182 trophy

[jhtrophy]

You'd be likely to get a 197 for Trophy money, too, so it'd be worth trying one of those as well. More room and a more grown up feel to the tin can mk2 cars.

197 are more grown up but the worst clio in recent years in terms of driving.

[simonp]

In your opinion, of course. There's still no harm in trying one if it's within budget, though.

[Matthew.]

Must admit the 197's on coilovers and spacers do look stunning.... 

[jhtrophy]

In your opinion, of course. There's still no harm in trying one if it's within budget, though.

no harm at all, not really just my opinion to be fair, most people including renaultsport themselves, the 197 feels much better built than 172/182 but i cant see the point in a grown up clio to be honest, that bit is my opinion

[tony_danza]

A 197 has to have a Cup chassis, and then it's out of your budget. The 200 is leagues ahead of both.

[jhtrophy]

A 197 has to have a Cup chassis, and then it's out of your budget. The 200 is leagues ahead of both.

slightly biased the funny thing is that the current 200 is not that much faster or any more fun than the mk1 172 from 10 years ago, the reason lots of people are buying the 200 is due to build quality, image and puplicity that came with the r26r.

[simonp]

The 200 with Cup chassis is superb at cornering. It corners so much flatter than a 197 Cup. Saw one on slicks at a track day at Bedford and it was running rings round some some big boys' toys inc. 911's and GTR's.

[MAT ED30]

Mate of jhtrophys races them ie the new ones and his mate fixes em so between them I think they know these cars inside out.

[edd666999]

the 172 doesnt have traction control...or is it abs it doesnt have?


i think the 182 with the (think this is what they have been calling it) "Full fat cup pack" and trophy seats is what im looking for.

and i need to make sure the cam belt is done too as i think thats an expensive task

then my mrs has reminded me about the cupra r's  i always liked them.

[MAT ED30]

Full fat has all the toys and the cup not cup packed car has no abs or traction control and is 20kg lighter too and has nothing good inside even the stereo is crap.

[MAT ED30]

Oh and check the engine mounts and exhaust hangers at the back. Engine mounts is easy just grab the back of the engine and rock it back and forth you will see the engine mount move if it's got play in it and for the exhaust just grab the tips and see underneath if you can and look at the hangers

[Sunglasses Ron]

I shall be getting a 172 Cup in the next year or so for my cheap track toy.. The 'proper' Cup version IMO.. 

[tony_danza]

A 197 has to have a Cup chassis, and then it's out of your budget. The 200 is leagues ahead of both.

slightly biased the funny thing is that the current 200 is not that much faster or any more fun than the mk1 172 from 10 years ago, the reason lots of people are buying the 200 is due to build quality, image and puplicity that came with the r26r.

Absolutely, but the 200 is only an evolution of the 197 anyways - so it stands to reason they've made it a bit better as time's gone by. I drove a few 197s with the intention of going balls out on a cheaper car, and they just weren't good enough.. I'd rather have a 1*2 for that purpose.

I totally agree about it being no quicker or more fun either, they've had a great recipe for a long time with the Clio.

[Sunglasses Ron]

I remember driving the 197 when it first came out and was left totally deflated and underwhelmed   Just seemed to make an awful lot of noise and didn't sem to go anywhere   I had a CTR at the time too, so was use to NA power. The 200 (although i've not had the chance to drive one) seems a total different kettle of fish from what I have heard/read/seen.
Like all Renaultsports though,  you should never by the brand new model. As within a year or 2 Renault will always add a 'better', 'special addition' model to the range and leave you wanting to find a little bloke and have a fight..  

[tony_danza]

Ha ha! Deffo going to happen, so long as it isn't a R26.R style version, I'll just have to suck it up!

I think the 200 is due a swan song edition soon though, I believe the emissions Police are going to finally kill that engine soon and it'll be F/I for the next gen.