Clio 182 - Alternatives? (Yes, it is a what car)
Discussion
Well, I adore my 135i but the combination of a heavy right foot, increasing fuel costs (£300 last month), running costs, a wedding to pay for and all the other boring costs of modern life, I intend on tearfully slinging it in the PH classifieds and buying a 182 to save me a big chunk of wedge.
I have settled on the 182 because I have £3k cash, it will return decent MPG when compared to the 19mpg I get from my 135i, it will be a whole lot of childish fun, and when I do get past the wallet rape of my matrimonials and I can afford a decent car again, I will be able to use it as a throw-away track toy.
But before I settle on the little Renault, do the PH massive have any other alternatives?
The budget is £3k. No more.
Above all the car has to be fun, it must be (comparatively) frugal and be able to seat four(ish). Remember it will be a track slag in 12 months time, so something suited to this transition would be helpful.
I have settled on the 182 because I have £3k cash, it will return decent MPG when compared to the 19mpg I get from my 135i, it will be a whole lot of childish fun, and when I do get past the wallet rape of my matrimonials and I can afford a decent car again, I will be able to use it as a throw-away track toy.
But before I settle on the little Renault, do the PH massive have any other alternatives?
The budget is £3k. No more.
Above all the car has to be fun, it must be (comparatively) frugal and be able to seat four(ish). Remember it will be a track slag in 12 months time, so something suited to this transition would be helpful.
I think the 182 is going to be about your best choice, i have just 'inherited' the wifes phase 2 172 sport, and it's a bloody hilarious drive, motoring equivalent of a small excitable dog.
As an alternative might i suggest an early Integra type-R, i'm sure a bit of haggling could get sir into the right ballpark.
found here: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2552531.htm
sounds quite reasonable, nothing to do with me though.
As an alternative might i suggest an early Integra type-R, i'm sure a bit of haggling could get sir into the right ballpark.
found here: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2552531.htm
sounds quite reasonable, nothing to do with me though.
I quite like the MG ZS180 or maybe a tidy ZR160. Not saying any better or worse than a Clio, just an option.
What are 306GTI's like these days?
An ITR would be my pick for sure though. Check for gearbox synchro issues though and sadly most are quite high mileage. That said they will probably hold their money better than the other options.
I guess it's worth saying have a look at last weeks SOTW the Pug 205. And I think I'd also look at a 924, bit tight on rear seating, but probably not really any worse than most hatches. They are slow, but rwd. And if you convert it to track use you could always stuff a V8 in it.
What are 306GTI's like these days?
An ITR would be my pick for sure though. Check for gearbox synchro issues though and sadly most are quite high mileage. That said they will probably hold their money better than the other options.
I guess it's worth saying have a look at last weeks SOTW the Pug 205. And I think I'd also look at a 924, bit tight on rear seating, but probably not really any worse than most hatches. They are slow, but rwd. And if you convert it to track use you could always stuff a V8 in it.
Mint 172 for that money.
You won't notice the 10ps in the real world.
Plus you get black front lights which look better and a smooth rear bumper with no pea shooters hanging out the back!
The only thing you might miss if you do big miles is the Cruise control.
But £3k won't get you a loved 182... you'll need to pay £4k up. But phase 2 172's can be had for under £3k in mint condition.
You won't notice the 10ps in the real world.
Plus you get black front lights which look better and a smooth rear bumper with no pea shooters hanging out the back!
The only thing you might miss if you do big miles is the Cruise control.
But £3k won't get you a loved 182... you'll need to pay £4k up. But phase 2 172's can be had for under £3k in mint condition.
Thanks for the prompt replies.
Well, I am leaning toward a well loved 172 based on the above.
I am desperately trying to avoid a money pit; after running the 135i with its run-flats, its ability to eat rears and swill petrol like a Glaswegian at a free bar, I want something I can run for less than my mortgage.
This is really a bit of cheep teenage fun before the wedding, so 20 year old cars and leggy porkers are out of the running. I have done the Rover thing and the ITR is more to insure than my 360hp 135i!
Now, if only I could trade in the fiancée in the same way....
Well, I am leaning toward a well loved 172 based on the above.
I am desperately trying to avoid a money pit; after running the 135i with its run-flats, its ability to eat rears and swill petrol like a Glaswegian at a free bar, I want something I can run for less than my mortgage.
