daz_vx220

Looking to pull some money out of our s3 in the next few months and replacing it with one if the above. Wanting something fun and fairly fast for the summer.
Anybody had either?

thenewgalaxy

Clio lacks punch and the VXR lacks finesse. Shame they didn't make the Clio with the VXR's engine.

I ran a Clio 200 and the lack of grunt caused me to fall out of love with it.

Personally if I was going from an S3 to something downgraded I'd follow the Golf GTI route.

greg320

iTrader: (15)

I wouldn't bother with a corsa vxr they have a tendency to blow number 4 piston, my brothers went at 23,000 and that thing was nursed, has said above I'd go golf gti route

Mouser

Have you considered the Fiesta ST?

daz_vx220

Had a golf gti a few years back, nice car althought I'd be looking at 05/06 plates over 08 onwards on the above two. Also had a fiesta st and wasn't keen at all.

john banks

Pulling money out of a car rarely works, you lose money on the deal and/or a new set of issues to inherit, and in this case, end up in a much worse car.

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

Big fud is selling a megane 225, great handling cars apparently.

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

There is also the Seat Leon Cupra jobbies to consider.

lordharding

iTrader: (1)

Nismo
The alternative choice
Only 200bhp but a fun car to drive
Boot is small but it does me and the misses
I never stop smiling

Brun

Carnut

I had a Clio 192 years ago but can sill remember how much fun it was. It didn't exactly purr like a kitten and had the odd silly thing break like the door handle (inside) but there full of life. I would be happy to get another if that's the market I was looking at.

Norman Dog

iTrader: (1)

I like that, had a Juke courtesy car for a week and was really impressed.

john banks

I had one for a day and I struggled to tell whether it was trying to be a small MPV or a performance car. The engine was better than most hire cars but didn't sound nice and was noisy, the CVT gearbox had stepped or continuous behaviours. It rolled a lot but there was no payoff in ride quality. I'm happy to cross shop between classes, but I didn't get it, it didn't excel in any area. I didn't like the interior, it felt like a small French car.

The base spec one I had in France was woeful though.

I much preferred the Leaf, I'm not being a car snob. I also like most base model Fords.

cuprajake

iTrader: (11)

What budget

daz_vx220

Looking at around 6k maybe 7

cuprajake

iTrader: (11)

Mk2 leon cupra, then

Good chassi, good brakes and 310bhp from a stage one remap.

Jake

Strell

iTrader: (1)

Had a Clio 197 F1 twice.
Owned it for 12 months, sold it bought an Astra VXR 2 months later I bought back my 197 F1.
Such a great little car, happy to rev and rev for you, and so chuckable in the corners.

Will be so much more of a rewarding and responsive drive compared to your S3.

My mate had a corsa VXR whilst I had the Clio, after driving mine for a bit he sold his and also bought a Clio too!

joe v3sti

iTrader: (8)

Cannot comment about the 197, but I had a cup packed 200 and that used to run rings round corsa vxr's when I've had it on track. Sure vxr's are relatively quick on straights but the chassis is garbage. 200 for the win!

Joe

scoobyboy1

iTrader: (16)

Got a soft spot for the corsa vxr for some reason!! heard one with a decat exhaust and love the little pop out the exhaust when there giving it some, Also love the Audi RS4 style leather seats you can get in them, and the fact that there a turbocharged car which means good tuning potential. My mate has a clio 197 and it handles o.k but just hasn't got that turbo punch that excites me.


I know this is an expensive example but its got loads of good bits fitted, wouldnt mind having a blast in it!!
http://www.lancerregister.com/showthread.php?t=480975

Strell

iTrader: (1)

Yeah the recaros in the Corsa are really nice, you can get them for the Clio and the F1 thats has been mentioned have them as standard (horrible wear issues on them, but can be forgiven)

belewski1984

iTrader: (1)

Well if u like the corsa get the sri same engine as the vxr just a different map and mod as u like that what I did as the insurance was half the price. I sold my 09 Sri with 32k on for 5k so u should be able to pic a good 1 up for ur budget

sens3i

iTrader: (1)

A good firned of mine has bough a corsa VXR Nurburgring edition, Not too bad.... Though its running a stage 3 map/tune with supporting mods = 260bhp.... its quick but doesnt provide enough thrill for me.. Dash is all plastic and the window buttons are designed for blind people they are that big....

But between the two id take the corsa.