Renault Clio 172

[Rubber Bullets]

Hi,

I've got to the point where I want rid of my Scooby, it's almost 10 years old and is going to start costing big money soon, I can feel it in my water!

So I want something smaller (to fit my garage better), cheaper to fuel, insure, mend etc. and I've only got a small amount of money to spend (just finishing loft conversion). The Scoob is worth about £2.5k p/x, I can't face selling it privately, and I can put another £2k to that. I do still want something with a bit of go to it though.

My choice is limited to say the least.

Peugeot 206 GTi is meant to be shite, the MG ZR 160 is a vague possibility, but with a worse reliability record than renault! Civic Type-R would be fantastic but not available at the money, same goes for Seat Leon or Ibiza Cupras. Don't know about Fiestas that may fir the bill, never been into Fords really.

All up I keep getting left with the Clio 172.

Do I remember right that Big G had one? And liked it well enough?

Are there any other useful suggestions?

BTW Tom, I know Jebus hates shopping trolleys, but just at this point that is exactly what I need , I really need the space in the garage.

RB

 

[mank!]

i drive a clio, it's a diesel, costs £35 to tax for 12 months, 60mpg+ and it's fairly nippy for a 1.5.

i do 200+ miles a week for work alone, i put £40 of diesel in once a fortnight.

cost £3.3k, 54 plate.

i'd recommend a clio to anyone but i expect the majority will disagree

 

[Kryten]

No idea why you think the ZR has a reliability issue - certainly no more than any other vehicle on the road. Trouble is with the 160, they're still bought by a load of old codgers who drive at 30mph even on motorways, when they've got a K series engine built to widthstand constant running at 3000k+ revs. And no, the head gasket isn't likely to pop, any more so than any other car. Last HG repair I did was on a shitty (and only 3 year old) Pug.

Lovely car, IMO.

 

[Rubber Bullets]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I like the look of the ZR, I think it was some reliability survey or something Kryt that gave me that impression, nothing more concrete, so I'm interested in your opinion.

I'm probably going to try a Clio tomorrow, but will try to find a ZR as well.

RB

Edit

Might look at this one, it's shiny.

 

[Wij]

Clios break own constantly. 2 workmates have them and they constantly tell me there's always something wrong with them.

Go Honda/Nissan/Mazda, even *spit* Toyota

Focuses are reliable too.

 

[Kryten]

Not at all a bad looker (that ZR) and if it's got a VVC block in it is has been modified from original so that might affect insurance premiums.
Despite what I said, like all cars you have to be careful - so when you look, make sure you check the coolant header tank to ensure it's not full of oil or little copper flakes (meaning it's been bodged to sell). One thing I like about the Rover 200 series and the ZR's is that they feel like bigger cars than they actually are.

But going further on Wij's thoughts the Focus's are nice motors and oddly reliable - just a bit bigger and not quite as sporty.

 

[Bodhi]

The ZR 160 has the VVC block as standard, I'd still avoid them however as the K-series is notorious for blowing headgaskets - at least check for milky white residue in the filler cap. A friend has a ZS 120, it alright I guess, the interior feels a bit low rent though, and that's coming from a Fiat driver. Not sure about the Clio either, supposed to be a great drive, but you'll be continually finding bits of trim in the footwells.

If it was me I'd be looking at 106 GTI's (standard of course), Punto HGT's (more reliable than you'd think, just don't buy one with a heavy clutch pedal like I did). MX-5's / MR2's are also good bets, not exactly huge and will be a darn sight more reliable than the Clio/MG.

However if I had 4.5K to spend on something fun I'd have this Fiat : 1999 Fiat Coupe 20Valve Turbo

They still make me wet.

 

[TdC]

Fiat : 1999 Fiat Coupe 20Valve Turbo

yes, I love them also

 

[Aada]

I always go with Honda so realiable i had my last Honda 10 years before i got my Type R and it never ever broke down once or had any problems.

My gf bought a brand new Fiat 2 years back and has endless problems with it.

 

[Wazzerphuk]

Don't get a French car. You will curse yourself forever if you do.

 

[throdgrain]

Don't get a French car. You will curse yourself forever if you do.

Wise words, heed them carefully.

 

[DaGaffer]

I used to have a Clio 16v and it never skipped a beat, ditto my ex's Megane. The only truly unreliable cars I've owned have all been Italian...

Now, here's my question - Audi S3 or Audi TT (the new one)?

 

[caLLous]

I'd take the S3 over the TT anyday.

 

[Rubber Bullets]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

The Clio I just tried was a nice drive. You need to work it a lot more than the Scoob, and I was surprised even then that it was noticeably slower, but not too much.

The ZR was sold.

I love the Fiat Coupes, have ever since they came out and I had a Nissan 200SX, a pretty close rival.

Sadly though I need a reasonable back seat for child seat and 6 year old, which kind rules out the MX5 and MR2s as well as the Coupe.

I couldn't find a Punto HGT at the right price anywhere near me.

Audi S3 and TT are both waaaay out of my price range, I'm only buying this as a run around anyway Sharon has the 'family' car.

Talking of which in the 13 years I've known her she has had 3 Citroens and a Fiat and never had a serious problem with any of them. Just lucky I guess.

I had a nice leisurely drive back from seeing the Renault, across Dartmoor, and even though the weather was a bit shite it still made me a bit sad to be saying goodbye to the Impreza, I must be resolute.

RB

 

[old.user4556]

I had a 182.

I will respond with opinions soon, need to dash just now.

Someone post me a "happy birthday thread" while i'm away. Cocks.

 

[Bodhi]

Now, here's my question - Audi S3 or Audi TT (the new one)?

