Clio 197 vs RX-8
Discussion
Hello everyone,
So recently I've been contemplating getting a fun car to drive on the weekends and to start doing some trackdays. My main concerns are insurance. Absolute max budget is £3.5k for the car.
I have thought about the usual candidates, mx-5s, 328s but I'm struggling to find good clean unmodified examples. Also considered 172/182 but heard the driving position isn't great and the newer 197 is a better built car in general.
So I'm left with the choice between a older 197 or a RX-8. I understand the maintenance requirements for the RX-8 and could probably pick one up with a fresh engine. The rear wheel drive aspect is quite alluring as well.
The 197 just seems really good fun and a great chassis. I would like these cars to learn track driving and become a better driver in general, whilst having a great time in the process.
Does anyone have experience of the two? Have I missed any other option?
So recently I've been contemplating getting a fun car to drive on the weekends and to start doing some trackdays. My main concerns are insurance. Absolute max budget is £3.5k for the car.
I have thought about the usual candidates, mx-5s, 328s but I'm struggling to find good clean unmodified examples. Also considered 172/182 but heard the driving position isn't great and the newer 197 is a better built car in general.
So I'm left with the choice between a older 197 or a RX-8. I understand the maintenance requirements for the RX-8 and could probably pick one up with a fresh engine. The rear wheel drive aspect is quite alluring as well.
The 197 just seems really good fun and a great chassis. I would like these cars to learn track driving and become a better driver in general, whilst having a great time in the process.
Does anyone have experience of the two? Have I missed any other option?
Get yourself a good RX-8 & you won't go far wrong they're a fun car, the 197 is the best FWD candidate.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
If I was in your position, having owned 172/182's, a 197 and driven rx8's a few times, and the main purpose was to be for track and driver engagement, I'd get a 172/182 and spend some cash on a few upgrades, awesome little track weapons.
197's are more solid yes, but parts are more expensive, and fuel consumption isn't as good, but then again, an rx8 is pretty poor on fuel.
For £3.5k you'd get a tidy 172/182, upgraded pads, discs and braided lines, suspension mods (springs, bushes, arb), nice exhaust as the standard rots, short shifter and you're good to go!
197's are more solid yes, but parts are more expensive, and fuel consumption isn't as good, but then again, an rx8 is pretty poor on fuel.
For £3.5k you'd get a tidy 172/182, upgraded pads, discs and braided lines, suspension mods (springs, bushes, arb), nice exhaust as the standard rots, short shifter and you're good to go!
Quite a tough choice, I am a big RX-8 fan but also love a great handling fwd hot hatch.
With the RX-8 you need spend no more than £2k on the car itself, this will get you a nice series 1 car easily - though you will probably need to look at a good few before finding the right one.
With a bit of luck you can find yourself a nice PZ or 40th Anniversary which have the Bilstein suspension which makes a substantial improvement to an already nice-handling car.
To help ensure longevity you should budget another £400-500 for replacement of the coils, sparks and leads unless the seller can prove they have been replaced recently with quality items.
With the RX-8 you need spend no more than £2k on the car itself, this will get you a nice series 1 car easily - though you will probably need to look at a good few before finding the right one.
With a bit of luck you can find yourself a nice PZ or 40th Anniversary which have the Bilstein suspension which makes a substantial improvement to an already nice-handling car.
To help ensure longevity you should budget another £400-500 for replacement of the coils, sparks and leads unless the seller can prove they have been replaced recently with quality items.
I guess I need to have a quick test drive of both. I did have a quick drive of a rx8 a few years and was a lovely thing but not long enough to make any conclusions. Hands down the RX8 as a more focused car - it’s a sports car, whereas the Clio is a hatchback.
I’ve had an RX8 as a track car and driven a friend’s 182 on a few tracks; for me there’s no contest. It is subjective opinion however, and it’s all down to whether you prefer the driving experience of fwd or rwd.
Given the choice again I personally wouldn’t track an RX8 - the fuel consumption just doesn’t match the performance (~20mpg on the road no matter how slowly you drive, and ~8mpg on track). I would certainly consider an MX-5 if you can find one in budget as they’re a great lightweight toy!
I’ve had an RX8 as a track car and driven a friend’s 182 on a few tracks; for me there’s no contest. It is subjective opinion however, and it’s all down to whether you prefer the driving experience of fwd or rwd.
Given the choice again I personally wouldn’t track an RX8 - the fuel consumption just doesn’t match the performance (~20mpg on the road no matter how slowly you drive, and ~8mpg on track). I would certainly consider an MX-5 if you can find one in budget as they’re a great lightweight toy!
Clio 197 was fantastic on the track. Brilliant handling, revvy engine and decent gearbox. A good driver will keep up with very expensive machinery on a twisty course.
When you test drive it, make sure you absolutely rag it (with permission though). 2nd-3rd syncro can go bad. and also check for groaning when turning the wheels. That might be the lower control arm. That can be £300+ just for the part (although it's been a while, cheaper replacements may now be available.)
Some complain about lack of torque down low, but I thought it was okay for a high(ish) revving engine.
Cup chassis and recaros are the options to look out for. Lack of the cup chassis can make them more difficult to sell.
When you test drive it, make sure you absolutely rag it (with permission though). 2nd-3rd syncro can go bad. and also check for groaning when turning the wheels. That might be the lower control arm. That can be £300+ just for the part (although it's been a while, cheaper replacements may now be available.)
Some complain about lack of torque down low, but I thought it was okay for a high(ish) revving engine.
Cup chassis and recaros are the options to look out for. Lack of the cup chassis can make them more difficult to sell.
Nickp82 said:
Quite a tough choice, I am a big RX-8 fan but also love a great handling fwd hot hatch.
With the RX-8 you need spend no more than £2k on the car itself, this will get you a nice series 1 car easily - though you will probably need to look at a good few before finding the right one.
With a bit of luck you can find yourself a nice PZ or 40th Anniversary which have the Bilstein suspension which makes a substantial improvement to an already nice-handling car.
To help ensure longevity you should budget another £400-500 for replacement of the coils, sparks and leads unless the seller can prove they have been replaced recently with quality items.
PZ cars are nice but worth bearing in mind replacement suspension parts are getting scarce.With the RX-8 you need spend no more than £2k on the car itself, this will get you a nice series 1 car easily - though you will probably need to look at a good few before finding the right one.
With a bit of luck you can find yourself a nice PZ or 40th Anniversary which have the Bilstein suspension which makes a substantial improvement to an already nice-handling car.
To help ensure longevity you should budget another £400-500 for replacement of the coils, sparks and leads unless the seller can prove they have been replaced recently with quality items.
Belle427 said:
Ive been driving a 2003 Clio 172 for the past few weeks, what a cracking little car this is. A bit harsh on the ride quality but one of the most fun cars ive ever driven.
I very nearly bought the 172Sport well over 10 years ago. What a great car the noise the handling - and back then the kit level was superb you didn’t need to option anything and it’s brand new price was c£12k after discount a remarkable car. Only the reason why I didn’t was the steering wheel didn’t adjust for up and down so it was right to my knees - I was gutted as I wanted a Phase 2 (or more than happy with a phase 1). Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff