Renaultsport hatches…
Discussion
Having owned lots of fun French hatches in the 80’s including several R5 GTT’s I’m now at the age where I’m looking back whistfully at those cars but realizing that in terms of pricing and availability of good solid cars that boat has largely sailed…
I kind of kept up with their products until the Clio 182 Trophy / Megane R26r era but then with the arrival of a family my interest moved to saloon cars, SUV’s and something for the weekend..
So I fancy buying one or two cars now that are both fun to drive and that have the propensity to appreciate or at the very least in the short term hold their money. Budget would be up to £40k but somewhere around £20k would be easier to justify…
I kind of kept up with their products until the Clio 182 Trophy / Megane R26r era but then with the arrival of a family my interest moved to saloon cars, SUV’s and something for the weekend..
So I fancy buying one or two cars now that are both fun to drive and that have the propensity to appreciate or at the very least in the short term hold their money. Budget would be up to £40k but somewhere around £20k would be easier to justify…
Morning.
I think right now is a good time to buy. The end of Renaultsport as a brand as well as the end of run for the Megane RS. The time is pretty spot on to buy a Megane RS as a toy as well as an investment.
First pick and at the cheaper end. I currently own an R26 and the prices are steadily rising and have been for the last couple of years.
You can pick up an example quite cheaply in the scale of things in terms of "modern classics" and it is reaching that level of description in many camps. Its not as desirable as the R26.R but then it doesn't cost you the best part of 30K to buy so therefore outlay is minimal and the perpensity to lose money is slim.
Picking up a standard version is key but there aren't that many "standard" cars left. Still, at approx 7-15k they are a good buy
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206176...
The car that you probably would want to buy if you are looking at spending up to £20K. Would be the Megane RS Trophy S 275. This was the car that built on the Mk2 platform, solved all of the electrical niggles apparent in the Mk2's as well as improving on driveability and handling.
The Trophy S, got a bespoke Ohlins suspension as an option, a titanium akrapovic exhaust as an option. So the car to buy is one with those ticked -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206227...
You could buy one of those, drive it and it won't lose money in the long run. Not in my mind. Obviously you can't really predict a car market, but i do think that its a good bet to buy one.
If you want to spend the full £40K, then the Trophy R models are the one to have really as limited run, track focussed, like a GT3 by Renault really.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?sort=relev...
or the Mk4
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301233...
(No Mk3's currently for sale that i've seen)
I think right now is a good time to buy. The end of Renaultsport as a brand as well as the end of run for the Megane RS. The time is pretty spot on to buy a Megane RS as a toy as well as an investment.
First pick and at the cheaper end. I currently own an R26 and the prices are steadily rising and have been for the last couple of years.
You can pick up an example quite cheaply in the scale of things in terms of "modern classics" and it is reaching that level of description in many camps. Its not as desirable as the R26.R but then it doesn't cost you the best part of 30K to buy so therefore outlay is minimal and the perpensity to lose money is slim.
Picking up a standard version is key but there aren't that many "standard" cars left. Still, at approx 7-15k they are a good buy
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206176...
The car that you probably would want to buy if you are looking at spending up to £20K. Would be the Megane RS Trophy S 275. This was the car that built on the Mk2 platform, solved all of the electrical niggles apparent in the Mk2's as well as improving on driveability and handling.
The Trophy S, got a bespoke Ohlins suspension as an option, a titanium akrapovic exhaust as an option. So the car to buy is one with those ticked -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206227...
You could buy one of those, drive it and it won't lose money in the long run. Not in my mind. Obviously you can't really predict a car market, but i do think that its a good bet to buy one.
If you want to spend the full £40K, then the Trophy R models are the one to have really as limited run, track focussed, like a GT3 by Renault really.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?sort=relev...
or the Mk4
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301233...
(No Mk3's currently for sale that i've seen)
I don't think you can go wrong with a Clio 182 Trophy for all the points you've listed.
They are limited in number and well documented over the years on various platforms. From what I've gathered so far, aim for a low mileage car with as little previous owners as possible. You would be able to pick up a mint one fitting that criteria for around 20k.
There's been a few listed on Collecting Cars recently so you can check current auctions as well as the sold prices of completed ones.
If you were interested in getting one, I'll suggest you register and look on the Clio Trophy forum. Members do offer their cars for sale there before hitting the general market.
