197/200 or Cooper S (and a little part of me says VXR)

[DUBS73P]

Was pretty much set on getting an R26 last night, got some quotes from compare the market and everything was cooshty, then I rang up my insurer asking how much it would be to change over mid policy and they just said no, end off, I don't want to cancel that policy as I can't afford not to get this years NCB so I've decided to rein in my ideas a little, I don't really need 230bhp for a daily backroad blast to work anyway so ill settle for something less for the next couple of years besides I'm only 19 and even my current clio looks 10x better anyway.

So now I've narrowed down my choices a little to 3/4 cars 197, 200, Turbo Cooper S or Corsa VXR

The main problem is I was set on paying about 6k for the r26 whereas none of these cars are as cheap as that bar the 197 really, I've got 5k in the bank, about 3k for my 182 I reckon, and will have to be finance for the rest

Love the 197 and 200 but I hate how it's so 50:50 on whether there's a big difference between the two which just makes my life harder, lack of torque and is it gonna be a big enough jump from the 182

Cooper has more torque, better mpg and better made but kinda gay looking nowadays

Corsa, well it's a vauxhall, but it is appealing with its mpg and looks, I know it doesn't handle like the clios tho as its the only one I've driven thus far, it's quite cheap tho

Going for a test drive of a 200 and an S tomorrow and ill see how it goes but just looking for some opinions now?

Cheers

 

[H.Maxim]

What's the reason for getting rid of your 182?

 

[Dan@M.A.D]

Keep the 182, Iv'e been in all of the above but the corsa,

197's / 200's are fine but it's hardly worth the effort of changing over from your clio, I prefer the way the 182 drives compared to a 197 anyway.

Mini's are pretty crap, A mate had one for a while and it cost him a bloody fortune in repairs, Didn't feel quick either!

Keep the money in the bank, Get another years no claims and upgrade then!

 

[DUBS73P]

Just a bit bored of it tbh, I've had mk2 clios for a few years now and looking for a change

 

[JCC]

A 200 is a massive step up above a Mk2. Drive a cup packed one hard and you'll see what I mean. They're brilliant, no quicker in a straight line but through the corners you'll see the difference.

Corsas are hideous creations driven by w**kers, so just don't.

 

[mark smith87]

If it were me I'd stick with the 182. Minis have those god awful run flat tyres which cost a fortune to replace so tyre choice is nil unless you can get different wheels. The VXR Corsa looks chavvy but I've heard the latest versions are pretty quick. One of my neighbours has one as company car, as he's an engineering manager at Vauxhall's and he says its great to drive but I still wouldn't have one.

 

[Mr Burns]

I'd widen your options personally, the Mini and Corsa are both cars with massive flaws so it can't be difficult to find something else you'd be happy with too.

 

[mark smith87]

I had a drive in a new M3 BMW on Friday night. It belongs to a good friend of mine. He let me give it full beans down the back lanes and it's blindingly quick!!! If I had that sort of money to play with I would definitely buy one. But as others suggest I would widen your options. Not sure what car I would go for myself after having a 172 for over 4 years. I would avoid Astra VXR's as well. What about a Focus RS or ST? The 3 door ones look awesome and the 5 cylinder versions are something else. There's a bright orange one I see in Chester regularly and it sounds wicked.

 

[benhwolves]

Save your money and wait, simple. You wanted an R26 until the insurers said no, so why compromise and blow everything on something you don't really want and will probably end up regretting down the line

 

[The Chubby Pirate]

A corsa vxr is not good on fuel.

 

[cliokid182]

I had a drive in a new M3 BMW on Friday night. It belongs to a good friend of mine. He let me give it full beans down the back lanes and it's blindingly quick!!! If I had that sort of money to play with I would definitely buy one. But as others suggest I would widen your options. Not sure what car I would go for myself after having a 172 for over 4 years. I would avoid Astra VXR's as well. What about a Focus RS or ST? The 3 door ones look awesome and the 5 cylinder versions are something else. There's a bright orange one I see in Chester regularly and it sounds wicked.

Did you miss the part where he said he is 19???

Anyway ....... why dont you buy some ITB'S or cams for ur 182 and spend a little money on it and just save the rest, will make a massive difference.

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

will make a massive difference.

No it won't.

Not as much as getting a quicker car anyway.

 

[cliokid182]

No it won't.

Not as much as getting a quicker car anyway.

Really?!

All i had done is cams, matched inlets, I.K and decat plus exhaust with remap and it DID make a massive difference to my car .....

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

I've been out in a few bodied cars with all sorts of mods and wasn't blown away at all.

