Honda Civic Type R v Clio 197 Cup?
Discussion
Firstly, Im just wondering out loud, could an FN2 Civic Type R make for a family car? As a 40 something dad, bored with his family hack Passat, Im trying to suss out whether something with 3 doors but still practical could be a family hack....its god a Big boot, lots of space, I've always prefered the styling to the earlier breadvan model even though I know most petrolheads rate the earlier one better, but fun, fun, fun...also, which do PH'ers reckon would be the best to live with, the Civic or the Clio? Saw a 197 Cup the other day in white and thought it looked the dogs, better looking IMO than the 200 Cup.....However the Clio is a bit smaller.
There's enough room in the back for two adults in a Clio, and the boot is decent, however, I'd avoid the cup if you routinely want to have people in the back - rear seat passengers complained about travel sickness due to the oppressive back of the recaro seat in my F1 and I believe those seats are carried onto the cup, so get one with the regular seats unless you want sick kids in the back row. (On the converse, mine had tinted rear quarterlights so it was probably good for a wee one in the back re: heat from the sun).
Best mate has a Focus St, done lots of long trips in it and fit in the back fine. Economy in his seems acceptable too on a cruise, but when punching it you get the glorious 5 cylinder rally car soundtrack. Its maybe not as polished as a CTR but I really like it, kind of like a car with a big heart....
Just watch some specs have 2 seats rather than 3 in the back, not all of them though. Can even get a 5 door one anyway too.
Just watch some specs have 2 seats rather than 3 in the back, not all of them though. Can even get a 5 door one anyway too.
Gaz. said:
I don't think it's that better built tbh. CTR forums are riddled with posts with young cars with rusty doors, dead gearboxes and duff clutches, amongst other things.
I don't think this is the norm though. And certainly Renault clios will be less reliable overall. Plus, cheap built quality and interiors. BE57 TOY said:
I don't think this is the norm though. And certainly Renault clios will be less reliable overall. Plus, cheap built quality and interiors.
The built quality of my 197 was very good. They aren't made on the same line as the regular cars and they are built with more care.Build quality is about even in both but do not go with the cup.
Its the cheaper built 197. If you want cup qualities go for a normal 197 with the cup pack. Better dash and the interior is just nicer all round.
You get more extras that most cups won't have (Climate control/cruise control etc)
Also people in the back of my non-cupped 197 complain occasionally that its a bit harsh. It doesn't feel it in the front but I don't often sit in the back.
I've had a play with a civic type R (newish one on an 09 plate) and there really is nothing in it between the 2 of them.
If you need the room in the back and the boot space my money would go on the civic. The clio is nice but it won't beat the civic in the space offered.
(reliability wise, My 197 is now 5 and a half years old. Still running the original gearbox. Never let me down and is soon to hit 35k. It isn't showing any signs of its age either and is running better then my brothers 4 year old Seat Toledo.)
Its the cheaper built 197. If you want cup qualities go for a normal 197 with the cup pack. Better dash and the interior is just nicer all round.
You get more extras that most cups won't have (Climate control/cruise control etc)
Also people in the back of my non-cupped 197 complain occasionally that its a bit harsh. It doesn't feel it in the front but I don't often sit in the back.
I've had a play with a civic type R (newish one on an 09 plate) and there really is nothing in it between the 2 of them.
If you need the room in the back and the boot space my money would go on the civic. The clio is nice but it won't beat the civic in the space offered.
(reliability wise, My 197 is now 5 and a half years old. Still running the original gearbox. Never let me down and is soon to hit 35k. It isn't showing any signs of its age either and is running better then my brothers 4 year old Seat Toledo.)
Edited by LovelyTia on Sunday 18th March 09:23
Op it would help if you posted what type of Passat it is. Is it a turbo diesel and are you liking boost, mega torque lazy driving or the rev the nuts off it NA style of driving. If its the later the CTR/Clio will be for you. If your a boost junkie the focus ST (mapped) will decimate both of them and your wallet on fuel in the process :-)
If its also a family car I'd suggest the Focus ST or, dare I say it, a performance diesel if its going to do miles. At the end of the day its not about room its more because if you have the family in the car you can't really hoon it round corners which for the CTR and Clio is where the funs at. .
