Renaultsport Clío
Discussion
I’ve started having a look at Clío 172/182/197 as a potential track day car. It would be an additional car, with no requirement for any daily duties. It will need to be Road legal though as I won’t be towing it.
Having a chat to another enthusiast yesterday, he was telling me that the Abarth 500 makes a fun little track toy and in his experience better than a Renault.
Has anyone got any experience of using the Abarth on track? I’m not chasing lap times, just looking for some fun and to build up my experience prior to taking out more expensive metal.
Having a chat to another enthusiast yesterday, he was telling me that the Abarth 500 makes a fun little track toy and in his experience better than a Renault.
Has anyone got any experience of using the Abarth on track? I’m not chasing lap times, just looking for some fun and to build up my experience prior to taking out more expensive metal.
Thank you Stuart. Yes, I think the newer ones gained power, but also weight. Always the way, but not necessarily better for this purpose. I’ll take a look at your other suggestions as well.
I think I may have just come across someone, who’s had a bit of a bad Clío experience, but actually most people get on really well with them.
I think I may have just come across someone, who’s had a bit of a bad Clío experience, but actually most people get on really well with them.
Mine had electrical gremlins (sensor, warning lights, not failure to go) and the alternator gave up, but nothing unreasonable in an old car and it was like a puppy on a leash to drive.
Replaced later with an R53 mini which I put a fair bit of cash into - springs, shocks, supercharger pulley, uprated brakes, bucket seats. The mini was faster and made a great noise but I can’t say that it was really more fun.
Biggest win for a track day car is a seat that keeps you “locked in” - braking and cornering are step change more aggressive, Might just be me?
Hope that helps.
Just looked at your garage, I have a 991 911 3.8 too - great cars!
Replaced later with an R53 mini which I put a fair bit of cash into - springs, shocks, supercharger pulley, uprated brakes, bucket seats. The mini was faster and made a great noise but I can’t say that it was really more fun.
Biggest win for a track day car is a seat that keeps you “locked in” - braking and cornering are step change more aggressive, Might just be me?
Hope that helps.
Just looked at your garage, I have a 991 911 3.8 too - great cars!
Edited by Stuart70 on Saturday 27th January 09:21
The Abarth is a good wee car no doubt, but better than a Reanultsport product on track? Doubt it very much.
For circa £10k you can get into a decent Megane 250 Cup. Special cars, a really really capable hatch and relatively easy on the wallet too.
The Clio 172/182 are great fun. You'll struggle to find a Ph1 172 as these are getting old and rare, and likely expensive too. The Ph2 172 and 182 are becoming a bit thinner on the ground too, but these are proper lightweight cars and pretty raw. Drop some 197 cams in and other supporting modifications and they can go well.
The 197/200 is a few hundred KG heavier, feels (and is) a much bigger car. Better brakes and easier to live with daily. The 200 would personally be my pick here, again a capable and fun hot hatch.
Other option would be an R53 Cooper S, these are popular on track too. I personally didn't gel with mine which was basically a racecar, much prefered the Megane I had previously.
For circa £10k you can get into a decent Megane 250 Cup. Special cars, a really really capable hatch and relatively easy on the wallet too.
The Clio 172/182 are great fun. You'll struggle to find a Ph1 172 as these are getting old and rare, and likely expensive too. The Ph2 172 and 182 are becoming a bit thinner on the ground too, but these are proper lightweight cars and pretty raw. Drop some 197 cams in and other supporting modifications and they can go well.
The 197/200 is a few hundred KG heavier, feels (and is) a much bigger car. Better brakes and easier to live with daily. The 200 would personally be my pick here, again a capable and fun hot hatch.
Other option would be an R53 Cooper S, these are popular on track too. I personally didn't gel with mine which was basically a racecar, much prefered the Megane I had previously.
I've tracked most Renaultsports, Clio 172, 182 and 200 plus a Megane 250, all have been Cup models.
The most disappointing was the 200, it never felt quick, the extra weight and only slightly more power killed it in my opinion.
Maybe harder to find a decent 172/182 these days, they are getting on a bit, but there are always track prepped examples for sale at considerably less cost than buying and modifying one.
The most disappointing was the 200, it never felt quick, the extra weight and only slightly more power killed it in my opinion.
Maybe harder to find a decent 172/182 these days, they are getting on a bit, but there are always track prepped examples for sale at considerably less cost than buying and modifying one.
I've got a 172 that occasionally goes on track. It's a great, fun thing. Not the fastest machine, especially in a straight line, but if you want something that can be driven utterly flat out all the time they are perfect. Watch out for rust around the rear sills/arches and fuel filler, make sure there are no crunches from the gearbox, especially at high revs, and make sure the belts have been done by someone who knows what they are doing.
I run a Clio 200 as a track day / station car.
Parts are pretty reasonable, it runs 20min sessions all day long on track days and minimal issues as a result.
Only modifications are pads / lines / fluid.
It's not quick but is enjoyable and adjustable on track.
The biggest challenge are the standard seats which if not daily use are an easy change.
Parts are pretty reasonable, it runs 20min sessions all day long on track days and minimal issues as a result.
Only modifications are pads / lines / fluid.
It's not quick but is enjoyable and adjustable on track.
The biggest challenge are the standard seats which if not daily use are an easy change.
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