Me, my car, and the future.

[sneakypete]

As a few of you know I had a pretty spectacular crash (considering I was only travelling at 25mph) at the beginning of December resulting in my car being a write-off. Anyway, Elephant insurance have sorted me out with a really good price for the car and along with selling the wreck to Stratton for a small amount I've not come out too bad.

Problem is I can't run an other Elise for a while (even though I've got thirty grand burning a hole) - the running costs are just too much while I'm running a girlfriend as well/saving for a F355 .

So i'm in the market for a nippy motor that doesn't cost the earth. Looked at Clio 182 and naturally a Type R - any suggestions?

Oh - and I now have a mint (from a 52 reg) S2 ARDENT RED HARDTOP FOR SALE (complete with bag). Any offers? I'd like it to go to a good home. If you've got a Ardent red S2 it really makes the car. It's completely watertight and makes the little car look like a mini Ferrari. Mmmm. Otherwise I'm gonna get robbed on Ebay...

I'll keep posting sans Lotus cos I still love the Elise. I cry everytime I see one on the road now. Enjoy your cars and for god's sake take it easy on roundabouts. MY eggbox fell to bits when I hit the kerb and caused 14k of damage!!!

All the best and hello to all the newbies!

Pete

[Joe - Exige S]

My Exige S arrives in April so I'm in the process of selling by 05 plate 182 Cup - Racing Blue, Aircon, Diamondbrite, Free 1st service included, 4k miles. I love this car (perfect all-rounder - Fun V's practical)and would love to keep it but just cannot afford/justify it with the Exige. Let me know if you are interested.

[beachbum]

Having seen a lone Clio 182 at a BoLOCs airfield day, being driven rather fast/well, I would agree that it makes an excellent compromise car. Doing the circuit in the Lotus's the times were anywhere from 1:04 to 1:07, the Clio did it in 1:12, if I remember correctly.

In my opinion a not to shappy time in comparison.

[cej]

get a type r.

[Joe - Exige S]

182 All the way!! - To quote EVO: "In fact, so good is the Clio 182 with the Cup chassis set-up that I feel moved to make a bold statement - I think it's the best hot hatch ever built."

[lawrence5]

Get another one - you know you want to

[S Works]

Get a well sorted S1 111S for around 12k with all the upgrades done already and trouser the rest for your 355 fund. Job's a good un

[jimbers45]

get a trophy.....later this week I'll be alternating between a trophy and an exige....there is nothing in the hot hatch band including megan cups, astra's, r32's, type r's, sworks etc etc etc that come anywhere close

really it makes the 182 just an also ran!

[just1]

Have you seen the new type R????

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=246833&f=23&h=0

And the RR is to follow soon!!

[sneakypete]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've found a 55 plate Clio 182 with the cup spec options. It's up for 11k. If I bought it now what do you think it would be worth in a years time? I'm saving 4.5k on new... seems pretty unbeatable? Otherwise an older Type R (52 I think) with c22k miles is the same kinda money.

Whadda ya think?

[S Works]

Buy a used 182 or Cup 172 for less, don't get slapped by depreciation and save more for the 355.

Type R is let down by its chassis and you may live to hate the engine & gearing. Needs to be thrashed to get the best out of it.

[Joe - Exige S]

Joe - Exige S said:

My Exige S arrives in April so I'm in the process of selling by 05 plate 182 Cup - Racing Blue, Aircon, Diamondbrite, Free 1st service included, 4k miles. I love this car (perfect all-rounder - Fun V's practical)and would love to keep it but just cannot afford/justify it with the Exige. Let me know if you are interested.

How about buying my 182 for 10K - It's a bargin!