The Trophy was only limited to 500 in number but they have a very active forum that keeps a register of all cars and actively discuss on-goings about the car in general. This way you'll be sure to pick up a potential investment with a well documented record and also, any irregularities with your potential purchase can be easily identified by forum members.
There's actually an on-going discussion on the forum about the current market of the Trophy. Check the link below if you wish to follow and join in.....
https://cliotrophy.co.uk/threads/another-trophy-hi...
They are limited in number and well documented over the years on various platforms. From what I've gathered so far, aim for a low mileage car with as little previous owners as possible. You would be able to pick up a mint one fitting that criteria for around 20k.
There's been a few listed on Collecting Cars recently so you can check current auctions as well as the sold prices of completed ones.
If you were interested in getting one, I'll suggest you register and look on the Clio Trophy forum. Members do offer their cars for sale there before hitting the general market.
The Trophy was only limited to 500 in number but they have a very active forum that keeps a register of all cars and actively discuss on-goings about the car in general. This way you'll be sure to pick up a potential investment with a well documented record and also, any irregularities with your potential purchase can be easily identified by forum members.
There's actually an on-going discussion on the forum about the current market of the Trophy. Check the link below if you wish to follow and join in.....
https://cliotrophy.co.uk/threads/another-trophy-hi...
Thanks for the replies thus far-much appreciated.
To clarify I have an Alfa 4c spider for sunny days, I drive an F90 M5 competition as a daily driver. We also own an Abarth 595c Turismo which we’ve had from new and has been my wife’s car.
I’m thinking of possibly replacing the Abarth with something that’s useable as a daily driver but will hold its value and maybe adding another car partly as an investment and partly to use for fun.
To clarify I have an Alfa 4c spider for sunny days, I drive an F90 M5 competition as a daily driver. We also own an Abarth 595c Turismo which we’ve had from new and has been my wife’s car.
I’m thinking of possibly replacing the Abarth with something that’s useable as a daily driver but will hold its value and maybe adding another car partly as an investment and partly to use for fun.
T5GRF said:
I’m thinking of possibly replacing the Abarth with something that’s useable as a daily driver but will hold its value and maybe adding another car partly as an investment and partly to use for fun.
Thanks for the added criteria.If you want to preserve your capital then a limited edition is the way to go, although you've got to keep the miles under 80k after which values for any RS products fall off a cliff.
A Clio 182 and R26.R may possibly be too raw to daily drive.
An R26 is a decent bet if you can find a good, low miles one and can live with an interior that is low-rent by modern standards. It is still relatively cheap to buy compared with later Meganes.
A mk3 Megane Trophy or Trophy R, or mk4 Trophy R would fit the bill.
Civic Type R fk8 or GR Yaris - both well within your 40k budget and deliver on many levels. GR Yaris will probably hold its value better long-term and the Type R shouldn't do too badly either especially with the new model priced closer to 50k.
There is also the Yaris GRMN and Civic Tyre R Fk2, both in limited numbers, around the 20k budget and again, great for various occasions.
There is also the Yaris GRMN and Civic Tyre R Fk2, both in limited numbers, around the 20k budget and again, great for various occasions.
Thanks guys is the MK4 Megane Trophy generally unloved in non R spec? It would fit the daily driver for my wife role well but is there any prospect of values holding or appreciating?
I’ve always liked the little Twingo 133 and with a child driving in a year wondered if buying one would be worth a punt? They’re cheap and presumably fairly uncomplicated to fix but do they have the potential to appreciate?
The Megane R26r is too hardcore I think, the 182 Clio Trophy is a great car but it looks like I’d need somewhere north of £20k to buy a decent one and it would probably not be a car to daily drive.
I’ve always liked the little Twingo 133 and with a child driving in a year wondered if buying one would be worth a punt? They’re cheap and presumably fairly uncomplicated to fix but do they have the potential to appreciate?
The Megane R26r is too hardcore I think, the 182 Clio Trophy is a great car but it looks like I’d need somewhere north of £20k to buy a decent one and it would probably not be a car to daily drive.
It's anyone's guess but IMO we're a long way from seeing mk4 non Trophy R Meganes, or Twingos, appreciate.
Good R26s are still selling for <£10k 15 years after the last one was built, and good mk3 RS Meganes can be had for not much more than £10k. Prices for the cooking RS models aren't dropping but neither are they rising much.
