Clio 182 as a family car? Non cup model ride quality?

[matt1977]

Hithere,
Iused to own a 182 cup on coilovers but when I became a Dad sold it for a focusmk1 5 door.
Thefocus handles well enough but is so slow that it’s never exciting and I’m sobored.
Ourdaughter is now a toddler and I was thinking of getting a FF 182 without the cuppacks for better comfort as our only car.
Whatdo people think? Can 182 work as a family car?
Also,as well as obviously driving my old 182 on coilover I have also driven myfriends 182 Trophy and 172 Mk1 on a number of occasions (both on standardsuspension). I found the my old 182 and the Trophy’s ride too firm as a familycar (IMHO) but the old 172’s better. How does a 182 without the cup suspensionpack ride? Is it noticeably more comfortable than the cup?
Iknow I can go and test drive one but I thought I’d ask here as well.
Cheers

Matt

 

[PP200t]

Yes but it depends on how big a buggy/pushchair you have. (I get three kids in)

 

[matt1977]

Wow3 kids in a 182, respect.
Wehave a Mclaren buggy. I can check on my friends trophy if it fits in the boot.
Howdo you find the ride in the non cup model? Is it a pain in the back getting atoddler into a 3 door?

 

[Johno_c]

I use a 172 cup as a family car.

 

[scotty10]

i use my car the clio for work and i do have a baby seat for my 20 month old son im only 5ft 4 and my sons feet are flat against the drivers seat and same goes if i was to swap him behind the passenger

anyway another problem is the pram frame and buggy part both have to go on back seat because boot isnt big enough i have another car which is a focus mk2 facelift so we always use that for family outings

in my opinion it would be a nightmare to use i would maybe choose a bigger car maybe golf gti 5 door i knew a person with a 2008 model and it was nice th

 

[Caekii]

I had a 2.0L Turbo Astra... great family car, good performance 5 doors etc. Terrible build quality and reliability.

I use the 182 for tootling to work, dropping the in-laws off etc, but at 6ft 2", there is very little legroom in the back. Bambino's yes, toddlers maybe, anything older and I reckon you'd struggle.

In short: I dont think a 182 would make a great family car.

 

[bozothenutter]

What he said
I take my two year old and five month old to daycare every morning the seatbelt is too short for the maxi-cosi so the two year olds feet are nearly op agains the seatback.....not ideal.

 

[peanuthead]

I use a 172 cup as a family car.

I use my 172 cup as a family car sometimes and it is fine. Only problem I ever have is the stupid cup holders or lack of!

 

[wisey02]

How can you guys be using a 1*2 a family car with kids ?
Am only 22 and I think the Clio is a bit small for me the boot is always full and usually have stuff on the back seats as well and I came from a MK4 golf GTI and that was the same :lolup:

Think am carrying about to much stuff with me.... Been looking at a salon car for my next car though :dapprove:

 

[Gally]

Lols! Clios are massive! I moved house 3 times in my one!

I've had an Frp, 2 standard Pumas, Micra, Polo, Fiesta ST, ZS and now my V6 TT, plus many more with my little un, she's now 4 1/2 never had any issues at all.

Why the hell you would buy a 5 door focus for 1 child baffles me!

The Clio is fine mate and the boot is big! Believe me!

 

[pastieman]

Our focus st170 is much better as the family car than my 172....

It's surprising how much space there is for rear passengers in the focus and the boot is a good size!!!

The Clio is just to small end off !!!

You might get away with one young kiddy but no way two

The only way the Clio is Good with kids is when they are not in a child's chair

I

 

[Johno_c]

Our focus st170 is much better as the family car than my 172....

It's surprising how much space there is for rear passengers in the focus and the boot is a good size!!!

The Clio is just to small end off !!!

You might get away with one young kiddy but no way two

The only way the Clio is Good with kids is when they are not in a child's chair

I

Agreed but I've got two kids 7/10 never had a prob in 2yrs

 

[DrR]

A FF182 is a 182 with cup packs!

My 182 was more comfy ride than my BMW 118D so make of that what you will.

 

[jay1232]

i have a 172 with a boot full of 12" kenwoods subs and still get buggy in and my little princess loves it in the back seat love
if we go anywere with my other kids mrs has a 7 seater
kinda cheating but goto have sumut quicker than a 7 seater
ps... i even have a daddys taxi on me 172 loooooool

 

[Cup M@]

Our focus st170 is much better as the family car than my 172....

It's surprising how much space there is for rear passengers in the focus and the boot is a good size!!!

The Clio is just to small end off !!!

You might get away with one young kiddy but no way two

The only way the Clio is Good with kids is when they are not in a child's chair

I

Yes Defo when they are not in car seats when we take my daughter out my missus looks like she is sat on the dashboard the seat is that much forward to give daughter enough room can't wait till she is out of the car seat which means we can use my car more as are family car is a c3 Picasso not very sporty

 

[andywa]

I use my 182ff as a family and every day car. I've got 3 kids 6, 3 and 6months and they all fit in fine. Buggy wise we don't struggle either. I have always found it easier with a 3 door car getting the kids in and out as I can get in front of them to fasten them in. The 2 eldest girls love it and the noise.

 

[matt1977]

Thanks for the replies.

Amazing how some say no way and other say, yeah fine. Not many in the middle.

Any more thought about non cup ride quality compared to other RSs?

 

[andywa]

I don't mind the suspension in mine which has the cup suspension. None of the kids have complained or the wife. I've been down to Disney in it twice and it just munched the miles and was very comfortable.

 

[Johno_c]

Got Koni adjustables on my cup for the pure fact it's a family car too. Soft for day to day firmer for fun.

 

[cliokid182]

i wouldnt get a 182 as a family car far to small IMO one of my mates has a st 170 and i would reccommend that.

 

[matt1977]

I've heard the ST170 handles great but the engine is lack luster and thirsty.

What does your friend think of his?

 

[andywa]

^im sure there's a thread where someone is comparing there new 182 to their old ST. I'm sure someone will be along with the link.

 

[matt1977]

I found the review and have read it thanks. Sound like the ST170s problem is it's engine and thirst. Don't think I could justfy the extra cost over my 1.6 zetec, which already handles great.