Have I bought the right Car?! :|

[CJGREEN]

Well basically i went from a Volkswagen Bora to my current 182FF.

Ive had it over a month now and loved it at first.

Since owning it i've spent near to 1k on it, including a cambelt/aux change, 4 new tyres and a custom catback exhaust system so there is nothing wrong with the car now.

Over this past week i've been feeling like i regret that i bought the car because of the size, and also the fact i don't feel that safe in it when doing anything more than 50+ mph.

Originally i was looking at bigger hatchback cars like Golf GTi MKVs, Seat Ibiza's, Civic Type Rs, Ford STs, etc... so I think this might the reason for me not feeling too safe in the car because of how small it is compared.

Is a month too short to judge owning a car or should i look at selling up, saving abit more money and getting something bigger i feel comfortable in?

Cheers

James

 

[Fletcher]

The 182 has a 4 NCAP ratting IIRC. You're quite safe.

 

[theduck]

Take it

Then explore all the other epic roads round there. Then you'll know you bought the righ car.

 

[Vish]

I've always felt safe in my 172 even at silly speeds.

 

[magh]

as above beaten to it lol, i have both vehicles and feel perfectly safe in both

 

[Dan]

Find the right road to fall in love is what I say. The above road is where evo mag gave it 5*s in the mag review over the CTRs 4.5*s I would go and find out why u won't regret it

 

[JCC]

You probably felt safer in the Bora because it was slowly rocking you into a deep sleep every time you drove it

 

[Damo_Sport]

I think it feels safe even at 100+, Well i did at llandlow anyways... very safe car to drive fast in imo

 

[Feirny]

I had a bad smash in my first Clio, which should have probably killed me, I walked away unscathed. It's a fairly safe car, I'm happy with it and bought another.

 

[Dave..]

I had a bad smash in my first Clio, which should have probably killed me, I walked away unscathed. It's a fairly safe car, I'm happy with it and bought another.

That was a wierd one. God knows how the door came off like that?

 

[Soot1e]

Get on a track asap. You WILL like it then.

 

[CJGREEN]

Its not the fact the car has good NCAP ratings for safety. Its more the handling with it on the road, and how it reacts to the roads and things.

Just feels like it likes to do what it wants when it comes to bumps, camber of the road, slight grease, etc...

Also the thing of the size of the car is its like my first clio i had, which was good at the time (old N reg Mk1) but i went up in size every time from that and it feels like ive dropped to a car too small to feel completely comfortable in.

 

[jenic]

Its easy to drive fast though, and inspires confidence imo.

You just point and go lol

You just miss the refinement, which like you know, you wont get from the clio, or any small car tbh. But refinement usually = less fun

 

[Feirny]

That was a wierd one. God knows how the door came off like that?

I know why the door came off, but not why it mangled the shape it did, or how it stuck in the front of his car, proper odd.

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

What tyres are on there ?

Suspension all OK ?! Hunting cambers sounds like something's not tracking correctly. Does it feel sketchy in the dry ?

 

[aldo_87]

Maybe worth getting the tracking done, I've felt this way before with a car and regained a bit of confidence after the tracking was done. Although i might be talking shite having not owned a clio and have no experience of them ... Tyres and wear pattern can alter the way a car feels on the road! Worth a thought ...

 

[CJGREEN]

What tyres are on there ?

Suspension all OK ?! Hunting cambers sounds like something's not tracking correctly. Does it feel sketchy in the dry ?

Tyres are nothing fancy so im not expecting to be stuck to the floor, but im also not expecting to end up backwards through a corner.

Ive been adviced by a friend to get the tracking done too, so might see about having it done. It handles the same in dry and wet with choosing where it wants to go itself.

 

[Munson]

They're really not very stable at speed compared to the heavier more planted cars, so if that's what you've been driving then you will definitely notice that the Clio feels a bit nervous. That's how they drive. You'll get used it again, and if you dont, sell it.

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

So what tyres are on there ?! They're the only thing between the car and the tarmac.... Tyres are one thing never to buy cheap IMO. My OH had granite ditchfinders on the back end of her 182 and it would step out in the dry without warning - in the wet it was lethal.

Rear shocks are prone to fail if they're still OEM and can give characteristics such as you've described, especially if it's over 50k and original out the factory hardware. Check for leaks....

Hope you sort the problem out soon anyway !

 

[TimR26]

Well basically i went from a Volkswagen Bora to my current 182FF.

Since owning it i've spent near to 1k on it, including a cambelt/aux change, 4 new tyres and a custom catback exhaust system so there is nothing wrong with the car now.

Its not the fact the car has good NCAP ratings for safety. Its more the handling with it on the road, and how it reacts to the roads and things.

