Quote from Practical performance car

[Winston]

This months issue has a really good review of the williams ........Heres a quote from the last paragraph.

"Maybe the effect on the Williams itself was marginal, but after 10 years development the current crop of 200bhp super hatches, good as they may be, weigh considerably more than a Williams 1 and cant hope to match its kart-like dynamics. To be fair to Renault Sport, the current Clio 182 in stripped out 1060kg cup guise is reckoned to be about as good as new hatches get, But when road tested back to back with a Williams on good form, the older car usually still gets the nod, having driven both it certainy gets mine".

Enjoy.....If you have a Williams the whole article is worth a read

 

[badinvincible]

Cue 10 page "debate"

 

[182_blue]

 

[Ali]

oh dear....

 

[wrx-172]

Williams are class... Cant ever see how anyone could say anything else... Lovely motors

 

[FlamingMonkey]

Gotta agree with them

 

[Chris n nic]

Yep amazing cars...cant even imagine what they must have been like when they originally came out....

Chris

 

[northy]

Ill get it scanned in this weekend for those who havent seen it.

 

[Phill1978]

true.. show you dont have to spend a fortune to get awesome performance.. think about the 182cup taking on some serious £££££ B road competion and the williams is better still bargin prices now.

 

[Dash]

Fancy coming fishing.

 

[Winston]

lol

 

[Lee]

Quote: Originally posted by northy on 08 March 2005
Ill get it scanned in this weekend for those who havent seen it.


Please dont post it on here due to Copyright issues.

 

[clarkiev6]

Quote: Originally posted by badinvincible on 08 March 2005

Cue 10 page "debate"



only ten???? lol

 

[blink172]

Truely amazing cars that have stood the test of time. Renault created the ultimate masterpiece and have spent the last 10 years trying to figure out how they did it!

As soon as they realise that a dig around the F1 parts bin or even just ask them to have a good work over on the current models suspension (whichever derivative) and they would have something to match it. If you can improve a 182s handling with coilovers, then renault should have done it in the first place

 

[FlamingMonkey]

Quote: Originally posted by Chris nnic on 08 March 2005
Yep amazing cars...cant even imagine what they must have been like when they originally came out....Chris

I reckon prolly the same without the stone chips, hehe

 

[FlamingMonkey]

Quote: Originally posted by Lee on 08 March 2005
Quote: Originally posted by northy on 08 March 2005Ill get it scanned in this weekend for those who havent seen it.


Please dont post it on here due to Copyright issues.


Booo

 

[Lee]

Quote: Originally posted by blink172 on 08 March 2005Truely amazing cars that have stood the test of time. Renault created the ultimate masterpiece and have spent the last 10 years trying to figure out how they did it! As soon as they realise that a dig around the F1 parts bin or even just ask them to have a good work over on the current models suspension (whichever derivative) and they would have something to match it. If you can improve a 182s handling with coilovers, then renault should have done it in the first place


Whats F1 got to do with anything? It didnt on the Williams, Renaultsport developed the entire car.

Flamingmonkey, we had some problems before when someone did something similar. Its the latest issue too, they want sales. I read it at work last week. Dam good article, even if the wheels are wrong. lol

 

[TheJesus]

Quote: Originally posted by badinvincible on 08 March 2005

Cue 10 page "debate"

why, we already know the Williams is the greatest hot hatch of all time... we could debate why the current 172s/182s arent as good tho

 

[Dave H]

Never drove a Williams Clio but used to own a pug 1.9gti.My Cup 172 is a better car...no question.But it doesnt have that feel that the pug had.
Hard to explain unless youve driven both.

 

[y0z2a]

i love both of them.

stock vs. stock - williams would have my vote, but... they are old now.

/y0z

 

[TheJesus]

Quote: Originally posted by y0z2a on 08 March 2005

i love both of them.

stock vs. stock - williams would have my vote, but... they are old now.

/y0z

old would be a problem for someone that does as many miles as you Yoz, granted!

 

[blink172]

Quote: Originally posted by Lee on 08 March 2005

Quote: Originally posted by blink172 on 08 March 2005
Truely amazing cars that have stood the test of time. Renault created the ultimate masterpiece and have spent the last 10 years trying to figure out how they did it!

As soon as they realise that a dig around the F1 parts bin or even just ask them to have a good work over on the current models suspension (whichever derivative) and they would have something to match it. If you can improve a 182s handling with coilovers, then renault should have done it in the first place

Whats F1 got to do with anything? It didnt on the Williams, Renaultsport developed the entire car.

Flamingmonkey, we had some problems before when someone did something similar. Its the latest issue too, they want sales. I read it at work last week. Dam good article, even if the wheels are wrong. lol

I thought Williams had some input into the development of the car. And all it was just a sticker to sell the car? lol

 

[Swervin_Mervin]

Thing is, modern cars will never be as good as the older cars, whichever sporty cars you look at. The modern regs are just too restrictive.

I reckon the 90s is the pinnacle decade for sports cars, where they were modern enough to massively increase reliability and build issues, but not conform to nannying legislation.

 

[Griff]

Would I have had a Williams 10 years ago? Ofcourse...

Would I buy one now - Not at all, its dated...

I think part of the reason the Williams is held in such high esteem (still) is the sentimental factor.

 

[Swervin_Mervin]

Have you driven one? Even the valver handles better than a 172. And thats a qualified statement before anyone says.

 

[Dash]

Practical performance car ? No thanks Ill have a proper sports car.

 

[Griff]

Im just saying be realistic thats all.

Place all emotion to one side and imagine that Renault still produced the Williams to this day (wether in 1,2 or 3 guise) and it had to contend with todays cars. Would everyone still be saying "its the best hot hatch"? Ofourse not.....

Its that mystique/romance of an "old" car that makes people think its the best think since sliced bread.

And yes i have driven one.

 

[TheJesus]

Quote: Originally posted by .Griff. on 08 March 2005

Would I have had a Williams 10 years ago? Ofcourse... - no, you would prolly have been too young or poor to buy one

Would I buy one now - Not at all, its dated... - no, you decided it was too much car for someone of your driving ability and went for a softer option

I think part of the reason the Williams is held in such high esteem (still) is the sentimental factor. - yeah, makes you go back in time everytime you drive it and feel 10 years younger, its actually a sh*t car to drive, but considered the best hot hatch because people feel sorry for it lol

 

[Lee]

Quote: Originally posted by blink172 on 08 March 2005
Quote: Originally posted by Lee on 08 March 2005Quote: Originally posted by blink172 on 08 March 2005Truely amazing cars that have stood the test of time. Renault created the ultimate masterpiece and have spent the last 10 years trying to figure out how they did it! As soon as they realise that a dig around the F1 parts bin or even just ask them to have a good work over on the current models suspension (whichever derivative) and they would have something to match it. If you can improve a 182s handling with coilovers, then renault should have done it in the first place[/QUOTE]

Whats F1 got to do with anything? It didnt on the Williams, Renaultsport developed the entire car.

Flamingmonkey, we had some problems before when someone did something similar. Its the latest issue too, they want sales. I read it at work last week. Dam good article, even if the wheels are wrong. lol[/QUOTE]I thought Williams had some input into the development of the car. And all it was just a sticker to sell the car? lol


Nah, just a sticker mate. According to the Practical Performace article.

Ive driven a MINT Williams 2, and I mean mint, and I thought it was a great drive but Id not want one as my main car. Maybe as a weekend or track car. Its an old car, and it feels and looks like it. You lot seem to forget that cars are transport too, driving into Birmingham isnt fun in any car but Id much rather do it in the relative comfort of a new car. A new car I can enjoy on the road and track.

 

[blink172]

Quote: Originally posted by .Griff. on 08 March 2005

Im just saying be realistic thats all.

Place all emotion to one side and imagine that Renault still produced the Williams to this day (wether in 1,2 or 3 guise) and it had to contend with todays cars. Would everyone still be saying "its the best hot hatch"? Ofourse not.....

Its that mystique/romance of an "old" car that makes people think its the best think since sliced bread.

And yes i have driven one.

As everyone says, it out handles/performs 172/182s so yes, it would still be the best hot hatch.

 

[TheJesus]

Quote: Originally posted by James on 08 March 2005

Practical performance car ? No thanks Ill have a proper sports car.

show us then... where is it??? oh, you were being serious, sorry, when you meant the V6 I thought you were joking... my bad

 

[Griff]

Quote: Originally posted by blink172 on 08 March 2005
Quote: Originally posted by .Griff. on 08 March 2005Im just saying be realistic thats all.

Place all emotion to one side and imagine that Renault still produced the Williams to this day (wether in 1,2 or 3 guise) and it had to contend with todays cars. Would everyone still be saying "its the best hot hatch"? Ofourse not.....

Its that mystique/romance of an "old" car that makes people think its the best think since sliced bread.

And yes i have driven one.

[/QUOTE]As everyone says, it out handles/performs 172/182s so yes, it would still be the best hot hatch.


PMSL... Better than a CTR, Leon Cupra, V6 255, Focus RS, New Golf GTI, Audi S3.. Want me to carry on?

 

[Swervin_Mervin]

So basically people who have a car to "drive" run willys and valvers, whereas the soft GAF-ers drive the current crop.

Strange though, that I think the willy/valvers are far more fluid handlers than the current crop, therefore they are actually less stressful etc to drive at their limit than the twitchy 172/182/Cups, which is probably why you can carry higher speeds through the twisties.

 

[Lee]

Its like a stuck record on here.

Just because its the best car on the planet for you doesnt mean we all feel the same.

If I wanted one I could have one, or 2 or 3, christ I might even be able to make a good one if I purchased that many.

 

[jon_r]

Its a good review for the Williams I agree! Id like to own one, but as has been pointed out its not practical, its becoming an old car now, I need the assurance of a warrenty behind me for work.

Im not sure how this Practical Performance Car suddenly became the gospel for all things automotive either, the road tester obviously has an opinion of his own and thats great.

I look forward to taking a trip to the local WHS lending library to read the full article!

 

[blink172]

Or your local dental surgery waiting room.

 

[jon_r]

Thats a point, i havent got a checkup for 6 months, it should be there by then!

 

[Dash]

I wouldnt want my car to be considered as practical, it sounds like a shopping trolley review.

 

[TheJesus]

Griff, get real, I can pull quite nicely on my pals 250bhp & 260lbs Scooby Classic from a rolling 1st gear start, I pan a Cupra everyday on the way to work (god knows what model, they all look the same to me) and 172s seem to be something of my motorway b**ch. i have a decat and powerflow system, so my cars obviously running an extra 50bhp tho so not a fair test

Place all emotion to one side and imagine that Renault still produced the Williams to this day (wether in 1,2 or 3 guise) and it had to contend with todays cars. Would everyone still be saying "its the best hot hatch"? Ofourse not..... You seem to miss the fact its still on the road and there to be compared with these other cars... if it were new it would still have 150bhp quoted standard and still weigh less than 1000kg...

And im not being funny, but Id much rather have a Williams than some sliced bread, thats not that intuitive an invention really imo...

 

[Martin]

Still havent seen that vid Jesus, sort it out!