thinking on a 197 after 172...?

[Šįk]

liquid yellow 197 , good move? whats the insurance like compared to the 172? wont b for a few months but nice to be prepared

thanks.

 

[riz]

iirc insurance is lower on a 197.

 

[Craig]

yep insurance is cheaper than a 172 but the mpg is worse.

 

[Russ.]

^ 197 is an insurance group lower than the 172/182 and 2 groups lower than a 172 cup. Not always necessarily cheaper mind as obviously its a newer, more expensive car.

 

[edde]

Check with insurance as insurance groups arn't all the 197 is moe expensive so can be more with ome places

wheather its a good move is upto you drive them both then judge the cost

 

[dmn1989]

brilliant car mate

insurance group 15.

i tend to get about 320 miles to a tank

 

[Šįk]

brilliant car mate

insurance group 15.

i tend to get about 320 miles to a tank

ooo u have a liquid yellow one aswell! i get about 300 to a tank in my 172 so not to bad, on sayin that do u drive granddad style to get 320? or is that general style driving? (occasional hard drive, general easy driving?)

 

[Fletcher]

The 197 cup is only 15 insurance group too.

The 197 is very thristy compaired to the 172/82.

 

[Munson]

197 > 1*2 in almost every possible regard. The one I drove felt slightly less urgent than my 182Cup, probably due to the extra weight. The pay off is that the 197 engine doesn't sound like someones just dropped a bag of rusty spanners in when you get to 6500rpm. Slightly iffy steering at low speeds, but I understand they've improved that on later cars

 

[Cupster]

Better quality build on a 197, bout the one and only reason I can see to get one over a decent 1*2.

But I suppose we will see on the quality when the 197's start to hit the warranty honeymoon??????

 

[ben_r1]

Manage 36mpg in my 197, but mine spends 95% of its time on the motorway.
Great car, handles like its on rails.

 

[mcphee197]

Better quality build on a 197, bout the one and only reason I can see to get one over a decent 1*2.

But I suppose we will see on the quality when the 197's start to hit the warranty honeymoon??????

If you had a 197 for a week or so you find more than that to prefer over a 1*2

 

[Cupster]

If you had a 197 for a week or so you find more than that to prefer over a 1*2

Had exposure to one longer than that. Not for me tbh.

 

[matttr6]

I was set on a Megane next but the 197's are growing on me. Have to be with recaro's, rear spoiler and dark wheels though. Looks great in white but my last car was white and I don't fancy going for that again!!

 

[ForceIndia]

Drive it and see. Everyone will have their own opinion for their own reasons. I hate 197's. But plenty love them.

 

[Munson]

Better quality build on a 197, bout the one and only reason I can see to get one over a decent 1*2.

But I suppose we will see on the quality when the 197's start to hit the warranty honeymoon??????

Better quality materials doesn't mean the screws aren't already coming loose. They have much nicer feel to them, but I'd be under no illusions that they won't fall apart just as quickly as a 182

The only reason though? WTF? Plus the fact they're far better looking (subjective), far more grippy, far better handling, more stable, better engine, smoother, and they don't have a capstan with melted sandwhich bags wrapped around it pretending to be leather. Oh and if you're 6ft+, you can actually get the seat far enough back to make your legs comfy, and yet still be able to reach the gearstick.

1*2 is a shed compared to 197. Deal with it people

 

[ForceIndia]

A shed thats better to drive, and quicker. For some people, the cup holder mentality doesn't matter. Its a hot hatch, all the best have one thing in common, lack of weight. You can't beat physics. Its why on matter how much i love the trophy, i accept a 205 is lighter on its feet, more responsive, more fun. Am i going to bleat on about the 182 having a better cabin? f**k no. Sadly, reliability is a must for my work, otherwise i'd have a 205.

 

[Munson]

A shed thats better to drive, and quicker. For some people, the cup holder mentality doesn't matter. Its a hot hatch, all the best have one thing in common, lack of weight. You can't beat physics. Its why on matter how much i love the trophy, i accept a 205 is lighter on its feet, more responsive, more fun. Am i going to bleat on about the 182 having a better cabin? f**k no. Sadly, reliability is a must for my work, otherwise i'd have a 205.

Fair play, but TBH they're only minutely slower in real terms. Probably the difference between a 182 & 182Cup, ergo nothing to speak of. I'm not sure how the 182 is 'better to drive' though. It's far less comfy inside, has a horrid driving position, rougher. The 197 definitely has more grip, and is definitely more stable at all speeds. Handling can be subjective, but IMO it also outhandles the 182 by quite some margain. The grip and stabilty inspire extreme confidence, and it can be steered on the throttle near the limit just like the 182.

