To buy or not to buy

[Rosco1692]

Been seriously considering buying a clio 197. I currently drive a wee 1.2 clio, and want something a bit more fun. All opinions are welcome, and anyone who's had/has one, please help me out!!
Cheers!

 

[-Eddie-]

I'd hope most people on the forum would recommend a 197 .

What all would you like to know?

 

[CallorFold]

Safe to say a 197 will be an incredible upgrade over the 1.2

Just keep in mind the extra running costs - Tax, Insurance, Fuel, Parts

.....it's all worth it though, IMO. Fantastic fun to take on a proper drive.

 

[Rosco1692]

I'd hope most people on the forum would recommend a 197 .

What all would you like to know?

Yeah I didn't really think that through did I haha but just really how the car is to live with etc. I don't do a lot of miles or long distance travelling (not often anyway) so it would mostly be around town and of course B roads. I test drove a Cup and to be honest it didn't feel very quick, however I'd rather go with one with cruise control, A/C etc

 

[Rosco1692]

Safe to say a 197 will be an incredible upgrade over the 1.2

Just keep in mind the extra running costs - Tax, Insurance, Fuel, Parts

.....it's all worth it though, IMO. Fantastic fun to take on a proper drive.

What sort of mpg would I be expecting for short town journeys? And my current clio hasn't been the most reliable so parts/repairs will be cheaper...I hope

 

[Jmax]

Don't buy....

It will without a doubt be the worst decision you'll ever make. It will make you fall in love with it and make you spend allllll of your money on it.

 

[r&skxa]

Probably best not to if you're worried about mpg. These cars hate fuel. Every time you put some in, it just spits it out. Just to give you a figure, my magic number is around 24mpg.

 

[Rosco1692]

Probably best not to if you're worried about mpg. These cars hate fuel. Every time you put some in, it just spits it out. Just to give you a figure, my magic number is around 24mpg.

Im not too fussed about mpg, just don't want ridiculous numbers if I'm only driving short distances. How do you drive yours lol....

 

[CallorFold]

Over short distances (my commute is 5 miles each way, with an added stop at the gym on the route home) I get about 25mpg with "normal" driving. Up shift around 2.5-3K RPM and give it the occasional boot. A longer Motorway run at 70 should see you around 35mpg.

If you're averaging out to less than 25 on a day-to-day basis, i'd assume you're driving it fairly hard, or spend plenty of time sitting in traffic.

 

[Victorcrs200]

in my opinion I would go head-to for 197/200 is a completely different from yours car and not really an exaggerated economic change your current clio, honestly it is a car that quality / price is the best and above maintenance low cost! do not hesitate and for it!

 

[nutnutwelshman]

If you can afford it buy a 200ff or a very late 197 or if you can find one a R27

 

[gemma.l]

Probably best not to if you're worried about mpg. These cars hate fuel. Every time you put some in, it just spits it out. Just to give you a figure, my magic number is around 24mpg.

24 omg that is terrible you must thrash it everywhere. I am getting an average of 29mpg and thats putting my foot down on back roads.

 

[nutnutwelshman]

The most I got from mine Was 36/38 the worst 7/9

 

[r&skxa]

24 omg that is terrible you must thrash it everywhere. I am getting an average of 29mpg and thats putting my foot down on back roads.

We've got some really good roads down here

 

[GrumpyTwig]

Probably best not to if you're worried about mpg. These cars hate fuel. Every time you put some in, it just spits it out. Just to give you a figure, my magic number is around 24mpg.

That's about the only major negative, I get better mpg in my Megane running 300+hp, I mean at the end of the day it IS french but they aren't as bad as they once were a few of the electronics are Bosch bits and better put together in general and while there's a bit of electrical tape here and there I've not heard of electrical issues on the Clio.

The ride can be a bit harsh depending on spec.


Great cars otherwise.

 

[Chris]

Buy.

You wont regret it!

 

[gemma.l]

We've got some really good roads down here

Oh I see you must have so much fun

 

[Pav]

get it but as mentioned above..it will cost you a lot if you start upgrading it...i get 17.9 mpg in town...
but you will look forward to driving it every day....

 

[Jesse James]

Get one regardless of the cost it will always make you smile when you drive it.

 

[AshK]

I've had mine only 2 months and absolutely love it, came from an economical 1.9 diesel and tbh, if you're only doing short journeys who cares, even if it gets half the mpg over 5/10 miles, is it really going to break the bank?! I have a 36-mile round trip commute on a mixture of nice steady B roads and what should be classed as C roads, steady 60/70 most the way sees around 33mpg! The car is quick in a straight line but the most impressive thing I found was how well this car corners, incredible! Must be one of the best FWD handling cars out here if you ask me, will always put a smile on your face if your confident enough to enjoy it! Parts are are expensive especially compared to a 1.2