Unless you go down the forced induction route, engine mods are a waste of money IMHO.

 

[Advikaz]

Used to have a VXR as a company car. In fact I had two as the first one had so many problems. Crap gearbox that's like w*nking off an elephant & have a fair few reliability issues. To drive they feel like a bazza'd up 1.2 with stiff springs.

Mini, very common, again reliability issues & pretty juicy.

200/197, again a bit juicy, suspension is firm. Some complaints of gearbox problems etc.

Drive them, see what you prefer.

 

[DannyR]

I've got a silver VXR coming up for sale very soon

 

[Drafting]

The cooper S is a massive no go in my opinion as i work with a guy who is massively into his,but he spends more money and gets less smiles! He's fitted a 19% less supercharger pulley on his..It's only a fraction quicker in a straight line than my 197, until we get to the corners and the clio eats the mini for breakfast! In the two years he has owned it, he's on his fourth supercharger as it keeps self destructing itself! Along with several power steering pumps!

How about a golf Gti?

 

[Kyle 86]

Really?!

All i had done is cams, matched inlets, I.K and decat plus exhaust with remap and it DID make a massive difference to my car .....

+1 same mods and they have made quite a lot of diffrence the engine is more alive

 

[djjonnibgood]

Personally, i'd hang onto the 182 until your insurance policy was up and have another years no claims, then i'd go for the r26 that you want. Plus by then you'd have saved up abit more, so you can get it mapped from the off

 

[Scrooge]

None of them.

 

[Jay.S]

Keep the 182 untill you get your NCB then when your renewal comes sell the 182 and get a R26.

Thats what I would do although I would choose a different ending.

 

[AP182]

My girlfriend had a coopers 58 plate and had nothing but problems withing four months it had been in the garage 4 times so she seen the light and got rid of it.they don't feel quick even tho it has pretty much the same stats as a 182.i hated driving it felt boring and huge plus no boot space what so ever and defo worse on fuel

 

[Mr Burns]

As I mentioned in another thread, a friend of mine worked on the BMW/Mini parts counter, and he said it was enough to put him off owning one. LOADS of unsatisfied Mini owners out there with reliability problems...

 

[RDH]

^ Me being one.

When it works it is a fantastic car, but it isn't very often that it works. I wouldn't reccomend one tbh.

 

[Chris205]

It seems you're just side stepping into cars which are going to depreciate more over the next year than your 182 will.

Maybe do a few trackdays or something in the 182 to get a bit more fun from it, you're not going to gain anything in performance going from the 182 to a mini or vxr or 197 etc, you'll improve in build quality but be 5-6 grand lighter for the pleasure. Keep your money in the bank, keep saving, gain some interest and buy something when your insurance runs out.
That will give you plenty of time to research reliability etc of each car you're looking at.

 

[Thrust-Rated]

^^^^^ totally agree. Save your money.

 

[scotty10]

i knew i wanted a clio ive never read so much about anything never mind about a car so when i bought my car i knew what i was stepping into

also i knew it had to be the 182 even though i was willing to finance a car around 7.5k if i couldnt find an inferno with the spec i was looking for.....dont jump in you will know when you find the right one

 

[not normal dan]

It seems you're just side stepping into cars which are going to depreciate more over the next year than your 182 will.

Totally agree there, I went from a fairly well tuned an put together Ph2 172 to a 197 and as much as the 197 was a great car especially in the twisties it was a side step for sure.

I'm now back in 182 trophy due to the fact the running costs an the depreciation of the 197 just didn't warrant the performance so I got rid before it was worth sod all.

Looking back now I should have just kept the 172 an waited for something like an Megane f1

 

[rs 1an]

Hi Dubs, i think a 200 with recaros and a cup chassis will make you very happy, see rsport steve on here, the vxr is quick but is not very reliable my daughter (22) has one, 57 plate with 40k miles. It needed a recon gearbox, replaced after a row with vauxhall who were crap, has a clutch problem at present, the exhaust keeps blowing and the tyres 235 35 18 are very expensive and it eats them due to the turbo, the m3 is best but very expensive the rs focus will cost a fortune to insure, Renault Croydon have a red Raider get that. View attachment 90003

 

[scotty10]

i sold a 56 plate polo 1.2 with 38k on the clock to buy my 2005 clio ff with 74k....now i didnt even think twice about it but my gf was raging as was the runaround car we used for going to work and use a focus for the kids

she wont step in the clio never mind drive it lol......result

 

[not normal dan]

Yeah don't go for the vxr, my friend an work has a 59plate that's had a gearbox so far, a steering column, coolant hoses an power steering pipes.