This is really a bit of cheep teenage fun before the wedding, so 20 year old cars and leggy porkers are out of the running. I have done the Rover thing and the ITR is more to insure than my 360hp 135i!
Now, if only I could trade in the fiancée in the same way....
pat_y said:
As an alternative might i suggest an early Integra type-R, i'm sure a bit of haggling could get sir into the right ballpark.
found here: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2552531.htm
sounds quite reasonable, nothing to do with me though.
This ^^^^. I bought one 2 weeks and am having bags of fun in it. Best £3k you'll spend, and in 12 months it'll still be worth £3k.found here: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2552531.htm
sounds quite reasonable, nothing to do with me though.
My bro does have a 182 (Trophy) and to be fair you can't go far wrong with one of them either. Lots of smiles for your money.
The 182 is a great little car and returns good mpg. I average about 38mpg with a mix of motorway and town driving. The fuel cost saving has been outweighed by it's ability to go through parts with ease. I'm hoping now that I have replaced a few of these consumables it will be trouble free motoring from now on.
Have a good look at the Integra as people have said. More special than the Clio and maybe more reliable. I would have bought one if it hadn't of been huge on the insurance front.
Have a good look at the Integra as people have said. More special than the Clio and maybe more reliable. I would have bought one if it hadn't of been huge on the insurance front.
minipower said:
The 182 is a great little car and returns good mpg. I average about 38mpg with a mix of motorway and town driving. The fuel cost saving has been outweighed by it's ability to go through parts with ease. I'm hoping now that I have replaced a few of these consumables it will be trouble free motoring from now on.
Have a good look at the Integra as people have said. More special than the Clio and maybe more reliable. I would have bought one if it hadn't of been huge on the insurance front.
Hmm, I do keep eyeing up the one posted above - pity it is 200 miles away. I have just run some quotes and the Clio is not exactly cheap either, so the ITR is back in the running. I will always prefer jap over frog. May have to go for some test drives and see which suits me best. Have a good look at the Integra as people have said. More special than the Clio and maybe more reliable. I would have bought one if it hadn't of been huge on the insurance front.
Mintest of the mint EK Civic VTI? 160bhp and probably better screwed together than the Clio, not sure how well they handle but billions of aftermarket parts.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2633396.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2633396.htm
Well you know , if you get 19mpg from 135i then a Clio would be about 26-30 max . By the time you calculate costs for fixing stuff and depreciation you will probably be better off in the bm . If you wanted to change to a 3k diesel focus maybe it would work but not a Clio or integra . Maybe you should do your sums again ?
I'm currently on my 2nd clio Trophy, after a normal 182 and a 172 cup.
My thoughts, having owned 2 x 106gti's, a 306 Rallye, and a track prepped saxo vts?
You wont get more fun/cheaper to run for £3k. Hence why im on my 4th.
On a run, it'll do 38mpg, on a track day it'll still do 20+. I've swopped to 15's, so tyres are £30 a corner and consumables cost f*ck all as well. If the engine pops, £300 buys you another one, a gearbox is less than £200.
Cheap cheap cheap.
Just make sure the cambelt/aux belt has been done by a reputable specialist, costs £350 for a 172 cup (no aircon) or £500 or so for a normal 1*2.
My thoughts, having owned 2 x 106gti's, a 306 Rallye, and a track prepped saxo vts?
You wont get more fun/cheaper to run for £3k. Hence why im on my 4th.
On a run, it'll do 38mpg, on a track day it'll still do 20+. I've swopped to 15's, so tyres are £30 a corner and consumables cost f*ck all as well. If the engine pops, £300 buys you another one, a gearbox is less than £200.
Cheap cheap cheap.
Just make sure the cambelt/aux belt has been done by a reputable specialist, costs £350 for a 172 cup (no aircon) or £500 or so for a normal 1*2.
frosted said:
Well you know , if you get 19mpg from 135i then a Clio would be about 26-30 max . By the time you calculate costs for fixing stuff and depreciation you will probably be better off in the bm . If you wanted to change to a 3k diesel focus maybe it would work but not a Clio or integra . Maybe you should do your sums again ?
It is more the £15k in my back pocket from selling the BM that is the big saving. Also 15mpg better off, tyres £200 + a corner cheaper, parts, even if chocolate, are cheap as chips, tax, insurance, etc, etc. It all adds up to halving my monthlies but retaining the smiles.
Edited by Keyser McClane on Monday 4th April 15:29
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