Clio 182, integra type-r or corrado vr6?
Discussion
Hey guys,
As the title says im looking at getting a new car in the coming months. I have narrowed (kinda) my choice down to these three....
Here are my requirements:
budget of £3,500, lower than that would be ideal though.
Needs abit of practicality as i take my bike out and carry multiple people at times.
Needs to be fun to drive and have abit of character.
Insurance is still fairly tight as i have only just turned 22.
My previous cars have been E30 bmw's, mk2 golfs and the like if that gives an indication of my taste....
Im just wondering which one you guys would go for?
Also, feel free to suggest other options.
As the title says im looking at getting a new car in the coming months. I have narrowed (kinda) my choice down to these three....
Here are my requirements:
budget of £3,500, lower than that would be ideal though.
Needs abit of practicality as i take my bike out and carry multiple people at times.
Needs to be fun to drive and have abit of character.
Insurance is still fairly tight as i have only just turned 22.
My previous cars have been E30 bmw's, mk2 golfs and the like if that gives an indication of my taste....
Im just wondering which one you guys would go for?
Also, feel free to suggest other options.
They are all good cars (I was lucky enough to have all three at the same time to give a back to back comparison/live with them).
The insurance costs might be the decider at that age, and the Dc2 will be the most expensive to insure.
A really good example of the Corrado VR6 is not quite as good to drive as the Integra, its softer/heavier and lacks the precision, they also feel old to live with, old inside (like your E30/Mk2) and you wont get aircon.
But the Corrado is great on longer trips and has a lovely sound when wound up, plus of these three its the only one with the nice solid germanic build quality.
The Clio 182 is not quite as good as a DC2 to drive as its still a hatch rather than a coupe, and the seating position is too high with a nasty steering wheel. Great engine with nice smooth spread of power, and a chassis that finds loads of grip even though no lsd. The main benefit over the others is thats its going to be much newer than the others and feels new, plus you might get cruise, climate etc.
My advice would be have all three, start with the Corrado, then get a 182 cup THEN get an Integra and see what all the fuss is about and why they are so good to drive. Of the threee the one I kept was the Integra.
The insurance costs might be the decider at that age, and the Dc2 will be the most expensive to insure.
A really good example of the Corrado VR6 is not quite as good to drive as the Integra, its softer/heavier and lacks the precision, they also feel old to live with, old inside (like your E30/Mk2) and you wont get aircon.
But the Corrado is great on longer trips and has a lovely sound when wound up, plus of these three its the only one with the nice solid germanic build quality.
The Clio 182 is not quite as good as a DC2 to drive as its still a hatch rather than a coupe, and the seating position is too high with a nasty steering wheel. Great engine with nice smooth spread of power, and a chassis that finds loads of grip even though no lsd. The main benefit over the others is thats its going to be much newer than the others and feels new, plus you might get cruise, climate etc.
My advice would be have all three, start with the Corrado, then get a 182 cup THEN get an Integra and see what all the fuss is about and why they are so good to drive. Of the threee the one I kept was the Integra.
Edited by rallycross on Saturday 10th September 20:02
Teg every time. That engine and it has an LSD.
ETA: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3106979.htm could be had for 3.5 I reckon, looks pretty good overall, seats consistent with mileage etc
ETA: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3106979.htm could be had for 3.5 I reckon, looks pretty good overall, seats consistent with mileage etc
Edited by Marf on Saturday 10th September 20:12
I'd suggest adding an E36 323/5/8 to that list.
I liked my VR6 BUT good ones are much more than good 328's and I'd argue the 328 is the better car.
Teg is good on an open road but where do you find them, every time it was finally coming onto cam someone pulled out - most frustrating car I've owned.
Never had a Clio - I've considered them but couldn't actually face owning one.
I liked my VR6 BUT good ones are much more than good 328's and I'd argue the 328 is the better car.
Teg is good on an open road but where do you find them, every time it was finally coming onto cam someone pulled out - most frustrating car I've owned.
Never had a Clio - I've considered them but couldn't actually face owning one.
At that budget all will be in need of remedial work either straight away or soon.
- As said, the 'teg is the best but 3.5 will get you a leggy one. And Honda parts aren't the cheapest.
- Clio 172/182 isn't the best-built car, and it has French electrics. But parts will be cheaper than the other two, and they've dropped in value quicker than the 'teg.