'French hatchbacks' aren't aspirational for many buyers so if appreciation is the goal, stick with the halo models.
The non-Trophy Clio 182 is 95% of the Trophy, more than 100% with simple mods, much cheaper to buy but with less upside for values rising. And if you're used to modern stuff it might be too raw for a daily plus with the newest ones being 17 years old, will likely need money regularly spent on it if used daily.
Good R26s are still selling for <£10k 15 years after the last one was built, and good mk3 RS Meganes can be had for not much more than £10k. Prices for the cooking RS models aren't dropping but neither are they rising much.
'French hatchbacks' aren't aspirational for many buyers so if appreciation is the goal, stick with the halo models.
The non-Trophy Clio 182 is 95% of the Trophy, more than 100% with simple mods, much cheaper to buy but with less upside for values rising. And if you're used to modern stuff it might be too raw for a daily plus with the newest ones being 17 years old, will likely need money regularly spent on it if used daily.
I'd say look for a Megane 275 Cup S:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301083...
Or 275 Trophy:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301103...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301083...
Or 275 Trophy:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301103...
My picks.
Clio;
182 Trophy: The obvious choice, although the boat is well on its way now. It’s unlikely you’ll be noticing a huge amount more appreciation however your money will be safe if buying right. I’d say these would be better suited to an occasional fun car rather than daily driver.
Regular 182: I’d be looking for a car in either liquid yellow or racing blue. A well kept, low mileage, cup packed car should see you well come resale time. Rust is starting to become an issue so it’s worth doing your research on what to look out for.
200: Again, I’d be looking for one of the special colours - liquid yellow, alien green or storm grey. Recaros are a must as is the cup pack. There is some room for appreciation here if you can buy for under £10k.
Megane;
R26R: Another obvious choice. They’ve made some decent money over the past couple of years. Probably one of the most special Renaultsports ever made. Goes without saying they’re an occasional use car rather than daily driver.
275 Trophy R: I think these are slightly under appreciated at the moment, if you can pick one up for mid £20k they’re a good buy. There is no reason why they can be worth the same as the R26R or 300 Trophy R.
275 Cup S / Trophy: Would be better suited to regular use than the above. These aren’t likely to appreciate - especially within the near future - however they’re unlikely ever to be worth less than mid to low teens. Spec is important - needs Recaro seats, Ohlins suspension and the Akrapovic exhaust. Liquid yellow or flame red is worth seeking out.
What you go for should depend on how you’re looking to use it. The Clios are arguably more fun, the Meganes more capable. Spec and colour is very important on the regular cars, a low spec car in silver or black with no Recaros or cup pack is almost an entirely different car to one with all the right bits and in the right colour.
We’re in the twilight years of cars like these, it’s time to enjoy them.
Clio;
182 Trophy: The obvious choice, although the boat is well on its way now. It’s unlikely you’ll be noticing a huge amount more appreciation however your money will be safe if buying right. I’d say these would be better suited to an occasional fun car rather than daily driver.
Regular 182: I’d be looking for a car in either liquid yellow or racing blue. A well kept, low mileage, cup packed car should see you well come resale time. Rust is starting to become an issue so it’s worth doing your research on what to look out for.
200: Again, I’d be looking for one of the special colours - liquid yellow, alien green or storm grey. Recaros are a must as is the cup pack. There is some room for appreciation here if you can buy for under £10k.
Megane;
R26R: Another obvious choice. They’ve made some decent money over the past couple of years. Probably one of the most special Renaultsports ever made. Goes without saying they’re an occasional use car rather than daily driver.
275 Trophy R: I think these are slightly under appreciated at the moment, if you can pick one up for mid £20k they’re a good buy. There is no reason why they can be worth the same as the R26R or 300 Trophy R.
275 Cup S / Trophy: Would be better suited to regular use than the above. These aren’t likely to appreciate - especially within the near future - however they’re unlikely ever to be worth less than mid to low teens. Spec is important - needs Recaro seats, Ohlins suspension and the Akrapovic exhaust. Liquid yellow or flame red is worth seeking out.
What you go for should depend on how you’re looking to use it. The Clios are arguably more fun, the Meganes more capable. Spec and colour is very important on the regular cars, a low spec car in silver or black with no Recaros or cup pack is almost an entirely different car to one with all the right bits and in the right colour.
