Renault Clio 197 as a second car. B road, track car. Under 6
Discussion
Hello, just wanted peoples opinion on whether a Clio 197 is a good idea for a second car as my daily isn’t too engaging and I fear getting it damaged in any way.
I have a budget of 6k and I mean rwd would be nice but not a deal breaker.
I did think of a 350z at first but the much cheaper running costs of the 197 seem to temp me as it’s also a better B road and track car
The car I’m looking at:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009123...
Any other thoughts?
I have a budget of 6k and I mean rwd would be nice but not a deal breaker.
I did think of a 350z at first but the much cheaper running costs of the 197 seem to temp me as it’s also a better B road and track car
The car I’m looking at:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009123...
Any other thoughts?
Yes I'd say it's a very good choice.
As pointed out you would be getting a 200 for that money which I think was 2009-2013. That's the model to go for.
Desirable options are cup chassis and recarro seats.
They can suffer expensive gearbox issues and the cambelt changes aren't cheap. Also like a drink. But on the upside I think they will hold their value quite well now.
You could also consider the FN2 type r or a Focus ST. But the Clio is smaller and possibly the better option for B road blasts.
As pointed out you would be getting a 200 for that money which I think was 2009-2013. That's the model to go for.
Desirable options are cup chassis and recarro seats.
They can suffer expensive gearbox issues and the cambelt changes aren't cheap. Also like a drink. But on the upside I think they will hold their value quite well now.
You could also consider the FN2 type r or a Focus ST. But the Clio is smaller and possibly the better option for B road blasts.
As above it's a good choice but I'd be looking at these:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009023...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008052...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008232...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007301...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009023...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008052...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008232...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007301...
I’m not convinced a 350Z will cost that much more to run than a Clio 197/200.
If you go pre-2006 then the road tax is cheaper - £250ish
Insurance on my old one was pretty much the same as any other hot hatch
Fuel economy isn’t good, but then I’ve heard its not that good on the Clio either (it was the previous shape that had a rep for being frugal)
Nissan reliability > Renault
As long as the wheels are standard 18s then tyres are not too expensive
Only certain parts will be costly, i.e. brakes, but then the cambelt change on the Clio is also very expensive
Depends what you want, the Clio will probably handle better and has that high revving NA engine, but if you’ve a more laid back driving style, then the 350Z is very hard to beat IMO as it makes a wonderful noise, and feels special at any speed.
If you go pre-2006 then the road tax is cheaper - £250ish
Insurance on my old one was pretty much the same as any other hot hatch
Fuel economy isn’t good, but then I’ve heard its not that good on the Clio either (it was the previous shape that had a rep for being frugal)
Nissan reliability > Renault
As long as the wheels are standard 18s then tyres are not too expensive
Only certain parts will be costly, i.e. brakes, but then the cambelt change on the Clio is also very expensive
Depends what you want, the Clio will probably handle better and has that high revving NA engine, but if you’ve a more laid back driving style, then the 350Z is very hard to beat IMO as it makes a wonderful noise, and feels special at any speed.
Grear car depreciation proof well the ones going for 2/3k with average miles. The liquid yellow will hold its value too.
I have had one 18 months and love it, it's like yours a 2nd car between me and my wife. Driving it outs such a smile in face, reving engine, direct steering, body control etc. Yea fuels nit great does about 30mpg but dont do many miles so doesn't matter.
Did a track day in it, held it's own. Lots of them and 182's in track. Following track day I bit the bug so chuckable and dont have to worry about losing control like red, immense levels of grip. Fitted 2nd hand kw clubsports over lockdown, ns2rs tyres and ds1.11's and its brilliant on track. Sold my recaros that it came with for 1k today and bought a cheap bucket seat weighting 6k and rears out too.. .
Dont go in track with it haha
A must check the date of the cambelt change, needs doing every 5 years and costs circa 500 with water pump also (a special renault timing tool is need to fit it, alot of labour hours and high risk if done wrong. Mine needed doing so factored it on purchases.
I have had one 18 months and love it, it's like yours a 2nd car between me and my wife. Driving it outs such a smile in face, reving engine, direct steering, body control etc. Yea fuels nit great does about 30mpg but dont do many miles so doesn't matter.
Did a track day in it, held it's own. Lots of them and 182's in track. Following track day I bit the bug so chuckable and dont have to worry about losing control like red, immense levels of grip. Fitted 2nd hand kw clubsports over lockdown, ns2rs tyres and ds1.11's and its brilliant on track. Sold my recaros that it came with for 1k today and bought a cheap bucket seat weighting 6k and rears out too.. .
Dont go in track with it haha
A must check the date of the cambelt change, needs doing every 5 years and costs circa 500 with water pump also (a special renault timing tool is need to fit it, alot of labour hours and high risk if done wrong. Mine needed doing so factored it on purchases.
TameRacingDriver said:
I’m not convinced a 350Z will cost that much more to run than a Clio 197/200.
If you go pre-2006 then the road tax is cheaper - £250ish
Insurance on my old one was pretty much the same as any other hot hatch
Fuel economy isn’t good, but then I’ve heard its not that good on the Clio either (it was the previous shape that had a rep for being frugal)
Nissan reliability > Renault
As long as the wheels are standard 18s then tyres are not too expensive
Only certain parts will be costly, i.e. brakes, but then the cambelt change on the Clio is also very expensive
Depends what you want, the Clio will probably handle better and has that high revving NA engine, but if you’ve a more laid back driving style, then the 350Z is very hard to beat IMO as it makes a wonderful noise, and feels special at any speed.
Yeah the 350z would be nicer the deal breakers are the insurance is £50 a month cheaper on the Clio and tax is slightly cheaper as well as about around 5-10 mpg which with the number they get translates to a decent percentage. If you go pre-2006 then the road tax is cheaper - £250ish
Insurance on my old one was pretty much the same as any other hot hatch
Fuel economy isn’t good, but then I’ve heard its not that good on the Clio either (it was the previous shape that had a rep for being frugal)
Nissan reliability > Renault
As long as the wheels are standard 18s then tyres are not too expensive
Only certain parts will be costly, i.e. brakes, but then the cambelt change on the Clio is also very expensive
Depends what you want, the Clio will probably handle better and has that high revving NA engine, but if you’ve a more laid back driving style, then the 350Z is very hard to beat IMO as it makes a wonderful noise, and feels special at any speed.
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