The OFORBES Fleet
Discussion
In 2008 I was living a young petrol heads life. My entire social life revolved around cars and automotive related events, car shows, track days, detailing sessions etc, and in many respects it was the time of my life, creating memories that I will have forever.
I then started adulting a bit more seriously, you know, the boring stuff, focusing on my career, getting married, having children and before I knew it, I didn't have the time to invest in my passion of sharing car related experiences with other likeminded petrol heads.
In the late 90's as a new driver I was a big fan of the hot hatch, owning multiple Renault 5 GT Turbos, Peugeot 205's, fast Fords etc, but for me, the mid to late 2000's was all about RenaultSports, and I bought (and lost money on) a lot of them. Clio 172's, Megane 225's, R26's, Clio R27's. Renault really have always led the hot hatch market in my opinion and they made some incredible cars back then!
Putting more time into my career meant that over the last 10 years I have been fortunate enough to own some more expensive driving metal, 911's, an array of BMW M cars (including the very expensive mistake of buying a brand new BMW X5M) plus many more, but there has been one car that I have always loved the most. A car that I owned in 2008. A car that I had so many fond memories of. A RenaultSport Clio 182 Trophy.
I dismissed it when it was launched, saying its just a Clio 182 painted Red. But after driving a friends, I could tell it was something special. I had to have one. And the following day (April 3rd 2008) I bought one with quite high mileage (for the age) at 25k. I kept it for a year before regrettably selling it for a Megane 225. I've regretted it ever since.
Anyway.....
A couple of weeks ago I was enjoying my favourite pastime (wasting time going through the classifieds) when I stumbled across a mint low mileage Clio Trophy in Weston Supermare. After messaging the seller asking a few questions, I scrolled a bit further down on the PH classifieds and found a slightly more cost effective Trophy.
It was on a private plate, but scrolling through the photos I saw one of the numbered plaque inside showing number 172 of 500. That was my old car!
I called the guy, drove straight his storage unit and bought her back. He delivered it to me a couple of days later. Over the last 10 years its exchanged hands a couple of times and has only covered a further 14k miles from when I owned it, but it hasn't been as well cared for as it was when I showered it with budget-less affection!
It was quite an emotional reunion, and it drives exactly the same way I remember it driving, which surprised me. They say to never meet your heroes. I bought an original Renault 5 GT Turbo 5 years ago and I remember them being so much faster and more agile/nimble when I had them aged 17/18 years old, but its good for nostalgia. I was expecting the Trophy to be the same, but it wasn't. The big thing that has surprised me is just how good it still is! I guess after owning some faster and more expensive machinery it's actually made me appreciate the Trophy even more for what it is and in my opinion it really is the greatest ever hot hatch.
So the car has now been added to my ever growing collection of cars (much to my wife's displeasure) and has begun its restoration journey...
First thing was a full detail and paint correction treatment (whilst in the midst of my garage being fitted out after recently moving) and the list of 'to-do' jobs was created!
It needs a few things including a new bonnet where the rust has got in under a stone chip, a new OEM steering wheel refurb (all Clio of that age were prone to steering wheel melting) and then a good mechanical overhaul plus a few bits of trim that need some treatment to bring it up to a high standard....
Here are some photos of when I owned it 10 years ago, and then some photos of it now settled into its new home.
I then started adulting a bit more seriously, you know, the boring stuff, focusing on my career, getting married, having children and before I knew it, I didn't have the time to invest in my passion of sharing car related experiences with other likeminded petrol heads.
In the late 90's as a new driver I was a big fan of the hot hatch, owning multiple Renault 5 GT Turbos, Peugeot 205's, fast Fords etc, but for me, the mid to late 2000's was all about RenaultSports, and I bought (and lost money on) a lot of them. Clio 172's, Megane 225's, R26's, Clio R27's. Renault really have always led the hot hatch market in my opinion and they made some incredible cars back then!
Putting more time into my career meant that over the last 10 years I have been fortunate enough to own some more expensive driving metal, 911's, an array of BMW M cars (including the very expensive mistake of buying a brand new BMW X5M) plus many more, but there has been one car that I have always loved the most. A car that I owned in 2008. A car that I had so many fond memories of. A RenaultSport Clio 182 Trophy.
I dismissed it when it was launched, saying its just a Clio 182 painted Red. But after driving a friends, I could tell it was something special. I had to have one. And the following day (April 3rd 2008) I bought one with quite high mileage (for the age) at 25k. I kept it for a year before regrettably selling it for a Megane 225. I've regretted it ever since.
Anyway.....
A couple of weeks ago I was enjoying my favourite pastime (wasting time going through the classifieds) when I stumbled across a mint low mileage Clio Trophy in Weston Supermare. After messaging the seller asking a few questions, I scrolled a bit further down on the PH classifieds and found a slightly more cost effective Trophy.
It was on a private plate, but scrolling through the photos I saw one of the numbered plaque inside showing number 172 of 500. That was my old car!
I called the guy, drove straight his storage unit and bought her back. He delivered it to me a couple of days later. Over the last 10 years its exchanged hands a couple of times and has only covered a further 14k miles from when I owned it, but it hasn't been as well cared for as it was when I showered it with budget-less affection!
It was quite an emotional reunion, and it drives exactly the same way I remember it driving, which surprised me. They say to never meet your heroes. I bought an original Renault 5 GT Turbo 5 years ago and I remember them being so much faster and more agile/nimble when I had them aged 17/18 years old, but its good for nostalgia. I was expecting the Trophy to be the same, but it wasn't. The big thing that has surprised me is just how good it still is! I guess after owning some faster and more expensive machinery it's actually made me appreciate the Trophy even more for what it is and in my opinion it really is the greatest ever hot hatch.
