What car to get? Clio 172 Cup or Saxo VTR? - Bought the 172 Cup!

[harry289]

Sold BOTH my cars this week. I only use a car on the road twice a week for 80-100 miles. Other use will be fore track days.

I've been having a think of what to get. A cheap and cheerful Saxo VTR which is cheap to run, fairly reliable and easy to fix, handles well but has that lack of power.

Or a Clio 172 Cup, more expensive to insure and buy, more desirable, has enough power, better build quality, better brakes, non sunroof, but isn't as great through the corners (arguably)

Buying the cheaper VTR would mean I have some spare money to do a 266mm brake set up with 23mm M/C, GMC/Bilstein suspension, fully polyrace etc.

The Clio I'm looking at has the Sportline springs and only needs a new steering wheel to finish it off. It may need a cambelt change before it goes on track.

What is the reliability like with the Clio Cups? The one I'm looking at looks well cared for. Just wanted to know other people's opinions :)

[L33h]

172... allllllllll day long

[dolby20]

Time for a change - see if what people say about 172's is actually true?

*my 2 pence worth*

[L33h]

My brother has a 172. Its shit tbh hes snapped his timing belt. Smashed a piston through the blockand has had 2 gearboxes as there shit.

Still better then a vtr imo

[dolby20]

My brother has a 172. Its shit tbh hes snapped his timing belt. Smashed a piston through the blockand has had 2 gearboxes as there shit.

Still better then a vtr imo

^^^this part I did not take into account.....

[harry289]

Problem is I had this for a couple of months:

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b462/harry28991/P1000711.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b462/harry28991/P1000709.jpg

Only drove it properly for 4 days so didn't get a very good test. The one I'm looking at now is in far better condition (very picky with cars) with better mods bar the Yozza exhaust I had on my old one. My old one had harsh V-maxx coilovers, wheels rubbed, fully stripped out, rusty bonnet.

I feel a good Clio Cup needs a better 2nd chance :)

[mlawlan69]

id say that its a good upgrade after a saxo, wouldnt bother going from an s to an r however think you will just regret that!!

however i genuinely cannot get over the shit seating position in the clios although you will already know about it having had one!!

[harry289]

See I had a 1.2 16v clio as my first car. Its an awful position. Luckily enough in my old Cup I had these set really low :P

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b462/harry28991/P1000699.jpg

[Gandi699]

Aside from the belt issues, the F4R is a tough unit. Head gasket failures are rare, they free up nicely around 50k miles. Think theres a guy on CS with 174k on a 182 trophy on more or less most of the original engine parts including the clutch and its used on track.
As standard the 172 cup is far better handling wise than the saxo too, eibachs should help this.
Thing is though, if you've already had one why not try something different - honda etc blah blah

[Jamie]

^ Go for something different.

From what I remember you didn't really enjoy the Clio in it's short ownership is it worth the gamble of loosing money if you still don't get on with it?

[Gandi699]

Cant see why you sold the VTS though if considering going back to saxo?

[harry289]

Long story which includes a race car, damaged front and rear, tyre and safeguard barrier, big curb and oil sump....lol

Loved the VTS for its sound and looks. Jamie did well with those alloys. Ever since he put those on it and how clean he kept it I was in love (with the car not Jamie ;) )

I've tried a Honda too. Felt daft driving it tbh, because it revs so high and goes so slow. Not bad to drive though. To get a good one you have to spend £3k+ I only have £2k

Thanks Jamie I think its worth the risk to try another. Managed 40mpg normal driving in my old Cup too.

And Gandi - I bought the old Clio Cup for a track car for me and my sister bf, but my sister got pregnant so we sold it on. Money needed for the new baba etc.

[Jamie]

Long story which includes a race car, damaged front and rear, tyre and safeguard barrier, big curb and oil sump....lol

Loved the VTS for its sound and looks. Jamie did well with those alloys. Ever since he put those on it and how clean he kept it I was in love (with the car not Jamie ;) )

I've tried a Honda too. Felt daft driving it tbh, because it revs so high and goes so slow. Not bad to drive though. To get a good one you have to spend £3k+ I only have £2k

Thanks Jamie I think its worth the risk to try another. Managed 40mpg normal driving in my old Cup too.

And Gandi - I bought the old Clio Cup for a track car for me and my sister bf, but my sister got pregnant so we sold it on. Money needed for the new baba etc.

All I read was...:homme:

Defo don't go to a VTR. Clio is worth a punt, or failing that you could test drive a 180, you'll be surprised and they are cheap.

Cheap little hatch backs for that money;

Highhhh mileage Type R
172/182
180 - not great mpg but good otherwise
VTS - pointless now lol...

Not sure what else there is within that budget that's quick and offers good mpg.

[harry289]

I'm so picky and indecisive. Well MPG isn't too important but I don't want something ridiculous.

May go have a look at the Clio 172 Cup anyway and see what I think. Its near me anyway and at a reasonably good price for what condition its in and what mods it has!

Thanks for your help chaps! :) See what happens tomorrow

[Dano]

I love my 182...

having a hard time irl at the moment, not going in to details over a forum, but the car is helping me get through it!

days seem to drag and my only joy at the moment is knowing some point in the day (before/after work) i get to go for spirited drive down an olddd B road thats been by-passed so no one uses it.. Fun..

after going from a vtr to the 182, i know which i would go for!

Vtr never managed to make me smile like this thing has...

[harry289]

Ahhh thanks Dano.

