Knuckles
ClioSport Admin
Partly thinking out loud here and I've been trying to put off posting this, but the more I think about it, the less I think the 197/200 works as a daily driver.
Think for a second that you're not an enthusiast... Or even that you're not in the mood to drive the car like a massive yob (for a change):
Poor mpg per performance aside, it's a car that you can't get into normally without tearing the bolsters open. This isn't only a recaro problem, the standard seats do this too.
It's a very unforgiving ride, when I first got it, if I was unfortunate enough to need a wee wee when I was driving, every bump in the road felt like a falcon punch to the bladder.
The recaros don't make for easy access to the rear for passengers or loading (this isn't so much an issue than me nitpicking).
It kangaroos when cold which most people not in the know (read as 'sad enough to frequent forums) would think is a massive manufacturing fault.
And the flat spot is borderline dangerous... Which as well, could be mistaken for a major fault with the car.
The main thing though, which I'm starting to find, possibly why I'm driving it less and less? Is that the Clio constantly wants to be driven like everything is a race.
Someone on here made a good analogy of 'the Clio is always on' I.e, it's only a pleasant experience when you want to press on, when you want to rev the tits off it, being fully immersed in the drive so much so that you're tensed up unknowingly trying to be as rigid as the car.
I'm wondering if this is why you rarely see these on the road, if old Doris bought a lovely little shopping cart then had her hip displaced on her first outing so took it back.
As a weekend/track car or toy, it's amazing. When you're pressing on, the experience is brilliant, everything works as it should and encourages you to really make pace... But as soon as you want to wind down, the Clio will have none of it.
I'm not sure whether the 1*2s are the same, but does anyone else see where I'm coming from? I don't know if I'm old before my time or what but I really do find myself driving it less and less to the point I frequently think about selling up... Then I take it for a thrash and remember why I have it and the cycle starts over.
TL: DR
The Clio wants to be a race car 24/7 but I want to relax sometimes. Does anyone else think the same?
Think for a second that you're not an enthusiast... Or even that you're not in the mood to drive the car like a massive yob (for a change):
Poor mpg per performance aside, it's a car that you can't get into normally without tearing the bolsters open. This isn't only a recaro problem, the standard seats do this too.
It's a very unforgiving ride, when I first got it, if I was unfortunate enough to need a wee wee when I was driving, every bump in the road felt like a falcon punch to the bladder.
The recaros don't make for easy access to the rear for passengers or loading (this isn't so much an issue than me nitpicking).
It kangaroos when cold which most people not in the know (read as 'sad enough to frequent forums) would think is a massive manufacturing fault.
And the flat spot is borderline dangerous... Which as well, could be mistaken for a major fault with the car.
The main thing though, which I'm starting to find, possibly why I'm driving it less and less? Is that the Clio constantly wants to be driven like everything is a race.
Someone on here made a good analogy of 'the Clio is always on' I.e, it's only a pleasant experience when you want to press on, when you want to rev the tits off it, being fully immersed in the drive so much so that you're tensed up unknowingly trying to be as rigid as the car.
I'm wondering if this is why you rarely see these on the road, if old Doris bought a lovely little shopping cart then had her hip displaced on her first outing so took it back.
As a weekend/track car or toy, it's amazing. When you're pressing on, the experience is brilliant, everything works as it should and encourages you to really make pace... But as soon as you want to wind down, the Clio will have none of it.
I'm not sure whether the 1*2s are the same, but does anyone else see where I'm coming from? I don't know if I'm old before my time or what but I really do find myself driving it less and less to the point I frequently think about selling up... Then I take it for a thrash and remember why I have it and the cycle starts over.
TL: DR
The Clio wants to be a race car 24/7 but I want to relax sometimes. Does anyone else think the same?