Just feels like it likes to do what it wants when it comes to bumps, camber of the road, slight grease, etc...

Your first post suggests it wasn't up to date with servcing and few bits needed replacing.

Therefore from your second post I wouldn't be surprised if some of the suspension parts changing as well.

Were the tyres worn unevenly when you changed them? If so, this could hint at problems with ball joints, suspension etc

 

[binksy]

Well basically i went from a Volkswagen Bora to my current 182FF.

Ive had it over a month now and loved it at first.

Since owning it i've spent near to 1k on it, including a cambelt/aux change, 4 new tyres and a custom catback exhaust system so there is nothing wrong with the car now.

Over this past week i've been feeling like i regret that i bought the car because of the size, and also the fact i don't feel that safe in it when doing anything more than 50+ mph.

Originally i was looking at bigger hatchback cars like Golf GTi MKVs, Seat Ibiza's, Civic Type Rs, Ford STs, etc... so I think this might the reason for me not feeling too safe in the car because of how small it is compared.

Is a month too short to judge owning a car or should i look at selling up, saving abit more money and getting something bigger i feel comfortable in?

Cheers

James

tbh felt the same way and bought an newage impreza and now im back in a 182!

Its like every one is saying you need to drive it more!

 

[CJGREEN]

The tyres were fine when they came off, no uneven wearing.

Ive not stopped driving it since i got it and it just seems as i get more used to it, im liking it less each time, to the part where im not even thrashing it and just driving it normally.

Think its the fact its a quick, small, light car, and ive been used to heavier more planted cars in the past.

 

[robotsonic]

you'll get used to it

i came from a cinqucento and the 172 seemed relaxing on long journeys

 

[la21t]

I'm in kinda the same position, my background bigger stuff, ranging from an XR3i, Montego GTi (great gearbox), 309 GTi, 19 16v, 11 Renault 21 Turbos lol a few other BM's culminating in my last car, an M3.....I've had the 172 a week and I don't think I've grinned as much when behind the wheel, it just makes me giggle, I know I need alignment, a little blat up the M23 yesterday showed me that, however in the past week it's had uprated engine mounts and bottom balljoints later this week it's receiving rear beam bushes and track rod ends....

IMO the 21 Turbo is hard to beat when you look at value for money, 175bhp & 200lbft for £700 for a decent one....but I reckon pound for pound the 1*2 Clio is a proper lightweight heavyweight and so much more fun than the M3. I bought my M3 and thought I'd 'made it' the M badge and Vader seats screamed 'come n have ago if you think ur hard enough' turn the key and I was in an expensive 320coupe, hard to explain on here but all I'll say is, I couldn't name it, 2.5 years unreal bills but I never named it. The Clio had been in my hands 5days and it had a name........Claude I salute you.

 

[big_yin]

I've never found my 172 to drive like the Op describes. it sounds like it defo needs alignment or even new bushes etc. Infact when i drive larger cars, Mondeos, Vectras, Primeras (ok I know they arent the best handling cars in the world) they seem to be wollowy and vague and dont inspire any of the confidence i get in my clio. For the record my 172 is on standard suspension with uprated bushes.

 

[Martin_172]

i guarantee it needs rear dampers, been there done that, £90 for 2 genuine renault rear dampers, problem solved.

i nearly sold mine after playing about with tracking, new tyres, etc to cure the problem.

 

[frenchy4242]

So what tyres are on there ?! They're the only thing between the car and the tarmac.... Tyres are one thing never to buy cheap IMO. My OH had granite ditchfinders on the back end of her 182 and it would step out in the dry without warning - in the wet it was lethal.

Rear shocks are prone to fail if they're still OEM and can give characteristics such as you've described, especially if it's over 50k and original out the factory hardware. Check for leaks....

Hope you sort the problem out soon anyway !

What he said. Mine was very similar to what you have described when i bought it. I put Michelin Pilot Sport 3's on and replaced the rear shocks (which were not leaking but were not genuine renault) and it felt like totally different car.

They are quite a skittish car to drive anyway especially compared to a VW bora but it shouldn't feel like it's out to get you!

 

[recaro182]

As said, get the car checked for tracking issues or worn parts concerned with the handling.

If all ok, man the f**k up and drive it hard.

 

[Ollie82.]

A defining factor when it comes to feeling 'secure' in a car is the driving position/seat IMO.
The orginal Clio seats are basically like a pair of bar stools so other than doing the usual mechanical checks to make sure nothing is fundamentally wrong with it in the chassis/suspension/tyre department i'd invest in a decent set of bucket seats. This doesn't mean you need a full on track seat....just a decent Cobra/Recaro recliner will help lower you in the car a bit more.

