Nearly changed my car today!

[brad197]

During the last couple of weeks , after just over a year of ownership I started to get that urge for something different. Something with a turbo maybe? Think of the torque I thought! I started searching online looking at everything from cupra r's to golf diesels. I didn't want to spend any more money so was looking at similar priced cars.
I found a really nice looking Mini Cooper s with all the extras including a much missed panaramic sunroof! Talked myself in to a test drive so off I went..
First impressions, what a cute looking car! Did I want cute? Not really, the Clio looked like an evil beast next to the little cooper! It was good looking just maybe a little Girly Anyway I pressed on, the dealer let me go for a drive on my own :biggrin: so off I went, straight away I thought wow, what a noise! It was an 05 which is the previous supercharged version rather than the current turbo. A lovely, addictive whine! I started to think I might actually do this! :blink: it was also pretty quick, handled very well and the ride was much better than I expected. I was almost turned. I went back to the dealer, saw my 197, which now looked better than ever! I told the dealer I was going to go away and have a think.
I got back in the 197 and realised that actually the interior is really good (I have a ff btw) not noticed for a while but compared to the mini it looks and feels a class above. I'm comming back to my senses I thought! So I went off down the same country road that I raced the mini down minutes before. Needless to say, I didn't stop, I didn't look back and I still have a massive smile on my face! These cars are first class, there is not much out there that can come close for the money! I have a renewed love for my 197, and I'm treating it to a full Renault service as soon as they can fit me in to aplogise for doubting my amazing car!

 

[Paul]

Well I would call that a convincing win for the Clio! Good little read that mate! :thumbup:

 

[Liambo-201]

Mate, great little read! I think the mini coopers are great cars, great fun, great drive, decent build quality and everything going for it! Can even be mean when wanted too be..

But Clio anyday

 

[Mike]

What a great story!!!

I would totally agree with you on the Mini comments - we had one on our Honeymoon in the Highlands for 2 weeks, and I really was not impressed with it at all - even on those nice big empty roads!!!

 

[RussZS]

Now go and try an R26 lol...

Good write up and I totally agree, the Clio is definitely the most all around capable car in its class (apart from the 200)

 

[DrDx]

I owned a 2004 54 plate Cooper 'S' which I bought from an approved dealer with low miles and yes it was quick - but it was the most rattly, hard-riding and mechanically unreliable piece of junk I've ever owned!! The final straw was failure of the hydraulic engine mount which doused the inner wing with fluid...which is a good paint stripper! I sold it 2 years ago....

I now have a FF RS197 and it is superior in (just about) every way. My only complaint is the lack of low down torque and a feeble exhaust not below 4000rpm... but you can't have everything..... I've already decided it will be traded for a new RS200 as soon as the funds become available!!

 

[brad197]

Cheers for the comments.. Im not saying the mini's are rubbish, just that they helped me realise just how good the 197/200's are!
One car im trying to resist test driving is the new megane rs! Im scared I won't be able to resist ordering one! I just can't afford it.
But with my renewed love for my 197 im good for a while yet!

 

[Paul]

One car im trying to resist test driving is the new megane rs! Im scared I won't be able to resist ordering one! I just can't afford it.

Lol thats the only reason I am happy to test a 250 as I know I cant buy one but I still feel like I need to have a go!

 

[NORMY]

i did this few weeks ago, took the new golf R and mates new focus RS for a spin, both amazing bits of kit....but the clio is in a league of its own for fun. Just cant match it on the b roads!

...glad you snapped out of it fella!!!

 

[mcphee200]

I went to VW a couple of weeks ago and had a test in a Golf Edition 30. I almost crashed it by falling asleep.

 

[NORMY]

^^^ ha ha, yeah they could do so much better. quality and finish is immense... but is whey whey wheeeeyyyyy too discreet for me!

 

[colecutter]

Nice story, know what you mean...just had some fun before bed time with my 197 on empty countryside road. I enjoy the beast so much, can´t imagine trading it for anything right now, not even for 200-don´t like the front end, nor for 250-maybe I´ll change my mind after test drive ;/...

 

[pez1356]

doesnt anyone else think that the 250 looks like an astra vxr? on the meganesport forum there was a pic of a red one with black wheels (normally a good combination) but it has put me right off of them! it might aswell have had vxr written down the side!

 

[Mike]

doesnt anyone else think that the 250 looks like an astra vxr? on the meganesport forum there was a pic of a red one with black wheels (normally a good combination) but it has put me right off of them! it might aswell have had vxr written down the side!

I agree with that. I was totally put off the new Megane for that very reason!

 

[Matt197]

Glad to here you changed your mind, I went though a phase like you have and almost ended up buying a R26 but could not justify it with the current financially climate.

doesnt anyone else think that the 250 looks like an astra vxr? on the meganesport forum there was a pic of a red one with black wheels (normally a good combination) but it has put me right off of them! it might aswell have had vxr written down the side!

It does a bit, but most cars follow the same design theses days.

I think the 197 look a lot like the Pug 308 shape wise, just one of those things.