Clio 197

[forza2.0]

Like the look of these and the 2nd hand price they are selling for. However as its a renault im worried about the reliability side of things. I have heard some right horror stories with renault customer service and reliability.

Also are they safe cars and whats it like to drive. Anyone driven the 197 and the cooper S to give some feedback?

 

[Jim Prower]

What's wrong with the SEAT? I mean, It's only two years old (looking at your sig,) and I'd think it'd be fine...

 

[forza2.0]

What's wrong with the SEAT? I mean, It's less than a year old (looking at your sig,) and I'd think it'd be fine...

I and a few of my friends reckon the car is jinxed by the amount of accidents its been in with me not even having owned it for a year. Also whilst its a competent car at driving fast its rear suspension setup hinders it and it is a very old chassis now. Cars such as the Clio 197 and the mini cooper S are in another league when it comes to road holding and composure.

The new ibiza will be out in early 2009 hopefully running the updated audi A1 chassis but then I would probably still have to wait another 6 months to a year before the hot hatch version comes out.

I want to get the clio 197 and keep it for about a year to a year and half when I will then move onto something really fast.

 

[Jim Prower]

I dont' see why you can't just keep this one around for another year and a half, but if you really want something that badly...well, why not? It's your money.

 

[Joey D]

I have a R56 Cooper but I've drove the R56 Cooper S a couple times when I was test driving cars or simply waiting at the dealership for service (the Mini dealer doesn't care if you ask to take something for a spin). The Cooper S has a little bit of torque steer but it's not unruly like some other hot hatches. The handling is awesome though, I have honestly never driven another car that offers the same amount of fun as well as grip. Granted it's no Lotus, but for a small hatchback it is great.

Anyone who says they are underpowered has no idea what they are talking about, the car is very light and moves quite nicely with the 178hp. The new turbocharged engine is fairly smooth with the 6spd manual, but the 6spd auto on the S isn't all that great considering it is better suited for the base Cooper. But if 178hp isn't enough for you then there is always the John Cooper Works parts that can be installed and warranted by the dealer. They do everything from engine upgrades to suspension to brakes.

They have decent fuel mileage as well and they are surprisingly roomy inside. Like I said I don't have the S but I do have a Cooper and can answer questions you might have. Are you thinking about a new R56 or and older R50 one?

 

[Tornado]

I would say the Clio. I doubt it loses out too much in the fun side of things compared to the Mini, and will likely be cheaper as well. Tough by "Clio 197" I'm not sure if you mean the new Clio or the old one.

 

[Keef]

...mini cooper S...composure.

What the heck are you talking about? The new S is about as composed as a skateboard with truck bolts torqued as tight as they'll go.

...I would probably still have to wait another 6 months to a year before the hot hatch version comes out.

Just being curious, but are you more interested in making your own hot hatch or buying the whole, new car?

I want to get the clio 197 and keep it for about a year to a year and half when I will then move onto something really fast.

And I also don't understand why you'd buy a brand new car and keep it for a year. Also, why get a "really fast" car when you can make the Clio fast? Obviously if you can afford to buy new cars all the time you can afford a few tuning parts.

EDIT: Btw, the 197 is officially the only new car I actually want. It's awesomely more-pure-than-any-other-new-car pure.

 

[Scaff]

If you are serious about a fast Clio then the current 197 is not what you want to go for, in the 3rd gen the Clio has put on quite a bit of weight and it does hamper the 197.

What you want to find (and it will hold its value far better) is one of these....

...the Clio Renaultsport 182 Trophy, easily the finest hot Clio made. Seriously silly value for money as well, given the uprated Sachs dampers than came as standard.

A standard 'hot' Clio will walk all over the Seat, this thing is a step above them (but they did only make 500 Trophy's); that aside I would personally go for a 182 over a 197. Not only will you save money, but any problems will already have been dealt with by the original owners. Its a better drivers car than the 197 as well, as the weight increase has blunted the car (yes I have driven one).


