confused!

[jam89]

first off jus want to say hi to everybody . iv signed up to the forum as i have been lookin for a while now at getting a 197.I love the way these things look and i also think they are very comfy (sat in one at weekend but didnt drive it).I currently have a fiesta st and i never really set out to get it i just dropped on and got it a bit out of the blue really.sure its fine its nippy and cheapish to run compared to others but i havent really taken to it much. where im confused is alot of cars these days are turboed and im fearing if i get one i will feel again let down.i would mainly be using it for a fast fun road car at first but then wouldnt mind getting on the track. sorry i have ranted on but i really love these clios and want one so much.i thought who else to turn to ....... people who know. so any advise or general coments of what they think of there clio would be much appreciated

 

[Roy]

First of all :welcome:to the site.second you won't never be disappointed if you have a look at Mike thread about his month swap with his 197 and his mates fiesta you will see the comparison :thumbsup:

 

[Willis]

Welcome Jam!!!

Firstly, there's a really good comparrison between an ST and a 197 on here by a memebr named Mike, you might find that a useful read.

Secondly, straight out of the box you will simply not find a more fun car for the money than a 197. They d have to be revved to get the best out of them, there's little power below 4,000RPM, but once you're used to it and you've got into thr groove of holding the gears then you can really have a lot of fun. On track, they'll keep up with stuf two or three times more exotic and expensive.

Servicing costs are pretty decent, Cambelt needs doing at 5Years (regardless of mileage) and you should budget around £500 for that from a specialist. Consumables such as pads and discs aren't overly expensive either considering the standard setup is of course the Brembo 4Pots. Tyres are a funny size (215/45/17) and although readily available the pricing can be a bit odd, but you can always change tyre size if you wanted to anyway I suppose. Some people have suffered with gearbox problems, it's not every car as some might have you think, but unfortunately it's not uncommon.

Running costs will be higher than the ST I imagine, MPG isn't the best, but that's not what they're built for.

The new RS Clio will be a 1.6T, but believe me the NA engine is fantastic.

 

[Roy]

Welcome Jam!!!

Firstly, there's a really good comparrison between an ST and a 197 on here by a memebr named Mike, you might find that a useful read.

Secondly, straight out of the box you will simply not find a more fun car for the money than a 197. They d have to be revved to get the best out of them, there's little power below 4,000RPM, but once you're used to it and you've got into thr groove of holding the gears then you can really have a lot of fun. On track, they'll keep up with stuf two or three times more exotic and expensive.

Servicing costs are pretty decent, Cambelt needs doing at 5Years (regardless of mileage) and you should budget around £500 for that from a specialist. Consumables such as pads and discs aren't overly expensive either considering the standard setup is of course the Brembo 4Pots. Tyres are a funny size (215/45/17) and although readily available the pricing can be a bit odd, but you can always change tyre size if you wanted to anyway I suppose. Some people have suffered with gearbox problems, it's not every car as some might have you think, but unfortunately it's not uncommon.

Running costs will be higher than the ST I imagine, MPG isn't the best, but that's not what they're built for.

The new RS Clio will be a 1.6T, but believe me the NA engine is fantastic.

:-p:-p:-p:-p:-p:-p

 

[Willis]

Great minds Roy, great minds.

 

[Mike]

:welcome: to the site

 

[930Tech]

:welcome: to the site.

They are a great car on the road but as has been said they like revs.

I took mine on track a couple of weeks ago and i loved it again, it turned from a great car to a fantastic car.

 

[197]

Welcome, I'm on my 2nd Clio, a 197 cup and now a full fat 200 with cup chassis. Had a Volvo c30 and a Corsa in between, but always knew I'd come back to a renaultsport, just luv em

 

[Roary197]

Just bought myself a full fat 197 and also have an Audi RS4 and I'm not dissapointed with its get up n go...as mentioned above, outta the box these things are fab. Not always about out n out power as I have discovered with several cars including R32/EP3, the 197. Exploitable power band and go kart agility and racey feel Sure is grin inducing. Handling is cracking aswell as the (losely) race/track inspired background,feel and styling. Was looking at STi's ,ST's ,Cupra R's ,MPS Aero plus others..with a view to remapping whichever i chose..notice that all opposition were turbo charged - BUT ended up chuffnuts with an Albi 197...no turbos and bloat...just pure honest rev happy n/a. Not going to pursue big power mods with chloe as it has more to offer than simple power and torque.

I'm chuffed with my new purchase ;-) and happy to rev its nuts off..
Drive one buddy....

 

[jam89]

thanks everyone for such fast and thorough responses and the welcoming .

willis and roy- i read something mike put on the st forum about the two. it was nice that even though he has a clio he still bigged up the st. the st is good but i love the clio so much.like you say it straight out the box. and also how cool are the key cards n push button lol

930 tech- i do like the fact it has to be revd hard i must admit. i always liked the ek9 type rs and dc2/dc5s too, but they a lil old i think for the money plus nothing has the looks over the clio.

197- its nice to know you came back. was your c30 a t5? what was it like there nice bits of kit too

roary- an rs4 :0 awesome. you bought the clio as a daily drive then? i can imagine the audi makes about 10 per gallon hahaha!chloe hahaha nice work

i have seen an r27 in yellow tonight (possibly the best colour for a car on sale) and that and all your positiveness has convinced me to test drive one so watch this space. i have noticed some have dark headlights is there anyparticular reason, are one xenons and one aint could anyone tell me?

 

[jam89]

well i have done it ........ i test drove a 57reg 197 in ultra red, and it was imense! if im honest i had never even give the red a thought, but when i got there it was gleaming and looked amazing. in so many ways thats a bit poo because that is now another option to consider .to start i think keyless entry and start has to be the most exciting thing in the world (live a very dull life haha).it didnt have the recaros but the standard renaultsports seat are a nice place to be. the steering is wonderfully light and through corners it was sticking like s**t to a blanket.the guy who came out with us was tellin me to go quicker and really push it leading to me bottling it before the car did (wasnt particulally miss daisying) and it still felt very planted. it felt very quick in high revs it picks up in no time and makes a wonderfull song but i love how its quiet when your not goin like the clappers. this is one of the main reasons i want rid of the st. the test drive has certainly stoped any confusion it is deffo a 197 i want its just a shame the place it was was trying to rob me on the deal because otherwise i would of been coming home the owner of an awesome 197 today.