Decisions, Decisions, Decisions.....

[vivid white]

Right things have changed for me recently and I have a decision to make....

As ive already mentioned in other threads I have a car to sell but did want to buy a 182 as my next car........I now have a bit more money to play with and the 197 is also in my price range.

I just cannot decide which I prefer, I personally feel the 182 looks a little more meaty but the benefits with the 197 are tempting as well (newer, less miles etc).

I just cant decide which to go for. I have started reading through the Poll: 182 or 197 thread and have noticed more people prefer the 182.

Is the 197 more reliable than the 182? Is there anything to watch out for on the 197 like cam belts etc?

Thanks
James

 

[Revels]

More people only 'prefer' the 182 because that's what they own.

The 197 is a better car.

 

[vivid white]

By its a better car do you mean just all round better? Am I right in thinking that the insurance group of the 197 is cheaper? Whats fuel consumption like?

Thanks for the reply.

James

More people only 'prefer' the 182 because that's what they own.

The 197 is a better car.

 

[jack_kemp]

Reliability between the 182 and 197 is going to be exactly the same really.
Tbh, the only 197 I would buy is the r27. Otherwise I would definitely have a 1*2 and spend the extra money on mods. You'll have a much more capable car when you're finished.

Fuel consumption on the 197 is worse, insurance is a bit cheaper.

It's certainly a more accomplished car than the 182, but I wouldn't agree that that makes it a better drive. I'd buy a 182 and wait for a 200 or an r27 to be in your price range.

 

[Sir_Dave]

I prefer the 182, hence why i own one.

If i prefered the 197, id own one of those instead.

182 = more fun/oldskool imho.

 

[vivid white]

Im not really looking to mod whichever I get though. I like the standard car, if anything it would just be an exhaust or something further down the line but that would only be for improved sounds.

 

[vivid white]

182 = more fun/oldskool imho.

I do agree with this but oldskool isnt always good because I cant afford time/money to be repairing a 6/7 years old car if the 182 breaks but then again I could have the same argument for the 197........Im confusing myself now

 

[Gally]

A Trophy or just buy a 197, then again i'd only own an R27 from the 197 range.

So to summarise. Buy a Trophy or an R27.

 

[Sir_Dave]

I do agree with this but oldskool isnt always good because I cant afford time/money to be repairing a 6/7 years old car if the 182 breaks but then again I could have the same argument for the 197........Im confusing myself now

By oldskool i mean the way it drives/offers feedback to the driver, not that it unreliable lol ...

I have a Trophy, purely because its flipping brilliant.

 

[Christopher]

The R27's better than the 182. A normal 197 isn't IMO.

The 200's better than either.

 

[jack_kemp]

The R27's better than the 182. A normal 197 isn't IMO.

The 200's better than either.

^^^this. The only 197 that's worth buying over a 182 is an R27. If you can't stretch to that, then buy a trophy if you're planning to keep it standard.

 

[Gally]

The R27's better than the 182. A normal 197 isn't IMO.

The 200's better than either.

I feel a little like that with the Trophy and the 182's. I'd rather just go for the Trophy than save a bit and go for a 182. Bit like the R27.

 

[Christopher]

Agreed.

But the gap between 182 > Trophy is narrower than 197 > R27/200.

I was 90% buying a Trophy I saw before I bought my car. But the Trophy isn't Racing Blue.

 

[jack_kemp]

The trophy is only worthwhile if you're going to keep it standard suspension wise IMO.

Since you could buy a 182, a pair of bimarco's and some good coilies and still be spending less money, I'd find it difficult to hand my money over for a trophy.

 

[Gally]

Agreed.

But the gap between 182 > Trophy is narrower than 197 > R27/200.

I was 90% buying a Trophy I saw before I bought my car. But the Trophy isn't Racing Blue.

Agreed mate, I nearly bought a Trophy just before my FRP.

Does everything so well the Trophy.

 

[Christopher]

Saw a DC5 this morning.

FML.

 

[Gally]

agreed and +1.

I heart them.

I love that I don't need to go to a Turbo with my next car with the likes of the DC5 out there. Even an FN2 possibly, those Champ white ones look very very good in the flesh JDM.

 

[Cliotoby]

R27 Or Trophy.

Beware of the 197 gearbox problem though. Having experienced the TL4 box going myself, I would definately not buy a clio that had no warranty.

 

[Sir_Dave]

Since you could buy a 182, a pair of bimarco's and some good coilies and still be spending less money, I'd find it difficult to hand my money over for a trophy.

Not so sure tbh, you forget that the poncy wheels & seats in a Trophy sell for £1250 themselves .... leaving you a lot of money to buy normal wheels/Bimarcos if you're turning it into a track car anyway ...

Then if you dont like the Sachs, you can get rid of that for £500 as well ...

For me, a Trophy is a far better base from a monetary perspective!!

 

[Christopher]

agreed and +1.

I heart them.

I love that I don't need to go to a Turbo with my next car with the likes of the DC5 out there. Even an FN2 possibly, those Champ white ones look very very good in the flesh JDM.

Terrible drive. :dapprove:

 

[jack_kemp]

But if you get rid of the seats, wheels and sachs, then you've basically got a red 182 anyway? I suppose there's not a lot in it really.

 

[jack_kemp]

Terrible drive. :dapprove:

Massively better with eibach's and a geo set up. Night and day.

 

[Sir_Dave]

But if you get rid of the seats, wheels and sachs, then you've basically got a red 182 anyway? I suppose there's not a lot in it really.

Hence why i kept the suspension, thats the good bit

 

[Gally]

Terrible drive. :dapprove:

I thought the standard one I drove wasn't that bad, the 19's made for a hard ride but it looked good. Steering was a bit meh but it never came accross as trying to be a real drivers car just a decent hot hatch.

Massively better with eibach's and a geo set up. Night and day.

I wasn't aware they did stuff for the FN2.

Carry on.

 

[Christopher]

FN2's are weak. End.

You shouldn't need to fiddle with them out of the box to make them almost as good as the previous generation car.

 

[dum1983]

I think I would go for a trophy in your situation.

 

[Shooter McGavin]

I was in your position last month and I decided to buy a 2005 182 with low miles and belts done and am going to keep it for 1-2 years until I can afford a Megane 250. On saying that the way things are now financially, I may have to keep it for 5 years!!

 

[_williams_]

182 and money in the bank for me!

 

[jack_kemp]

I wasn't aware they did stuff for the FN2.

Carry on.

They certainly do. My best mate owns one. To be honest, having heard how bad everyone says it out of the box, I was pleasantly surprised with it standard.... It's not that bad. But with the geometry set up and springs, it's wonderful. Set up by tdi south, where the guys went for the Essex rolling road day.
It handles remarkably like I'd imagine the cup would if it weighed 200kg more. But with a whole lot less body roll. It gets rid of the crashy ride and the overly 'safe' feeling rear end. Makes it much more pointy. Massive grip and a great engine. I'd consider buying one after driving it with the geo set up.