Clio RS 200 vs Abarth Punto Evo Supersport

[l-murcielago]

Hello PH'ers,

Can anyone please tell me whether the Renaulsport Clio 200 or the Abarth Punto Evo 1.4 Multair Supersport is the overall better car to buy?

Just asking because I struggled to make a comparison with online reviews & youtube. Just looking for a fun & thrilling (but reliable) weekend car with low annual mileage (around 3000). This will be my first car of ownership at 24 years old.

Clio RS 200:

Cost: £8k

200bhp / 0-60: 6.9 / 156lbs/ft

Example: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...



Abarth Punto Evo SS:

Cost £6k

180bhp / 0-60: 7.5 / 199lbs/ft

Example: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/68694448...


I believe the Abarth has a turbo engine which can be easily tuned for extra brake horsepower whereas there is not much room for tuning on the Clio?


Let me know what you guys think overall.


Cheers

[Deep Thought]

Personally, i'd go for a Clio 200 over the punto.

That particular 200 is the optimum spec, having the leather recaros, and the Cup pack fitted BUT thats top dollar for it which you may not recover come resale time (and Clio RS's are hard to resell at best of times). Not an issue if you plan to keep it long term.

Yes, performance enhancing the Clio is very expensive with little gain.

Fantastic cars though. I've had a Clio 200 Cup, 197 and 172 Cup.

Whats your thinking RE: that car in particular? There would be more appealing Clios out there for value retention for less money. I think that one will drop a bit yet before it starts to hold its money or appreciate.

Edited by Deep Thought on Friday 24th May 17:09

[l-murcielago]

Deep Thought said:

Personally, i'd go for a Clio 200 over the punto.

That particular 200 is the optimum spec, having the leather recaros, and the Cup pack fitted BUT thats top dollar for it which you may not recover come resale time (and Clio RS's are hard to resell at best of times). Not an issue if you plan to keep it long term.

Yes, performance enhancing the Clio is very expensive with little gain.

Fantastic cars though. I've had a Clio 200 Cup, 197 and 172 Cup.

Whats your thinking RE: that car in particular? There would be more appealing Clios out there for value retention for less money. I think that one will drop a bit yet before it starts to hold its money or appreciate.

Edited by Deep Thought on Friday 24th May 17:09

Thanks for your vote @Deep Thought. A proper Renualtsport fan then I assume!

I was only looking at The Punto because I saw an impressive review of a Grande Punto SS on youtube where the owner tuned the car to 240bhp... However, I do not really know much about the Punto or how much the mods would actually cost. Regarding the Clio 200, from what I've read it seems like Renault made some minor improvements from the 197 on power delivery, suspension and steering?

I know the spec I have chosen makes it very pricey indeed. However, I am planning on keeping the car for maybe 4/5 years. Do you have any idea how much it will depreciate in 4 years time (assuming I sell it with around 66k miles)?

The next option is to go for the Clio 200 Sport without the Cup chassis & Recaro seats. This is much closer to me, and going for £6.5k as shown below. Do you think I should go for this option instead of the full-fat £8k option considering the majority of the driving will be on London roads?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Edited by l-murcielago on Friday 24th May 18:38

[anonymous-user]

The black clio has been up for sale since god was a lad

[ZX10R NIN]

I have to say that the RS 200 is the one to go for it's optimum spec & is the better car compared to the Abarth.

[l-murcielago]

lord trumpton said:

The black clio has been up for sale since god was a lad

Could suggest room for negotiation on price?

[l-murcielago]

ZX10R NIN said:

I have to say that the RS 200 is the one to go for it's optimum spec & is the better car compared to the Abarth.

Thanks mate - will go for the RS 200 then! Been looking at them for agess :P

[Deep Thought]

l-murcielago said:

ZX10R NIN said:

I have to say that the RS 200 is the one to go for it's optimum spec & is the better car compared to the Abarth.

Thanks mate - will go for the RS 200 then! Been looking at them for agess :P

You wont regret it. If you're planning on keeping it 5 years then it should hold the majority of that, and maybe start to increase again from that.

Great cars.

[Scottchester]

It's a tough decision, 2 very good cars.
I'd say it comes down to whether you prefer n/a or turbo. I'm usually an n/a fan but
On balance I would take the abarth, bigger car so more room and bigger boot, rarer and with a decent exhaust that engine sounds immense, very reliable too as has been around in various guises for a long time. Had the same engine in my 500 abarth.

[RSTurboPaul]

Deep Thought said:

There would be more appealing Clios out there for value retention for less money. I think that one will drop a bit yet before it starts to hold its money or appreciate.

This.


If you have £8k to spend on a Clio you're going to only do ultra-low miles in and keep in top condition, get an original Clio 182 Trophy (the red one) - limited edition, holding value well, seen as one of the best handling hot hatches ever.

Plus it has less electronics to go wrong because it's older, and there are a million 182s out there so replacement parts should not be an issue, bar a few Trophy-exclusive things like the Sachs dampers.


I am sure it's under-rated but (IMHO) I would not put the Punto on the same page as a RenaultSport Clio.

Edited by RSTurboPaul on Friday 24th May 23:14

[l-murcielago]

Scottchester said:

It's a tough decision, 2 very good cars.
I'd say it comes down to whether you prefer n/a or turbo. I'm usually an n/a fan but
On balance I would take the abarth, bigger car so more room and bigger boot, rarer and with a decent exhaust that engine sounds immense, very reliable too as has been around in various guises for a long time. Had the same engine in my 500 abarth.

Thanks for your advice Scottchester. I agree - both cars do look brilliant to me. I have a feeling I will prefer the N/A engine to turbo, but I guess I might as well test drive the Abarth to compare

By the way, slightly off-topic, but I really love my music, and appreciate top quality audio. So do you know if that could change my choice? I know Renault have poor quality speakers compared to Abarth, however, happy to spend a bit on a top aftermarket system...

[l-murcielago]

RSTurboPaul said:

This.


If you have £8k to spend on a Clio you're going to only do ultra-low miles in and keep in top condition, get an original Clio 182 Trophy (the red one) - limited edition, holding value well, seen as one of the best handling hot hatches ever.

Plus it has less electronics to go wrong because it's older, and there are a million 182s out there so replacement parts should not be an issue, bar a few Trophy-exclusive things like the Sachs dampers.


I am sure it's under-rated but (IMHO) I would not put the Punto on the same page as a RenaultSport Clio.

Edited by RSTurboPaul on Friday 24th May 23:14

Thanks for the advice mate - much appreciated.

I know 182 is known for the best handling out there, and will definitely be a classic car!

[l-murcielago]

Deep Thought said:

You wont regret it. If you're planning on keeping it 5 years then it should hold the majority of that, and maybe start to increase again from that.

Great cars.

Can't wait!!! haha

[Scottchester]

l-murcielago said:

Scottchester said:

It's a tough decision, 2 very good cars.
I'd say it comes down to whether you prefer n/a or turbo. I'm usually an n/a fan but
On balance I would take the abarth, bigger car so more room and bigger boot, rarer and with a decent exhaust that engine sounds immense, very reliable too as has been around in various guises for a long time. Had the same engine in my 500 abarth.

Thanks for your advice Scottchester. I agree - both cars do look brilliant to me. I have a feeling I will prefer the N/A engine to turbo, but I guess I might as well test drive the Abarth to compare

By the way, slightly off-topic, but I really love my music, and appreciate top quality audio. So do you know if that could change my choice? I know Renault have poor quality speakers compared to Abarth, however, happy to spend a bit on a top aftermarket system...