If its also a family car I'd suggest the Focus ST or, dare I say it, a performance diesel if its going to do miles. At the end of the day its not about room its more because if you have the family in the car you can't really hoon it round corners which for the CTR and Clio is where the funs at. .
OP
I bought a civic fn2 about a month ago as a family car.
We have 2 kids aged 15 and 10, they get in and out of the back seats without any help, I think the ages are important as I would not want to have to put a small child into a kiddie seat with it being a three door.
Things I have noticed since owning it,
It only has 2 rear seats.
It is a very hard ride but I do have the 19 inch wheels on with 225 x 35 tyres on
And i am getting around 27 mpg.
But that said its a bloody fun car to drive!!!
I do like the look of the clio but in my mind they are alot smaller, not sure how much smaller they are though.
HTH
Andy
I bought a civic fn2 about a month ago as a family car.
We have 2 kids aged 15 and 10, they get in and out of the back seats without any help, I think the ages are important as I would not want to have to put a small child into a kiddie seat with it being a three door.
Things I have noticed since owning it,
It only has 2 rear seats.
It is a very hard ride but I do have the 19 inch wheels on with 225 x 35 tyres on
And i am getting around 27 mpg.
But that said its a bloody fun car to drive!!!
I do like the look of the clio but in my mind they are alot smaller, not sure how much smaller they are though.
HTH
Andy
OP
I bought a civic fn2 about a month ago as a family car.
We have 2 kids aged 15 and 10, they get in and out of the back seats without any help, I think the ages are important as I would not want to have to put a small child into a kiddie seat with it being a three door.
Things I have noticed since owning it,
It only has 2 rear seats.
It is a very hard ride but I do have the 19 inch wheels on with 225 x 35 tyres on
And i am getting around 27 mpg.
But that said its a bloody fun car to drive!!!
I do like the look of the clio but in my mind they are alot smaller, not sure how much smaller they are though.
HTH
Andy
I bought a civic fn2 about a month ago as a family car.
We have 2 kids aged 15 and 10, they get in and out of the back seats without any help, I think the ages are important as I would not want to have to put a small child into a kiddie seat with it being a three door.
Things I have noticed since owning it,
It only has 2 rear seats.
It is a very hard ride but I do have the 19 inch wheels on with 225 x 35 tyres on
And i am getting around 27 mpg.
But that said its a bloody fun car to drive!!!
I do like the look of the clio but in my mind they are alot smaller, not sure how much smaller they are though.
HTH
Andy
I'd take the FN2 every time. Just a much, much nicer car inside than the Clio, and a far better engine and gearbox too. The Clio is effective, even if the 197 was not met with amazing reviews in the motoring press and in terms of pace there is little in it, but the Type R is just much more charismatic. Enjoy the VTEC while you can, they don't make them like that anymore!
Andy20vt said:
OP, but looking at your profile you already have a 205 Gti in the house?
Yes well spotted. This is partly why I think, why should the wife have all the fun (its her gti)....Passat is a petrol and is a lazy mans car, which is fine sometimes, but sometimes I miss a car you really have to drive! Im thinking that in time, these naturally aspirated hot hatches will become sought after and maybe its time to buy one before they all disappear. Agree Golf GTI is a fine choice but you get an older car for your money, as they are quite prized!Clio for me, but then I have a 200.
As for practicality, we had a holiday to Scotland when my boy was 8 months, so needed to take all the gear, high chair, travel cot, buggy etc aling with all of the mrs' clothes. We have a Scenic too, but we took the Clio. Yes it was a squeeze, but it's just so good.
Mine has the cup chassis too, great for getting babies to sleep
As for practicality, we had a holiday to Scotland when my boy was 8 months, so needed to take all the gear, high chair, travel cot, buggy etc aling with all of the mrs' clothes. We have a Scenic too, but we took the Clio. Yes it was a squeeze, but it's just so good.
Mine has the cup chassis too, great for getting babies to sleep
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