Test drove this 172

[Christophe]

Last night went and saw this 172 http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/181698.htm

Looks mint in real and sounds amazing. The only thing is I have never driven a clio sport so not sure what to expect. I found the suspension is quite stiff is this with all clio sports? Also the clutch is quite hard but i do drive a 1.2 corsa so maybe because its a sports its meant to be. maybe i'd get used to it.

Also I found that sometimes when idling ithe car would shake a bit?? could be the exhaust.

I do love it but I just have a feeling i may get lots of little problems. Thats with all clio sports. am i right in feeling this?? Do bits break easily?

Also having a full system, does this use up more petrol? Another thing bit worried about. I dont do more than 170miles a week but its all town driving. I wont rag it everywhere but is like 40 quid a week alot?

Any input much appreciated as im bit clueless.

I am going to look at 206 gti 180 aswell

 

[furry_cup]

yep sounds about right for the clio mate that looks a minter!

for performance i would go for the 172 over the gti 180 anyday! imo.

 

[Cookie]

Suspension is stiff yus, clutch is hard as well.

Exhaust sort of pulses, to do with emissions at idle IIRC

I don't use anymore fuel now I have a new exhaust, didn't do anything to the mpg, might improve it a smidge

Even driving around town you'll get more than 170 miles to a tank

 

[Eryl182]

I wont rag it everywhere

You will!! lol

plus 170 miles wont be £40, more like £20 - £25, depending on how hard you rag it.

Lumpy idle due to cam profile, so yes its normall.

P.S you may need to invest in some whitening tooth-paste if you go from a 1.2 to a 172, you wont be able to stop smiling.

 

[Christophe]

thats cool. He has had a service at 31k and cost 400quid going to ring and find out what was done as he was at work when i test drove it from his gf. think might b aux belt deff not the cambelt which is annoying cause i know they go at 36k and cost 400/500 quid. so really the car is like 6k.

How about car trouble. Any niggles people tend to find? what mileage this happen at?

 

[Cookie]

thats cool. He has had a service at 31k and cost 400quid going to ring and find out what was done as he was at work when i test drove it from his gf. think might b aux belt deff not the cambelt which is annoying cause i know they go at 36k and cost 400/500 quid. so really the car is like 6k.

How about car trouble. Any niggles people tend to find? what mileage this happen at?

Sounds like it's had the aux belt done if it cost 400 quid

Don't tend to get many niggles if they're looked after

Standard exhaust's rot and fall off but you won't have that problem if you buy one with an aftermarket one already fitted

 

[Christophe]

in my finances i calculated 40 quid a week so think i over budgeted then lol. How about on motorways? they drink lots of petrol. i dont do any really maybe 3 times a month

 

[Christophe]

ye his went which is why he replaced it

 

[FlameR]

You can get around 35-40 MPG on the motorway if you keep at 70mph

 

[Nigel]

I get about 300 miles to a tank with mostly town driving and the odd run here and there. At 70 on the motorway mine reads just over 40mpg.

As for niggles the only thing I've had to replace on mine was the exhaust. Mine also needs a new battery soon. So as for running costs just as long as it's been looked after you shouldn't get any scary bills!

As you've said find out if the cambelt has been done because thats just about the only thing that costs serious money to keep the car on the road.

 

[Clart]

if you get rid of the 17s the ride will be much improved

 

[Christophe]

going to try get it down to £5500. If the cam belt not done then shall i still get it? bare in mind the exhaust been replaced which everyone says they go quite easily and i think aux belt been replaced.

I really like it and sounds so nice.

 

[Christophe]

ye thought the wheels dont help but thats one of main bits i like about it. Not to fussed as i have a corsa on 16" low profile slammed 60mm and it rattles to f**k. lot worse than this.

 

[Nigel]

I don't like the wheels, but thats just personal choice.

If the cambelts not done, i'd be looking at just over £5000. If it has maybe around £5400.

 

[furry_cup]

i hope you test drove his gf

 

[Steve]

I like the way they pop or cough out the exhaust on tick over.

 

[sneeks]

My 172 would return around 330 miles to a full tank, more on the motorway.

 

[Tim172]

The shaking on idle is normal, they all do it due to the cam profile

 

[huckin18]

im getting average of 35 to the gallon which includes everything from sensible sedate driving to seeing how it accelerates and boy it goes some.. even at high motorway speeds its good on juice i was happily surprised... seems like a decent motor... shop around for gettin the cambelt done, through renault its mega bucks...

 

[172boost]

I don't like the wheels, but thats just personal choice.

If the cambelts not done, i'd be looking at just over £5000. If it has maybe around £5400.

Listen to Nigel - this car is not worth 5k without the cambelt done.
I'm in the process of selling mine, exactly the same apart from standard wheels and im letting it go for £4.5k. Even with the cambelt done these cars are dropping in value massively.

 

[simonwwfc]

pm for you

 

[Shindig]

phew u have answered one of my worries, my 182 "shakes" ever so slighlty when just idling glad its all normal