Well I have had 5 Saxos in 3 years lol. Could be telling me something

[Dano]

get a cup and swap me the turinis for my 182 cup wheels lol

[Prickle]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDW3059MLXQ&feature=related

<3

[harry289]

get a cup and swap me the turinis for my 182 cup wheels lol

Lol it doesn't have Turinis. Has 2118's :)

[Gandi699]

yozzas were awesome bits of kit, quality is very good but dont think i could live with a decatted one on a road car for any length of time

[Dano]

Lol it doesn't have Turinis. Has 2118's :)

Bah!! :(

[Ryan]

My brother has a 172. Its shit tbh hes snapped his timing belt. Smashed a piston through the blockand has had 2 gearboxes as there shit.

Still better then a vtr imo

2gearboxes sounds like someone needs to learn how to drive. Same as those who whinge about Saxos boxes.

[m4tt274]

306 rallye harry?

[KamRacing]

I've got a 172 ph1 sitting in the unit. No exhaust and has an electrical issue stopping it starting. I don't have time to work on it so I'd flog it for £500.

[MuZiZZle]

I've got a 172 ph1 sitting in the unit. No exhaust and has an electrical issue stopping it starting. I don't have time to work on it so I'd flog it for £500.

pics?????

[baker556]

If you want a comfy car get the clio over the sax.

The sax i would think is more agile through the twisty s has a better turn in speed with a quick change of direction still feels composed.

Although i have never driven a clio thats what i have heard over the years of comments unless you go for something like a trophy.

I have personally always wanted a clio but the saxo really does put a smile on your face and can be driven very hard, the seating positing steering is just right. The most off putting part of the clio is the electronic throttle lag.

However the fact it retains great mpg for a 2 litre car with mod cons such as air con etc its definitely something to think about.

[doncarlyon]

Seen a few Clio's on track days and they do really well... I would go Clio!

[leeroybrown]

Aside from the belt issues, the F4R is a tough unit. Head gasket failures are rare, they free up nicely around 50k miles. Think theres a guy on CS with 174k on a 182 trophy on more or less most of the original engine parts including the clutch and its used on track.
As standard the 172 cup is far better handling wise than the saxo too, eibachs should help this.
Thing is though, if you've already had one why not try something different - honda etc blah blah

185k I think and its Sir Dave's

It’s extremely clean for a car that’s done that sort of mileage as well

Much more focused car is a 172 cup it’s more of a driver’s car, very rewarding bit lethal in the wrong hands (No ABS)

[harry289]

The reason its a Saxo VTR or a Clio 172 Cup is because I don't want A/C, ABS and all that crap. On the road I don't really drive fast and consider myself a smooth driver so the extra comfort and slightly better build quality from the Clio may suit me more there.

On track is where I need opinions on there differences. I have chased down many Clio's running different set ups and have been held up by some. On the other hand I have been blown away by a couple. This was only at Cadwell which I know really well now so can easily drive a Saxo to its limits around there. The other drivers I think didn't know the track too well.

On the other hand at Donington Park I was blown away by 90% of the other cars out there lol.....

[KamRacing]

pics?????

pm me an email address

[Ashleyp]

Why not go for something completely different?

1*2 / saxos are too similar to keep going back and forth between the two imo.

[Nik_L]

Nice, clean and tidy Rev3+ MR2 N/A.

Brilliant cars, and coming up to the time of year where you need to grow some balls to use 1 as a daily.

[harry289]

LMAO Nik. If you read in post 12....this is the car I had a coming together with the tyre barrier in. Granted good cars and fun to drive. Got a bruised right arm/shoulder from my harness.

[frenchcarparts]

Xsara VTS.....Just saying! lol

[harry289]

Well I bought the Clio 172 Cup this evening. Drove home normally averaging 43mpg on a remapped engine. Will most likely make a progress thread when I have time.

Handles really well. Whiteline ARB makes a big difference. So far I'm happy. It does have solid engine mounts so you can feel a small amount of vibrations through the dash but after 2krpm its fine

[griff_106]

Well I bought the Clio 172 Cup this evening. Drove home normally averaging 43mpg on a remapped engine. Will most likely make a progress thread when I have time.

Handles really well. Whiteline ARB makes a big difference. So far I'm happy. It does have solid engine mounts so you can feel a small amount of vibrations through the dash but after 2krpm its fine

Good choice IMO - I really like the Clio RS's... they're a seriously viable option for me once I want to move on from the 106. What colour is is out of interest? I think they look best in Monaco Blue but that's probably because we had the old Laguna V6 in that colour so I'm biased :p

There's a 182 in Arctic Blue lowered on graphite Turini's at work and it always brightens my day seeing it tbh :sweetheart:

Definitely get a progress blog going though man! :)

[harry289]

Started a thread in the progress threads section now :)

[blackie_2k5]

2gearboxes sounds like someone needs to learn how to drive. Same as those who whinge about Saxos boxes.

fuck all wrong with saxo boxes tbh

not at most ppls power level...easy way to kill boxes being spinning the life out of them and reverse to first.

[harry289]

Never had a problem with a Saxo VTR/VTS gearbox. I have never had a mechanical problem with an of my saxo's. Just rear beam bearing and the usual service parts for the past 3 years

[griff_106]

Started a thread in the progress threads section now :)

Coolbeans! :y:

[blackie_2k5]

Coolbeans! :y:

has the inlet turned up yet?

[griff_106]

has the inlet turned up yet?

PM'd :y: