Which is the best drivers car

[stevoversteer]

Mk1 or Mk2 172? I know this has been discussed before but i can only find threads discussing particular things, not the overall package. I am just about to buy a 172 but still cannot decide which one to go for. My main concern is buying the better "drivers" car. Yes it would be nice having a newer more refined car, but i hear the mk1 is a much rawer and more communicative driving experience. A bit more straight line pace and more pin point handling? Ive briefly been in both cars and it just seems to me like the mk1 feels quicker and more alive, which i think could be down to the weight issue. Im also a fan of the taller gearing. In your experiences, which do you think is the better car? The addition of climate control, auto lights, wipers, etc... doesnt really bother me, these are all novelties. I just want the fastest and generally the most fun car of the 2. If you honestly believe the difference is too close to call then I will go for the mk2 purely for the newer car aspect, but from my brief experience, I do prefer the mk1. It seems a more masculine, fun car. Obviously i will be test driving both but it would be nice to hear some of your opinions.

Thanks in advance,

Steve

 

[Mrdemon]

the MK2 is way above in the handling area,

Stiffer chassie etc



I see no reason to buy a MK1 unless money is a issue

 

[lifelong 172]

Agreed........

 

[Viv172]

I have driven both cars lots of times; the mark 1 is fantastic and original.

If you want to go for a newer car, the mark 2 is also fantastic, but handles so much better when lowered slightly... so if you want a driver’s car and the newer of the two get a mark 2 and lower it.

http://erc.qmuc.ac.uk/cliosport/gallery/full/1072714217__carz2.jpg

 

[telford_mike]

Round a track theres absolutely no difference, so its pretty much down to how much you want to spend. If you are not bothered about Xenons, auto-wipers etc, look for a 172 Cup (which is a stripped-out Mk2).

 

[Mrdemon]

ANd do not put 17" inch wheels on or lower it to much.

just fit the eibach pro spring kit and get good tires

Make sure you check out the cup seat as there rank and come summer you will like air con

 

[stevoversteer]

A cup is not an option as the one luxury i do want is air con! Im not really planning to mod the car. Ive been through that stage and im not a fan of the problems when it comes to resale time, so ideally the car will be kept standard

 

[jongsr4]

I thought the Mk1 had the shorter gearing?

and if you look hard you might possibly find a Cup with Air Con....it is possible

 

[edde]

The Mk1 and Mk2 have there own advanatages and disadvantages.

Personally Id go for a late Mk2 with cruise otherwise it would be an Mk1 as they dont have the electronic throttle bodies or UCH which are possible areas for problem needing Renault (expensive) help to fix. Also the Mk1 is lighter with all the toys than a mk2

 

[edde]

Quote: Originally posted by jongsr4 on 08 January 2005

I thought the Mk1 had the shorter gearing?

No the Mk1 has longer gearing the Mk2 weighes more so needed the closer gearing.

 

[billy182]

mk1 mate the original 172, to many mk2s about now,both fantastic though,

 

[Anotherblue16v]

Driven both, not much difference tbh. Aside the fact the mk2 is better looking imo. However although its not one of your options a valver/williams is a better drive, i still miss mine after getting the 172.

 

[Turkish]

ive noticed a definate jump in the handling and overall drive of the car between my mk2 172 and my cup packd 182

 

[172beast]

mk1, lighter then the mk2 but has aircon, leather, abs. Feels a lot rawer then the mk2 also, mk1 also has different CAT, its a tad quicker then the mk2.

Just buy whatever you like, there both fantastic drivers cars and will both give the same thrills, just choose it on which you prefer. Personally, I prefer the mk1, looks more agreesive, nicer seats and there aint many knocking about, I see a fair few mk2 172 and 182 but Ive only ever seen 1 other mk1 172 on the road

 

[blaze]

Having had three of these beasts now. 2 MK1s one with and one without alloy bonnet. And my now MK2. The MK2 does witout doubbt have a stiffer setup. Down to the thicker rollbar taht was fitted.