- VR6 might actually be the best shout, IF you can find a cherished one.
Whatever you pick you'll have fun - you've shortlisted 3 of the best fwd cars going. Drive all 3, see what you like best, keep at least £500 back for the next MOT!
- As said, the 'teg is the best but 3.5 will get you a leggy one. And Honda parts aren't the cheapest.
- Clio 172/182 isn't the best-built car, and it has French electrics. But parts will be cheaper than the other two, and they've dropped in value quicker than the 'teg.
- VR6 might actually be the best shout, IF you can find a cherished one.
Whatever you pick you'll have fun - you've shortlisted 3 of the best fwd cars going. Drive all 3, see what you like best, keep at least £500 back for the next MOT!
I'd go for the Integra if it was me.
I've never owned any of them - however, know folks who have and have been fortunate to have a spin.
Integra - V-tec noise and pace is superb, plus Jap reliability can only be good. Quite rare too.
Clio - probably easier to get parts when things need replacing, but it's French (and we have a Renault on the drive) and they're notoriously unreliable (apparently)(ours hasn't been though - so take that with a pinch of salt!). But quick, and probably a bit roomier for folks in the back. Easier to find one for sale, but probably more difficult to find one that's not been abused. Quite common though?
Corrado - A modern-day classic BUT age will probably mean big miles and my mate has one and it's 'fragile' and he struggles getting the full performance out of it for this reason.
Good luck with whatever you go for though - all really great cars!
I've never owned any of them - however, know folks who have and have been fortunate to have a spin.
Integra - V-tec noise and pace is superb, plus Jap reliability can only be good. Quite rare too.
Clio - probably easier to get parts when things need replacing, but it's French (and we have a Renault on the drive) and they're notoriously unreliable (apparently)(ours hasn't been though - so take that with a pinch of salt!). But quick, and probably a bit roomier for folks in the back. Easier to find one for sale, but probably more difficult to find one that's not been abused. Quite common though?
Corrado - A modern-day classic BUT age will probably mean big miles and my mate has one and it's 'fragile' and he struggles getting the full performance out of it for this reason.
Good luck with whatever you go for though - all really great cars!
Celica VVTI 190? You'll easily get one within your price range. Bit softer than a DC2 but similar idea (high revving NA engine in a FWD Coupe), newer and cheaper. I would never get another Renault and wasn't at all impressed when my mate had a Corrado VR6 a few years ago - it felt very overweight compared to my Honda CRX VTI that I owned at the time.
If you can get a decent Integra for that money do it.
Other options also very good, but Integra is a real class act.
My friend just got one for around that money, stripped it and is now racing it. I drove it recently on track, sublime. No engine modes, no work done to engine apart from an oil change and air filter. Obviously chassis had major upgrades and roll cage etc. Such a pleasure to drive as standard, if you can upgrade the chassis, they are outstanding. And you'll never tire of hearing that VTEC on full chat.
Have had various Honda's myself, trouble free and pleasure to own.
Provided they have had the oil changed regularly and serviced properly, they really do that the reliability reputation for a reason. That VTEC is very strong. Just make sure the brakes and suspension aren't worn out.
Also plenty of bits around for these, you can pick up lots of stuff on ebay.
You might also get a decent e36 M3 Evo for that money? I'd have that over all the other options, fantastic engine, lightweight and fairly regid body, rear wheel drive, brilliant car. They got quite chavy for a while when you seemed to see a horribly modified one all the time. Now I think they're quite rare and if you can get a really good un-bastardised one, I think theyr'e quite cool again.
Other options also very good, but Integra is a real class act.
My friend just got one for around that money, stripped it and is now racing it. I drove it recently on track, sublime. No engine modes, no work done to engine apart from an oil change and air filter. Obviously chassis had major upgrades and roll cage etc. Such a pleasure to drive as standard, if you can upgrade the chassis, they are outstanding. And you'll never tire of hearing that VTEC on full chat.
Have had various Honda's myself, trouble free and pleasure to own.
Provided they have had the oil changed regularly and serviced properly, they really do that the reliability reputation for a reason. That VTEC is very strong. Just make sure the brakes and suspension aren't worn out.
Also plenty of bits around for these, you can pick up lots of stuff on ebay.