We’re in the twilight years of cars like these, it’s time to enjoy them.
Poseidon said:
My picks.
Clio;
182 Trophy: The obvious choice, although the boat is well on its way now. It’s unlikely you’ll be noticing a huge amount more appreciation however your money will be safe if buying right. I’d say these would be better suited to an occasional fun car rather than daily driver.
Regular 182: I’d be looking for a car in either liquid yellow or racing blue. A well kept, low mileage, cup packed car should see you well come resale time. Rust is starting to become an issue so it’s worth doing your research on what to look out for.
200: Again, I’d be looking for one of the special colours - liquid yellow, alien green or storm grey. Recaros are a must as is the cup pack. There is some room for appreciation here if you can buy for under £10k.
Megane;
R26R: Another obvious choice. They’ve made some decent money over the past couple of years. Probably one of the most special Renaultsports ever made. Goes without saying they’re an occasional use car rather than daily driver.
275 Trophy R: I think these are slightly under appreciated at the moment, if you can pick one up for mid £20k they’re a good buy. There is no reason why they can be worth the same as the R26R or 300 Trophy R.
275 Cup S / Trophy: Would be better suited to regular use than the above. These aren’t likely to appreciate - especially within the near future - however they’re unlikely ever to be worth less than mid to low teens. Spec is important - needs Recaro seats, Ohlins suspension and the Akrapovic exhaust. Liquid yellow or flame red is worth seeking out.
What you go for should depend on how you’re looking to use it. The Clios are arguably more fun, the Meganes more capable. Spec and colour is very important on the regular cars, a low spec car in silver or black with no Recaros or cup pack is almost an entirely different car to one with all the right bits and in the right colour.
We’re in the twilight years of cars like these, it’s time to enjoy them.
Thanks for the detailed reply - it’s very helpful.Clio;
182 Trophy: The obvious choice, although the boat is well on its way now. It’s unlikely you’ll be noticing a huge amount more appreciation however your money will be safe if buying right. I’d say these would be better suited to an occasional fun car rather than daily driver.
Regular 182: I’d be looking for a car in either liquid yellow or racing blue. A well kept, low mileage, cup packed car should see you well come resale time. Rust is starting to become an issue so it’s worth doing your research on what to look out for.
200: Again, I’d be looking for one of the special colours - liquid yellow, alien green or storm grey. Recaros are a must as is the cup pack. There is some room for appreciation here if you can buy for under £10k.
Megane;
R26R: Another obvious choice. They’ve made some decent money over the past couple of years. Probably one of the most special Renaultsports ever made. Goes without saying they’re an occasional use car rather than daily driver.
275 Trophy R: I think these are slightly under appreciated at the moment, if you can pick one up for mid £20k they’re a good buy. There is no reason why they can be worth the same as the R26R or 300 Trophy R.
275 Cup S / Trophy: Would be better suited to regular use than the above. These aren’t likely to appreciate - especially within the near future - however they’re unlikely ever to be worth less than mid to low teens. Spec is important - needs Recaro seats, Ohlins suspension and the Akrapovic exhaust. Liquid yellow or flame red is worth seeking out.
What you go for should depend on how you’re looking to use it. The Clios are arguably more fun, the Meganes more capable. Spec and colour is very important on the regular cars, a low spec car in silver or black with no Recaros or cup pack is almost an entirely different car to one with all the right bits and in the right colour.
We’re in the twilight years of cars like these, it’s time to enjoy them.
As you say we’re in the twilight years for these cars now. I certainly intend to enjoy as many more different ICE cars as I can before either I’m too old to drive or I’m told by the clowns in charge that I can’t.
Rather like Clio 182 and Trophy, the cooking R26 is 95% of the R26.R at much less than 95% of the purchase price. And it will make for a much better daily (not sure you'd want harnesses in a daily, and essential to keep the .R garaged as its plastic windows (NLA) don't take kindly to extended outside exposure).
If you have the capital however an .R is likely to be the more cost-effective overall proposition as if you keep miles down it's bound to appreciate. I made a £6k profit on mine after all running costs and PPF were factored in, albeit it only had 15k miles when I sold it.
If you have the capital however an .R is likely to be the more cost-effective overall proposition as if you keep miles down it's bound to appreciate. I made a £6k profit on mine after all running costs and PPF were factored in, albeit it only had 15k miles when I sold it.
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