Hi All...

Thinking of chopping in my WRX for a clio 172..

does anyone here own one..?? Any info would be much appreciated

Thanks.

James

 

I think druddle has one...

 

Dont know much about them but a work colleague is selling one if you decide to go for it.

 

A guy on the Evo forum has one (clio 172) he is having major problems with it at the moment.

InsBro

 

Why not try a late 306GTi-6
They can be had very cheap and with a little extra expense the low end torque delivery can be sorted and you have a very nice car indeed. Plus more roomy than 172.
PS I should know I used to have one :-)

 

Yes chiark is right, I have an Iceberg Silver mk2 Clio 172.

It had a couple of problems from new (lumpy engine, timing belt was replaced) but i am well pleased with it. It has 7300 miles on now and it really does go like a rocket. It handles very well, brakes are good (but do fade under continuous heavy braking) and the engine has loads of power. I put a induction kit and it give more power in low gears too.

I can heartily recommend one, its a bargain for 15500 quid. You can get them for as little as 13000 from import places (try Litchfield Imports), and now they have traction and stablilty control as standard. I can get 39 mpg on motorway runs (sorry scooby people !!) and 30ish on normal driving.

Try looking at www.cliosport.net theres loads of info there too.

Dave

 

thanks for the replies..

I was thinking about a GTI-6 as well... I have heard a lot of people raving about them, not mention Richard meaden (and lets face it, if anyone knows - he does..!!)

Keep the info coming...

I should imagine they slide nicely as well.. before the Scoob, i had a 1.9 GTI..

J

 

Dont forget the Honda Civic Typr R. I went for a test drive on Saturday and its excellent. Looks nice, very distinctive, 17" alloys, bucket seats, 200bhp ans all for £15500!!

Bargain,

MS

 

New WRX is only £19780 on the road from Listers at the moment includes metallic. Add £900 aircon to the civic and its not looking such a bargain.

 

Except its nearly 2 seconds quicker 0-100 than the new WRX and can do 40mpg on normal unleaded...

 

Martin.. my best mate has Type R.. and it is nice..

The problem is I need a car which is cheap to run for a year or two as we've just move house.. I can then go and get an Evo 6 or similar...... My current WRX just uses too much fuel, etc....!!!

 

I went for a test drive in a Civic type R on saturday, got quoted £1300 for air con, final price was nearer £18'000 than £16'000. If you are interested in a Clio 172 their is a mint one for sale in the Private sale section.

 

The Civic Type R IS cheap to run. It can do 35-40 mpg on 95 Ron and only needs servicing once a year. If you are sensible, you can import a brand new RHD model from Europe for about £12-13K, and you don't stand to lose too much money on depreciation as it is a limited production model. Renault's lose **** loads in depreciation I'm afraid and do go wrong often. Honda's are the most reliable car on the road, that is a fact!

Anyway, just an idea, the only more expensive area of ownership than the Renault is going to be insurance, but in general they're a doddle to run.

Cheers,

MS

 

GTi-6, GTi-6..................
Cheap to run?
How about 35mpg on the M-way.
Fixed service costs with 20,000 mile main interval.
Cheap insurance group (15/16, I was paying only £372 27 Full NCB)
Fun, well yes, loads!
Other nice thing is it's wolf in sheep's clothing appeal. Since the demise of the 306, nearly all look similar to the GTi.

 

Or alternatively you could buy my minted 206 GTI for less than £11k

Same servicing arrangements as the 306, but insurance group 14 and it still has nearly 2 years warranty left.

See my for sale post for more detail

 

Looking at my UserName, you can probably guess what I drive! A mk2 Clio 172 the same as druddle's.
I've done just over 3000 miles in it & I'm well chuffed with it. It's more than quick enough for me & it handles brilliantly - lift off oversteer aplenty!
As druddle mentioned, the brakes can fade, but only after some serious abuse.
I thought I had druddle's timing belt problem just a few days after I picked up my car, but it turned out to be nothing more than a squeaky alternator belt! No other problems so far.
I got mine from Northern Car Imports in Leeds for a little over £11,500 - performance bargain of the year I think. Mine doesn't have traction or stability control & I don't think it needs it. It's fun to drift round corners & wheelspin is only a factor in the wet.
I average about 32mpg, but it did drop as low as 21mpg on one run!
I have taken the 172 on the tour of Derbyshire, NM6 & to Wales with the evo magazine forum. I have had no trouble at all 'keeping up' with any Scoobies, so don't worry about being hounded by any pesky WRXs!
For the money (if you import one) I can't think of a new car that offers so much fun. It's cheaper to insure, service & run than a Scooby too. And a damn site less common!
I'm not saying it's better than a Scooby, as I'm sure that would upset you lot, just don't discount a 172 as a credible alternative for those of us with slightly lighter wallets.
If you want to see the 172 in action, I should be bringing it to the Lake District re-run on 2/12/01. Hope to see you there!

