I have owned a Mk2 and Mk3 Clio 1.2 16v Clio Sport in the past. I currently drive a Vectra but now I can afford to buy the Clio I wanted to buy in the first place!
Trouble is I had my heart set on the 172 Cup and then all of a sudden Renault come up with the 182. The 182 is fine but I prefer the old 172 Cup as it was a lot cheaper and in many ways quicker. Ive driven the Clio Cup touring car and want something as close to that track car as possible. Frankly I wish they hadnt saddled the 182 with all those pointless luxury items that they originally stripped from the Cup to save weight and improve the performance and handling.
I have just been on Autobytel and they still have the old 172 Cup advertised! Is that genuine? Can you really still buy them brand new?
Ideally I would like to see a stripped out 182 Cup? Perhaps Renault will be knocking up something like as a final farewell before the whole new Clio is released?
Can I buy a Cup? Should I buy a 182 (a bit too expensive though IMO) or should I wait for some deals some months down the road when they are clearing out the Mk3 Clios?