172 Cup for FF 197

[Mish]

I love my Cup very much... infact, after taking my Fiesta Turbo off the road last year I couldn't now think of a better car to replace it with.


So much fun, suprises so many people, it sounds great, touch wood no real problems with it...

But (and there's always a but)

I get bored of cars quite easily. Now at the moment I'm not bored of the Cup, it's served me well, but I like new things, keeping things intersting and I might fancy a change in the next few months.

I hated the new Clios when they first came out (the same as all those years ago when I had my Valver I hated Mk2's (!) - now all's I can imagine is a LY 197 on the drive, I think they are lovely cars.

Does anyone who's owned either a cup and a 197 (or either a 172/182 to 197) have any regrets about the swap, or any niggles, where you wish you'd kept the older of the Renaultsports or do you think it's a good path to take?

How do the 197's compare in performance of the old models, driveability and fun factor?

 

[Iridium]

You can only get Liquid Yellow on the R27s IIRC. They're just an FF with Cup Pack and stickers, but worth noting if you're looking

Dan

 

[Mish]

Yeah I realised before the R27's came in LY only- doh.

How does the 197/R27 compare though to the old sports basically? Would I regret selling my Cup for one? I know everyonese different, but is there anything that sets the 197 apart from the old ones... or makes you wonder why you bothered in the first place?!

 

[Iridium]

This has been done quite a bit - personally I prefer everything about the R27 - hence why I bought one (Collect it tmrw, in yellow, too excited hehe!). For me, the 1*2s offer nothing over the 197s - although I can appreciate some people prefer the rawness of things like the 172 Cup - but I'd had enough of that with the Mk1 V6 I just parted company with heh! Basically the 197 is a lot more 'grown up' and your average driver would be a lot quicker round the corners in it as, to me, it feels a lot more planted. And the Brembos are a WORLD of better. Sounds better too heh. But as I say, most of these things are subjective

 

[cat171]

Your cup looks great, i'd keep it.

 

[Mish]

Thanks Cat

No plans as yet to immedietly change- I love my Cup, but I'm also looking to the future and weighing up options for the start of next year.

Iridium- I know there's been a few posts like this, I did have a search, just wanted to ask my own questions- thank you for the info though, as you say, it is all subjective and relative to an individual- it's just nice to see reviews from people who own them

 

[team_penetrator]

Funny you should say this... I usually change my cars every 6 months to a yera at the longest. Bought a Cup in Oct 2004 and still have it. I just cant find anything better that offers anything I want more without paying stupid money.. It was a good choice when I bought it and I still love it... Unless it dies I might just end up hanging onto it...

 

[ForceIndia]

Horses for courses. 197 is more capable, but less feelsome. As quick as a 182, but feels slower (refinement?). One thing to bear in mind (depending on what mileage you do) is fuel costs. 197's are a fair bit heavier on juice (closer to V6 mpg than 172).

 

[CabinFever]

I went from a 172 cup to a FF 197 with cup chassis. It is honestly the best decision i have ever made. To put simply the 197 looks better stops better handles better and gets a lot of attention. Speed wise the 197 is opening up nicely and is beginning to sound real sweet. Had a little play with a silver 172 cup tuther day and he was so impressed by its cornering capabilities and was with him all the way in the straights. You also have the peace of mind with 3 years warrenty no mot's and a brand new car ( if new that is). The only downside is i currently am not seeing over 26ish MPG.... but worth every second!

 

[brisa4984]

get a v6

 

[ForceIndia]

get a v6

+1

 

[MillerLight]

I went from a 172 cup to a FF 197 with cup chassis. It is honestly the best decision i have ever made. To put simply the 197 looks better stops better handles better and gets a lot of attention. Speed wise the 197 is opening up nicely and is beginning to sound real sweet. Had a little play with a silver 172 cup tuther day and he was so impressed by its cornering capabilities and was with him all the way in the straights. You also have the peace of mind with 3 years warrenty no mot's and a brand new car ( if new that is). The only downside is i currently am not seeing over 26ish MPG.... but worth every second!

