yes defo best car and best car before that was my phase 2 16v clio.
ive had 4 205 gtis, a 106 rallye mk1, clio 1.8 16v, fiesta, BMW e36 328 sport coupe, and an (ahem) orion (lasted a week and left it to rot with the shame of such a purchase).
205s were fun but had their time and were made of tinfoil, rallye was a constant pain in @rse with breaking down, 328 sport supped petrol like was goin out of fashion and fiesta was my first car so got punished.
clio 16v was ace and had comfiest seats in world but had to sell it to go to uni.
172 is best overall car definately. had hardly any problems with it (just radiator and rear bearings). drinks not a lot of petrol for the speeds it goes, looks fat, cheapish to insure, rare car, nice comforts with leather and aircon etc.
still, would love an S3 audi or a honda s2000 or e46 BMW coupe or something more flash, but the clio 172 is a brilliant all rounder.