197 vs sti..

[JoyOrbison]

hello people.

I'm aware I'm posting this on a clio forum but please be honest and truthful as possible..

I've got me next motor purchase down to an 06 197 vs an 03 scoobs STI. £6k.

I'm 39. 2 small kids (95% of time in wifes motor tho..). 300 mile a week commuting.

I've had a 05 wrx mod'd to 280bhp previous to the xjv8 I got now but just fancy the chuckableness FunFactor of the Clio. I'm going for a test drive of 197 tomorrow nite at a Halshaw garage..

Which would you go for? My plan is to gas convert whichever immediately.

Any comments most welcome.

J

 

[aldo_87]

They are two totally different platforms. That do things in different ways. Straight away though would the 5 doors on the impreza not be a huge bonus since you have a family?

 

[alanc1000]

depends why you are buying it:

to impress other blokes - subaru
to impress fannie - 197
for practicality (family) - subaru
for running costs - 197

 

[Englebert]

Quite a lot of money to be forking out for petrol a year on that mileage, but then you already have a V8 Jag so perhaps you don't care! How much does LPG really save you then?

 

[JoyOrbison]

to impress fannie - 197

Dont usually do the LOL thing but that had me on my arse! LOLOMA..? Not reeeeallllly wanting to impress clunge with a wife and 2 kids to cater for but I hear what yer sayin..

Thanks for comments already guys tho.

Surely the new clios are roomier enough for 2 kids seats in the back though even if they'll be used twice a week max..?

on the fuel front - thats why the Jags goin.. 30mpg equivalent on lpg (15mpg petrol, gas half the price) is still pricey on 300 miles a week.. Just thought the 197 would get about nearer50+mpg and on the mileage I'll do, I'll get the £1k conversion cost back in 12 - 14 months.. The Impreza, yes 2 more doors.. but lookin a little dated perhaps?

cheers again..

J

 

[withoutabix]

you'll be lucky to see 35mpg on the clio let alone 50+

used to average 29 in my R27 with mixed driving

 

[JoyOrbison]

no, I meant sorry after the gas conversion.. average 29, gas half the price, equivalent of 50 - 55 (lpg loses 15%).

STI converted - still looking mid 30s only..

J

 

[paulmb172]

I had a 295 bhp blobeye wrx wagon before my 182. They are completely different cars, the prez would dip below 5 to 60 in the cold and dry and hit corners well, but i've not had this much fun in a car (182) since a fiesta rs 12 years ago, and i'm pretty sure it would beat the prez around a track!!

 

[Chris205]

I would say when you drive the 197 you'll have to abuse it to really see where the power is, as below 4.5k rpm they're pretty gutless.

Have you not considered an EP3 civic type r? IMHO a better engineering prospect, good fun and certainly enough interior room and luggage space should you need to take the little ones anywhere. Also if you keep it in decent condition it should hold its value

 

[Mr Burns]

Have you not considered an EP3 civic type r? IMHO a better engineering prospect, good fun and certainly enough interior room and luggage space should you need to take the little ones anywhere. Also if you keep it in decent condition it should hold its value

+1

The 197 is a great car (yes, I've owned one) but due to the cheap gearboxes and firm ride I'd go for a Civic. Fuel economy is about the same too.

 

[Gaz_]

but com'on, yours was on KW's!

 

[Mr Burns]

but com'on, yours was on KW's!

It was much better on KW's! lol

 

[theduck]

You'll be lucky to 40mpg in the Clio let alone 50!

Cup pack is over the top for road use, if I was getting another I'd go for a standard chassis. Really nice ride but still handles well.

 

[Mr Burns]

Yeah fuel economy isn't good, most average mid to late 20's.

 

[edde]

You'll be lucky to 40mpg in the Clio let alone 50!

Cup pack is over the top for road use, if I was getting another I'd go for a standard chassis. Really nice ride but still handles well.

I think he is talking about the equivalent of 50mpg on petrol and since lpg is about half the price that means he is reconning on 25mpg or so on lpg which at half the price is the same as 50mpg on petrol.

