My clio dilema...

[aldo_87]

I'm currently selling my vRS and whittled my new car selection down to a RS clio.

But here is where my problem starts. I originally was looking for a 197, went to test drive a few and was impressed but if i bought a 197 i wouldnt be left with much cash to play with!

So i started looking at ph2 172's and 182's, attracted by the prices of them nowadays and what you are getting for your money!And obv the good reviews.

But last night i was on the phone to a mate who has a ph1 172 and he was chatting about them apparently being one of the best to drive.

Now i dont have a clue what im after! I'm quite old school when it comes to cars and dont mind the bumpy, rattley, fun cars to drive, although they might need a little more TLC than others! Ive test drove them all apart from a 182 and im stumped!

Any reviews and opinions are welcome!

 

[R-Sport.]

Buy a low mileage PH1-

plenty of spare cash on mods then....

or buy a trophy

Steve

 

[M4rk182]

You want a 182 with both cup packs, or a trophy!

 

[Struggler]

We need to know what youre after, pure driving thrills??
motorway miles? looks? track driving??
cruise control and aircon a must??

out of the mk2 range, ph1 is by far the best in my books! they are quicker and lighter than the mk2 range and look the best imo,
get a low milage one and youll be left with loads to spend!

failing that go old skl and get a mk1, and be left with enough to make it leave mk2/3 behind! lol (if thats your thing)

 

[gothy]

Whats the condition of your fabia?

EDIT; just checked your for sale post, thats nice
I've got a nice black phase 2 172 with 60,000 miles, but mines not worth your asking price

 

[Matt W]

Phase 1 or a 172 cup

 

[unfortunately_french]

182 FF alllll the way. Best all round compromise imo.

 

[Jon.G]

ph1 172/ph2 172 cup are said to be best for driver interaction. If you want the toy's get a 182 with cup packs. the ph2 172 pov spec is the 'dog' of the RS's. But In no means bad at all.

 

[Struggler]

ph1 172/ph2 172 cup are said to be best for driver interaction.

i hear the mk1s are better
the williams being the best

so get a mk1, willaims track, 172 engine and youll have the best of everything!!
and youll get some free rust!!

 

[Jon.G]

completely forgot about mk1's.

 

[MADNESS88]

ph1 172 or ph2 172 cup definitly

 

[Struggler]

most people do .

in all serious though,

mk1 1.8 16v are good for the thrill in the bends and cheap, but they rust and are abit gutless in a straight line,
williams are great in bends and straights, but are still old/rusty and cost a fair bit.

mk2 ph1s are great allrounds and are quite cheap. but have packed on the pounds since the the mk1s

mk2 ph2 172 are the worst of the bunch for me, not the quickest in the straight, and heavier than the mk1s in the bends,
mk2 ph2 172 cup, id rate slightly below the ph1s, theyre the same ball park for pace (i think) but are a bit more expensive.

mk2 ph2 182, getting heavier, with only a bit extra grunt, and the price is still rising
cups packs claw back some of that conering ability.

the mk2 ph2s have a lot more mod cons, but are digital throttle which has lag.
personally, the best all rounder for me is the mk2 ph1 172!

please note the above is all completely in MY opionion,
ive never driven a 182 so i possibly cant comment on them very accuretley.
but the way the market goes, they pump more and more safety features and extras like air con making the cars heavier,
they compensate for this by making them a bit more powerful in the straights, but in reality, lightweight gives the most fun.

 

[r900smp]

Test drive a 172cup and then a ph1 172 and tell us which one leaves u with the biggest smile ;-)

 

[aldo_87]

Thanks for the replies and opinons!

We need to know what youre after, pure driving thrills??
motorway miles? looks? track driving??
cruise control and aircon a must??

out of the mk2 range, ph1 is by far the best in my books! they are quicker and lighter than the mk2 range and look the best imo,
get a low milage one and youll be left with loads to spend!

failing that go old skl and get a mk1, and be left with enough to make it leave mk2/3 behind! lol (if thats your thing)

I'm more into spirited driving, A road fun! I drive 60 miles on an A road to work , goodbye fuel economy!

Id quite like air con and the like, and the leather seats. So im ruling out the ph2 172 cup. I think i need to go test drive some friends cars!

 

[Jon.G]

182 with cup packs is what you're looking at then.

 

[Whitetac]

Get a late ph2 172 cup with climate control, spend few hundred on some sexy seats and your sorted. Doesn't get any better than that!

 

[Martin_172]

ph1 all the way!

no point in you getting a 182, if your going ph2 just go 172.

ur budget would get you a ph1, refresh everything up front and a jms inlet. done!

 

[unfortunately_french]

I use my 182 FF (with cup packs - spoiler, wheels, uprated suspension apparently) to drive to uni every weekday and it gives me 40mpg on average cruising at 70-80mph. The cruise control is very useful when in an average speed check zone and the air con is freezing (on the one sunny day we've had recently). Then at the weekend it's good for a thrash, haven't had a play with any cup's or phase 1's yet, but any slight difference in performance will be over ruled by who simply is the better driver. Get one