french hot hatches... SLC

ClarkyBoy · Post by **ClarkyBoy** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 8:35 am

Morning!

Clio 197 cup's - talk to me!

I'm sure there are a few owners of hot froggy specials around,

With the M3 for sale and a few people interested I'm looking for a cheap commuter that can have a bit of fun in... cue the clio idea!

Renault Clio 197 200.net "How Fast" event Bedford 1st June 2013 by Clio197.net, on Flickr

I have always quite liked these and you can pick a decent one up for 6kish, which suits me just fine!

Another option is to go for another lotus... Coincidentally, I have been offered this as PX for the M3... anyone know the car?

Untitled by clarkyboySE, on Flickr

Cheers guys

Doc883 · Post by **Doc883** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 12:35 pm

I'd be tempted to 'stretch' to the Renaultsport Clio 200 Full Fat with Cup Chassis, much better all round package for a commuter/track hybrid

http://www.evo.co.uk/buying/buyingguide ... 97200.html

j2 lot · Post by **j2 lot** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 12:37 pm

Go with the Lotus

Clios are girls cars

Doc883 · Post by **Doc883** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 1:02 pm

j2 lot wrote:Go with the Lotus

That 08 plate Elise will cost considerably more than a £6k Clio

Mikie711 · Post by **Mikie711** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 1:16 pm

Doc883 wrote:
j2 lot wrote:Go with the Lotus
That 08 plate Elise will cost considerably more than a £6k Clio

But will be worth considerably more when you come to chop it for something else.

Clio wise 172/182 is the pick of the bunch. 197 isn't a patch on the older cars, to fat and heavy. Don't know about the 200's but they probably aren't that much different to the 197 which was a massive disappointment after the 182 we had.
That and you would hate it after about a week.

ClarkyBoy · Post by **ClarkyBoy** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 2:29 pm

Mikie711 wrote:
Doc883 wrote:
j2 lot wrote:Go with the Lotus
That 08 plate Elise will cost considerably more than a £6k Clio

But will be worth considerably more when you come to chop it for something else.

Clio wise 172/182 is the pick of the bunch. 197 isn't a patch on the older cars, to fat and heavy. Don't know about the 200's but they probably aren't that much different to the 197 which was a massive disappointment after the 182 we had.
That and you would hate it after about a week.

only problem with taking the lotus back doesn't free up much of the cash I have tied up in the M3, so kinda puts me where I am right now,

having driven a 172 and not being overly impressed by it I am going to have to try out a 197 or 200 (some of these are in budget) and see what I think I guess.

an early 197 f1 seems a bit of a steal for what it can do and to be honest, I think its a looker too!

graeme · Post by **graeme** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 2:35 pm

Strip out the Lupo, add some cheap, non-adjustable coilovers and drive it harder!

Mikie711 · Post by **Mikie711** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 2:45 pm

If you drove the 172 and didn't like it then I doubt your going to want a 197 after driving one. On paper they do look like good value but I was very disappointed with the one we had. Just wasn't nearly as much fun to drive as the earlier car.

Doc883 · Post by **Doc883** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 2:53 pm

My 2007 Clio 197 F1 (R27). This had the 'old' gearbox so was too revvy on motorway cruising but otherwise I really liked it. The 200 moved the game on so look there also

Doc883 · Post by **Doc883** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 3:47 pm

Mikie711 wrote:
Doc883 wrote:
j2 lot wrote:Go with the Lotus
That 08 plate Elise will cost considerably more than a £6k Clio
But will be worth considerably more when you come to chop it for something else.

Although that's by no means a certainty. I bought my 197 F1 new for £14200 and 18months later sold it privately for £12000. I lost more money on my 2003 Elise over a similar period. When buying a 197 at circa £6k it can only depreciate a certain % if you look after it. The Elise will have a much higher sticker price so potentially it could loose as much in ££ although agreed that would represent a smaller % depriciation. Plus I wouldn't want to run an Elise for commuting in where' as would happily use a Clio 200.

StiflerMR2 · Post by **StiflerMR2** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 5:12 pm

I had a 197 and loved it. Pointy front end, nice revvy engine, a bit jiggly but good fun. Never drove a 172/182 but in isolation I thought it was a great car. Tracked it a couple of times and it was a hoot there too.

ETA mandatory on track pic

Mike Scib · Post by **Mike Scib** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 5:42 pm

For a commuter I would be looking at a FN2 Civic (preferable with a diff) as a far nicer place to be IMO.

For a B road car, 182 Trophy....nothing will get near it

Lazydonkey · Post by **Lazydonkey** » Thu Aug 01, 2013 1:40 am

You won't get an fn2 with a diff for £6k though.

Andy G · Post by **Andy G** » Thu Aug 01, 2013 7:00 am

Clarkie have you been out in the sun too much, or has the gay blade got you?

As a man who enjoys oversteer at every opportunity possible (which is something you need in your life), what's the thinking behind this?

Don't see you hanging on to one of these for more than a month before being bored with it.

ClarkyBoy · Post by **ClarkyBoy** » Thu Aug 01, 2013 8:11 am

Andy G wrote:Clarkie have you been out in the sun too much, or has the gay blade got you?

As a man who enjoys oversteer at every opportunity possible (which is something you need in your life), what's the thinking behind this?

Don't see you hanging on to one of these for more than a month before being bored with it.

hahaha, you are totally right Andy,

I'm trying to be sensible for a bit!

The M3 sold last night, that's the 1st guy who came to see it, pretty happy and very sad

there is nothing on the market right now that I can afford within the budget im setting that is rwd and im remotely interested in owning!

But a little clio does appeal to me!

Mind you so does eva mendez... doesn't mean in going to get her though.

anyway... at least there is still scope for lift off oversteer!

Scottish Elises