When I got my Ph2 172, it did feel like a bit of a step back at the time - what with having already owned 3 Mk1 Clios, coming from a Fiat 20VT (people usually trade the other way round lol!) and not feeling like a million dollars every time I drove it. I knew it was the right step though - and I stuck with it. Id gotten fed-up of huge fuel bills and spending on car maintenance rather than my mountain biking habit.
Anyway, four months down the line and Ive re-learnt how to rev the nuts off a car and generally chuck it about (took me a while to realise that best progress is at 5-7k revs
). The handling is ace and I love the brakes. The interior is really suave and I appreciate all the toys. Whats more, it all damn works and bits arent falling off! Just come back from a 300-mile round trip on business today and averaged 43mpg on A-roads and dual carriageways. Thats the high £20s for fuel, but £120 in expenses from work! **Kerching**
Oh, and new front brake pads cost me £23 and were a doddle to fit - pocket money! So, consider a 172/182 as the perfect downgrade if you need to reduce your running costs, but not your fun levels.
