Buying a 172....

[Hawkeye]

Hey guys,

I just signed up today and wanted to say hi first of all to everyone.

The question i have(and im sure you all may be a little bias)is im considering buying a Clio 172.I currently run an Audi S4 with 380BHP so quoting power figures isnt really important to me.Years ago i used to run an R5GTT and still to this day consider it to be the most fun i ever had in a car.Im after knowing what i should be looking for in the 172 and are they really worth the money?..I will be looking for around an 03/53 plate from a dealer.The Audi is too big now and gets around 18-20mpg(on a good day)and i only go back and forth to work.Im looking at a smaller car and my choices are...Golf Gti Turbo,pug 206 180,focus St170,Civic type R,Mini Cooper S and of course,the Clio 172.From all the write ups i read,the clio seems to give the biggest smile factor and give most of the others a run for their money and leave a couple in its wake(i still want something that goes well).My ex partner ran a cooper S and to be honest,it sounds like the Clio can give it a good run for its money so thats bottom of my list along with the Civic(gotta rev its tits off).I would be more than grateful for any help and advice you guys can give me as i want a new car ASAP.

Many Thanks..

 

[Blue4Ever]

From what you have said and the cars you have listed, a 172 is the car for you.

 

[edde]

I'd look at the new GTi its a superb car but obviously a lot more money the 172/182's are great cars for there money depends what you want the golf will have the refinement the Audi had though more so than the cheaper Clio.

 

[Hawkeye]

Wont be the New Gti Edde.Looking at a Mk4 gti turbn a budget of around 9-10k as a new house is calling(groan).Hence getting rid of Audi.Want something new that puts a smile on my face everyday as i really enjoy driving.The Audi is very quick and smooth but nothing beats the fun of chucking a small car around.

 

[Blue4Ever]

9-10k will buy you a top notch 182.

You could save loads and get a good Mk2 Ph1 172 for around 4k

A Mk2 Ph2 172 can range between 5-8k get a good'un for around 7ish

 

[edde]

Wont be the New Gti Edde.Looking at a Mk4 gti turbn a budget of around 9-10k as a new house is calling(groan).Hence getting rid of Audi.Want something new that puts a smile on my face everyday as i really enjoy driving.The Audi is very quick and smooth but nothing beats the fun of chucking a small car around.

I;d look for a very late 172 or a 182 for that sort of money. They should be a load of sale at that price and under.

Forget the GToi though not very good the last generation one.

 

[Hawkeye]

What do i need to look out for when buying?.The only downsides i can see so far,from reading these forums is they can be prone to a few niggly faults.The other thing,is the handling very good or prone to any understeer(civic type R is bad for it)?.I intend to run the car for 2-3 years and will do a mixture of both town and motorway travelling.I have a daughter so room for one in the back is all thats needed.Are they good on journeys?,comfy?.As always,your help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

p.s..Im 33 now and starting to wonder if i need to think about more sensible car...lol

 

[Fletcher]

I have a MK2 172 and iv'e done a few 250+ mile trips and had no problem with comfort, and average around 38-40mpg. Apart from little niggles, like rattles you can't go wrong with them.

 

[blink172]

1200 odd miles, 16 commited laps of the ring and some serious traffic on the M25 and it still returned 32+mpg average for the entire trip.

For the money, a late Ph2 172 cant be beat. Leather, cruise, climate and Xenons on a french shopping box. Spend the difference between the 172 and 182 on a Panel filter, exhaust and coilovers and you have a better car.

Avoid the Pug and Ford as they arent any where near as good. Civic 'can' be quicker, slighty bigger (RS rear legroom can be a squash if you're tall and carry adult passengers) but will cost more to run.

 

[Ali]

Clio is the best of the lot imo. Maybe not in overall build or value retention. But mines quicker than all of the above listed. with mild mods.

 

[jooliona]

I have a MK2 172 and iv'e done a few 250+ mile trips and had no problem with comfort, and average around 38-40mpg. Apart from little niggles, like rattles you can't go wrong with them.

what he said. :approve: got mine a few weeks ago and am loving it tho the torque-steer is a bit unsettling at first!

as for being 33 and getting a "sensible" car, i think coming from 300+ bhp u can easily justify the clio in that bracket, altho u might be shocked by the difference in build-quality, i think the mk2 ph2 hold their own pretty well plus its got pretty good ncap ratings for keeping u & ur daughter safe on the road :star:

 

[blink172]

Where abouts are you? I'll take you out for a spin if you're local.

 

[rich[182]]

Theres some 182's with both cup packs, 1 owner, sub 10k miles with over 1yr warranty left, for about £9.0k to £9.5k

 

[theduck]

have driven all the cars mentioned bar the mk4 golf gt - dont know why i havent driven that, theres one out the back right now... - anyway, out of all the cars you've mentioned 172/182 was by FAR the most fun.

 

[sh33n]

A nice 182 (with Cup Packs) is probably what you're after then, can get one in that budget no problem.

Plenty of equipment included, and fantastic fun.

Civic would be the only other option off that list, don't rule it out just because it revs highly, you need to rev the tits off the Clio as well if you're in a hurry, it just doesn't rev as high; plus build quality etc is a different level, argueably not as fun though.

The Clio does understeer as does the Civic, but then most fwd cars do suffer from this.

 

[brisa4984]

172 mate.

 

[Hawkeye]

Where abouts are you? I'll take you out for a spin if you're local.

Im in Darlington,North East England mate.Thanks so much for your offer and if your in the area i would take you up on the offer..You are more than welcome to take the Audi for a spin if you choose...

Update...Just got a run out in a 172 from the local renault dealer(53 plate).They wouldnt let me drive as it was the guys own car but it felt a LOT sharper than i imagined,all hell breaks loose at around 4500-5000rpm!!..The guy in the garage said i should buy a 172 and not a 172 cup because they dont have as much spec???..They are trying to source me a car now..Im hooked..Thanks for all the help guys...Need to drive one first though..Am looking elsewhere too for one..Is it worth getting the cup or the standard 172?...

 

[jooliona]

cup owners will say buy the cup. full-fat owners will say buy that one

basically it comes down to whether u can live without abs & air-con.

personally i agree the cup is a much nicer looking car (esp with turini's) but i wouldnt be without abs in this day and age!

 

[gazcaddy]

Im in Darlington,North East England mate.Thanks so much for your offer and if your in the area i would take you up on the offer..You are more than welcome to take the Audi for a spin if you choose...

Update...Just got a run out in a 172 from the local renault dealer(53 plate).They wouldnt let me drive as it was the guys own car but it felt a LOT sharper than i imagined,all hell breaks loose at around 4500-5000rpm!!..The guy in the garage said i should buy a 172 and not a 172 cup because they dont have as much spec???..They are trying to source me a car now..Im hooked..Thanks for all the help guys...Need to drive one first though..Am looking elsewhere too for one..Is it worth getting the cup or the standard 172?...

If you want the luxuries, air con, leather seats etc then get the 172, if your not bothered about these and want a slighlty quicker car more drivers orientated car then get the cup

Personally Id go for a 182 with cup packs, then you get the handling of the cup the toys of the 172 and the extra 10bhp makes up for the extra weight

 

[Steve]

Checkout 'for sale' section loads on here for sale.......

 

[theduck]

If you want the luxuries, air con, leather seats etc then get the 172, if your not bothered about these and want a slighlty quicker car more drivers orientated car then get the cup

Personally Id go for a 182 with cup packs, then you get the handling of the cup the toys of the 172 and the extra 10bhp makes up for the extra weight

Gotta agree on this!

 

[jooliona]

yeah thats definitely a fair compromise