Thinking of changing my car

[cannock172]

I currently have a 172 and am looking to buy a new motor, considering anything from the following -

Clio 197, Cooper S or Corsa VXR. Have read some reviews in car mags but am a bit stuck, anyone got one or driven any of them? Have taken out the Clio & the Mini and am favouring Cooper S at the moment or maybe a 2nd hand Works

Cheers

[Mikey G]

How new are you looking at?
Out of that list i would favour the Cooper S, and it will hold its value more than the others in 3-5 years time.
Alternativly the new Cooper S and the 207 THP 175 share the same engine so maybe that is another option as we are in the french section

[cannock172]

would really have to be new for 197 or corsa due to availability and price or a year or 2 old cooper s. Had a 206gti before and had the usual little problems kind of put me off Peugeot a little. I like the fact that the 207 gti looks understated, one of the things I like about my 172 and the cooper, rather than looking like a body has been stuck on as an after thought like the vxr

[trickywoo]

You can get a 230 Megane on the road UK supplied for around £15k brand new. If I had the cash thats what I would do.

[cannock172]

sounding better, would easilly fit the kids in there too. Looking at the classifieds on here good value 2nd hand too

[warren182]

Yep, brand new meg 230 f1's with lsd recaro's etc about 15k. Quicker and more hardcore. I've read that the corsa and mini are about equal speed wise. I've driven the clio and mini, and a meg225, it's far quicker, more than you'd believe. TBH, none of them will be as fun as the 172, too much weight with all these new hothatches.

[Twit]

Can't really speak about the Corsa as i've not driven that, but on pure asthetics it looks likes its been through the Halfords accessory dept when its new and looks horrible.

As for the other 2, I drove both cos I needed a quickish run around. The 197 is OK, its significantly better built than my old 172 cup but having said that a few old airfix kits that I have from being a kid are better built that than old wreck was... Anyway, better car, nice inside and has all the right stuff. Driving it is another matter the mags are right, it just isnt that good unless you thrash it. It doesnt feel fast, in fact at low revs it feels ponderous and just when it starts to rev you change gear... I wasnt impressed.

I then drove the new Cooper S and I can say now I REALLY wanted to hate it. But I didnt, its brilliant. Nice fiesty engine, all the more noticeable after the 197, decent gearbox, great handling. It is reasonably well built but be aware that the early ones have a few glitches. Mine had them but they have been sorted. The quality of the interior pisses on Renault and all in its a much much much better car to drive and place to be day to day. For the outlay I think the mini wins. Its a decent car, holds its value well, looks OK and drives really well.

Just go and test the cars and buy the one you like the best.

[warren182]

From everything I've read, and from short test drives, I'd go for a prev gen cooper s works, if you def want to change. Bagged on for a day, handles better than the new mini's, much better steering (does whine though!), and a fair bit quicker. Only downside is the new engine is much more economical, I averaged about 22mpg in a day. IMHO the new version looks very awkward with the high bonnet, non functional scoop and exhaust that hangs very low from the rear bumper. Get a previous gen car with sat nav, and you even lose the stupid plate size speedo, result!

[cannock172]

cheers guys, I am gonna get round a few showrooms this weekend and get something out on the road, its a shame you can't get to take them out without the salesman, they are right party poopers sometimes. Will be sad to see my 172 go, it is such fun and agree completely about the weight thing on the newer cars. Could keep the 172 and have many more enjoyable nights in the casino with the spare cash!!

[cheeky172]

I have a Mk2 172 and find it to be a good compromise
maybe the Meg 230 if anything for me
but the clios large enough for me now

[pbirkett]

cannock172 said:

Could keep the 172 and have many more enjoyable nights in the casino with the spare cash!!

Best suggestion yet TBH.

I swapped my clio for an ITR, but i wouldnt have swapped it for any other car mentioned in this thread... especially not just for the sake of having a new car. My days of buying new cars and pissing away thousands on depreciation when they are less fun than old cars are well and truly over.