Will I like a Clio 182/172
Discussion
Advice needed.
Got an itch that needs scratching - I need a fun car for the times that I don't drive a company pick-up or the wife says no to me driving her Golf 140GT.
After having an msport beemer but now being forced to drive a pickup (but free) and being 44 yrs old - will I have fun and like one of these?
Or shall I save for a 996 (play fair).
Got an itch that needs scratching - I need a fun car for the times that I don't drive a company pick-up or the wife says no to me driving her Golf 140GT.
After having an msport beemer but now being forced to drive a pickup (but free) and being 44 yrs old - will I have fun and like one of these?
Or shall I save for a 996 (play fair).
I had a 182 at uni when I was 18-19 and really loved it. Fun car, full of life and I was genuinely upset at having to sell it.
Would I buy another one now? Probably not. The 182 is great as a hot hatch, but I prefer something a bit more accomplished/substantial now. You may feel differently, so why not go and try one?
Would I buy another one now? Probably not. The 182 is great as a hot hatch, but I prefer something a bit more accomplished/substantial now. You may feel differently, so why not go and try one?
warren182 said:
A bizarre comparison. You really need to drive one. Terrific fun, cheap (35mpg), quick, well equipped. If looking for a fun hot hatch, the best at that price point.
Such a different car (in every respect) to a 996 though.
I am afraid its heart ruling my head thing. Just love 911's but the 182 and it's bang-for-your-bucks is hard to ignore.Such a different car (in every respect) to a 996 though.
I had a 172 Cup from new, and it was a cracking little car. Just make sure you by the best condition for your money and make sure the timing belt and water pump have been change at the 5 year/72k mile mark, or budget about £400 for that. Standard brakes and exhaust rot away in a few year though, so aftermarket ones don't neccessarily mean it's seen MacDonalds on Saturday nights 
I absolutely adore my Trophy, so much so that i cant flog it even though the M3 was bought to replace it. Considering how little it costs to run, there is no other modern hot hatch that comes close to being as much fun imho.
Also, on trackdays, it is fun irritating non-GT3/Turbo 911 drivers in it
Also, on trackdays, it is fun irritating non-GT3/Turbo 911 drivers in it
I test drove one having decided it was the car for me having got a short (7 mile) commute down country lanes rather than 35 miles round the M60 to Rochdale, was thinking small, light, nimble, fun with a healthy 182 bhp. I was driving a Y reg 2001 Saab 9-3 LPT (150 bhp)at the time, I drove the renault and initially struggled to get comfy as the drivign position isnt great, to get the seat far back enough meant the gear change was a stretch.
We got out onto the open roads and I put my foot down a bit and not much happened, I relaised it wasnt like my turbo Saab and had another 1500 rpm to give, so I used all the rev range and just as I thought "here we go, this is what its all about", I hit the rev limiter, it felt a bit gutless to be honest which was weird as it was lighter and more powerful than the Saab, didnt throw it about much but didnt think it was some paragon of handling virtue though I concur that with time it may have grown on me. I just didnt really like it and dint think it was that fast, got back in my Saab and preffered that, must be a turbo vs N/A thing, dont doubt it was faster but not by that much and it just didnt feel it. I know they are fast havign seen them on trackdays showing much more expensive stuff the way round.
We got out onto the open roads and I put my foot down a bit and not much happened, I relaised it wasnt like my turbo Saab and had another 1500 rpm to give, so I used all the rev range and just as I thought "here we go, this is what its all about", I hit the rev limiter, it felt a bit gutless to be honest which was weird as it was lighter and more powerful than the Saab, didnt throw it about much but didnt think it was some paragon of handling virtue though I concur that with time it may have grown on me. I just didnt really like it and dint think it was that fast, got back in my Saab and preffered that, must be a turbo vs N/A thing, dont doubt it was faster but not by that much and it just didnt feel it. I know they are fast havign seen them on trackdays showing much more expensive stuff the way round.
J4CKO said:
I test drove one having decided it was the car for me having got a short (7 mile) commute down country lanes rather than 35 miles round the M60 to Rochdale, was thinking small, light, nimble, fun with a healthy 182 bhp. I was driving a Y reg 2001 Saab 9-3 LPT (150 bhp)at the time, I drove the renault and initially struggled to get comfy as the drivign position isnt great, to get the seat far back enough meant the gear change was a stretch.
We got out onto the open roads and I put my foot down a bit and not much happened, I relaised it wasnt like my turbo Saab and had another 1500 rpm to give, so I used all the rev range and just as I thought "here we go, this is what its all about", I hit the rev limiter, it felt a bit gutless to be honest which was weird as it was lighter and more powerful than the Saab, didnt throw it about much but didnt think it was some paragon of handling virtue though I concur that with time it may have grown on me. I just didnt really like it and dint think it was that fast, got back in my Saab and preffered that, must be a turbo vs N/A thing, dont doubt it was faster but not by that much and it just didnt feel it. I know they are fast havign seen them on trackdays showing much more expensive stuff the way round.
