Clio 197...

[Scutch]

Coming home from town yesterday, I noticed a black 197. Looked pretty tidy I thought, but didnt get a good view of it really as it was turning into an estate (housing, not Volvo). Then closer to home, I saw one in this colour...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/149934.htm

and I have to say, it looked superb! Like a mini V6 in a way, the flared arches really seemed to suit it and the rear end was nice too. Didnt think they'd grow on me, but from yesterdays viewings, they look really sweet, and not overly big as I first expected

Another grower from Renault, much like the Megane in my opinion

Anyone else not like them at first, but think they're spot on now?

 

[matt__f]

They are growing on me. I was at Renault yesterday waiting for my radio to be re-coded (after they lost the original) and I had a look around a silver 197.

They seem huge compared to the older clios, but very nice nontheless. They appeared to be much better build quality inside too.

 

[Gareth]

I always liked them, but I think the flared arches on the back make it a better looking car than the Megane IMHO, unfortunately it didn't have enough go or value for money for me.

 

[Englebert]

Seems a lot of people are changing their minds on here!

They seem subtle in pictures but i agree in that they look like mini-vees in the flesh.

 

[matt__f]

The salesman who sold me my 172 drives a Megane trophy, not sure what model or anything like that but thats pretty smart. I think I would probably go for one of these over the clio, mainly due to the Megane being turbo.

 

[Christopher]

they do look great imo...

pity they're fat little gimps

 

[Justin182]

The looks are definately growing on me, but its the gearing thats the sole reason i would not buy one... oh, and that i want a turbo next.

 

[DebV6]

They've grown on me a bit. I'm still not overly keen, but I must admit, from looking at people photos on here who have recently got them, they do look quite nice

 

[Ian_182]

I saw one on the road in blue yesterday and must say it looked good.
Just the price and lack of power that put me off.Im sure driving it would be nice but it wasnt enough of a step up for me to go and buy one

ian

 

[Tyson-182]

^^^ Same for me...

Tys.

 

[Justin182]

What was the reaction on here when the 182 came out, with regards to the twin pipes ?

Just wondering as I wasnt around.

Cause i was about to buy a 172 and then saw the 182 and thought, "nah, bit chavy haha"... dont know why i ever thought that.

 

[Leeshez]

I like the look of them. I have seen a couple around.

 

[quickshift]

seen a few this week still dont shout out rs to me have to say the blue and black ones on here look mint

 

[cat171]

I wasn't overly keen at first, but i've sen a few about. I'd have one as they have grown on me a fair bit.

 

[cat171]

seen a few this week still dont shout out rs to me have to say the blue and black ones on here look mint

Lol - the only thing that will ever shout RS to me is a Ford - I will never ever associate the letters RS for Renault Sport ever, for me it will always be Rallye Sport from Ford.

 

[kpowell911]

seen a few this week still dont shout out rs to me have to say the blue and black ones on here look mint

and a 182 does?

 

[172boost]

backwards step if you ask me, the only improvments for me are the lairy intakes and the wheels but these will not be to everyone's taste.

 

[Scutch]

I didnt like any of the Clio's at first. I preferred the 172 Mk1 bubble lights to the hawkeye lights, but then thought they looked too soft and girly, so I was going to buy a 172 or Cup. The 182 was then scheduled for release and I thought that looked a bit odd. Now I think its probably the best looking hot hatch available.

 

[tollan172]

i hate the 197 looks like my dad should be driving it get ma ass a 182 or 172 anyday!!! racey looking little pieces of work !!!

 

[SimonV6]

Anyone else not like them at first, but think they're spot on now?

I didn't like them or the megane at first...... and STILL DON'T.... lol

Mini V6...pmsl, they are 150mm higher...



Simon

 

[clio turbo !!!]

i've had clio 1.8 16v and clio mk1 172 before. now i got clio 1.8 16v turbo and thats got to be the very quickest and best of the lot of clio turbo i ever driven. i dont like the looks of clio 197. hate it !!

 

[clio turbo !!!]

i've had clio 1.8 16v and clio mk1 172 before. now i got clio 1.8 16v turbo and thats got to be the very quickest and best of the lot of clio turbo i ever driven. i dont like the looks of clio 197. hate it !!

oh and clio 172 is very rock hard lol

 

[GordonD]

The 197 is looking better every day?

Ford found this problem a number of years ago. If it had competing designs for a new model, one just like the previous model and one far more radical, and they showed them to a group of existing Ford owners to see which they'd buy, they always chose the one that was just like what they already had. Then when they put it on the market everyone said "boring, its just like the last model", and didn't buy it. Ford had a generation of models that were too radical that people didn't buy, then a generation that were too boring but well-engineered, now they're finding the middle ground styling-wise.

Car manufacturers have had to abandon test-showing new models to buyers because it doesn't work. People prefer the familiar. They can't even rely on the genuinely new growing on people. So they've had to go down the path of employing a chief stylists and relying on his expertise to decide what people can be persuaded to like. BMW has gotten it right with Bangle. Zapatinas has screwed up at Subaru. And Le Quement has had mixed success at Renault.

 

[Ads_172]

It's certainly grown on me but if I were to buy a new RenaultSport it would most definitely be the Meggy, it's just a lot better value for money.