How about a Megan Sport they do a diesel as well so no lpg messing about.

 

[Mr Burns]

How about a Megane Sport they do a diesel as well so no lpg messing about.

My mate test-drove the 197, R26 and MeganeSport Diesel and hated the diesel, even though he wanted to like it.

 

[alanc1000]

Dont usually do the LOL thing but that had me on my arse! LOLOMA..? Not reeeeallllly wanting to impress clunge with a wife and 2 kids to cater for but I hear what yer sayin..

Thanks for comments already guys tho.

Surely the new clios are roomier enough for 2 kids seats in the back though even if they'll be used twice a week max..?

on the fuel front - thats why the Jags goin.. 30mpg equivalent on lpg (15mpg petrol, gas half the price) is still pricey on 300 miles a week.. Just thought the 197 would get about nearer50+mpg and on the mileage I'll do, I'll get the £1k conversion cost back in 12 - 14 months.. The Impreza, yes 2 more doors.. but lookin a little dated perhaps?

cheers again..

J

Sorry i didnt mean to make you sound like you were just chasing fannie, that was a bit assumptive of me!

The back of the 197 is quite roomy with nice high ceiling etc, i had one previously and found it was fine, but obviously all 3 door. For a daily hack i think it might be a better choice than the STI in terms of running costs etc, boot is actually not bad in the 197 either. MPG on the 197 is 28 combined though, on a long motorway run maybe high 40s tops.

I agree that the STI does look a bit dated and the "image" suffers more than a 197 which is still largely not a chav wagon at this stage.

I see you have a jag - i had a little play with an XJR (newish shape) the other day on a straight bit of motorway - jesus they are SO fast!!

 

[Bluebeard]

I see cliosport is doing its usual thing of reply first, read later! lol.

I'm a 31 year old dad of two and sold my clio 200 Cup (admitedly harder than a 197) because the suspension was just too hard for the kids in the back. Bouncing around all over the place the poor little fcukers. And mine are both in child seats so a 3 door was a pain in the ass. Funnily enough I got rid of that and bought a minter than mint standard (looking) UK classic and as good as it was, my wife said she felt ashamed to A) have it parked outside and B) take my son to pre school in it! lol. Good family car though really. Plenty of room, 4 doors etc.


Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[CrippsCorner]

I just sold my blobeye STI and bought a 182.

Impreza was awesome... the Clio's never going to match it on the speed front. To be honest though, for me personally, it just wasn't worth it. Mostly doing sub 5 mile trips, the fuel consumption averaged around 12mpg (mine having the 305bhp Prodrive map)

If you can afford it - Impreza, lol.

Saying that I always felt it was too big for me, the Clio is much more 'me' I prefer a chuckable go kart rather than straight out speed :rasp:

 

[bmit]

Off topic slightly but don't you lose some power using lpg..? And if so is this more apparent with na or turbo. I only say this as less power in a rattley shoeboxwhich needs to be over 5k rpm like the 197 would really grate on me for the type of commute youre talking about . I do 1-200 a week in mine and still wouldn't swap it . Mostly twisty on my commute tho

 

[Chip-mk1]

Civic is definately worth a look too.

Test drive them all and decide on what you prefer.

LPG conversions are ok on some cars, but given than these renault sport engines already like to drop exhaust valve heads off and generally LPG kits will lead to higher EGTs especially if not quite setup right, i'd personally consider it a bit of a risk, especially given the number of miles you have to do just to get back the original install price of a decent multipoint kit in the first place.
Ive had LPG cars myself and the savings can be good, but its best kept to cheap cars with cheap to fix engines just in case IMHO

 

[Šįk]

In your situation the Scooby would be the better choice.

Me, I'd go for a Mazda 3MPS. perfect for your situation. 30mpg+, 5 door, 260bhp etc etc.

 

[JoyOrbison]

below 4.5k rpm they're pretty gutless.

is that right? So you have to flog it to get the fun? Not sure if the salesman gonna like that today though!

As for the EP3 civic type r suggested. Again looks dated to me now if I'm honest.

