Thanks guys. had a 60mile blast home last night and was well impressed. The reason I changed is I had the CTR for 4 years, it was a fantastic car, and I'll greatly miss it. But it costs a lot to run, and I needed something a little smaller, newer with some aircon!
So I found my 2year old 182, FSH, ex demo, climate control, superguard etc 22k, for £8000.
Comparissons against the CTR are interesting, and quite eye opening. I have heard so many magazines and TV shows go on about how better the handling is on a clio, this is not true. Yes, there is more feel in the steering (but not nearly as much as I was expecting), and you can throw it in and catch it quicker when it breaks away. But you drive the CTR smoother and more precisely, it requires a slightly different driving style, and when you get it right, it would certainly keep up with anything for, and a lot over the same money. Sure, it can get unsettled mid corner if the bump is big enough, but then so can a 182.....
The CTR is a different car to the clio and should be taken that way. It is bigger, far better built, smoother, more refined and comfier than a clio, but not ultimately as much fun or as chuckable. I wish more people could be honest rather than biased in their opinions!
I'm gonna love the clio I can already tell, but the two are a close call. One mans meat etc...
I'm off for another blast! :d