MK1 seeemed more aggresive, this was due to the poorer torque curve. However the MK2 has a different throttle body which gives a far flatter torque curve, but suffers a little from an electronic throttle cable.



Anyway either are good. Money should be the deciding factor.

Mark

 

[2 live]

but if u want a REAL drivers car....get a williams

 

[stevoversteer]

Thanks for the pointers guys. From what you say I reckon its gonna be the mk1. If they are so similar then I could use the £1k that I save towards optimax! I know what you mean about the mk1 being a bit more exclusive as well. Plus i love the aggressive front end styling.

Thanks again

 

[stevoversteer]

Incidentally, my mates mk1 has an alloy bonnet, but is there a specific date as to when it was introduced? What I mean is do early ones have standard bonnets and later ones alloy, is it an option, etc...?

 

[Iain C]

Quote: Originally posted by 2 live on 08 January 2005

but if u want a REAL drivers car....get a cup

Good call 2 live

 

[Clarkie172]

mk1 are slightly quicker n quite rare. get yourself one!

mk1 front end better lookin but rear is in favour of mk2. do what im goin to do n put mk 2 bumper on with the lights off mk2 also, giving u best of both worlds!

 

[billy182]

good choice stevoversteer

 

[neil 172]

If I remember right the very first 172s had steel bonetts then they had the alloy ones and then the very last of the mk1s went back to steel again (mine being a steel one)

Personally id go for the mk1 if I had to again but you wouldnt make a bad decission which ever you went for

 

[Rich-D]

Quote: Originally posted by telford_mike on 08 January 2005



Round a track theres absolutely no difference, so its pretty much down to how much you want to spend.

I disagree... Ive driven both on the track and the mk1 is not as good, as they understeer more and the ratios are not as well suited IMO

The first problem can easily be remedied with a set of Eibach springs!

 

[2 live]

Quote: Originally posted by Iain C on 08 January 2005

Quote: Originally posted by 2 live on 08 January 2005

but if u want a REAL drivers car....get a williams

Good call 2 live

cheers mate.....glad u agree

 

[Rich-D]

Quote: Originally posted by jongsr4 on 08 January 2005


I thought the Mk1 had the shorter gearing?

Nope... shorter 1st gear, then a larger gap to 2nd and longer from there...









Gear Ratios (mph/1000rpm)
Speed in Gear (mph)

Gear
Revs
mk1 172
mk2 172
Cup
182
mk1 172
mk2 172
Cup
182

1
7250
4.8
5.3
5.3
5.3
34.8
38.4
38.4
38.4

2
7250
8.7
8.7
8.7
8.8
63.1
63.1
63.1
63.8

3
7250
12.9
12.4
12.4
12.4
93.5
89.9
89.9
89.9

4
7000
16.8
15.8
15.8
15.9
117.6
110.6
110.6
111.3

5
7000
22.0
20.4
20.4
20.6
154.0
142.8
142.8
144.2

 

[Rich-D]

Quote: Originally posted by stevoversteer on 08 January 2005



Incidentally, my mates mk1 has an alloy bonnet, but is there a specific date as to when it was introduced? What I mean is do early ones have standard bonnets and later ones alloy, is it an option, etc...?

Seems fairly random, but the earlier ones were the ones with them...

 

[Ben j]

get a propper y reg original mk1 with the funky stary allows and rsi on the door badge!

 

[Ads_172]

Ive had, or have, neither, but Ill be going for the Mk1 when finances permit. For everything Ive heard about both phases, the difference seems negligable so am going on my personal aesthetic preference, which is the Mk1...

I REALLY want a Scarab Green one...

 

[Mondial172]

A 172 Cup CC with 182 Manifold

 

[172beast]

Never had a problem with understeering on mine, round DOnington it was sticking with Elises no problem, got past a few, oversteered more then owt tbh. Agree with you on the ratios tho Rich D, got a mk2 box in mine now and seems a lot better for it