J

 

[JoyOrbison]

I see you have a jag - i had a little play with an XJR (newish shape) the other day on a straight bit of motorway - jesus they are SO fast!!

Alas mine is just the 240bhp baby XJ Sport, nice with XK8 wheels on tho.. XJR tho, now they're something else.. MMmm..

Mazda 3MPS, too bland looking for me, sorry. (I sound like a right t%^t on here - I'm not!)

J

 

[Gally]

I think the 197 is great compromise mate. Ideal for the Wife to drive daily. Comfortable without cup pack decent mpg if driving normally.

I'm just not a fan of the Scoobie but you've had one before and you know what's involved in them at least.

 

[JoyOrbison]

Jesus. Whilst I'm lovin and appreciate all the comments here.. I am in fact more confused then when I started!

Your comments Chip has really got me thinkin too.. Dare I convert either one? The INstallers I've asked have all said they have, and you get 2 years warranty on them.. I need to be sure what I'm going for before I get the finance sorted as it'll just burn a hole in me pocket and I'll end up with something daft..

I'm hoping after my 197 test drive this afternoon I'll know more.. Any suggestions on what I look out for? Its done 73k miles and is 5 years old.

J

 

[Chip-mk1]

Also go and test drive a phase 2 172, IMHO they still feel surprisingly modern, they work great on the track, they do best part of 40mpg on a run, really comfy and if you get a loaded one with climate etc and auto wiperss pretty well specced, and you can but a decent one for around 2K, so its a big saving on the initial purchase price.

 

[Gally]

Definitely drive and see where you go from there. You might hate the lack of low end pull ect. I'm sure you'll know if you'll get bored having to push the Rpm to get the car moving.

 

[Šįk]

Are you sure?

 

[Gally]

Get that one!

 

[JoyOrbison]

hahha yous aren't makin the decision easy are yer?!?!

Getting booked into test drive an 04 STI standard (blue/gold) at the weekend in great condition as a comparison.. Am I being fair though - I'm not taking the kids tonight but will probablies be on saturday? [2months & 5 yrs].

J

 

[edde]

Your comments Chip has really got me thinkin too.. Dare I convert either one? The INstallers I've asked have all said they have, and you get 2 years warranty on them.. I need to be sure what I'm going for before I get the finance sorted as it'll just burn a hole in me pocket and I'll end up with something daft

They usualy warently there bits not the engine itself so if something goes wrong they claim wasn't the lpg systems fault.

 

[Mr Burns]

Joy, I think you need to do a lot more research and test-driving before you make a purchase.

 

[Chip-mk1]

They usualy warently there bits not the engine itself so if something goes wrong they claim wasn't the lpg systems fault.

Yeah, trying to PROOVE it was the lpg kit that killed an engine that has done 100K miles is never going to be easy.

 

[James23]

My f4r engine has done 60k on LPG, not popped any valves or other nasties. Ford engines are known to be expensive on LPG, never heard a bad thing about renault engines.

 

[JoyOrbison]

What a waste of time my test drive last nite was. 5pm. Like rush hour. Barely got out of 4th gear. Liked the motor though. They look mean close up (first time I've gone up to one), plently of room for small kids in back, 6speed seemed nice and tight. Stop/Start button? Cloth interior nowt special. And a cd player with no mp3 player hole. Not the punchiness I was expecting though from 2nd and 3rd but as I've read on here, perhaps needed the revs upped.

But by far the biggest setback though (hopefully someone on here can advise) is that there is no spare wheel - hence nowhere to put the gas tank. I'm goin to ask on LPG forum now.

Need another test drive (or at least sit in with somebody who can show me) to prove the fun factor..

thanks all.

J

 

[James23]

with regards to the tank can't you have a cylinder tank mounted in the boot? Would lose boot space though.

 

[montana]

Test drive both and take it from there – initial thoughts would be an 03 STi, prices have dropped recently and 6k is now the price band they are in.

Scoobys are very easy to work on (had a classic myself), will always have a soft spot for them

 

[Goodj]

Smart forfour Brabus?

The only hot htach you'll never, ever see lapping Mac D's car park.

 

[Šįk]

^ that's humpin lol