Renaultsport Clio 200 Cup
Discussion
I've been a member on PH for a while so I thought I would put something up about my current car, a Clio 200 Cup.
Back in 2012 I gave the keys back to my company focus TD, a car I had for 4 years while I got on the property ladded. Thankfully after that long 4 years I was back in the position to get a car I wanted. Some man maths later I decided on another Renaultsport.
Previous to the focus and without the joys of owning my own home I had in order from 1996:
1989 Metro GTA, white
1991 Suzuki Swift GTI, white
1999 Integra DC2 (UK), championship white
2001 Lotus Elise S2 (K-Series), storm grey
2004 Integra DC5, championship white
2005 Clio Trophy, capsicum red
I am not a big fan of electronic gadgets and creature comforts in my cars at all, my car at the moment only has to see me through a small commute so I wouldn't even benefit from a barge anyway. I had a look a few different cars before picking the Clio. I looked at DC2's, EK9's and Trophy's. I ruled the DC2 and Trophy out plainly because I had owned them before and EK9's IMO are dating a bit now. I would of loved another Lotus but seeing as this is my only car the Elise is just a bit too impractical plus I occasionally need more than two seats. So I decided on a Clio 200.
The spec I wanted for the Clio was Cup, Racing Blue and Recaros. At the time I was looking at buying it was quite hard to find this spec so the missus and I had two day 650 mile round trip to pick it up a low mileage 2011 car.
I have owned the Clio now for 18 months and not regretted buying it one bit. So far I have been on a few road trips to North Wales and the roads around the EVO Triangle. Hopefully a trip to Scotland this year and no doubt more weekends away in North Wales.
Not one for big modifications on cars but have done a few suitable things including changing the Engine and Gearbox Oils to fully synthetic Fuchs Titan. I also swapped the Anthracite Cup alloys for some Speedlines which I have had refurbished in gloss black with a set of 4 new Goodyear Eagle F1's to replace the Contisports.
Most recently I had plates made with the Renaultsport factory address underneath, thought it would make a change to a Renault dealership or Arnold Shark one.
So that's my current car. Hopefully in the not so near future I may have the opportunity to run two cars so it will be another Elise, preferably an S160.
Cheers for looking,
Tickle
Back in 2012 I gave the keys back to my company focus TD, a car I had for 4 years while I got on the property ladded. Thankfully after that long 4 years I was back in the position to get a car I wanted. Some man maths later I decided on another Renaultsport.
Previous to the focus and without the joys of owning my own home I had in order from 1996:
1989 Metro GTA, white
1991 Suzuki Swift GTI, white
1999 Integra DC2 (UK), championship white
2001 Lotus Elise S2 (K-Series), storm grey
2004 Integra DC5, championship white
2005 Clio Trophy, capsicum red
I am not a big fan of electronic gadgets and creature comforts in my cars at all, my car at the moment only has to see me through a small commute so I wouldn't even benefit from a barge anyway. I had a look a few different cars before picking the Clio. I looked at DC2's, EK9's and Trophy's. I ruled the DC2 and Trophy out plainly because I had owned them before and EK9's IMO are dating a bit now. I would of loved another Lotus but seeing as this is my only car the Elise is just a bit too impractical plus I occasionally need more than two seats. So I decided on a Clio 200.
The spec I wanted for the Clio was Cup, Racing Blue and Recaros. At the time I was looking at buying it was quite hard to find this spec so the missus and I had two day 650 mile round trip to pick it up a low mileage 2011 car.
I have owned the Clio now for 18 months and not regretted buying it one bit. So far I have been on a few road trips to North Wales and the roads around the EVO Triangle. Hopefully a trip to Scotland this year and no doubt more weekends away in North Wales.
Not one for big modifications on cars but have done a few suitable things including changing the Engine and Gearbox Oils to fully synthetic Fuchs Titan. I also swapped the Anthracite Cup alloys for some Speedlines which I have had refurbished in gloss black with a set of 4 new Goodyear Eagle F1's to replace the Contisports.
Most recently I had plates made with the Renaultsport factory address underneath, thought it would make a change to a Renault dealership or Arnold Shark one.
So that's my current car. Hopefully in the not so near future I may have the opportunity to run two cars so it will be another Elise, preferably an S160.
