Boxster S to Clio 200?
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm in a bit of quandry.
With interest rates being so low, we're currently overpaying on the mortgage and saving with a view to moving out of our flat in London before we start drawing our pensions.
With this in mind we're tempted to sell our 2008 Boxster RS 60 Spyder and go for a lightly used Clio 200. This would probably leave us upwards of £10k towards the mortgage in addition to a massive reduction in running costs. Yes, clearly, it would have been more sensible to pay off the mortgage rather than have two Boxsters but it had to be done whilst we are still young. Anyway, the main question is am I mad and am I really going to miss the Boxster? Will the Clio fill the hole?
I've had a 197 before and enjoyed it. I even still miss it slightly. I'm also an improved driver nowadays, so think I can get more out of the Clio than I previously could. So the choice of the Clio isn't entirely crazy. Another bonus is that the Clio would be more of a viable trackday car too.
Thoughts welcome or any similar experiences.
Cheers!
I'm in a bit of quandry.
With interest rates being so low, we're currently overpaying on the mortgage and saving with a view to moving out of our flat in London before we start drawing our pensions.
With this in mind we're tempted to sell our 2008 Boxster RS 60 Spyder and go for a lightly used Clio 200. This would probably leave us upwards of £10k towards the mortgage in addition to a massive reduction in running costs. Yes, clearly, it would have been more sensible to pay off the mortgage rather than have two Boxsters but it had to be done whilst we are still young. Anyway, the main question is am I mad and am I really going to miss the Boxster? Will the Clio fill the hole?
I've had a 197 before and enjoyed it. I even still miss it slightly. I'm also an improved driver nowadays, so think I can get more out of the Clio than I previously could. So the choice of the Clio isn't entirely crazy. Another bonus is that the Clio would be more of a viable trackday car too.
Thoughts welcome or any similar experiences.
Cheers!
Edited by Mutt on Tuesday 20th September 21:45
It's a question only you can answer.
Is the car a daily drive or a weekend toy?
How often do you track it?
My opinions are. . .
Will you miss the Porsche?
Of course you will.
Will the clio be a good replacement?
You're swapping a refined precision German sportscar for a French hot hatch.
I get the impression the Clio is a track car, I think you'll hate driving it round London in busy traffic over speed bumps and potholes.(assuming it's a daily drive)
I'm not even sure if that Clio has AC, Stereo or any creature comforts at all.
You want to save money, buy a new car, play on tracks and drive around London – my mum would probably say something about cakes and eating them.
You might get 10k back on the car swap, but if you blow half of that that on trackdays, new tyres and track relating running costs on the Clio then you won't be doing yourself any favours.
If I was in that situation I'd sell the Porsche and buy a moderate car.
Nothing especially boring, but nothing too pricy. A few year old BMW or Audi perhaps. (depending on your favourite marque)
Then, if you want to track something, go for one of those events where you hire a car for the day.
Alternatively, buy a bigger Porsche.
Is the car a daily drive or a weekend toy?
How often do you track it?
My opinions are. . .
Will you miss the Porsche?
Of course you will.
Will the clio be a good replacement?
You're swapping a refined precision German sportscar for a French hot hatch.
I get the impression the Clio is a track car, I think you'll hate driving it round London in busy traffic over speed bumps and potholes.(assuming it's a daily drive)
I'm not even sure if that Clio has AC, Stereo or any creature comforts at all.
You want to save money, buy a new car, play on tracks and drive around London – my mum would probably say something about cakes and eating them.
You might get 10k back on the car swap, but if you blow half of that that on trackdays, new tyres and track relating running costs on the Clio then you won't be doing yourself any favours.
If I was in that situation I'd sell the Porsche and buy a moderate car.
Nothing especially boring, but nothing too pricy. A few year old BMW or Audi perhaps. (depending on your favourite marque)
Then, if you want to track something, go for one of those events where you hire a car for the day.
Alternatively, buy a bigger Porsche.
The Clio is a long way from an out and out track car even in Cup guise. You can have all the toys and at the end of the day it's a small, modern hatch. How can it possibly be a nightmare in city traffic given that's what small hatches are meant for! I'm sure it will lack the pace and perhaps some of the specialness of the Pork. On the other hand Chris Harris (obviously depends whether you love or hate him) reckons it's one of the most fun cars on sale today at any price. Pretty high praise from one who owns a GT3. If you really want to save the money I'm sure you could do a lot worse. Don't kid yourself you won't miss some things about the Boxster though!
Snowboy said:
I get the impression the Clio is a track car, I think you'll hate driving it round London in busy traffic over speed bumps and potholes.(assuming it's a daily drive)
I'm not even sure if that Clio has AC, Stereo or any creature comforts at all.
I think you might be surprised how well any Renault Sport rides even with cup suspension. My every day car is a Megane R26 and it has a much more comfortable ride that a 3 series with M Sort suspension for example. I'm not even sure if that Clio has AC, Stereo or any creature comforts at all.
As for creature comforts all have stereos and most climate control, cruise control etc they are not stripped out track day cars.
I agree you will probably miss the Porsche but the Clio is less of a 'serious' or 'grown up' car and as such you seem to slip in naughty school boy mode on a regular basis.
militantmandy said:
How can it possibly be a nightmare in city traffic given that's what small hatches are meant for!
Sorry, I should have clarified.I'm making quite a guess here, but would the Clio not have some sort of aggressive sports clutch and stiffened/lowered suspension compared to a regular little hatch?
Not much fun in heavy traffic over potholes and speedbumps.
At least you're going from great to good. I'm going from good to potentially frightening!
TT to smart car
Same reasons - lowering monthly finances for the next year and it's the only way for me to keep my motorbike as a plaything.
I'm trying to chose something cheap but is different enough to keep my interest up
TT to smart car
Same reasons - lowering monthly finances for the next year and it's the only way for me to keep my motorbike as a plaything.
I'm trying to chose something cheap but is different enough to keep my interest up
Snowboy said:
militantmandy said:
How can it possibly be a nightmare in city traffic given that's what small hatches are meant for!
Sorry, I should have clarified.I'm making quite a guess here, but would the Clio not have some sort of aggressive sports clutch and stiffened/lowered suspension compared to a regular little hatch?
Not much fun in heavy traffic over potholes and speedbumps.
It is not that low or that stiff as I said above it is softer than some mainstream saloons.
Well I did more or less the same as you 3 months ago. We sold the Elise and MX5 with a view to buying a cottage and replaced them with an Abarth 500.
The Abarth is wonderful, useful (4seats!), new and an excellent drive but by no means does it make up for the loss of my lovely Loti
When I'm finally sat in my little country pad next to the fire all will seem right I'm sure. Its all about what you want I guess.
The Abarth is wonderful, useful (4seats!), new and an excellent drive but by no means does it make up for the loss of my lovely Loti
When I'm finally sat in my little country pad next to the fire all will seem right I'm sure. Its all about what you want I guess.
I think I am pretty well qualified to answer this.
For the last 8 years I have had 911's, the last one being a 996 Turbo tweaked to 530bhp that I had owned for 5 years. Earlier this year I was thinking of getting rid of it for something different but not sure exactly what. In May I was down at the 'Ring and did a few laps with a friend in his Megane RS250 - I absolutely loved it. I came back from Germany put my Porsche up for sale and got myself a new RS250.
People said I must be mad but 4 months in I am enjoying every moment in it. I did miss the sheer grunt of the Porsche and had the Meg tweaked to 310bhp. It is still nowhere near what I had become used to but the handling on the country lanes more than makes up for it.
Plus Points
It is a scream to drive
It is cheaper to run, insure etc
It is covered by a warranty
I am not so concerned as to where I park it
It is far more practical
I can drive the car to its limits, not just to my limits as with the 911
It doesn't attract the jealous idiots.
Bad Points
It's not a Porsche
I miss the power
The Meg attracts a lot of Boy racers
French electricity is a little erratic at times.
I have had the Meg over to the Alps and it was an absolute joy, more than capable of keeping up with my friends 993. I have not yet had it on track but am booked at Silverstone for Oct 4th. It will be interesting to see how it gets on there but I am expecting good things.
For the last 8 years I have had 911's, the last one being a 996 Turbo tweaked to 530bhp that I had owned for 5 years. Earlier this year I was thinking of getting rid of it for something different but not sure exactly what. In May I was down at the 'Ring and did a few laps with a friend in his Megane RS250 - I absolutely loved it. I came back from Germany put my Porsche up for sale and got myself a new RS250.
People said I must be mad but 4 months in I am enjoying every moment in it. I did miss the sheer grunt of the Porsche and had the Meg tweaked to 310bhp. It is still nowhere near what I had become used to but the handling on the country lanes more than makes up for it.
Plus Points
It is a scream to drive
It is cheaper to run, insure etc
It is covered by a warranty
I am not so concerned as to where I park it
It is far more practical
I can drive the car to its limits, not just to my limits as with the 911
It doesn't attract the jealous idiots.
Bad Points
It's not a Porsche
I miss the power
The Meg attracts a lot of Boy racers
French electricity is a little erratic at times.
I have had the Meg over to the Alps and it was an absolute joy, more than capable of keeping up with my friends 993. I have not yet had it on track but am booked at Silverstone for Oct 4th. It will be interesting to see how it gets on there but I am expecting good things.
the_stoat said:
Nope hydraulic clutch so regardless of what clutch lives in the oily bits it is light.
It is not that low or that stiff as I said above it is softer than some mainstream saloons.
Righto – I stand corrected.It is not that low or that stiff as I said above it is softer than some mainstream saloons.
I still can't help but think a Porsche to a Clio is a big jump though.
Get a Fabia VRS. I have one and it allows me to indulge in other cars and have more disposable money..
You can get a decent example for around £5-6k now. Leather, multi-cd etc...
Car is main workhorse for me and the missus.
Cheap as chips to run. 500+miles to a tank, self-servicing etc..
I'll get me coat
You can get a decent example for around £5-6k now. Leather, multi-cd etc...
Car is main workhorse for me and the missus.
Cheap as chips to run. 500+miles to a tank, self-servicing etc..
I'll get me coat
chris7676 said:
VR6 Turbo said:
Go and Test Drive one? then you will know if its for you or not.
VR
He already had it, weird to be asking others in this light...VR
as for around town my golf on coilovers and lowered, is better than my Z4 was on run flat's?
VR
The car is purely a weekend car, but I still average 12,000 miles a year visiting friends and family and also driving for pleasure.
I guess the question could be phrased more generally as "has anyone downsized and regretted it?". Of course I would miss the Boxster and, yes, I do want to have my cake and eat it.
I guess the question could be phrased more generally as "has anyone downsized and regretted it?". Of course I would miss the Boxster and, yes, I do want to have my cake and eat it.
Little Dave said:
I think I am pretty well qualified to answer this.
For the last 8 years I have had 911's, the last one being a 996 Turbo tweaked to 530bhp that I had owned for 5 years. Earlier this year I was thinking of getting rid of it for something different but not sure exactly what. In May I was down at the 'Ring and did a few laps with a friend in his Megane RS250 - I absolutely loved it. I came back from Germany put my Porsche up for sale and got myself a new RS250.
People said I must be mad but 4 months in I am enjoying every moment in it. I did miss the sheer grunt of the Porsche and had the Meg tweaked to 310bhp. It is still nowhere near what I had become used to but the handling on the country lanes more than makes up for it.
Plus Points
It is a scream to drive
It is cheaper to run, insure etc
It is covered by a warranty
I am not so concerned as to where I park it
It is far more practical
I can drive the car to its limits, not just to my limits as with the 911
It doesn't attract the jealous idiots.
Bad Points
It's not a Porsche
I miss the power
The Meg attracts a lot of Boy racers
French electricity is a little erratic at times.
I have had the Meg over to the Alps and it was an absolute joy, more than capable of keeping up with my friends 993. I have not yet had it on track but am booked at Silverstone for Oct 4th. It will be interesting to see how it gets on there but I am expecting good things.
Really useful post. I am considering a Renaultsport Megane to replace my Integra DC2 (when it finally dies, which it seems like it never will!).For the last 8 years I have had 911's, the last one being a 996 Turbo tweaked to 530bhp that I had owned for 5 years. Earlier this year I was thinking of getting rid of it for something different but not sure exactly what. In May I was down at the 'Ring and did a few laps with a friend in his Megane RS250 - I absolutely loved it. I came back from Germany put my Porsche up for sale and got myself a new RS250.
People said I must be mad but 4 months in I am enjoying every moment in it. I did miss the sheer grunt of the Porsche and had the Meg tweaked to 310bhp. It is still nowhere near what I had become used to but the handling on the country lanes more than makes up for it.
Plus Points
It is a scream to drive
It is cheaper to run, insure etc
It is covered by a warranty
I am not so concerned as to where I park it
It is far more practical
I can drive the car to its limits, not just to my limits as with the 911
It doesn't attract the jealous idiots.
Bad Points
It's not a Porsche
I miss the power
The Meg attracts a lot of Boy racers
French electricity is a little erratic at times.
I have had the Meg over to the Alps and it was an absolute joy, more than capable of keeping up with my friends 993. I have not yet had it on track but am booked at Silverstone for Oct 4th. It will be interesting to see how it gets on there but I am expecting good things.
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