Are 172s/182s ’flashy’ cars

[Ally]

One of the reasons I bought a 172 was because its a good handling and fast car, and - very importantly for me - the styling is quite subtle and not in yer face. I like the stealthy approach. But I had a discussion the other night in the pub and a few of my mates think very differently, calling it "a wee posers car". Now, I know partly they were taking the pi$$ (alcohol had been partaken), but one of them was quite adamant that it looks quite flashy and attractive to neds/chavs in a way that hot hatches should.

I think theyre wrong. I think the Clio is a subtle hot hatch when you compare it to the likes of the 206 GTI 180 with its huge wheels and spoiler, and the Cooper S (the who car screams look at me). Things like the CTR are a bit more subtle, with the 172/182 more subtle again IMO, and look all the better for it.

So, do you agree - do you think that standard 172s/182s look:
(a) just right?
(b) too subtle?
(c) OTT?

I know therell be biased opinions here, but Id be interested to hear the views of other Clio owners (172/182/V6 owners and more normal Clios - no disrespect!). Discuss.

 

[_Tom]

They look just like the 1.2s so not too flashy!

 

[Alan]

Well i only drive a 1.2 16v dynamique and i gotta say the 172/182s look "just right"

 

[badinvincible]

Mk2 172s can look a bit too subtle, Mk1 172s are just right...

 

[Tom]

Its subtle. well i think so.

 

[_Tom]

Well i must admit i drove past a black mk2 172 this morning and they deffo look smart but deffo subtle!

 

[Dash]

If its left alone its just tidy.

 

[lifelong 172]

I find it MUST be subtle, cos chavs are always challenging you at the lights for a race, in their novas. If they realised what it was, they wouldnt even try. It looks like a clio. An ordinary car. With enormous capabilities that people dont realise until they see Renault Sport in the distance when you destroy them at the lights. IMO you understand.

 

[lifelong 172]

Tom16v, where you froma nd where did you see the black 172?

 

[David]

i drive a 1.6 dynamique. I think the 172/182 do u look significanlty sportier but ultimately the styling is pretty discreet compared with other hot hatchs. Additionally a lot of people who dont know much about clios always confsued the sports models with the non sports models. i.e. ive had people ask me if mines the 2.0 sport model and other people who dont understand why im so amazed by a 182 when i see it go past...i often get the reponse, whats so good about that? looks just like yours. is it because its black!!??!

 

[RobFenn]

I think the 172 mk2s are perfectly formed, i like the 182s but i think the add ons may look a bit passe in a few years.

-Rob

 

[Ally]

RobFenn - add ons? Do you mean the 182s exhausts by any chance? Ive got to be honest and say that the exhausts are the only thing Im not sure about on the 182 - although it IS growing on me.

Mike - knew youd say that

Sounds like the rest of you are thinking the same way I am. "An ordinary car. With enormous capabilities that people dont realise..." - thats a great way of putting it - totally sums up what I like in a car.

 

[pkimber]

I thik subtle is a good way to describe a car like the 182.

A velvet glove with an iron fist would be another. On the road I get the feeling that most drivers do not know what the 182 is. To them it looks like a normal Clio with a few extras. Hence the way they seem to drive just off my arse all the time until I give it a little blip and they back off straightaway. Lots of head turning as well.

The CTR is no way subtle, looks like it fell into a Halfords shop window and all the bits stuck on.

 

[CHRIS172CUP]

Flashy can be a loose term. Id say a flashy car is a 330ci or an Audi TT etc. You could relate the 172/182 to the cost in which case not really IMO, or more along the term of lairy which pkimber said above about the CTR.

The wolf in sheeps clothing sounds good

 

[Brazo]

Very subtle

The number of people who try it on with my cup and then look so shocked when they get blown to pieces by an ickle clio ffs its a girls car for shopping lol!

 

[homerjay]

172s are VERY understated imo, but the 182 gives em a clue with the twin pipes.

Its great when ya blow away execs in their S500s,

 

[craigs.cup]

i think that the 182 look just right its not too in your face but still gets the right people looking at it......

 

[KDF]

Quote: Originally posted by badinvincible on 14 September 2004
Mk2 172s can look a bit too subtle, Mk1 172s are just right...


Mk2s are faster though *rasp*

 

[2863]

^^^
are they?,thaught mk 1s were faster (marginally).

 

[MarkCup]

I think theyre perfect...no spoilers, no visible big-bore exhaust, subtle tweaks to the bodywork etc.

I like the fact that only those "in the know" know about them and what theyre capable of...but the lack of road presence is a right pain in the a** on the motorway when no-one moves over

 

[lifelong 172]

A flash of xenon induced headlamps gets them out the way though!!!!!

 

[Don]

I think that the 172 cup is the most "in your face" version of the 172, (due to its unique colour) but even then, there are 1.2 cars with a blue which is similar to the cups but not the same, and its only those in the "know" who are aware of its capability...most people think the 172s are just a normal Clio, and are shocked when it hands their ass to them on a plate!!!

I would say its just right.

 

[lifelong 172]

Quote: Originally posted by donnyo on 14 September 2004


I think that the 172 cup is the most "in your face" version of the 172, (due to its unique colour) but even then, there are 1.2 cars with a blue which is similar to the cups but not the same, and its only those in the "know" who are aware of its capability...most people think the 172s are just a normal Clio, and are shocked when it hands their ass to them on a plate!!!

I would say its just right.

Quote of the day!! lol

 

[Leo182]

Hmm, id say subtle but judging by the looks/finger pointing i get maybe others think different.