Cheers for looking,
Tickle
Edited by Tickle on Sunday 19th January 16:42
Edited by Tickle on Sunday 19th January 19:51
Very smart; great choice of colour too 
how do you find the electric steering in the 200 as apposed to the 182 Trophy ? My current car (albeit only a 1.4 Punto) has electronic steering and I absolutely hate it; far too light and only has the slightest amount of feel if you decide to push the car into the corner. Sorry for the dull question but I am potentially considering a mint 182 Trophy or 197 R27 this year.
how do you find the electric steering in the 200 as apposed to the 182 Trophy ? My current car (albeit only a 1.4 Punto) has electronic steering and I absolutely hate it; far too light and only has the slightest amount of feel if you decide to push the car into the corner. Sorry for the dull question but I am potentially considering a mint 182 Trophy or 197 R27 this year. You have owned some of my all time must have cars. The DC2 and the Clio Trophy have always been at the top of my list.
Up until today I always loved the sort of battleship grey coloured Clio 200's but after seeing yours I now have a favorite.
Off to check the classifieds with my imaginary money. Its nice that you are enjoying it.
Up until today I always loved the sort of battleship grey coloured Clio 200's but after seeing yours I now have a favorite.
Off to check the classifieds with my imaginary money. Its nice that you are enjoying it.
melvster said:
Very smart; great choice of colour too how do you find the electric steering in the 200 as apposed to the 182 Trophy ? My current car (albeit only a 1.4 Punto) has electronic steering and I absolutely hate it; far too light and only has the slightest amount of feel if you decide to push the car into the corner. Sorry for the dull question but I am potentially considering a mint 182 Trophy or 197 R27 this year.
Cheers, how do you find the electric steering in the 200 as apposed to the 182 Trophy ? My current car (albeit only a 1.4 Punto) has electronic steering and I absolutely hate it; far too light and only has the slightest amount of feel if you decide to push the car into the corner. Sorry for the dull question but I am potentially considering a mint 182 Trophy or 197 R27 this year. Its not over light, the missus has a Fiat 500 and it is unbelievably light! I test drove another Trophy before the 200 and they are different cars. You can feel the extra weight in the 200 and there is defiantly not the same feedback. But IMO the Trophy didn't have the greatest steering feedback and feel anyway. I did run my Elise as a daily though so that set the benchmark for steering feel pretty high for me!
The quicker rack on the 200 is good especially when you get going some, very direct. The 200 feels more planted and more grip than the Trophy. The quick rack in turn does trade off though with a naff turning circle!
Try both cars, preferably with a small time gap between then the feeling is fresh in your head. Sure you wont be disappointed in an R27 or Trophy.
My old one, back in the day
Nikko 40691 said:
I looked at buying one of these brand new but I just wasn't man enough to commit to the monthly payments, it is truly lovely OP.
What was the better car then between the Trophy and DC2 as they're so similar in their core values?
DC2 or Trophy? What a question!What was the better car then between the Trophy and DC2 as they're so similar in their core values?
To own probably the Trophy:
My DC2 started to get a few spots of rust on the rear arches and was getting to that stage in it life that it needed a bits tidying up. As it was my only car I didn't fancy having to take it off the road for paint and sprucing up. I know that would open the flood gates for me to get it immaculate then id be scared to drive it.... if that makes sense.
The Trophy's compactness and ride was very very good points for me over the DC2. It was newer too so was less of a scare when washing it to see another spot of rust or the seats becoming more shot. The Trophy was the most trouble free car ive owned too needing only consumable parts (tyres, pads etc). I sold it before the Sachs needed a refurb though.
To drive DC2:
That engine, less weight, LSD and no sound proofing!
This is all in my opinion of course.
In 2011 I bought a brand new (tax free in Germany) Racing Blue 200 Cup with Recaros.
I adored that thing, registration GN11 EKH I think. Absolutely loved it. Nice fat arse on it.
The thing only stopped accelerating when the rev limiter kicked in. The power band was nowhere near dropping off before the electrics kicked in.
Have fun with it - wish I could still afford it.
I adored that thing, registration GN11 EKH I think. Absolutely loved it. Nice fat arse on it.
The thing only stopped accelerating when the rev limiter kicked in. The power band was nowhere near dropping off before the electrics kicked in.
Have fun with it - wish I could still afford it.
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