So the car has now been added to my ever growing collection of cars (much to my wife's displeasure) and has begun its restoration journey...
First thing was a full detail and paint correction treatment (whilst in the midst of my garage being fitted out after recently moving) and the list of 'to-do' jobs was created!
It needs a few things including a new bonnet where the rust has got in under a stone chip, a new OEM steering wheel refurb (all Clio of that age were prone to steering wheel melting) and then a good mechanical overhaul plus a few bits of trim that need some treatment to bring it up to a high standard....
Here are some photos of when I owned it 10 years ago, and then some photos of it now settled into its new home.
Edited by OFORBES on Wednesday 26th September 12:15
OFORBES said:
The Fords of the day seem to have flown up in value of late too.
Its a shame the Renault's haven't quite followed the trend....
Great story..Its a shame the Renault's haven't quite followed the trend....
Similar story to me apart from im only just starting the growing up and starting a family thing (at 39yr old )
Id love to be re-united with my first car a white R5 turbo like the one in the pic... it isnt is it lol
Am sure mine will be dead now. It was a late white J registered one.. J93xxx from memory
likesachange said:
OFORBES said:
The Fords of the day seem to have flown up in value of late too.
Its a shame the Renault's haven't quite followed the trend....
Great story..Its a shame the Renault's haven't quite followed the trend....
Similar story to me apart from im only just starting the growing up and starting a family thing (at 39yr old )
Id love to be re-united with my first car a white R5 turbo like the one in the pic... it isnt is it lol
Am sure mine will be dead now. It was a late white J registered one.. J93xxx from memory
Growing up, or as I like to call it, professional adulting!
Congratulations from another middle aged Renault enthusiast. Biggest car sales mistake I have was selling #151 with 36k on the clock. I had a 997 911 at the time and assumed that was the better car to keep but I got bored of that and went back to 182 as it was just more fun and usable on the roads near me.
I now have a mint Clio RS 200 with 23k on the clock and it's not going to be going anywhere. Not as much unicorn appeal but suits met perfectly.
I used to have a almost mint stock GT Turbo when I was younger. Everyone was modifying them back then but mine was completely stock. I really miss that car too
Great fleet you have there!
I now have a mint Clio RS 200 with 23k on the clock and it's not going to be going anywhere. Not as much unicorn appeal but suits met perfectly.
I used to have a almost mint stock GT Turbo when I was younger. Everyone was modifying them back then but mine was completely stock. I really miss that car too
Great fleet you have there!
Rawhide said:
Congratulations from another middle aged Renault enthusiast. Biggest car sales mistake I have was selling #151 with 36k on the clock. I had a 997 911 at the time and assumed that was the better car to keep but I got bored of that and went back to 182 as it was just more fun and usable on the roads near me.
I now have a mint Clio RS 200 with 23k on the clock and it's not going to be going anywhere. Not as much unicorn appeal but suits met perfectly.
I used to have a almost mint stock GT Turbo when I was younger. Everyone was modifying them back then but mine was completely stock. I really miss that car too
Great fleet you have there!
Thank you! Yep, I totally know what you mean. There are so many cars that I have owned that I regret selling. I sold my 997 911 Manual GTS just before the 911 R was announced and then the manual GTS's started to hold their value! I now have a mint Clio RS 200 with 23k on the clock and it's not going to be going anywhere. Not as much unicorn appeal but suits met perfectly.
I used to have a almost mint stock GT Turbo when I was younger. Everyone was modifying them back then but mine was completely stock. I really miss that car too
Great fleet you have there!
For me, you cant get much better value for money from a hot Renault. Cheap, pretty reliable (modern Renaults) and useable power and handling on the UK's roads.
A few months ago I bought a 3.0 BMW Z4 as the daily station runner for the summer, but am now considering changing it for a 197 Cup with the Recaros! But then I thought I might end up not wanting to leave THAT in the station car park either!! haha. 3rd world problems hey!
Great story.
Had a 172 Cup about 8-10 years ago, it was the best car I ever owned, but I always wanted the Trophy. But like you family and work put that dream on hold.
I still can't stop thinking about the Trophy and would love to get one, but it just isn't big enough for my needs, and right now I can't justify a second car.
Glad you're enjoying it, don't let it go again!
Had a 172 Cup about 8-10 years ago, it was the best car I ever owned, but I always wanted the Trophy. But like you family and work put that dream on hold.
I still can't stop thinking about the Trophy and would love to get one, but it just isn't big enough for my needs, and right now I can't justify a second car.
Glad you're enjoying it, don't let it go again!
Lovely write up.
I too had fond memories of the 182 trophy - I bought one brand new back in 2005/6 but sold it.
About 12 months ago I picked up a 1 owner trophy with 30k miles on it. It's been sat in my workshop since.
May I ask where you got the OEM wheel refurb done? MIne is a little melted and want to get it done but all the ones Ive seen dont have the exact OEM look
Many thanks
I too had fond memories of the 182 trophy - I bought one brand new back in 2005/6 but sold it.
About 12 months ago I picked up a 1 owner trophy with 30k miles on it. It's been sat in my workshop since.
May I ask where you got the OEM wheel refurb done? MIne is a little melted and want to get it done but all the ones Ive seen dont have the exact OEM look
Many thanks
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