Massively torn...

[rich27]

Over the last few weeks I've been considering my options car wise. As much as I love the clio, it's not a practical commuter car. I don't think the recaros are doing my back any good. Then there's all the things I knew when I bought it, gearings a bit short so it's noisy/thirsty, rides very firm etc. Also the fact the I'm so paranoid about the sides of the seats getting in and out every day.

So I've been looking around for something a bit more comfortable to replace it in the same price range. But I went for a long drive in the country today following some mates in a M5 and an M3 and oh my god I love this car! it's just so much fun.

I really don't know what I'm going to replace it with. Anyone else had a similar crisis of faith? I've pretty much accepted that I'm selling up, my experience commuting is overwelming the time i spend enjoying it. But I test drove a TFSI A3 today and it just seemed soulless in comparison.

 

[Willis]

Oh yeah, I've had a couple.

1; Last May - Megane Trophy. All original, FRSH, would've saved me money on the monthly payments but I got cold feet at the eleventh hour.

2; Last Week - Pug' 207 GTi/Suzuki Swift Sport. Less to run and insure, clear my finance with P/X so less outgoings per month there too and still fun.

But, I've spent a fair bit on the Clio now and she's more than halfway to how I want her to be in the end. So chopping her in now would only mean I'd be starting from scratch as whatever I replaced her with would have to be as fun and wouldn't stay standard for long. I'd constantly be comparring whatever it was to Nicole and if it wasn't better I'd either kick myself or spend a fortune making it better.

Keep the Clio mate, enjoy her for what she is. She's not cheap, she's not always comfy, buy my God she's a good car.

 

[philmots]

How long's your commute out of interest? Mine's only 8 mile each way so it's no issue. All back roads too ;-)

Have you thought about (in the morning) leaving just 5 minutes earlier and taking it a bit more steady? Sitting at 60 on the motorway they're really economical!

 

[Matt197]

You are definitely not alone, lots of people appear to keep the car a year then change for various reasons.

I have had mine since new (4 years) and I am now bored of the car, to hard to drive smooth when not going for it so I am changing to either an Audi TTS or 370z in the next year. I was thinking of a Meg 230 when I had the car a year but decided it was not worth loosing so much money so stayed with the Clio.

 

[rich27]

I guess I'm in a slightly different position. I haven't spent anything on modifications and only had her about 8 months. I did fork out for the 5 year service last month but i'd long accepted that was coming and that's all shes cost me to run.

I'm not sure I could have resisted a Megane Trophy if I could afford it!

Three trains of thought really...

Stick with. But as I said unfortunately I'm struggling to enjoy the experience as a whole.

Big and comfier. I've been looking at saloon sized things which means 3.0l+ to get the same level of go. It's going to be an older car but hopefully better experience overall seeing as most the time I'm just chugging along in traffic, with the occasional blast.

Smaller and cheeper. I'd just have to deal with a lesser car. Was also looking a Swifts, not driven anything yet though. At least the I'd have more left over cash and my back would probably stay in one piece.

My commute's 18 miles (17 miles on the motorway) each way so not too bad, and tbh I can live with the fuel costs. I think comfort is the main issue really.

 

[Willis]

I'll swap you my nice FF seats for your Recaros then.

 

[Bux]

I've been having the same thoughts lately, but I just can't bring myself to sell the clio.
My daily commute (I do lift share on a couple days) is a 52 mile round trip, with no motorways...
I was looking at something bigger to replace it with and had been looking at Audi A5 3.0 TDI Quattro's, but I just can't bring myself to spend a load more on a car that i won't have as much fun in as in the clio.

 

[rich27]

Lol I did wonder how long it would take for someone to suggest that.

 

[rich27]

Ouch that's quite a drive every day. I could quite easily spend more and find something exciting but just can't afford it. And unfortunately I don't have the balls to buy something crazy fun with high mileage.

 

[philmots]

I find the Clio quite comfortable tbh. No worse than any other 'sporty' car i've had.. 330 Sports, ST220, Meggy etc etc

What cars have you had before it?