Horses for course and all that. Everyone wants different things, but unless you'rer stuck in a time warp, or have never driven one, I think it's almost impossible to conclude that a 182 is nicer to drive, or that the 197 hasn't improved upon it tenfold. 182 has better steering feedback for sure, if you can manage holding onto the melting, massively oversized wheel, that is

 

[Šįk]

i only thought on upgrading due to keeping with the times and liquid yellow 182s starting to all have high milage which = bad/poor reliability etc... i have a 172 anyway, not a 182, so the performance will prob the same if not better than the 172 i currently own now... so its all an improvement

and no, i dont want any other colour apart from liquid yellow! tis the best colour in the hole wide world! :rasp::approve::star:

 

[ForceIndia]

Fair play, but TBH they're only minutely slower in real terms. Probably the difference between a 182 & 182Cup, ergo nothing to speak of. I'm not sure how the 182 is 'better to drive' though. It's far less comfy inside, has a horrid driving position, rougher. The 197 definitely has more grip, and is definitely more stable at all speeds. Handling can be subjective, but IMO it also outhandles the 182 by quite some margain. The grip and stabilty inspire extreme confidence, and it can be steered on the throttle near the limit just like the 182.

Horses for course and all that. Everyone wants different things, but unless you'rer stuck in a time warp, or have never driven one, I think it's almost impossible to conclude that a 182 is nicer to drive, or that the 197 hasn't improved upon it tenfold. 182 has better steering feedback for sure, if you can manage holding onto the melting, massively oversized wheel, that is

I've driven several, had in total for 2 days. I agree with the performance car article (which came from a guy that had run a 197 for over 6 months, track days etc etc). Trophy is the better drive at 7/10 than a 197 at 10/10.
From what you've said, the 197 is barely slower, has more grip, more stability. Yet laps slower than a 182 Trophy. So either you over-estimate the grip of the 197, or the speed.

 

[Fletcher]

i only thought on upgrading due to keeping with the times and liquid yellow 182s starting to all have high milage which = bad/poor reliability etc... i have a 172 anyway, not a 182, so the performance will prob the same if not better than the 172 i currently own now... so its all an improvement

and no, i dont want any other colour apart from liquid yellow! tis the best colour in the hole wide world! :rasp::approve::star:

Don't be put off with high mileage 182's,if looked after they should be fine.

And besides LY is a girls colour

 

[Munson]

lol okay the 182 is a better car. Case closed.

Laptime wars. Brilliant.

 

[GinandGasoline]

wouldn't fall under the illusion that the 197's are better built... mine had as many rattles and faults in 10k as the two Trophy's did that i covered similar mileage in... but the interior is a nicer place to be in the 197 imo!

 

[Gaz_]

Think of all the things you hate about the MK2. Rattles.... fixed. Clumsy seating position.... fixed. Squidgy unsupportive seats..... fixed. Gearstick too far away/long throw....fixed. Hard huuuuge plastic melting steering wheel...... fixed. Gruff engine....fixed. Blends too much into the background......fixed.

197's ftw!!!

 

[ForceIndia]

lol okay the 182 is a better car. Case closed.

Laptime wars. Brilliant.

Nope. Merely the better hot hatch IMO. As I said, he should drive them. Different people want different things, but as soon as these topics come up, there's always a 197 owner who has to come on and start slating the 1*2's. Not sure why. 2-3 years ago, they were all singing the praises of the 1*2's. Suppose some people have to justify whatever car they own.

 

[Munson]

Nope. Merely the better hot hatch IMO. As I said, he should drive them. Different people want different things, but as soon as these topics come up, there's always a 197 owner who has to come on and start slating the 1*2's. Not sure why. 2-3 years ago, they were all singing the praises of the 1*2's. Suppose some people have to justify whatever car they own.

I own a 182.

 

[ForceIndia]

lol okay the 182 is a better car. Case closed.

Laptime wars. Brilliant.

Merely using the lap time to show some of what you're saying can't be true. Barely slower, more grippy, much more stable, yet slower lap times? Doesn't really make sense does it fella?

 

[Gaz_]

Nope. Merely the better hot hatch IMO. As I said, he should drive them. Different people want different things, but as soon as these topics come up, there's always a 197 owner who has to come on and start slating the 1*2's. Not sure why. 2-3 years ago, they were all singing the praises of the 1*2's. Suppose some people have to justify whatever car they own.

Indeed!!! Trophy this Trophy that

 

[Munson]

Merely using the lap time to show some of what you're saying can't be true. Barely slower, more grippy, much more stable, yet slower lap times? Doesn't really make sense does it fella?

As I said, laptime wars. They mean nothing to me personally. If I wanted a racing car I'd buy a racing car. A hot hatch is about practical performance and the overall package. In that regard it wins over any 182.

I'm fairly sure the OP isn't going to use it soley on a track, so with that in mind he might be interested to know that as a road car, the 197 is much better than the 182. If you disagree then fine

EDIT: I think what you're suggesting is that my opinion that the 197 handles better than a 172/182 is wrong because a Trophy was quicker around some track?

