CLIO IV RS - Trophy from page 111

[Ex-User (19928)]

Never said it did, but f**k Renault thinking it will just sell without even letting people drive one.
I'm sure they are a spot on drive but when its my hard earned cash going on a car not just leasing it for a year then I want to drive it beforehand.

Whether you were leasing or buying it's still a lot of money going on it, I'm surprised Renault just wouldn't let you drive one, maybe you're in a black book somewhere

 

[scott.p]

I don't think so, I'm 26 and on a very good wage for my age.
A couple of dealers had one in but it was in the showroom, I was told If I bought it I could take it round the block! I mean how do you expect to sell a 'drivers car' like that? Never had an issue test driving a 200 when they came out, I think they are being a bit more open with test drives now but to be honest the damage has been done.
I hear it is selling well in other markets but Renault really dropped the ball with the UK market this time, hopefully they can face lift it giving it a bit more power and a real gearbox and it will be on its way to being a proper Renaultsport. (some recaro's would be nice too)

 

[Munson]

Quite a few people on here have said they had problems getting some dealers to let them drive one. In fact I recall some members saying they were told that they could only drive it if they put a deposit on it. As I remember reading, that is. I have no experience myself.

 

[Gally]

Even if I was desperate to buy one i'd tell him to gtfo if they asked me for anything before a test drive.

Maybe they thought the brand would sell itself but this wasn't 197/200, it was a whole change in direction.

 

[midge]

My neighbour has one of these, he works for Renault, it looks pretty good tbh, doesn't look much different to a normal one though.

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

Fair enough, I'm not exactly a serial test driver but haven't ever been refused a test drive, nor asked how much I earn.

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

Even if I was desperate to buy one i'd tell him to gtfo if they asked me for anything before a test drive.

Maybe they thought the brand would sell itself but this wasn't 197/200, it was a whole change in direction.

Do you mean that dealer could do one or you would write the car off as a potential?

I'm going to see if my local dealer can get one for me to have a go now, I want to see what all the fuss is about!

 

[steve32c]

My neighbour has one of these, he works for Renault, it looks pretty good tbh, doesn't look much different to a normal one though.

IS that in the same way the 182 doesn't look any different to a standard 1.6 Mk 2 Phase 2 - side skirts, front bumper, rear bumper, alloys and it's until you actually see the two parked next to each other that you notice the difference in height and rear stance.

 

[midge]

Tbh, the only way i could tell it was an Rs is the badges and the twin exhaust.

 

[Gally]

IS that in the same way the 182 doesn't look any different to a standard 1.6 Mk 2 Phase 2 - side skirts, front bumper, rear bumper, alloys and it's until you actually see the two parked next to each other that you notice the difference in height and rear stance.

The 1*2 has different front wings.

 

[steve32c]

The 1*2 has different front wings.

If you can't tell which is the RS version from the different front and rear bumpers, slightly wider wings are definitely not going to stand out as any help.
So to all those who say it doesn't look different enough, open your eyes, it's not like it's a 1*2 rep with a sunroof and painted rear drums
You either know what you're looking at or just talk a good dit.

 

[brisa4984]

Quite a few people on here have said they had problems getting some dealers to let them drive one. In fact I recall some members saying they were told that they could only drive it if they put a deposit on it. As I remember reading, that is. I have no experience myself.

heard about this.. pathetic

I test drove nearly new elise s last weekend at bell & colvill. They didn't even ask for my licence.

 

[Martin_172]

The test drive situation is a joke, i was the same, went to an rs dealer who had no rs cars even used for sale never mind a new demonstrator to show me.

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

I sent an email to Renault lifestyle the other night when posting my last reply.

They called me this morning and said they don't have a demonstrator at the moment, that I could come test the GT Clio which apparently has the same gearbox (idk?) to get an idea. I said that's alright I don't want to waste their time.

Either way he said he will call me when they have one available to have a go. Nice enough chap.

 

[Gally]

Why the f**k would you not have a flagship demonstrator! It's mental!!!

 

[Martin_172]

gt does have the same gearbox so I suppose would give you an idea of how it works etc but I still couldn't even consider buying the RS if the GT was all I could get a shot in

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

Why the f**k would you not have a flagship demonstrator! It's mental!!!