Jon*

*Now with added Va Va Voom

 

.. sounds good....

I can still take it on the Clang - N Ball then...!!!

James

 

I think my sister has one either that or the one down... I'm getting old and the memory fades on fine details.

Handles like a demon, very responsive and stacks of power. I had a great time with it though she was very quiet. So much fun in such a little package... Can remember the drive I was grinning when I got out of the seat.

Give her credit, she got in my Scoob and gave it a go as well. I wasn't so quiet! Well all I said was she should wait for the engine to warm up before really going for it and four times through a railway bridge was a little excessive!

 

The old Williams was much better. The most reactive car i've ever had.

 

I've got an old copy of Autocar here... 31 Jan 2001
Its got an article titled cheap, fast fun. Theres a road test of Clio 172 v K plate Porsce 968 Club Sport v P Reg Scooby WRX STi Wagon.

Overall winner is the Scoob based on practicality, driving, performance and residual values.

Only one downside (other than fuel economy)... and I quote....
"Take heed of this warning, though. Apparantly Impreza owners are among the most **** and obsessive you'll find. Buy this grey import and you might find yourself in a pub in 10 or 15 years time tslking about the niceties of torque split and brembo brakes. Impreza ownership could make you boring."

hmmmmm - what COULD they mean!!!!

 

How about the Golf TDI 150 Andy Tang is looking at if you want cheap(ish) with a bit of go?

Read somewhere residuals of Clio are dire especially on imports, Golf would almost certainly cost you less over the time frame you are talking about taking residuals and running costs into account even if the initial outlay may be higher.

Regards

CS

 

11.5K for a 172, blimey thats good, you can import a new CTR with Air con/Met paint for 13K.

I have driven both and they are pretty much the same performance wise. I love Hondas so i would say get a CTR.

If you imported one like Mr 172, the Renault would be the best, that would leave at least 3.5K towards your next Turbo car.

 

My wife's got a 172. Loves it. Pretty quick (not scooby quick) - nervous handling (feels like it will swap ends) on a spirited drive on bumpy country lanes. And feckin' funny when somebody tries a little race ;-) Far more stealth than a scooby. There's noithing really to give it away from the back. There's only a 2.0 16V on the side to give a hint. The RenualtSport badge on the back is the same as on the 1.2 "sport"

 

I have a lot of fun in mine.

I'm not sure I agree about it being twitchy. I don't really have much to compare it to, because the only car I've driven extensively is the car I previously owned, a 106 GTi.
The 106 was much more willing to get its **** out, which can be fun when you're expecting it, but not much fun if you're not!

I would wholeheartedly recommend you get a 172. I can't really add that much to what has already been said, except that I added and aftermarket exhaust (tube torque) which made the car feel much better.

Andy.

p.s. Oh yeah, on the down side Renault dealers aren't the best!

 

Captain Sensible has a point... Golf PD 150 looks good:

50mpg?
Low depreciation?
Probably the quickest 'real world' Golf?
Insurance? Well, PD 130 is grp 10, and insurers seem to still have a blind spot over 'performance' diesels, so grp 12?

It will cost you more in the first place, haven't seen any import prices yet, but ~ £15K?

Also there's likely to be huge demand, so it may take a while to get one....

 

Captain Sensible has a point... Golf PD 150 looks good:

50mpg?
Low depreciation?
Probably the quickest 'real world' Golf?
Insurance? Well, PD 130 is grp 10, and insurers seem to still have a blind spot over 'performance' diesels, so grp 12?

It will cost you more in the first place, haven't seen any import prices yet, but ~ £15K?

Also there's likely to be huge demand, so it may take a while to get one....

 

Captain Sensible has a point... Golf PD 150 looks good:

50mpg?
Low depreciation?
Probably the quickest 'real world' Golf?
Insurance? Well, PD 130 is grp 10, and insurers seem to still have a blind spot over 'performance' diesels, so grp 12?

It will cost you more in the first place, haven't seen any import prices yet, but ~ £15K?

Also there's likely to be huge demand, so it may take a while to get one....

 

Isn't the Clio a girls car?

 

...or even a girls hairdressers car. Anyone for a shampoo and set

Dave

 

With the scooby now sold..
I've just purchased a 172 and i am looking forward to some fun in it (don't think it will match the scooby but it is economical)and will trust my bird in it aswell

And i paid a good price for it

Gazza