Second impressions of the 197

[FlameR]

Well I test drove a 197 about 2-3 months ago, I quite liked it but wasn't singing from the roof tops about it.

Well been in my bro's tonight, and I've got to say it has grown on me, a fair bit. For some reason cars feel faster when you are a passenger. The surge of power to the red line is great, much more linear than my 172. Build quality is far better, more road presence. The only down points are the dash, no xenons (on my bros) and the kangaroo-gears. The seats are amazing, but I feel they left the dash til last and couldn't be arsed, they just wanted to get the car finished so they whacked in the cheapest/easiest design.

197's aren't as highly regarded as they should be imo.

My 2 pence worth

 

[Gaz_]

I love them.. Always have ever since my go in may. I want a cup come summer

Back to my cup roots lol

 

[DrR]

Still not touched one yet

 

[Diesel_Power]

I really cannot see the point in upgrading from a 1*2. It seems far too much of a sideways move.

 

[Gaz_]

I fancy new-ness..... although i keep changing my mind lol. My 182 doesnt feel as 'special' as my 172 Cup did?

 

[FlameR]

it's not a sideways move really. Better build quality, more room, newer, different engine. A side ways move would be 172 to a 182.

 

[DrR]

Newness is good my cars 6 years old now.

 

[Alan]

I really cannot see the point in upgrading from a 1*2. It seems far too much of a sideways move.

Have you driven one??

 

[Diesel_Power]

it's not a sideways move really. Better build quality, more room, newer, different engine. A side ways move would be 172 to a 182.

Id agre with the majority of that, the build quality does seem alot better and theres no denying its a more spacious car but it end there for me. The 1*2 engine is relatively rock solid and just because its "different" doesnt always equate to better. Im shooting half blind here because ive not test driven the 197 so im still edging on the side of caution and only have reports from other owners and word of mouth to go on but it seems like the performance of both cars (which lets face it, we didnt buy the top spec models for the fancy interior trim) seems too similar, accelaration, power, cornering etc and to me id want significant improvements there, i couldnt care less about boot space or ergonomic aluminum cup holders.

 

[Diesel_Power]

I really cannot see the point in upgrading from a 1*2. It seems far too much of a sideways move.

Have you driven one??

As per my above post. Not driven one yet no but im basing it on what the majority of opinions and statistics are, possibly a foolish thing to do until i drive it myself but i think it gives a relatively good insight on what to expect.

 

[FlameR]

my only response to that is test drive one. then you can make your mind up for yourself

 

[Diesel_Power]

my only response to that is test drive one. then you can make your mind up for yourself

I totally agree, im just basing my opinion on what i have to go on so far.

 

[DrR]

From what i've heard they are far superior in handling and braking, just need a PUG 207 GTI engine.

 

[Gaz_]

1.6 turb?

No thanks!

No replacement for displacement

 

[Diesel_Power]

From what i've heard they are far superior in handling and braking, just need a PUG 207 GTI engine.

Erm?

 

[DrR]

or a bigger n/a engine.....

 

[FlameR]

or just a meggy 225 engine lol.

 

[DNP182]

i have test drove 197 twice now...definately better second round. it is still a quick car...not a kick in the arse of the pace of my 182...if not quicker and soooo much more comfortable and better finished.

i didnt like the 197 at first and thought the renault had perhaps messed up...but i have started to change my mind...i like it and think it is a step up from the 182...not a side ways move at all. while i still get a buzz from driving my 182 i think it is time to move on, get something new that will still be as much fun to drive....

 

[Mr Burns]

I've driven a few (I work at a car sales lol) ...and I really like them!

Can't wait till I can afford one!

 

[SimonV6]

For some reason cars feel faster when you are a passenger.

ALL cars feel faster when you're a passenger, I think due to the fact of not being in control?


Simon

 

[The Seer]

1240 kgs:dapprove: .Power to weight is.....?

 

[Neil G]

Agree about the car feeling faster as a passenger.my 172 felt well rapid when I was taken for a test drive in it.....behind the wheel though it feels pedestrian!

I'm a big fan of the 197....underrated but in a way that's a good thing

 

[Chris n nic]

I suppose it all depends on what you are after. It is just history repeating itself. Williams > 1*2 > 197. The 'progression' is making the car heavier and "better" but not necessarily so in reality.

Chris

 

[Iridium]

Still waiting for a Meggy 230 lump powered one, with an LSD

Dan

 

[Ollie82.]

It took me two goes in a 197 to fully appreciate the chassis. Second go was in an R27 so the improvements were even more obvious.

Its just let down by its size and therefore the extra weight. Im sure if you bunged that motor in a 182/172 it would feel fantastic but its underpowered in the 197.

IMO!!

 

[mini_nick]

ive had 2 drives in 197 now, first time was when they first came out when i had my elise, I was impressed then with the quality and the brakes, plus the way its really nice to heel toe Recently my father bought a 197 f1 which i had a go in on the weekend, really do enjoy it! just a shame i cant afford one!

 

[Iridium]

I haven't driven an R27 - just a FF 197 - had about 6k on it, engine felt like it was a little 'stiff' still - I'd like to try one with sorta 10k under it's belt. The things that impressed me most were the seemingly limitless grip (it was dry - no experience of them in the wet) and the brakes were truely outstanding.

