106 GTi
Popped into the local stealers to get some info on the Megane 230, which the kindly obliged in photocopying a memo to them, as they did not know anything about it and I was the first to ask them about it - not going to be cheap fully loaded and in Liquid Yellow that being at 1200 quid option on it.
Salesman seemed quite keen to let talk me into testing a Blue 197 so it would have been rude to say no. 6300 miles on the clock so more ran in than my own 182.
Views, felt alot more refined to drive, seating postion and legroom was alot better for us lanky drivers. Very easy to get comfortable and the seats where very supportive but alot softer and more cushioned. Hated the look of the steering wheel but was a whole lot better to hold and smaller than the 182s. Getting back into mine the interior looked so dated.
On the road the 197 felt very sure footed, held the road very well at speed, steering was far to light, again getting back in the 182 it felt as if it had no power steering at all in comparison. Going round a mini roundabout in the 197 felt horrible when steering almost over sensitive.
Power wise as others have mentioned it did seem underpowered, even giving maximum attack in 1st and 2nd to the limiter did not have the same push you back into you seat as the 182. That said it pulled and had traction without any of the torque steer and scrabbling around of the 182 when nailed hard to the limiter in the lower gears, was very composed and grown up. Had losts of exhaust noise even at lower revs in higher gears which suprised me as the 182 seems to be more induction noise. Salesaman moaned about the noise I thought it sounded good.
Highlight of the car for me was the gearbox, lovely and smooth compared to the 182, with a nice short throw, if there was one thing I liked it was the box. Ratios seemed nicely stacked and it was easy and effortless to pull very nicely in 3rd and 4th to speeds that you did not relaise until you looked at the speedo. In the 182 you know you covering ground as it feels like it, 197 is deceptive.
I guess I expected more of the brakes for which to me at the weak point on the 182, from the test drive they did not seem much different honest, this is one area I though the new car may have excelled.
Overall I enjoyed the 197 a nice drive, anyone looking to buy one and not owning or having owned a 1*2 I think would buy one straight away. It never had the I really want to buy one now factor I was left with after driving my 182 which saw me ordering one there and then. The 197 left me feeling it was capable car, and a nice drive, but lacked the slightly old school charm of the 182. My word to the salesman where if I did not have the 182 I would have been placing an order. Will be waiting on the test drive of the Megane 230 next.
Salesman seemed quite keen to let talk me into testing a Blue 197 so it would have been rude to say no. 6300 miles on the clock so more ran in than my own 182.
Views, felt alot more refined to drive, seating postion and legroom was alot better for us lanky drivers. Very easy to get comfortable and the seats where very supportive but alot softer and more cushioned. Hated the look of the steering wheel but was a whole lot better to hold and smaller than the 182s. Getting back into mine the interior looked so dated.
On the road the 197 felt very sure footed, held the road very well at speed, steering was far to light, again getting back in the 182 it felt as if it had no power steering at all in comparison. Going round a mini roundabout in the 197 felt horrible when steering almost over sensitive.
Power wise as others have mentioned it did seem underpowered, even giving maximum attack in 1st and 2nd to the limiter did not have the same push you back into you seat as the 182. That said it pulled and had traction without any of the torque steer and scrabbling around of the 182 when nailed hard to the limiter in the lower gears, was very composed and grown up. Had losts of exhaust noise even at lower revs in higher gears which suprised me as the 182 seems to be more induction noise. Salesaman moaned about the noise I thought it sounded good.
Highlight of the car for me was the gearbox, lovely and smooth compared to the 182, with a nice short throw, if there was one thing I liked it was the box. Ratios seemed nicely stacked and it was easy and effortless to pull very nicely in 3rd and 4th to speeds that you did not relaise until you looked at the speedo. In the 182 you know you covering ground as it feels like it, 197 is deceptive.
I guess I expected more of the brakes for which to me at the weak point on the 182, from the test drive they did not seem much different honest, this is one area I though the new car may have excelled.
Overall I enjoyed the 197 a nice drive, anyone looking to buy one and not owning or having owned a 1*2 I think would buy one straight away. It never had the I really want to buy one now factor I was left with after driving my 182 which saw me ordering one there and then. The 197 left me feeling it was capable car, and a nice drive, but lacked the slightly old school charm of the 182. My word to the salesman where if I did not have the 182 I would have been placing an order. Will be waiting on the test drive of the Megane 230 next.
