Not true. Especially in the UK.
you reckon?
There are about 3k 197s in the UK (according to howmanyleft), they dont state the number of 200s, but as they are more popular i would imagine there are at least this many 200s kicking about too. How many of those 6k+ cars are driven by true enthusiasts who have a need for the uprated recaros, who spend their weekends doing trackdays or twisties, or who will get any benefit from them other other looking like a nice optional sporty extra?
How many 197 and 200 members are on here for example, showing their true enthusiasm? Maybe 50-100 tops? Same as on Pistonheads and 197.net?
Whilst it is an enthusiasts car, there is no way there are at least 3000 owners (therefore the majority) who see their car as anything beyond a set of nice wheels to get around in. If anything the majority of the owners i see in both the 197 and 200 are just yummy mummies with husbands who wanted to buy them something nice as a second car so they could nick it for a cheeky blast every now and then.
Renault would like to portray your view as the reality, but if this was the case and its all about pure driving enthusiasm, requirement for bucket seats etc, why only 550 trophies? Reality is they are selling to capture as much as the hot hatch market as possible, enthusiasts or not.