Scaff

 

[YSSMAN]

I love my Renaults, quite strange really, when I've never seen one in person before. While I do love that Clio to death, wouldn't the Megane R26 be that much better? Or is it really expensive over the Clio (I'll admit that I don't have a clue...).

One car that I had seen on the interwebz a while back was the new 207 GTi from Peugeot. I liked the look of the car, but I hear the performance isn't quite up to snuff. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that uses the MINI Cooper S engine, no? Can't be that bad of a car...

 

[Keef]

I love my Renaults, quite strange really, when I've never seen one in person before. While I do love that Clio to death, wouldn't the Megane R26 be that much better? Or is it really expensive over the Clio (I'll admit that I don't have a clue...).

I would assume that the R26, since it's bigger, would also be heavier and therefore less fun.

 

[kimkafwan]

I love my Renaults, quite strange really, when I've never seen one in person before. While I do love that Clio to death, wouldn't the Megane R26 be that much better? Or is it really expensive over the Clio (I'll admit that I don't have a clue...).

The best clio imo was the clio williams edition 👍
The megane is not bad but too ugly and it's not the same kind of car.

One car that I had seen on the interwebz a while back was the new 207 GTi from Peugeot. I liked the look of the car, but I hear the performance isn't quite up to snuff. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that uses the MINI Cooper S engine, no? Can't be that bad of a car...

GTi spirit is no more since the 205. The mini has a better platform.

 

[YSSMAN]

That'll be the 207 GTi right there... I remember hearing it was a bit on the heavy side, kinda expensive too...

Either way, the REAL GTI will always have my vote.

 

[Tornado]

What does Maserati have to do with anything?

 

[Scaff]

The best clio imo was the clio williams edition 👍
The megane is not bad but too ugly and it's not the same kind of car.

While the Williams was indeed the king of the old school hot hatches, in comparison to the 182, and the Trophy in particular, its a lot slower and does give away quite a bit dynamically.

The Megane R26 (looks aside) is a great car to drive, but as you say is a totally different car.


Regards

Scaff

 

[Joey D]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but that uses the MINI Cooper S engine, no? Can't be that bad of a car...

Yes it is the same engine. It's called the Prince I believe.

 

[Philly]

I and a few of my friends reckon the car is jinxed by the amount of accidents its been in with me not even having owned it for a year. Also whilst its a competent car at driving fast its rear suspension setup hinders it and it is a very old chassis now. Cars such as the Clio 197 and the mini cooper S are in another league when it comes to road holding and composure.

Uhhh. Learn to drive? Surely it can't be all the car's fault for being in accidents.

I love my Renaults, quite strange really, when I've never seen one in person before. While I do love that Clio to death, wouldn't the Megane R26 be that much better? Or is it really expensive over the Clio (I'll admit that I don't have a clue...).

From the Top Gear segment on the car I learned that it is priced a couple thousand pounds over the GTI. But it has way more power, might even handle better and will give you a race car experience complete with loads of wheelspin.

Either way, the REAL GTI will always have my vote.

:tup:👍 the only complaint I have about it drive wise is the acceleration at very high speeds. It's fast, but could be faster.

 

[daan]

Uhhh. Learn to drive? Surely it can't be all the car's fault for being in accidents.

There are accidents where other people hit you. 💡 If that happens quite a lot, then the obvious thing to do is to change the common factor, your seemingly jinxed car.

 

[forza2.0]

There are accidents where other people hit you. 💡 If that happens quite a lot, then the obvious thing to do is to change the common factor, your seemingly jinxed car.

Hit the nail on the head there. Havent had the car for a year yet and so far 4 people have managed to run into my car whilst stationary.

My GF doesnt feel safe in my car anymore and after having had a go in a R50 mini cooper S I really wanted to go out and buy one as I think they are great little cars. The clio however gets the nod just ahead of the mini due to more favourable 2nd hand prices.