Audio wise both are pretty poor from the factory so you would be looking at after market stuff. My Clio was a 172 (2004) and my abarth a 500 (2014) and they were both okay but neither were anything to write home about. I replaced the Clio head unit with a blaupunkt and changed out he speakers which made a massive difference, the abarth I left alone as it was a pcp

[Deep Thought]

RSTurboPaul said:

Deep Thought said:

There would be more appealing Clios out there for value retention for less money. I think that one will drop a bit yet before it starts to hold its money or appreciate.

This.


If you have £8k to spend on a Clio you're going to only do ultra-low miles in and keep in top condition, get an original Clio 182 Trophy (the red one) - limited edition, holding value well, seen as one of the best handling hot hatches ever.

Plus it has less electronics to go wrong because it's older, and there are a million 182s out there so replacement parts should not be an issue, bar a few Trophy-exclusive things like the Sachs dampers.


I am sure it's under-rated but (IMHO) I would not put the Punto on the same page as a RenaultSport Clio.

Edited by RSTurboPaul on Friday 24th May 23:14

Personally thats were my money would be too.

But that 200 is definitely optimum spec.

[l-murcielago]

Scottchester said:

l-murcielago said:

Scottchester said:

It's a tough decision, 2 very good cars.
I'd say it comes down to whether you prefer n/a or turbo. I'm usually an n/a fan but
On balance I would take the abarth, bigger car so more room and bigger boot, rarer and with a decent exhaust that engine sounds immense, very reliable too as has been around in various guises for a long time. Had the same engine in my 500 abarth.

Thanks for your advice Scottchester. I agree - both cars do look brilliant to me. I have a feeling I will prefer the N/A engine to turbo, but I guess I might as well test drive the Abarth to compare

By the way, slightly off-topic, but I really love my music, and appreciate top quality audio. So do you know if that could change my choice? I know Renault have poor quality speakers compared to Abarth, however, happy to spend a bit on a top aftermarket system...

Audio wise both are pretty poor from the factory so you would be looking at after market stuff. My Clio was a 172 (2004) and my abarth a 500 (2014) and they were both okay but neither were anything to write home about. I replaced the Clio head unit with a blaupunkt and changed out he speakers which made a massive difference, the abarth I left alone as it was a pcp

Okay cheers

[l-murcielago]

Hello PH'ers, thanks for all the really helpful advice so far. Just need to know one last thing if that's okay,,,

If my budget is limited to £6K, should I go for the Clio 200 full fat cup or the Clio 197 with upgrades from K-Tec Racing (see below)?

And if my budget is limited to £5K, should I go for Clio 200 non-cup or the Suzuki Swift Sport (see below)?


Let me know what you guys think!

Cheers


£6K Options

Clio 200 (FF Cup) :

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...


Clio 197 (upgraded):

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...


£5K Options:

Clio 200 (non-cup):

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...


Suzuki Swift Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[RSTurboPaul]

I'm not familiar with any of the Clios from that generation - I kind of lost interest after the 182.

cliosport.net forum might be a good site to read / join for more information and informed opinions.

[l-murcielago]

RSTurboPaul said:

I'm not familiar with any of the Clios from that generation - I kind of lost interest after the 182.

cliosport.net forum might be a good site to read / join for more information and informed opinions.

Okay thanks will give it a try

[Deep Thought]

l-murcielago said:

Hello PH'ers, thanks for all the really helpful advice so far. Just need to know one last thing if that's okay,,,

If my budget is limited to £6K, should I go for the Clio 200 full fat cup or the Clio 197 with upgrades from K-Tec Racing (see below)?

And if my budget is limited to £5K, should I go for Clio 200 non-cup or the Suzuki Swift Sport (see below)?


Let me know what you guys think!

Cheers


£6K Options

Clio 200 (FF Cup) :

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...


Clio 197 (upgraded):

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...


£5K Options:

Clio 200 (non-cup):

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...


Suzuki Swift Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I think you would need to drive the cars and see which suits best.

I'd also have a look at a 197 R27.