Discussion
I’m looking at getting 2 drivers cars that fit our narrow drive:
Decisions are between
Fiat Panda 100hp vs Abarth 595 competizione vs Renaultsport clio 182 (mk2) vs VW Up GTi vs Renaultsport Twingo
Which are the best drivers cars? I’m probably leaning toward the Clio and Panda at the moment….but wondering if they’re too similar and if I’d be better have one turbo and one n/a!
Decisions are between
Fiat Panda 100hp vs Abarth 595 competizione vs Renaultsport clio 182 (mk2) vs VW Up GTi vs Renaultsport Twingo
Which are the best drivers cars? I’m probably leaning toward the Clio and Panda at the moment….but wondering if they’re too similar and if I’d be better have one turbo and one n/a!
The Abarth has, by far, the most fan boys... Jay Em absolutely hates them and can't see what the love is all about. I reckon that tells you that it's fairly marmite and a test drive will either have you sold or running away from it.
I have a soft spot for the 100hp pandas, I really don't know why and I don't think they're particularly nice to look at but I sort of admire them.
If I had to pick two it would be the 595 and the UP Gti.
I have a soft spot for the 100hp pandas, I really don't know why and I don't think they're particularly nice to look at but I sort of admire them.
If I had to pick two it would be the 595 and the UP Gti.
Unfortunately not, the mini and Clio mk3 are both too wide. Same with the Fiesta ST unfortunately
It’s an old 1920’s house so designed for an Austin 7! It currently houses a charity case of a 109” Landy I saved from the scrap man (turned out to be quite a rare version so should get a decent price as it’s one of about 25 left in the uk) but that will be on its way out before Christmas as it’s now had the new clutch fitted
It’s an old 1920’s house so designed for an Austin 7! It currently houses a charity case of a 109” Landy I saved from the scrap man (turned out to be quite a rare version so should get a decent price as it’s one of about 25 left in the uk) but that will be on its way out before Christmas as it’s now had the new clutch fitted
Edited by Slow progress on Monday 24th October 20:47
My first ever new car was a 172 and I’ve owned four Abarths.
For me the Abarth is the obvious first choice; they’re a ‘modern day’ 90’s hatch with the foilbles (ie ‘character’) to match. Hoonable.
If I had one I’d never feel the need for a 182 as well (likewise if you went for the 182 I wouldn’t go Abarth for #2). I’ve not driven the Up gti but have driven a regular Up and it was a hateful thing.
I have a soft spot for the Pandas (based on zero experience) so would probably opt for that.
For me the Abarth is the obvious first choice; they’re a ‘modern day’ 90’s hatch with the foilbles (ie ‘character’) to match. Hoonable.
If I had one I’d never feel the need for a 182 as well (likewise if you went for the 182 I wouldn’t go Abarth for #2). I’ve not driven the Up gti but have driven a regular Up and it was a hateful thing.
I have a soft spot for the Pandas (based on zero experience) so would probably opt for that.
Thanks all it is food for thought.
The only reason I shy away from Panda and Abarth is that it’s same engine and platform so I wonder if the characteristics and dynamics would be a bit similar.
A friend has also thrown another vehicle that fits a Citroen Saxo VTS or Peugeot 106 Tallye/GTI as fitting the width required!
Currently leaning towards Clio as a definite….
The only reason I shy away from Panda and Abarth is that it’s same engine and platform so I wonder if the characteristics and dynamics would be a bit similar.
A friend has also thrown another vehicle that fits a Citroen Saxo VTS or Peugeot 106 Tallye/GTI as fitting the width required!
Currently leaning towards Clio as a definite….
Clio or Up for me. I’ve owned both, as well as a Panda 100HP. 100HP was fun in the right situations, but an absolute nightmare on anything other than a smooth road. However, as others have mentioned, there’s a big spread of values there, you’d struggle to get an Up for less than 12k.
Seems like I (for once) got in at the ‘right time’ and bought a 2.5 year old one with 7k on it for 10.5k. They’ve really shot up in price.
Seems like I (for once) got in at the ‘right time’ and bought a 2.5 year old one with 7k on it for 10.5k. They’ve really shot up in price.
Abarth.
Owned a 172 Clio from new, the Abarth is much nicer to live with, and VASTLY more reliable. It might not handle quite as well, but its not far off.
Had 3 Abarths one after the other lol, I just could never find anything that got the fun/ daily use balance so right in a small package.
Nearly bought a Twingo 133, but the interior is horrible, absolutely awful, the Abarth is pretty low rent, but is Bentley standard by comparison, you can get a carbon fiber dash for the Abarth...
UP GTI meh, test drove one, was so underwhelmed, just really dull.
Owned a 172 Clio from new, the Abarth is much nicer to live with, and VASTLY more reliable. It might not handle quite as well, but its not far off.
Had 3 Abarths one after the other lol, I just could never find anything that got the fun/ daily use balance so right in a small package.
Nearly bought a Twingo 133, but the interior is horrible, absolutely awful, the Abarth is pretty low rent, but is Bentley standard by comparison, you can get a carbon fiber dash for the Abarth...
UP GTI meh, test drove one, was so underwhelmed, just really dull.
nikaiyo2 said:
Abarth.
Owned a 172 Clio from new, the Abarth is much nicer to live with, and VASTLY more reliable. It might not handle quite as well, but its not far off.
Had 3 Abarths one after the other lol, I just could never find anything that got the fun/ daily use balance so right in a small package.
Nearly bought a Twingo 133, but the interior is horrible, absolutely awful, the Abarth is pretty low rent, but is Bentley standard by comparison, you can get a carbon fiber dash for the Abarth...
UP GTI meh, test drove one, was so underwhelmed, just really dull.
What went wrong with your clio?Owned a 172 Clio from new, the Abarth is much nicer to live with, and VASTLY more reliable. It might not handle quite as well, but its not far off.
Had 3 Abarths one after the other lol, I just could never find anything that got the fun/ daily use balance so right in a small package.
Nearly bought a Twingo 133, but the interior is horrible, absolutely awful, the Abarth is pretty low rent, but is Bentley standard by comparison, you can get a carbon fiber dash for the Abarth...
UP GTI meh, test drove one, was so underwhelmed, just really dull.
I've found them pretty reliable bar the 5 yearly cambelt and dephaser swop.
egor110 said:
What went wrong with your clio?
I've found them pretty reliable bar the 5 yearly cambelt and dephaser swop.
Hahah the cambelt was changed by a very well known, well respected RS specialist... at 3 (or 4) years old. They messed it up, not catastrophically but enough to cause a few issues.I've found them pretty reliable bar the 5 yearly cambelt and dephaser swop.
The throttle cable snapped twice, maybe 3 times, it failed 3 times for sure, but I have a feeling one time was after a roadside "fix" waiting to get it sorted properly.
The wheel barings were replaced at 3.5 years old.
The steering wheel looked like it had rabies after 18 months.
Then 2nd/ 3rd MOT had loads of advisories, so i moved it on!
Dont get me wrong it was a great car, but it was the newest car I had ever bought at the time at 18 months old and I expected it to be largely trouble free ownership and it was not, but nothing was that big a deal.
The A500s I owned were completely trouble free, had 3 from launch in 2009 till 2017 and only had to replace tyres and brakes oh and a door handle :P
Oddly enough I randomly was looking at RS Clios on ebay a few months ago and it was for sale
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