That is more of a flaw with the company's logistics rather than their car design.

It makes little difference to me as I don't buy new cars and thus have almost no interaction with main dealers so I am more concerned about how a car is put together and drives but can appreciate others might be after a better service from their manufacturer of choice.

 

[Gally]

That is more of a flaw with the company's logistics rather than their car design.

What's the point you're trying to make? They utterly fucked their flagship clio launch and PR.

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

What's the point you're trying to make? They utterly fucked their flagship clio launch and PR.

My point is neither of those last points make the 200EDC a bad car (or inferior to cars with a blue oval on the front).

 

[Matt W]

Why the f**k would you not have a flagship demonstrator! It's mental!!!

There was one available a few months back when I was enquiring, 100 miles away. None at all in Wales!

 

[Matt W]

In fact I recall some members saying they were told that they could only drive it if they put a deposit on it.

That would have been me. I had to buy my 200 before they would let me drive one.

 

[Gally]

My point is neither of those last points make the 200EDC a bad car (or inferior to cars with a blue oval on the front).

Did anyone say it is?

Bare in mind the journos who were actually given the rare sight by Renault thought the ST was better.

 

[Gally]

Finally saw one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In Liquid yellow... I know I said it before but so underwhelming the shape anyway. If it hadn't been LY I would have driven past it.

 

[treemanx]

My point is neither of those last points make the 200EDC a bad car (or inferior to cars with a blue oval on the front).

I don't think gally was making any bad points about the car. It's the piss poor sales strategy he was talking about. As you've mentioned it doesn't really effect you if you're not buying from new. However, they may hold their value better, given the rarity of them.

 

[Jaff.]

I don't think gally was making any bad points about the car. It's the piss poor sales strategy he was talking about. As you've mentioned it doesn't really effect you if you're not buying from new. However, they may hold their value better, given the rarity of them.

no chance, its still a renault

 

[treemanx]

no chance, its still a renault

I think in comparison to the fiesta ST they will? Imo of course.

 

[Munson]

Rare is only good for residual prices if there is a demand. They're not going to hold their value well if no one wants them. Lol.

 

[Jaff.]

Rare is only good for residual prices if there is a demand. They're not going to hold their value well if no one wants them. Lol.

this!

how many people do you come across who wince when you say you drive a renault?

s**t cars iirc.

 

[treemanx]

True, but I think the demand is probably there. it's just the fact people like to 'try before they buy' . Renault have probably missed out on a lot of business because they haven't allowed customers the opportunity to a test drive or even have demo cars in place. Hopefully someone selling the car second hand will allow a test drive lol.

 

[Sir_Dave]

it's just the fact people like to 'try before they buy'.

Its also because of the cr4p finance deals, which amusingly, are mostly caused by the cr4p residuals.

The £200 a month Clio 200's were heavily subsidised by Renault (as per Fiesta ST/M135i/Golf R) to get around that, but the 200T's arent.

 

[botfch]

Had a go in one of these today not overly impressed the padels don't move with the wheel which is slightly annoying and the interior looks tacky.

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

Had a go in one of these today not overly impressed the padels don't move with the wheel which is slightly annoying and the interior looks tacky.

This is the way it should be done.

 

[Munson]

Paddles moving with the wheel is nice until you need to shift with an armful of lock.

 

[Matthew]

I would 100% want column-fixed paddles.

 

[tom2502]

Has anyone seen any decent lease deals on these yet?

 

[Chili Red]

I STILL haven't seen one on the road.

 

[Sargara]

Has anyone seen any decent lease deals on these yet?

Nope. Its almost like Renault don't want to sell them when you compare to whats available from Ford on their ST.

 

[botfch]

I went in my neighbours but surly there must be some rule against not being able to test drive the product can you return it used if its not what you thought??

 

[tom2502]

Nope. Its almost like Renault don't want to sell them when you compare to whats available from Ford on their ST.

It's disappointing, especially as there are good offers for both the fiesta st and peugeot 208 gti

 

[Chili Red]

I STILL haven't seen one on the road.

I cannot believe it, after posting that I saw one! In white. Looked bloody lovely. I really do like them.