From what I remember. Having a Renault warranty doesn’t mean piece of mind, it means that they don’t rush themselves!

Things could have change I hope!

 

[CabinFever]

I went from a 172 cup to a FF 197 with cup chassis. It is honestly the best decision i have ever made. To put simply the 197 looks better stops better handles better and gets a lot of attention. Speed wise the 197 is opening up nicely and is beginning to sound real sweet. Had a little play with a silver 172 cup tuther day and he was so impressed by its cornering capabilities and was with him all the way in the straights. You also have the peace of mind with 3 years warrenty no mot's and a brand new car ( if new that is). The only downside is i currently am not seeing over 26ish MPG.... but worth every second!

From what I remember. Having a Renault warranty doesn’t mean piece of mind, it means that they don’t rush themselves!

Things could have change I hope!

This is true.

 

[CabinFever]

get a v6

Brilliant advice.....

:S

 

[brisa4984]

get a v6

Brilliant advice.....

:S

best piece of advice iv given in 2 years.. :approve:

 

[brisa4984]

no wait.. i can top that..

DONT GET A 197

 

[CabinFever]

Yes its fantastic...

Cliosport = Get a ITR Get a V6.

Half of you guys should have your own driving column in magazines. Suprised you have not been snapped up!??

 

[CabinFever]

no wait.. i can top that..

DONT GET A 197

Yes get a 172...... Oh!

 

[MikeLYR27]

no wait.. i can top that..

DONT GET A 197

Yeah the R27 is the one you want

 

[ForceIndia]

Trophy all the way. Seriously, go and drive one.

 

[Mish]

Warren... I was thinking about that to be honest.

I don't want a V6- otherwise I'd have asked for comparrisons on them.

Cheers very much folks, some interesting thoughts

 

[Gaz_]

I had a 172 Cup, 182 and now a 197. For sure the 197 looks the best and has the best presence on the road, get loads of compliments about it when filling up etc. They are uber rare where i live, hardly ever see one about, which is nice. They are a major step up in refinement, sound fantastic as standard, and have awesome brakes to boot!!!! The driving position is also much better. They only gripe i have with it is there is no getting away from how big it is. I really like the big engine samll car thing Mk2 RS, Saxo etc. It is bigger than it need be. But meh, i love it!!!!

Just to wet ya whistle

 

[team_penetrator]

The only thing I would be tempted by is a Trophy. But a 197 is undoutably the more up to date, refined, technically more capable car. But it damn well should be at 3 times the price of my Cup....

 

[Kneel]

having not driven the 172/182 I cant really compare but no other car I have had has put a smile on my face quite like this down a b-road. the car grips so so well and the brakes are awesome. If you're really driving you may feel the size a wee bit but it doesn't ever really feel heavy imo and the tail is very easy to control if ever it does step out a bit.

 

[ramius]

The only thing I would be tempted by is a Trophy. But a 197 is undoutably the more up to date, refined, technically more capable car. But it damn well should be at 3 times the price of my Cup....

are you saying a new 197 costs 3 times more than a new 172 would have, or 3 times more than a 4year old + car?

cos if its the later, ill have to write that down so I dont forget..... new cars cost more than old cars.... kk

 

[team_penetrator]

The only thing I would be tempted by is a Trophy. But a 197 is undoutably the more up to date, refined, technically more capable car. But it damn well should be at 3 times the price of my Cup....

are you saying a new 197 costs 3 times more than a new 172 would have, or 3 times more than a 4year old + car?

cos if its the later, ill have to write that down so I dont forget..... new cars cost more than old cars.... kk

FFS some things never change... What do you think Im saying. Maybe I should spell it out...

A new 197 is worth 3 times what my Cup is worth, yet from a purely personal view, it isn't worth the cost to change... The Cup has been fairly reliable, well looked after, wont depreciate a massive amount more and does everything I want.. Horses for courses I suppose.