 

[smiler]

keep it!!

i had an RB brand new for 2 years until some stupid woman smashed into the front end..

i got rid of her and have regretted it ever since the next 3 cars i owned just didnt compare

so i brought another

 

[Makila]

Hows about saving up and swapping into a clio 200 without cup suspension? Gearings slightly better, suspension slightly softer, and its still more fun than you can shake a stick at

 

[STROTT]

Hows about saving up and swapping into a clio 200 without cup suspension? Gearings slightly better, suspension slightly softer, and its still more fun than you can shake a stick at

My thoughts aswell!!

 

[Azza]

Or alternatively if you can afford it why don't you reduce your yearly mileage on the Clio to 5k or less which will bring your insurance down and buy a run-around for work commutes. For example a 106 1.1 will do 40mpg all day long + cheap tax & insurance. The Clio will feel amazing in comparison when you do drive it so win win!

 

[RalphyBMW]

I have said it before and will say it again, is a 197 really special enough to be a weekends only garage queen?

 

[DrDx]

I read this with interest; I had a 2007 full fat RS197 and I sold it because it was proving expensive to run and I wanted more refinement... I bought a BMW 325ci M-Sport which was a great car but I couldn't stand the stigma of ownership and the running costs were frightening... So I went mad and bought a diesel Alfa Romeo MiTo that was going to be the answer to all my problems... A year later I have purchased a full fat RS200 with cup chassis and I love it... The moral of this tale is think very carefully before selling up!! Oh! And for the record I have a round trip commute of 75 miles a day, at least 4 days a week....

 

[clewsey]

Over the last few weeks I've been considering my options car wise. As much as I love the clio, it's not a practical commuter car. I don't think the recaros are doing my back any good. Then there's all the things I knew when I bought it, gearings a bit short so it's noisy/thirsty, rides very firm etc. Also the fact the I'm so paranoid about the sides of the seats getting in and out every day.

So I've been looking around for something a bit more comfortable to replace it in the same price range. But I went for a long drive in the country today following some mates in a M5 and an M3 and oh my god I love this car! it's just so much fun.

I really don't know what I'm going to replace it with. Anyone else had a similar crisis of faith? I've pretty much accepted that I'm selling up, my experience commuting is overwelming the time i spend enjoying it. But I test drove a TFSI A3 today and it just seemed soulless in comparison.

Whilst I find the 200 a fantastic car on track or on B-Roads I couldn't live with it day-to-day if it was my only car. Depends on your budget but you how about a Cayman (used) for a reasonably good price now (even an S). If you buy wisely you'll get a car which can actually be serviced at a good price by a specialist every couple of years, is comfortable on long trips, lovely to drive slow or quickly. Don't say it's not a real Porsche unless you've driven one

Otherwise I'd imagine a Megane would offer more comfort than than the Clio if you want to remain in the family.

Lots

 

[Gez]

My daily commute to work is 25 miles each way.

All 'B' roads. It's a lovely drive. Can appreciate the roads in my 200

 

[Roy]

Keep it simples:001_tt1:
Don't use it for a week then go do what a lot do throw it round some B roads with plenty of Twistys then you will remember why you bought it

 

[rich27]

One reply to all seeing as I took so long...

The only cars I've had prior are a L'reg Micra and a Corsa C. Did a fair bit of commuting in the Corsa for 4 years and was actually very comfortable, sport has come as a bit of a shock. But I think/hope I can achieve sporty and comfortable.

There's a lot of bias towards keeping but you lot would say that! My minds made up now she's on autotrader :eek: I though I'd leave it to fate as to whether I get any interest.

I'd really like a 200, didn't like them at first however they've grown on me. But I need something which costs less than £8k.

I've thought about getting a cheep second run around but driving a bog standard car again isn't for me, spent too many years doing that already. If I was to do it the weekend car would have to be something a bit more ridiculous... TVR etc.

I may well come full circle back to a Clio, maybe by then I'll be able to get a MK4. I did a tiny little sex wee at the sight of those latest pictures. Any more careful thinking about selling up and I think I'll go mad.

Unfortunately I'm more at the Boxster end of the scale as much as I'm sure I'd like a Cayman and a Megane is on my consideration list.

I do kind of wish I had a B road commute. Which is what I was getting at to begin with. Hadn't been on the B roads for a while and it reminded me of how good it is. But I can't ignore the other 99% of driving I do.