197 - talk to me

[Munson]

Is now a bad or good time to be buying a new 197 in light of the Clio 3.5? After months of thought, I've decided to ditch my plans of tuning the shed, and I think I want a 197 while I put my bigger plan together in years to come. I know I'll be moaning about Renault again within minutes, but I plan to have it looked after by a specialist so f**k it.

My dilemma is - do I buy a 197 now, or wait for the facelifts to filter through? I would want a highly specified 197 and will be looking to spunk around £10,000 after trading my shed in, which I hope will fetch at least £4,000. So £14,000 for a Nimbus 197 with cup suspension, xenons and climate - is that realistic?

I want all opinions, good or bad, from everyone who's owned or driven a 197.

Danke shurn.

 

[trailerparktrev]

Depends if you prefer the look of the facelifted Clio over the current model?
The new Clio (well the pics of the GT) look good - However the current 197 looks good too.

If it was me I'd hold fire and buy a facelifted version, if you don't like how it looks (I've yet to see any facelifted Renaultsport Clio pictures,) then buy a tres low mileage 197 Clio 3. I think you'd have to do a lot of hard bargaining to get a 197, with the spec you're after for 14k... but with a new model coming out soon it might be more doable.

My R27 is great, so glad I didn't buy the current model Type-R a year and a half ago.

 

[Jay]

I know the GT model isn't the new 197, but I think the new facelift version doesn't look mean enough...? For me it takes a while for new cars/facelifts to grow on me and by the time they do there's another facelift out! LOL

I think you might be struggling to get the spec that you want for £14k... Maybe £15k?
Oh and I think you may struggle getting a new current shape 197 for the spec you want as a little bird tells me the order books have closed for the current model.

 

[AlexS]

14k should get one, I would test drive one first though especially with the driving you do, the poor gearing on the autobahn would do my head in.

 

[Bluebeard]

I would have had another 197 if it wasn't for the Bambino.

I absolutely love them.

I had a Nimbus with Climate/Xenons/Roof/Multi cd. No cup suspension though as this was in 06.

 

[Poopensharten]

Nimbus is definatley my favorite colour, it looks so good because i cant think of any other car/manufacturer that captures the look so well

 

[Alan]

Love it, have looked at many other cars over the last few months and in nothing in its class comes that close in terms of driving experience looks, rarity and practicality IMO.

 

[RDP197]

Do it. £14k should get you an awesome one. I got my 07 plate with xenons, tints, cabasse cd, auto wipers/lights for £10.9k in August with 7,000 miles. I was happy with that so £14k could pretty much get you a brand new one in current conditions.

 

[Seedy172]

Nimbus Grey is Awesome... HATE the new facelift, I'm sure you could find a decent current one for that though.

 

[Poopensharten]

The only thing that would concern me as far as the 197's go is the rate at which they seem to be dropping in value, a new one would be financial suicide unless ofcourse your prepared to budget for the loss or planning to keep it until the coos' come home...!

Whats the chat about face lifts versions etc? I havent seen any???

 

[Alan]

The only thing that would concern me as far as the 197's go is the rate at which they seem to be dropping in value, a new one would be financial suicide unless ofcourse your prepared to budget for the loss or planning to keep it until the coos' come home...!

Whats the chat about face lifts versions etc? I havent seen any???

A fair point made but tbh if your lease/finance (i know everyone on CS is rich so doing such a thing means your a mere peasant, but being self employed its a bit of a tax break) you just had it back or upgrade your car, for me running mine as a company car is ideal as i can pretty much change anytime i want as i put down a fair deposit so there's dare i say it...always positive equity in the car.

No RS version as yet but it'll no doubt come in time.

 

[trile]

been at the dealers few days ago

2008 (june) Clio 197, 2300 miles, registered etc - 13.200 pounds.All the options bar the sunroof and cabasse.Has xenons, autovipers, elec.mirrors etc

CHEAP!

 

[Mr Burns]

Just Do It Roy!

 

[Munson]

Yeah the gearing does concern me. I'm likely to be using it a fair bit in Europe and doing long motorway miles. For this reason alone I've always said I would rather have the Megane. Hmmm yeah the sensible thing to do is wait to see what the new model looks like. Not too bothered about the residuals TBH - all new cars lose money, but the new car feeling and three year piece of mind are worth it IMO. Plus, someone has to buy new cars or the industry will collapse, and we'll all be drving generic asian saloons made in India.

 

[Alastair.]

my mum paid £13500 for her brand new f1 with climate xneons etc

 

[Chili Red]

Yeah but you could wait and wait, there'll always be new models coming out. If it's what you want, just go and get one!

I think 14k is very realistic for what you want. Might be worth test-driving the Meg though (if you haven't already).

I was looking in an Alfa Romeo garage yesterday..just to drool..and they had a 197 in Albi blue with tints on the forecourt, it looked the absolute tits.

 

[Munson]

Yeah but you could wait and wait, there'll always be new models coming out.

Of course, but the facelift is probably already in full production, so the old one is already old I definitely think it's worth at least waiting to see what it looks like.

 

[Revels]

Do we know how far away the new RenaultSport model is?

Not tempted by an R27, Roy?

 

[Munson]

I'd like a new one. R27 are all done and dusted aren't they? 197 Lux with cup pack sounds good TBH.