Clear enough? ;-)

 

[ForceIndia]

The only thing I would be tempted by is a Trophy. But a 197 is undoutably the more up to date, refined, technically more capable car. But it damn well should be at 3 times the price of my Cup....

Think the lap time vs a Trophy would disagree with that. Similar power to weight ratio, closer ratio gearbox, far better brakes, and yet still slower lap than the Trophy.

 

[team_penetrator]

Wonder how it would fair against a Cup? I would say that the Trophy is the best RS, buy again, thats personal preference.

 

[ForceIndia]

Given how well received the clios have been by the press (from the Williams onwards) I'm surprised we've not seen a big group test. Would be interesting. I think the most impressive aspect of the 197 is that it can match the older cars (and beat some of them), but with a lot more refinment. I'd like to see what it could do with the sound deadening and half the airbags ripped out (ie same spec as a cup).

 

[ramius]

The only thing I would be tempted by is a Trophy. But a 197 is undoutably the more up to date, refined, technically more capable car. But it damn well should be at 3 times the price of my Cup....

Think the lap time vs a Trophy would disagree with that. Similar power to weight ratio, closer ratio gearbox, far better brakes, and yet still slower lap than the Trophy.

that the evo findings? a well bedded in Trophy only beat the new car by 0.2? seen tons of posts from 197 owners saying the car gets or feels faster somewhere between 8-10k miles on the clock, would be interesting to see what the results where when both cars are bedded.. course 0.2 is nothing

 

[team_penetrator]

I test drove a 197 with next to no miles on and it felt slower than I was expecting, but they will definately get quicker as they put on the miles. I think its unliekly that a manufacturer will go to the same lengths as reno did with the first cup again. The 197 cup seems more down that route than the 182, but still has traction control, aircon etc..

 

[ForceIndia]

Think the lap time vs a Trophy would disagree with that. Similar power to weight ratio, closer ratio gearbox, far better brakes, and yet still slower lap than the Trophy.

that the evo findings? a well bedded in Trophy only beat the new car by 0.2? seen tons of posts from 197 owners saying the car gets or feels faster somewhere between 8-10k miles on the clock, would be interesting to see what the results where when both cars are bedded.. course 0.2 is nothing

Not really the point. The 197 has wider tyres, wider track so should corner faster, but doesn't.

 

[Timmay]

I had a 172 Cup, 182 and now a 197. For sure the 197 looks the best and has the best presence on the road, get loads of compliments about it when filling up etc. They are uber rare where i live, hardly ever see one about, which is nice. They are a major step up in refinement, sound fantastic as standard, and have awesome brakes to boot!!!! The driving position is also much better. They only gripe i have with it is there is no getting away from how big it is. I really like the big engine samll car thing Mk2 RS, Saxo etc. It is bigger than it need be. But meh, i love it!!!!

Just to wet ya whistle

yum yum!

 

[ForceIndia]

 

[CraigV6]

Okay the Trophy may be 0.2s better round a track.

It is largely regarded as being an excellent example of a Renault Clio.
Why then does the 197 not get the same respect?
Only 2 tenths slower and yet to be run in properly, I'd expect it to be, in time, faster than the Trophy on that track.

Also remember this is a track with limited hard cornering - I think that on a track with tighter, harder cornering the 197 will beat the Trophy.

197 is way better built and looks far better than the Trophy as can be seen above.
The Trophy looks like any other Clio, the 197 does not.

Anyway; back on topic; you will not regret moving from a 172 Cup to a 197 that has Cup packs. It is a step forward in almost every way.
I've owned both.

 

[team_penetrator]

I guess it doesnt always get the respect it deserves, as the clio on which the 197 is based is 8 years newer (ish i think). So, on one hand you would expect it to be a bigger step forward.
However, as is the way with these things the car its based on is bigger, heavier etc. so just keeping at around the same performance is an achievement. People dont always remember that though.