Was the clio new when you drove it? I've driven a few that have had poorly done belt changes (one rr'd at 135bhp!). We got out onto the open roads and I put my foot down a bit and not much happened, I relaised it wasnt like my turbo Saab and had another 1500 rpm to give, so I used all the rev range and just as I thought "here we go, this is what its all about", I hit the rev limiter, it felt a bit gutless to be honest which was weird as it was lighter and more powerful than the Saab, didnt throw it about much but didnt think it was some paragon of handling virtue though I concur that with time it may have grown on me. I just didnt really like it and dint think it was that fast, got back in my Saab and preffered that, must be a turbo vs N/A thing, dont doubt it was faster but not by that much and it just didnt feel it. I know they are fast havign seen them on trackdays showing much more expensive stuff the way round.
J4CKO said:
I test drove one having decided it was the car for me having got a short (7 mile) commute down country lanes rather than 35 miles round the M60 to Rochdale, was thinking small, light, nimble, fun with a healthy 182 bhp. I was driving a Y reg 2001 Saab 9-3 LPT (150 bhp)at the time, I drove the renault and initially struggled to get comfy as the drivign position isnt great, to get the seat far back enough meant the gear change was a stretch.
We got out onto the open roads and I put my foot down a bit and not much happened, I relaised it wasnt like my turbo Saab and had another 1500 rpm to give, so I used all the rev range and just as I thought "here we go, this is what its all about", I hit the rev limiter, it felt a bit gutless to be honest which was weird as it was lighter and more powerful than the Saab, didnt throw it about much but didnt think it was some paragon of handling virtue though I concur that with time it may have grown on me. I just didnt really like it and dint think it was that fast, got back in my Saab and preffered that, must be a turbo vs N/A thing, dont doubt it was faster but not by that much and it just didnt feel it. I know they are fast havign seen them on trackdays showing much more expensive stuff the way round.
May look for a dealers car to 'tyre kick' and test drive rather than a private one.We got out onto the open roads and I put my foot down a bit and not much happened, I relaised it wasnt like my turbo Saab and had another 1500 rpm to give, so I used all the rev range and just as I thought "here we go, this is what its all about", I hit the rev limiter, it felt a bit gutless to be honest which was weird as it was lighter and more powerful than the Saab, didnt throw it about much but didnt think it was some paragon of handling virtue though I concur that with time it may have grown on me. I just didnt really like it and dint think it was that fast, got back in my Saab and preffered that, must be a turbo vs N/A thing, dont doubt it was faster but not by that much and it just didnt feel it. I know they are fast havign seen them on trackdays showing much more expensive stuff the way round.
Must admit my old beemer and the wifes VW are/were turbo/supercharger - so may have the same opinion as you.
Good feedback.
The one I drove wasn't new, but had not had a timing belt change. Never imagined 170BHP in such a small car could be so underwhelming and I am not what anyone would consider a fast driver. I think overall the car was disappointing not just the power. It just felt flimsy and not well put together.
It is a pretty car though in that metallic blue colour with the anthracite alloys.
It is a pretty car though in that metallic blue colour with the anthracite alloys.
warren182 said:
J4CKO said:
I test drove one having decided it was the car for me having got a short (7 mile) commute down country lanes rather than 35 miles round the M60 to Rochdale, was thinking small, light, nimble, fun with a healthy 182 bhp. I was driving a Y reg 2001 Saab 9-3 LPT (150 bhp)at the time, I drove the renault and initially struggled to get comfy as the drivign position isnt great, to get the seat far back enough meant the gear change was a stretch.
We got out onto the open roads and I put my foot down a bit and not much happened, I relaised it wasnt like my turbo Saab and had another 1500 rpm to give, so I used all the rev range and just as I thought "here we go, this is what its all about", I hit the rev limiter, it felt a bit gutless to be honest which was weird as it was lighter and more powerful than the Saab, didnt throw it about much but didnt think it was some paragon of handling virtue though I concur that with time it may have grown on me. I just didnt really like it and dint think it was that fast, got back in my Saab and preffered that, must be a turbo vs N/A thing, dont doubt it was faster but not by that much and it just didnt feel it. I know they are fast havign seen them on trackdays showing much more expensive stuff the way round.
Was the clio new when you drove it? I've driven a few that have had poorly done belt changes (one rr'd at 135bhp!). We got out onto the open roads and I put my foot down a bit and not much happened, I relaised it wasnt like my turbo Saab and had another 1500 rpm to give, so I used all the rev range and just as I thought "here we go, this is what its all about", I hit the rev limiter, it felt a bit gutless to be honest which was weird as it was lighter and more powerful than the Saab, didnt throw it about much but didnt think it was some paragon of handling virtue though I concur that with time it may have grown on me. I just didnt really like it and dint think it was that fast, got back in my Saab and preffered that, must be a turbo vs N/A thing, dont doubt it was faster but not by that much and it just didnt feel it. I know they are fast havign seen them on trackdays showing much more expensive stuff the way round.
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