Dan

 

[sharkaroo]

When your a passenger you have nothing to hold onto, except your arse cheeks gripping the seat, the driver has a wheel to hold onto. thats why it feels quicker, imo!

 

[Jezzer]

The things that impressed me most were the seemingly limitless grip (it was dry - no experience of them in the wet) and the brakes were truely outstanding.

Dan

Seems to have unlimited grip in the dry. In the wet it's another story! Went round an icy roundabout just a little too fast the other night... lifted off the throttle and the back end came out quite sharpish... had to apply opposite lock and get my foot back on the accelerator...

I've driven a 172 and it was immense fun. Superbly fast and very chuckable.

The 197 is a more 'mature' car - in terms of build and refinement... and contrary to what some of the nay-sayers might tell you... it IS a fast car (it's better looking too). Though it is absolutely true that the engine doesn't really come into life until you get above 5,000 RPM. My route to and from work takes me through a number of B roads and ,in this environment, charging through the country roads, the 197 is incredible and thrilling.

 

[MikeLYR27]

I really cannot see the point in upgrading from a 1*2. It seems far too much of a sideways move.

How can a complete upgrade in every way be a side step? You driven one?
I completly spanked a 172 last night. The engine is grunty, pulls like a train and handling wise you cant get it off the road. Fact.

 

[Gaz_]

You wont spank a 172. My mate had one on demo for a weekend (which i drove, and loved may i add). We had plenty of runs to compare them Against my (at the time standard 182) it was pretty much even, i *may* have just nudged it to be fair.

 

[Ben H]

My 197 certainly doesn't spank my old 172 - and my 172 didn't spank my Williams or 16V either!

However, the 197 is definitely the biggest step forward in terms of ride and handling - plus all the advances of the basic Clio over the previous ones.

 

[wlshyd182]

i had a dabble when i was looking at getting the 182 but it didnt feel as quick as the 182, passenger or not, power delivery was smoother but just didnt feel quite as potent as the 182.

I think the 182's better torque-to-weight is to blame, as i felt unable to overtake in the 197 below 5000rpm even if i wanted to.

I got a good 1/2 hour run in it so got quite a good feel for it. Dont get me wrong 197 owners lovely car and lovely to drive, but just a TAD underpowered for 182 owners to feel that it is an 'upgrade'... a new model should blow your socks off just like the first 17/182 you ever drove, but for me it didnt

 

[ForceIndia]

Driven a 197 a few times. Feels a lot more of a grown up car, I (my opinion) feel it's got too much grip, so you only notice how good the chassis is when your absolutely caining it. It needs a more powerful engine, it's a bit like a Boxster (in that it's under-engined/over chassised), ie the engine isn't strong enough to stretch the chassis. But, thats just my opinion, I prefer lower grip cars that let you play a bit more (hence why I prefer the handling of my 306 rallye to the 172 and 182 I had)

 

[Graham Gooch]

197 is a great car. I liked it from day one tbh. Always felt underpowered as said above although in reality and on todays roads is it?

Comes alive on track, which all owners should experience. I was lucky to get the keys to a R27 and let out on the road alone. Now I took it for the best part of 45 minutes and went in fairness, berserk.

Lovely car. Interior is leagues ahead of the mk2, only thing I wasnt keen on is the material used on the recaros. Ultra budget

 

[Diesel_Power]

I really cannot see the point in upgrading from a 1*2. It seems far too much of a sideways move.

How can a complete upgrade in every way be a side step? You driven one?
I completly spanked a 172 last night. The engine is grunty, pulls like a train and handling wise you cant get it off the road. Fact.

Probably best to read all the posts i made after that to get an explanation rather than just ask again....

 

[dhampton]

I dont get why new cars are/have to be bigger and more spacious. Surely thats what the Megane is for? And if you have a Megane, the Laguna? If they're gonna keep making cars bigger they need to slot a new small model in to take its place. I've not driven a new Clio though, and it may well be a great car, not really a direct replacement though.

 

[dandycaptain]

Seems to have unlimited grip in the dry. In the wet it's another story! Went round an icy roundabout just a little too fast the other night... lifted off the throttle and the back end came out quite sharpish... had to apply opposite lock and get my foot back on the accelerator... .

Well if it was icy not even a 172 cup would find grip. Myself, I loved the 197 after a few hours in it, simply cos of its balance. It needs to lose 150kgs at least though to have the same feeling of 'life' that my 182 has.

 

[172Petey]

1.6 turb?

No thanks!

No replacement for displacement

Yep, no substitute for cubes!

 

[marky-f1]

well i was very pleased today my r27 has 750 miles on it ok i have thrashed it from new but on a private road today out of no where there was a type r sitting on my bumper the old share 1 at around 80 mph well in my eyes i stood no chance so i droped it and was surprised when i was sitting over a tun and pulled in and he just couldnt pass ! So i slowed let him pass followed for a bit went on another road yet again im sitting up his bumper as you do and to my shock i take the other lane and slowly creep part ! Result if i do admit ps is it possibly that the 6 speed and ratios is to do with this ? And 2nd time went to around 130 kmph