The 200 is better in my opinion but the cost difference between a good 197 and a new 200 could be as much as 7 grand. Take the interest payments on a loan and that would be over easily 12 grand difference. Best option 2 year old 200 around 12 grand. The 200 wont be around long imo. Facelift clio was a rush job to keep corporate look of current models. If you consider all the other ranges e.g the Megane, completely different car to previous model. Renault was lazy with the latest gen of clio. Pretty much same car, retained most of the body parts including wings and thats why the front looks like an add on and dont fit. Same engine, interior mainly different cloth, small improvement to suspension and gearing in gearbox. The right changes to make it better but not enough imo to justify taking new money off 197 owners??
Next clio will be different but the on going problem is not making it too powerful to impact on Megane RS sales, so expect same power, just maybe delivered in a different way.