Oh and i parked up outside my house the other day and a bin wagon parked behind me and as i got out the bloke starting asking me questions about it! (he thought it was a turbo lol!)

So id say they appar flashy to others but i think it looks just right, not ott.

 

[Don]

Leo, with the 182, the twin exhausts give the game away, whereas with the 172s (unmodded of course) there is no exhaust showing so it resembles a normal Clio with a few bulges here and there in the bodywork. Also the 182 is attempting to copy the V6 in its look from the rear with the exhausts.

 

[bax_cup]

remember laughing at my mum when she first got in my car and said "is this the car you were looking for cos its a bit of a designer car!"

 

[Viv172]

I can always tell a 172/182 to other Clio models they do stand out.....unless its black, then I have to look twice to make sure....the V6 is flashy

 

[Chili Red]

I think my Clios quite subtle because Im used to it - but actually the sports seats, xenons, bodywork etc do make it look a bit flashy. When I first saw it I was "WOW"!!!

Also, I find people do move over for you - they NEVER did in my KA...!

 

[Ally]

I just like my cars to be subtly different to most things on the road - the 172 fits the bill because, as said above, most people dont notice that its different to standard 1.2 and 1.4 Clios. I like that.

My dads getting a dCi 80 in a couple of weeks - hopefully parking it alongside my 172 will show my mate how similar the more normal Clios are to the 172/182.

One of my previous cars was of the same idea, but totally lacking in power - mk1 Punto Sporting 85bhp. Subtly lower than standard Puntos, side skirts, no visible exhaust, colour coding, no spoiler. Quite anonymous but a lot nicer than your basic Punto.

 

[Dave]

182 is on a par with the other hot hatches of its generation styling wise. 172 very understated.

The vibrant colours make a difference though (arctic,yellow, petrol,racing and even black!)

 

[FiXX]

personally think it looks far better than lower model clios. I park mine on a busy street every day at work and there is always loads of people stop to look at it etc

 

[Neil82]

Quote: Originally posted by badinvincible on 14 September 2004


Mk2 172s can look a bit too subtle, Mk1 172s are just right...

Mark 2 looks so much better than a mark 1 imho, mrk1 looks crap to me.

 

[fizzy_drink]

I had an uncupped 182.

Answer is (B) - too subtle.

Cup pack improves things slightly... visibly more squat, and anthracite wheels look mean... so almost (A) - just right, if it were cupped...

 

[Iain C]

i think A
Ive been told by others its very flashy tho!

 

[Ally]

Looking at your avater I can see why - white stripes! LOL

Not really my thing, but looks good!

 

[JAF 182]

Quote: Originally posted by hip_spasm on 14 September 2004


182 is on a par with the other hot hatches of its generation styling wise. 172 very understated.

The vibrant colours make a difference though (arctic,yellow, petrol,racing and even black!)

I agree that colour is important in assessing the flashiness factor. I like to think the Noir Dore is understated and stealth-like!

 

[Matt 172]

Quote: Originally posted by lifelong 172 on 14 September 2004

I find it MUST be subtle, cos chavs are always challenging you at the lights for a race, in their novas. If they realised what it was, they wouldnt even try. It looks like a clio. An ordinary car. With enormous capabilities that people dont realise until they see Renault Sport in the distance when you destroy them at the lights. IMO you understand.

I agree with you, there are blenty of chavs in Novas reving the balls of there cars at the lights trying each time to race us, however we smoke em each time a big add on zorst and tinted windows with "2 Fast 2 Furious" stickers does not add 300Bhp to your car, they will learn. However it is subtle but at times it is distinictive from the rest.

 

[homerjay]

Quote: Originally posted by Matt 172 on 15 September 2004

Quote: Originally posted by lifelong 172 on 14 September 2004

I find it MUST be subtle, cos chavs are always challenging you at the lights for a race, in their novas. If they realised what it was, they wouldnt even try. It looks like a clio. An ordinary car. With enormous capabilities that people dont realise until they see Renault Sport in the distance when you destroy them at the lights. IMO you understand.

I agree with you, there are blenty of chavs in Novas reving the balls of there cars at the lights trying each time to race us, however we smoke em each time a big add on zorst and tinted windows with "2 Fast 2 Furious" stickers does not add 300Bhp to your car, they will learn. However it is subtle but at times it is distinictive from the rest.





PMSL!

 

[Matt 172]

Quote: Originally posted by homerjay on 15 September 2004

Quote: Originally posted by Matt 172 on 15 September 2004

Quote: Originally posted by lifelong 172 on 14 September 2004

I find it MUST be subtle, cos chavs are always challenging you at the lights for a race, in their novas. If they realised what it was, they wouldnt even try. It looks like a clio. An ordinary car. With enormous capabilities that people dont realise until they see Renault Sport in the distance when you destroy them at the lights. IMO you understand.

I agree with you, there are blenty of chavs in Novas reving the balls of there cars at the lights trying each time to race us, however we smoke em each time a big add on zorst and tinted windows with "2 Fast 2 Furious" stickers does not add 300Bhp to your car, they will learn. However it is subtle but at times it is distinictive from the rest.






PMSL!

If you think im joking i will try and get some pics of the ultimate chaved up motors that park behind our hosue, thumping out huge amounts of bass, for crying out loud the ICE has to be worth more than the car, You alwsy see them with NOS, MOMO, Eibach(sorry for spelling), and my favourite is Greddy on a 1.1 Nove with flashing lights under the front splitter and blue neons everywhere, he was proud until we had him while smoked his ass, eget did not know what our clio was thouht it was standard, shows how subtle they can be.