINI Cooper S. Yes the MINI is quick but it was far from the rocketship I was expecting.
I seriously think u should look at the 2.0 MX5 Sport Tech. If the hottest of hot hatches aren't floating your boat perhaps you need a completely different driving experience. It's not the very best roaster you could have but on the same principle that drew you to the Clio choosing the MX5 would put you in a much newer and lower mileage car than any of the other options.
Just looking at them now!I seriously think u should look at the 2.0 MX5 Sport Tech. If the hottest of hot hatches aren't floating your boat perhaps you need a completely different driving experience. It's not the very best roaster you could have but on the same principle that drew you to the Clio choosing the MX5 would put you in a much newer and lower mileage car than any of the other options.
4 years old, sub-40k miles, all necessary options. 9-10 grand. Maybe I was barking up the wrong tree
MattHall91 said:
Tannedbaldhead said:
I went from a 1.8 mkIII MX5to a 184bhp MINI Cooper S. Yes the MINI is quick but it was far from the rocketship I was expecting.
I seriously think u should look at the 2.0 MX5 Sport Tech. If the hottest of hot hatches aren't floating your boat perhaps you need a completely different driving experience. It's not the very best roaster you could have but on the same principle that drew you to the Clio choosing the MX5 would put you in a much newer and lower mileage car than any of the other options.
Just looking at them now!I seriously think u should look at the 2.0 MX5 Sport Tech. If the hottest of hot hatches aren't floating your boat perhaps you need a completely different driving experience. It's not the very best roaster you could have but on the same principle that drew you to the Clio choosing the MX5 would put you in a much newer and lower mileage car than any of the other options.
4 years old, sub-40k miles, all necessary options. 9-10 grand. Maybe I was barking up the wrong tree
t car when the weight of a passenger is having a noticeable effect on performance 
My test drive of a Clio 197 consisted of me been egged on by the salesman to take each roundabout on a newly built, deserted bypass faster and faster. Fast in a straight line they are not, so you need a good test route to really feel what they're all about. But as I mentioned in your previous post, you have got to be committed to deal with their shortcomings on a daily basis, knowing that come the weekend it becomes a completely different car. Test the Zed and find a full fat 200 with recaro seats and the cup chassis to take for a test drive before you make your mind up. Maybe even get on to one of the Renaultsport forums and see if there's anyone willing to take you for a proper ride along.
Hi Matt shame you didnt get on with the 200 when i had a quick test drive of one (no cup pack or Recaros, so i expect one with them to be better) I was left to go out on my own init so had a little fun. It felt nippy to me but not quick. Don't think it had the same "kick" as my old Trophy. Although both probably similarly matched.
Good luck car hunting!
Good luck car hunting!
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