If you are serious about a fast Clio then the current 197 is not what you want to go for, in the 3rd gen the Clio has put on quite a bit of weight and it does hamper the 197.

I would definetly go out and get one of the last gen clio hot hatches if it wasnt for some of the horror stories I have heard about them regarding reliability and build quality. Im not sure I have enough faith in renault to buy a clio that was not in warranty. Also im not too sure how the clio would hold up if I was to be involved in serious accident of some sort.

What the heck are you talking about? The new S is about as composed as a skateboard with truck bolts torqued as tight as they'll go.

As hatchbacks go I would say the mini cooper s is extremely composed when pushed.

And I also don't understand why you'd buy a brand new car and keep it for a year. Also, why get a "really fast" car when you can make the Clio fast? Obviously if you can afford to buy new cars all the time you can afford a few tuning parts.

I wouldnt buy a clio brand new. I would get a model that is about 1 year old with around 10,000 miles for £10-11 grand. Making the clio faster would be extremely expensive and hard due to it being NA. Not interested in modifying the car anyhow apart from a sound system.

have a R56 Cooper but I've drove the R56 Cooper S a couple times when I was test driving cars or simply waiting at the dealership for service (the Mini dealer doesn't care if you ask to take something for a spin). The Cooper S has a little bit of torque steer but it's not unruly like some other hot hatches. The handling is awesome though, I have honestly never driven another car that offers the same amount of fun as well as grip. Granted it's no Lotus, but for a small hatchback it is great.

Anyone who says they are underpowered has no idea what they are talking about, the car is very light and moves quite nicely with the 178hp. The new turbocharged engine is fairly smooth with the 6spd manual, but the 6spd auto on the S isn't all that great considering it is better suited for the base Cooper. But if 178hp isn't enough for you then there is always the John Cooper Works parts that can be installed and warranted by the dealer. They do everything from engine upgrades to suspension to brakes.

They have decent fuel mileage as well and they are surprisingly roomy inside. Like I said I don't have the S but I do have a Cooper and can answer questions you might have. Are you thinking about a new R56 or and older R50 one?

I have to agree with you 100% the mini is a truley great car and I do not think its underpowered at all. If I was to get the mini I think it would be the R50 I would get.

While I do love that Clio to death, wouldn't the Megane R26 be that much better?

Its too big for my needs tbh.

 

[MustangSVT]

A bit off-topic, but I've driven the Megane R26 (a friend's) when I was on vacation this winter, and it's really a heck of a car. It appeared to handler nicer than my own Lancer GTS and I like the looks as well. Judging by the Megane, I'd assume Renault put quite some work into the Clio 197 as well, so that's probably a good car as well (jugding from how good the Megane is).

 

[Scaff]

I would definetly go out and get one of the last gen clio hot hatches if it wasnt for some of the horror stories I have heard about them regarding reliability and build quality. Im not sure I have enough faith in renault to buy a clio that was not in warranty. Also im not too sure how the clio would hold up if I was to be involved in serious accident of some sort.

While I can understand the worries about a used Clio, they are honestly no worse that the majority of comparable cars in that price/size bracket (i.e. better than an Alfa and not as good as a VW). Given a short time on the web I could find you horror stories about most cars. Buy carefully with a full service history and keep in mind that most Renaults have a 3 year warranty and if pushed the Customer Service department does like helping (as long as the car has dealer service history.

In regard to safety in an accident, are you actually aware of Renault's recent track history with car safety? The 2nd gen Clio (2000 onwards) got a 4 star EuroNCAP rating....

http://www.euroncap.com/tests/renault_clio_2000/64.aspx

..which at the time was the maximum score (which also means it scores as well as your current car). I know people argue that manufacturers engineer cars to do well in these tests, and that may be the case, but its still a solid set of crash tests to conduct.

Renault are pretty much at the forefront of both passive and active safety developments, quite honestly I'd be happy to be in a Renault in an accident (I'd be happier to avoid the accident in the first place - but you know what I mean).

Regards

Scaff