They really are w**k an tbh to me they just look 'chav'.

 

[DUBS73P]

So I've just gone and had a test drive of them all and right off the bat I'm saying no to the 200,what the he'll have they done to the CS!? MORE low down grunt, then a massive nothing then a kick at 5500, felt so much slower than my standard 182, it didn't feel like I was driving it at all, lovely gearbox and size of the car but that's about it tbh shame it looks so good but doesn't drive like it ;(

The mini (not the supercharger, the turbo) was amazing, gear change is solid, couldn't feel much power lag and handled amazingly considering it's not exactly a racer, looked at the supercharger but just doesn't look as good as the new shape, plus the petrol would be ridiculous

So now looking at a few more but other than testing a golf I'm out of ideas, but am seriously considering this turbo mini

 

[Jay.S]

Mini's are pretty crap, A mate had one for a while and it cost him a bloody fortune in repairs, Didn't feel quick either!

Keep the money in the bank, Get another years no claims and upgrade then!

I'd widen your options personally, the Mini and Corsa are both cars with massive flaws so it can't be difficult to find something else you'd be happy with too.

Mini, very common, again reliability issues & pretty juicy.

The cooper S is a massive no go in my opinion as i work with a guy who is massively into his,but he spends more money and gets less smiles! He's fitted a 19% less supercharger pulley on his..It's only a fraction quicker in a straight line than my 197, until we get to the corners and the clio eats the mini for breakfast! In the two years he has owned it, he's on his fourth supercharger as it keeps self destructing itself! Along with several power steering pumps!

How about a golf Gti?

My girlfriend had a coopers 58 plate and had nothing but problems withing four months it had been in the garage 4 times so she seen the light and got rid of it.they don't feel quick even tho it has pretty much the same stats as a 182.i hated driving it felt boring and huge plus no boot space what so ever and defo worse on fuel

As I mentioned in another thread, a friend of mine worked on the BMW/Mini parts counter, and he said it was enough to put him off owning one. LOADS of unsatisfied Mini owners out there with reliability problems...

^ Me being one.

When it works it is a fantastic car, but it isn't very often that it works. I wouldn't reccomend one tbh.

CS logic is awesome sometimes. I would go look at the other 2 mini threads in the other marques aswell.

Why ask for advice if your not going to listen to it.

 

[Chris205]

So now looking at a few more but other than testing a golf I'm out of ideas, but am seriously considering this turbo mini

Believe me, I was looking seriously at the turbo cooper s, from having a supercharged one I know the chassis is good, however once you do your research on the engine you'll sharp change your mind

 

[not normal dan]

CS logic is awesome sometimes. I would go look at the other 2 mini threads in the other marques aswell.

Why ask for advice if your not going to listen to it.

Its like when your a teenager an you mum an Dad give you advice or tell you not to do something, you just do it.

Maybe if we told him to go for the Cooper an sell the 182 it may have a reverse effect?

 

[joshclio999]

I chose was in this situation a while ago and went cooper s. 197/200 is no quicker than 182, I went in astra vxr and didn't like interior, focus st was out of budget at the time. The only one i would consider now is focus st.

All cars have problems, but do obvious stuff like fsh and test drive them all and see what u prefer.

 

[joshclio999]

Personally I would avoid turbo mini...

 

[JCC]

So I've just gone and had a test drive of them all and right off the bat I'm saying no to the 200,what the he'll have they done to the CS!? MORE low down grunt, then a massive nothing then a kick at 5500, felt so much slower than my standard 182, it didn't feel like I was driving it at all, lovely gearbox and size of the car but that's about it tbh shame it looks so good but doesn't drive like it ;(

The mini (not the supercharger, the turbo) was amazing, gear change is solid, couldn't feel much power lag and handled amazingly considering it's not exactly a racer, looked at the supercharger but just doesn't look as good as the new shape, plus the petrol would be ridiculous

So now looking at a few more but other than testing a golf I'm out of ideas, but am seriously considering this turbo mini

Did you genuinely just say a 200 doesn't drive well?

 

[Advikaz]

Did you genuinely just say a 200 doesn't drive well?

We all see things differently. But IMO the 200 is a great drivers car & that seems to be the general talk on it. Hense why I own one. It's not like driving a turbo car tho.

 

[rs 1an]

Dubs,Mark DrJekyll on here has driven my car we went for a blast and only stopped when the fuel light came on, pm him for honest opinion, you have to drive them hard to get them to perform but when you do they love it thats why renault do the track days. The turbo cars are lazy and they just lose traction, you need a ride with James Dixon:race: