Keep 172 or buy 197....?

[ashbe84]

Hi everyone

I have just about finished the 02 reg 172 i bought to get back up to standard. Nice car 1 owner 81k miles now has new tyres exhaust and a few other bits, looks like a really good example now.

Question is do i spend £600 ish having cambelt, depahser, water pump done or sell as car is and buy a 197? Anyone who has done just this can you advise which way i should go...

Car wouldnt be a daily driver, just a toy for weekends etc.

Thanks

 

[Chrisgti6]

If it's just a toy then stick with the 172 in my opinion. The 197 is too grown up for weekend fun.

 

[R3k1355]

Keep the 172.

 

[Knuckles]

Keep the 172

 

[Smiffyboy1990]

I'd keep the 172, sounds like a really good example and £600 is a hell off a lot cheaper than spending thousands more on a 197.

 

[charltjr]

Keep the 172. 197 is great but it doesn't have that over-engined feel of the older cars, it's just a bit less exciting.

 

[icebergclio]

as a daily the 197, as a weekend toy the 172. 197 is too much car to use as a toy imo

 

[Chrisgti6]

Keep the 172. 197 is great but it doesn't have that over-engined feel of the older cars, it's just a bit less exciting.

If anything, the 197 is FAR more over engineered than the 1*2. The swivel hubs for example, 4 pot brakes etc etc.

 

[Goodj]

"I've just fixed up this rattly old french can to stop some of the rattles...should I buy another, slightly newer but still old one which'll have a whole world of its own problems to fix, all over again"

At least the 172 can't really lose any more value too!

 

[DrR]

Lol at a 172 feeling over engineered.

I'd keep the 172.

 

[realnumber 1]

Keep the 172. 197 is great but it doesn't have that over-engined feel of the older cars, it's just a bit less exciting.

Think some are misreading over-engined for over-engineered lol

 

[icebergclio]

^ha ha very good. if we are all on the same wavelength i assume he means the 172 engine feels like its ott for the bean can mk2 clio its fitted in, where as the 197 engine feels right at home in a mk3? i love the mk2s overpoweringly unsafe tin can feel.... they never get boring to drive thats for sure.

 

[Chrisgti6]

Sorry my mistake, I did read it as over engineered. Never heard the phrase over engined!

 

[Goodj]

172 had a big engine for the car, which meant it could go fast without problems
197 had an engine about the right size

 

[DrR]

Sorry my mistake, I did read it as over engineered. Never heard the phrase over engined!

Same here!

 

[charltjr]

Heh, was the best way I could think to describe that feel of instant shove you get from it without going all motoring journalist

 

[dann2707]

I'd keep the 172. The mk3's look quite heavy which would remove the fun in it for me.

 

[montana]

I have a 197 , had a 172 cup and 182, 197 is slower (understandable and well documented) , however I enjoy the handling of the 197 (in standard form , non cup) over the 1*2.

IMHO the 197 feels much more stable and planted (172 had eibach springs and 182 had cooksports)

 

[Goodj]

So, not at all comparable then?
A stock 172 takes a whole world of r****d before it starts to unstick itself...

...doesn't stop some people though lol

 

[ashbe84]

Thanks everyone for replies!
Decided i am going to go down the route of buying a really nice 197 (white or liquid yellow ideally) and use it as my daily driver instead of having 2 cars!
So the 172 is for sale now...
02 reg in Pearl Black, one owner from new till July 2015, 81k miles. It has just had a full refresh including 4 new tyres, new cat back exhaust, New windscreen, sump gasket, full service and lots of other little detail parts. Completely standard apart from pressed legal number plates. Just been valeted and paint protected to keep her looking perfect. Looking for £1500 ono for it. Located in Bridlington, East Yorkshire. Just message me if you are interested.
Thanks
Ash

 

[Chrisgti6]

Not long til that as gets removed I wouldn't imagine! Need to be a member to sell mate.

 

[icebergclio]

makes sense dude. 197 is a lot of car to have sitting around all week doing nothing. the 197 is the daily driver imo. got a mate looking for one atm. at some point ill switch from 172 to a 197. ill defo miss the rawness of the 172 though when i do but a bit of comfort for a slight lack in aggression is no bad thing lol ;-)