 

[Gaz_]

As I said, laptime wars. They mean nothing to me personally. If I wanted a racing car I'd buy a racing car. A hot hatch is about practical performance and the overall package. In that regard it wins over any 182.

I'm fairly sure the OP isn't going to use it soley on a track, so with that in mind he might be interested to know that as a road car, the 197 is much better than the 182. If you disagree then fine

EDIT: I think what you're suggesting is that my opinion that the 197 handles better than a 172/182 is wrong because a Trophy was quicker around some track?

Spot on. I've come from a 172 Cup, and 182 Cup-packed. As an overall package the 197 is better. It sounds better, it stops better, the gearbox is MUCH better. The seats are 100% better. I have nothing against the MK2's at all, and would shift to another to free up funds no problem. A couple of tenths on the track makes no difference in everyday driving.

 

[///AMG]

I had a 182 before trading "UP" for a 197... Drive wise its a completly different car... Only similar to a 182 in the Clio badge.. I like it better than my 182 for lots of different reasons.. My brother followed me back from town a couple of days ago and said loads of people were havin a look when I was at the lights and goin slow in traffic... Didn't get that in the 182!!!.. I commute 60 miles a day in mine and enjoy it more than I ever did in the 182... MPG compared to the 182.. Not noticed much difference, I was always filling the 182 up too!!

I've never looked back, best move I ever made

 

[matttr6]

Surely a 197 will be better?? Progression and all that......

I love my 182. Compared to my last car (Golf mk4), its raw and fun to drive. I haven't driven a 197 but I'd imagine its more refined and, dare I say, more grown up then the 182/ 172?

 

[Fletcher]

Surely a 197 will be better?? Progression and all that......

I love my 182. Compared to my last car (Golf mk4), its raw and fun to drive. I haven't driven a 197 but I'd imagine its more refined and, dare I say, more grown up then the 182/ 172?

I've driven 2 197's [both on long test drives] and they are great cars! Better seats, especially the Recaro buckets, better driving position exhaust note handling etc..

But when i got back into my 172 it just felt more urgent, dare i say it more fun?

 

[Gaz_]

My sister has a 182, and jumping from one to the other, yes, the 182 does feel more urgent, but in reality they arent. Me and Kev (SBV116) off here had a wee duel last year. Me in standard 182, him in a demo 197 from work, nothing, and i mean nothing in it. The 197 needed stirring more through the gears, but thats it. Thats no bad thing though, as the box is sweet as......

 

[///AMG]

Once I learnt how to drive it, it's as fast as if not faster than my old 182. When I first got the 197 I found I was changing up gear way too early. You really gotta wring its neck through the gears to get the best of it

 

[ForceIndia]

[/font]

Indeed!!! Trophy this Trophy that

I don't have a Trophy. I have the worst, nastiest, shoddiest ph1 172 in the known world. Shite. But I love it!

 

[ForceIndia]

EDIT: I think what you're suggesting is that my opinion that the 197 handles better than a 172/182 is wrong because a Trophy was quicker around some track?

No. As said, handling is very subjective, what I like others won't. But you've said the 197 is grippier, far more stable, and not even mentioned the brakes (which are awesome on the 197). Then said it's barely (if at all) slower. My point is, if a car is far grippier, more stable, and as quick in a straight line (with far better brakes) then it should be a chunk quicker on a track, no?

 

[Gaz_]

I don't have a Trophy. I have the worst, nastiest, shoddiest ph1 172 in the known world. s**te. But I love it!

You did

I'll see your motor tomorrow no doubt :approve:

 

[Munson]

No. As said, handling is very subjective, what I like others won't. But you've said the 197 is grippier, far more stable, and not even mentioned the brakes (which are awesome on the 197). Then said it's barely (if at all) slower. My point is, if a car is far grippier, more stable, and as quick in a straight line (with far better brakes) then it should be a chunk quicker on a track, no?

Okay I'm wrong. Everything is black and white. 182 is quicker because it was quicker around some track that the OP most likely won't ever go to, therefore 182 rocks and pwns all. Happy?

 

[Meteoric Rise]

I test drove a load of 182s and 197s before deciding on the latter. There's very little in it, but I have to agree that the 197s feel a lot more solid, refined and comfortable at speed. They look huge next to a 182, and feel like a bus to drive in comparison.

But once I got used to the size of the car, and how to get more out of the engine it feels just as fast as the 182. I love both cars, what persuaded me was the (more) stunning looks of the 197, the way you can drive around town like you're in a 1.2 forgetting that you're in a renaultsport, the far superior seats, the brakes and the sound.

But the clincher was the fact that you can pick one up for 10k with the features that other 15k cars don't have. They're fantastic value for money at the moment if you get the right deal.