You'll then feel a bit more at one with the car rather than perched inside it. But obviously if it has leaking shocks, budget tyres and knackered bushes then it'll just mean you'll feel more secure as you crash....

 

[adam1942]

can you go test drive a 172/182 at a garage and see if its any different before spending money on you're car? Make sure its fully serviced and up to date. If its a lot different and you enjoy it you know theres light at the end of the tunnel, however if you go and drive it and its the same and you don't like it.. Also see if you can drive a 197/200 as they are sightly bigger and a heavier + feel more planted as standard.

 

[Gally]

Have you had a bad moment in it yet? Ie spun it or lost the backend?

Sounds like you're s**t scared to drive it to me.

 

[Darren S]

Its not the fact the car has good NCAP ratings for safety. Its more the handling with it on the road, and how it reacts to the roads and things.

Just feels like it likes to do what it wants when it comes to bumps, camber of the road, slight grease, etc...

Also the thing of the size of the car is its like my first clio i had, which was good at the time (old N reg Mk1) but i went up in size every time from that and it feels like ive dropped to a car too small to feel completely comfortable in.

Either you've bought a lemon or you're just not used to the way a 182 handles yet. It's one of the most enjoyable cars to drive in terms of feedback that I've been in - and probably the main reason why I've kept mine for over 6 years.

The 182 tells you waaaay in advance when things are going slightly airy and even if you flinch or panic, it doesn't rip your head off and sh1t down your neck in an example of "I told you so". If your previous Bora was anything like the ocean of VAGs we have here, it has all the dynamic and involvement qualities of a sloth giving itself a reach-around. While sat in a bucket of tar. They are worlds apart and the 182 should fill you with confidence.

By Day 3 of owning mine, I knew I'd made the right decision.

D.

 

[Ali]

Given that you've been driving a tank previously, i doesn't come as a surprise that the Clio feels less safe! (car fans call that agile and nimble)

Stick with it a bit longer.

 

[Gally]

You maybe should have went down the R26/GTI/ST route afterall.

Although bang for buck is hard to beat.

 

[one in a million]

trust me mate, your be suprised how well the clios take impact, trust me. i seen pictures

 

[adam1942]

^- I hit a tree in a MK3 had a bit of neck pain that was it. whole side of the car was trashed though. Unsure what a MK2 would be like but I assume its very similar!

 

[CJGREEN]

Have you had a bad moment in it yet? Ie spun it or lost the backend?

Sounds like you're s**t scared to drive it to me.

Believe me ive used it properly, nearly spun it a few times going to quick into corners.

Just doesnt feel like i'd hoped.

Ill get the tracking done when payday comes in the next week or so.

When the cambelt was done i asked them to check the car generally and they said it was fine.

 

[Stonefish]

Well basically i went from a Volkswagen Bora to my current 182FF.

Ive had it over a month now and loved it at first.

Since owning it i've spent near to 1k on it, including a cambelt/aux change, 4 new tyres and a custom catback exhaust system so there is nothing wrong with the car now.

Over this past week i've been feeling like i regret that i bought the car because of the size, and also the fact i don't feel that safe in it when doing anything more than 50+ mph.

Originally i was looking at bigger hatchback cars like Golf GTi MKVs, Seat Ibiza's, Civic Type Rs, Ford STs, etc... so I think this might the reason for me not feeling too safe in the car because of how small it is compared.

Is a month too short to judge owning a car or should i look at selling up, saving abit more money and getting something bigger i feel comfortable in?

Cheers

James

Hi i will just say that you need to give it a bit of time cause of the difference in size,,
In the past i have owned 2 172's ph1 & ph2 and loved every minute of them,, really good feed back though the car and im about to buy a 182..
You mentioned having a Type R? I have just sold mine it was a very good car, but extremely hard work to be consistantly fast in, not saying its hard to drive, it was pretty easy but constantly having to wringe the neck out the thing in v-tec gets a bit much after a bit.. And driving a type r at normal speeds is well lets say can be frustrating,, they wonder around the road so much you can't really relax in one..
This is just my opinion .. Just stick with it for a bit you will see the light..

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

Who checked the car over ? Did you take it to a specialist ?

Defo sounds like rear end shock issues. Tracking will be a waste of money right now IMO.

 

[hollandcup]

Somthing is definetly wrong mechanically if you've nearly spun it, 182's are ridiculously difficult to spin near impossible infact unless your driving like a complete tool!

You still haven't said what tyres your running, if you have cheap budgets on this will contribute massively to the 'skittish' nature of your car.

Your 182 should inspire bucket loads of confidence in the twisties compared to your previous Bora.