Neither. Next question.

 

[DaGaffer]

Neither. Next question.

In the price range I'm looking at (I'll be leasing), there isn't much else worth having; I don't like the BMW 130, I've had a 330 before, which was alright but everyone hates you if you drive a BM. The Golf R32 is OK, but the bling front end makes me gag, and I've already had a 350Z (and I don't really want something quite so impractical this time which rules out the Z4 coupe as well). Both Audis are fast, well built, fab interiors, and according to the press, handle well. None of the slightly cheaper hot hatches really interest me, so its down to the S3 or the TT or some boring saloon. The only other car I can think of is the Brera, but I don't think I can put myself through Alfa ownership again.

 

[Rubber Bullets]

The only other car I can think of is the Brera, but I don't think I can put myself through Alfa ownership again.

I know what you mean, but it's sad. The Brera is fucking gorgeous.

Surely the unreliability doesn't matter if you're leasing?

RB

 

[DaGaffer]

I know what you mean, but it's sad. The Brera is fucking gorgeous.

Surely the unreliability doesn't matter if you're leasing?

RB

It does when you get stuck by the side of the road with a blown up gearbox, like I did with my GTV (also a lease), or when the cambelt snaps and you have to wait in the freezing rain for the tow truck as I did with my 156 (company car). I prefer to know I've got a fair chance of arriving at my destination these days. But yeah, you're right, despite all that, and the fact that its a bit lardy and slow, the Brera is indeed fucking gorgeous.

 

[Tom]

Mazda MX5. Theres no other car in that price range that offers so much fun, with such stupendous levels of reliability.

 

[Bodhi]

RX-8
Say bollocks to practicality and buy an Elise
Evo IX
Push the boat out and have a VXR8
Go for a loan instead and buy a Lotus Carlton
Golf GTi (same chassis as the TT but doesn't make you look like you're off to see Nicky Clarke)

 

[Bodhi]

Mazda MX5. Theres no other car in that price range that offers so much fun, with such stupendous levels of reliability.

We're not on pistonheads now mate.


Although we do need to know if the car will be used to attempt to take off from a conveyor belt...

 

[DaGaffer]

RX-8
Say bollocks to practicality and buy an Elise
Evo IX
Push the boat out and have a VXR8
Go for a loan instead and buy a Lotus Carlton
Golf GTi (same chassis as the TT but doesn't make you look like you're off to see Nicky Clarke)

RX-8 is just...old, and drinks like a fish.
Elise is out. Like I said, I need at least a bit of practicality, it'll be my only car.
I'd think about the Evo X but its not out until the new year
V8s are out - I live in London and the newt fancying cuntbag is going to charge £24 a day to drive 'em. I don't go into central London very often by car, but when I do I don't fancy the extortion.
Golf GTi doesn't have the same chassis as the TT, not anymore. The TT has been on a bit of a diet and a fair bit lighter than a GTi now. The chassis is all new. I wouldn't have touched the old TT with a bargepole, but I've read good things about this one...

 

[old.user4556]

OK Clio 182:

It's a bitter sweet story for me.

When I got it, I loved it. A brand new car that had loads of kit on it for £12500 brand new and did 0-60 in 6.5 seconds. It handled brilliantly, it was fast, it had xenon headlights, it had alcantara/leather interior, cruise control, it had soft touch plastics, it wasn't too bad on fuel if you kept it "off cam". Absolute bargain pocket rocket.

I loved it.... at first.

And then things started to go wrong. First sign of trouble, the central locking stopped working, then the dash board lit up like a christmas tree at 80 mph, then it broke down altogether after a month, then it started leaking oil, then it creaked on full lock, then it started misfiring in the morning, then it made a knocking noise under full acceleration, then the brake servo developed a problem.

Granted, it was under warranty, but I was NEVER out the dealership. They couldn't find a fault with the misfiring, they just kept telling me no fault found.

Then, after all that and eight months of motoring, the front wheelarch started to come away and scrape on the ground.

I decided that it was time for it to go. Trade in values were shockingly shite, private sales weren't any better. But, I got what I paid for; a cheap as chips French car. Not so much badly made, just cheaply made and very unreliable. I went to BMWs and never looked back. Sorry, I love them. I'd never touch a French car in my life ever again. Total heartbreaker, I here some people have no problem with them, but i'm afraid i did .

I have a BMW 120i sport with the big wheels just now, and although it's not as fast as my 182 (thing it's 0-60 in 8.7 secs or something) the handling is utterly sublime, way better than the 182. The rear wheel drive just makes it, plus all the toys it comes with, but it's a pricey car.

Gaff, I'm thinking the 130i msport for my next car, i absolutely love my 120 even after 18 months... it just needs that 265 bhp slinky straight six and it'll be an absolute peach. Or a Z4 3 litre .

 

[DaGaffer]

Gaff, I'm thinking the 130i msport for my next car, i absolutely love my 120 even after 18 months... it just needs that 265 bhp slinky straight six and it'll be an absolute peach. Or a Z4 3 litre .

I know the 130 is good, I just can't get past the looks. The forthcoming 130 Coupe (or better yet 135) looks a bit better, but...

As it turns out the TT and S3 are both on the company car list at my new job, which would be a lot less hassle than leasing myself. I need to do the tax numbers but the free fuel is still pretty sweet taxwise.

 

[Tom]

We're not on pistonheads now mate.


Although we do need to know if the car will be used to attempt to take off from a conveyor belt...

Allright, if not an MX5, one of these:

YouTube - Lamborghini Countach LP500S
[youtubevid]foDcLUhUKqI[/youtubevid]