 

[Chili Red]

Do we know how far away the new RenaultSport model is?

That's what I mean, it could be 6 months before an RS version comes out.. then maybe they'll do a Cup version etc etc

 

[Munson]

It's only a facelift though, so I imagine Cup options etc. will just continue as per the old car. Renaultsport timing will no doubt depend on how long stocks of existing lamps/bumpers and shizzle will last.

 

[Chili Red]

Well you appear to have answered your own question then and didn't need this topic

 

[NORMY]

I have to say, iv never been happier.... and thats all i can say.

I got mine a month ago now. 07 plate, RB, 19000miles, climate, cup spoiler, heated leather seats, £10,000. Dont think i can moan at that. To be honest, after a month of having it.... i would have paid £14000 for it i love it that much!

 

[Munson]

Well you appear to have answered your own question then and didn't need this topic

Typical moody f**king woman.

Or perhaps someone else mentioned the facelift and got me thinking more about that side of things?

 

[Poopensharten]

A fair point made but tbh if your lease/finance (i know everyone on CS is rich so doing such a thing means your a mere peasant, but being self employed its a bit of a tax break) you just had it back or upgrade your car, for me running mine as a company car is ideal as i can pretty much change anytime i want as i put down a fair deposit so there's dare i say it...always positive equity in the car.

No RS version as yet but it'll no doubt come in time.

Too true mate, but its ashame to say that this sadly wont be the case with everyone. Negatvie Equity on a car is way to common but alot of people just dont have the option/choice!

CS, for all your doom and gloom needs lol

 

[Chili Red]

Typical moody f**king woman.

Or perhaps someone else mentioned the facelift and got me thinking more about that side of things?

wuv woo *kiss*

 

[trailerparktrev]

Yeah but you could wait and wait, there'll always be new models coming out. If it's what you want, just go and get one!

I think 14k is very realistic for what you want. Might be worth test-driving the Meg though (if you haven't already).

I was looking in an Alfa Romeo garage yesterday..just to drool..and they had a 197 in Albi blue with tints on the forecourt, it looked the absolute tits.

That 197 does look nice doesn't it? It's been there about a week. As I've only driven past it, What was it up for?

 

[MikeLYR27]

I have to say, iv never been happier.... and thats all i can say.

I got mine a month ago now. 07 plate, RB, 19000miles, climate, cup spoiler, heated leather seats, £10,000. Dont think i can moan at that. To be honest, after a month of having it.... i would have paid £14000 for it i love it that much!

Heated leather seats? Didnt no that was an option?!

 

[Chili Red]

That 197 does look nice doesn't it? It's been there about a week. As I've only driven past it, What was it up for?

£9995

Some of those Alfas are just gorgeous aren't they?

 

[NORMY]

Heated leather seats? Didnt no that was an option?!

No sorry its not!..........but iv got them!!

£9995

Some of those Alfas are just gorgeous aren't they?

Oh yes, i was very tempted by the brera, and it drove nice too. Sexon wheels, shame they are so much dolla though!

 

[MikeLYR27]

Wicked! How much did it cost to fit all that? You still got the standard seats?

 

[NORMY]

Heated leather seats? Didnt no that was an option?!

see, i even have proof!

have no idea how much it cost, was the first owners doings!

 

[trailerparktrev]

£9995

Some of those Alfas are just gorgeous aren't they?

OH YES!! But that gararge always has nice cars in.

 

[MikeLYR27]

That looks really smart mate, i really like the leather interior! If put that in my car the recaros would probably burst into flames lol!

 

[NORMY]

ha ha, yeah they do get dangerously hot actually. it has 3 heat settings and even the first starts to burn my ass!!! too scared to even turn her up to two green lights!


maybe 3 green lights = Eject seat!?

 

[Ali]

Decent cars.

Time to move away from Reno's?

 

[alanc1000]

I'd go for it now, its a good a time as any. I get the feeling there prob wont be an RS version of this new face lift Clio, and that the current one, of which there are 4 varients already (R27, Cup, Standard and Lux). Its just a hunch.

I picked mine up with 1,800 miles, 3 months old with climate and double distance xenons / MP3 for 13k (almost 17k spec'd up list price). The dealers have some prety decent nearly new / high spec ex-demos, thats what i'd be looking at.

 

[Munson]

There will definitely be a new shape RS IMO. The logistics of keeping the existing trims and lamps etc. for one model just don't make sense. Hmmm I definitely need to think some more about it, and this thread is helping me out quite a bit. I definitely want shot of the rusty chav wagon. It's been great fun but it's just not a very good car TBH.

LY - wuv woo more IIRC.

RMx

 

[mradam87]

Argh this thread is making me want to get my 197 even sooner than planned!

I think the next 6 months or so is definately going to be the best time to get one, I've seen some very good examples sub £10k too!

Do it

 

[Mells]

been at the dealers few days ago

2008 (june) Clio 197, 2300 miles, registered etc - 13.200 pounds.All the options bar the sunroof and cabasse.Has xenons, autovipers, elec.mirrors etc

CHEAP!

Yikes! I was looking a R26 this week at £11500! Now thats sounding like a reet bargain.

Do it Roy, but test drive the R26 or 225 before you get another clio.