You might also get a decent e36 M3 Evo for that money? I'd have that over all the other options, fantastic engine, lightweight and fairly regid body, rear wheel drive, brilliant car. They got quite chavy for a while when you seemed to see a horribly modified one all the time. Now I think they're quite rare and if you can get a really good un-bastardised one, I think theyr'e quite cool again.
Edited by nickythesaint on Tuesday 13th September 00:04
Rubber-Ducky said:
Celica VVTI 190? You'll easily get one within your price range.
Top shout, drove one of these the other week, slightly odd gearing (first three ratios are high) but the engine was a real screamer like a civic type-r, really good driving position, decent build, plenty of room, 30+ mpg and cheap insurance for me. Should also leave you with about £1k change! Integra.
I owned a Corrado VR6 for just over a year, so much fun but it wasn't reliable and parts cost a fortune.
Drove far better than a Clio though. The RS Clio's drive nice but the seating position is just wrong, they feel cheap compared to a Corrado and they don't even begin to compare with the sound.
I owned a Corrado VR6 for just over a year, so much fun but it wasn't reliable and parts cost a fortune.
Drove far better than a Clio though. The RS Clio's drive nice but the seating position is just wrong, they feel cheap compared to a Corrado and they don't even begin to compare with the sound.
The problem you have with the Corrado now is that Volkswagen are merrily obsoleting parts making them a little harder to keep on the road. Of course there is some Passat and Golf commonality, but plenty of stuff (for example body panels, radiator, interior trim, various switch instrumentation) are all dropped and unavailable and it means everytime something breaks you think:
Oh - and the Corrado is group 18. They're not especially cheap to insure
- Can I even get this new any more?
- If so, how much are VW going to ream me for it?
- Or is it time to look for second hand bits..
Oh - and the Corrado is group 18. They're not especially cheap to insure
Thanks for the advice guys, i seem to be on the same wave length. I have thought about getting a 328i sport as i am a bmw fanboy at heart, i still would consider one if it came up at the right time with a manual gearbox.
My experience of the three cars is limited but i have driven other type-r's and loved them (gear change, screaming engine). Driven plenty of standard clios and the driving position was horrid, is it the same in renaultsports? Ive been a passenger in a corrado and love the look, feel, sound etc.
I'd best get test driving then!
My experience of the three cars is limited but i have driven other type-r's and loved them (gear change, screaming engine). Driven plenty of standard clios and the driving position was horrid, is it the same in renaultsports? Ive been a passenger in a corrado and love the look, feel, sound etc.
I'd best get test driving then!
Baked_bean said:
My experience of the three cars is limited but i have driven other type-r's and loved them (gear change, screaming engine). Driven plenty of standard clios and the driving position was horrid, is it the same in renaultsports? Ive been a passenger in a corrado and love the look, feel, sound etc.
Integra is better than the CTRs and ATR - more involving, more feedback, better driving position and THE most ridiculous chassis on a fwd car - driven smoothly and very hard and it takes an almost rear-led stance through a corner. Noisier and shorter-geared though...Clio driving position is uniformly mediocre. You get used to it, but compared to the other two you're sitting "on" rather than "in" the car...
nickythesaint said:
If you can get a decent Integra for that money do it.
Other options also very good, but Integra is a real class act.
My friend just got one for around that money, stripped it and is now racing it. I drove it recently on track, sublime. No engine modes, no work done to engine apart from an oil change and air filter. Obviously chassis had major upgrades and roll cage etc.
Have had various Honda's myself.
Provided they have had the oil changed regularly and serviced properly, they really do that the reliability reputation for a reason. That VTEC is very strong. Just make sure the brakes and suspension ren't worn out.
You might also get a decent e46 M3 Evo for that money?
You must mean the E36 M3 for the OP's budget.Other options also very good, but Integra is a real class act.
My friend just got one for around that money, stripped it and is now racing it. I drove it recently on track, sublime. No engine modes, no work done to engine apart from an oil change and air filter. Obviously chassis had major upgrades and roll cage etc.
Have had various Honda's myself.
Provided they have had the oil changed regularly and serviced properly, they really do that the reliability reputation for a reason. That VTEC is very strong. Just make sure the brakes and suspension ren't worn out.
You might also get a decent e46 M3 Evo for that money?
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