Clio 197

Spikey

Spikey

Spikey

Soldato
Joined
28 Feb 2004
Posts
5,990
Location
North East, UK
Hi all,

I've had a good look around at a few cars and I quite fancy one, I've seen one I like and I'm going to see it hopefully this week. Just wondered what everyone thought about them? Anything I should look for? I've currently got an MX5 but it's not ideal for the snow (again something I'm not sure if the 197 would be any better?!) during the winter months and I can't afford to run two cars so would be looking to let the MX5 go as well as ideally wanting 4 seats for my partner and daughter, I've had a good look around at other cars so I'm not looking for suggestions for other cars as yet. Also wondered what sort of MPG I would be looking at on average?

Any advice would be great, thanks!
 
I assume the 200 is out of budget?

I toke the 200 out for a drive, and as much as I love my 182 it was better. It gave so much confidence into corners, or was that due to the fact it wasn't mine?
 
Begbie said:
I assume the 200 is out of budget?

I toke the 200 out for a drive, and as much as I love my 182 it was better. It gave so much confidence into corners, or was that due to the fact it wasn't mine?
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I would think so mate, probs going to trade the MX5 in and pay maybe £2k tops for another car. Mine is worth about £6k.
 
Thanks mate, is the F1 going to cost a lot more in terms of insurance? On a 197 they want an extra £80 over my MX5 (1.8)
 
I have a Clio 200 which is 95% the same car and I love it. MPG is ~30 if you are kind to it.

Handling is sublime. Go for it mate :)

The F1 should not be any extra over a normal 197 insurance wise I would imagine!
 
Spikey said:
Thanks, the one I've looked at this this one http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...rch/true/postcode/ts175dl/radius/30?logcode=p ..but I feel that price is way too high? I wouldn't let mine go for less than £6k (MX5 MK3 55 plate, 29k, FSH) - Hope it's okay for me to link that on here.
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I've banged the Clio into the Whatcar valuation and it says dealer price should be around £7200 and mine is worth £6500 but I'm not sure how accurate they are. Any tips for haggling the price down? Most people were only offering me £5700 on my MX5 before, which I dont think reflects the value of the car.
 
That price is too high, if they won't budge move on as am sure you'd be able to get a later one which had a few minor improvements and the availability of the cup pack for that money.

That one is also pretty much as base spec as you can get, no climate, no xenons etc.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201114383795317 - looks a better buy

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201112382821719 - a little older but lower miles, xenons and climate

So basically you cna get them much cheaprt for similar age + spec, so either spend less or get a newer one :)
 
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Thanks mate, I won't bother with that one then. I'd probs want as much for my money as I can get really. I'm looking at the red or blue models, I'm from middlesbrough area but can't seem to find many round here :(
 
I test drove a 197 F1 last year. Felt decidedly average, nothing to get excited about. Bit flimsy, rattly and the seat was worn (which is crap considering the car had about 9k on the clock and was at a Renault dealership)

If you don't mind the rattles and squeaks just save your money and get a 182 instead. Half the price and more fun. If you're going to spend 197 money there's better cars available.
 
I almost bought an R27 at the beginning of the year, but decided to test a 182 before parting with cash. First off, the R27 is a brilliant car, the recaro's are stunning, the engine is excellent (although you need to rev the nuts of it to get anywhere), and the brakes are really rather good.

The 182 seems to be a bit more hardcore than the 197, i think they definitely softened the 197 down. I felt i was getting much more response from turn in on the 182 and a lot more feeling through the wheel. Match that with the lighter body and harder suspension, it felt a lot quicker than the 197, although in fact round a track, the 197 is *just* quicker thanks to those lovely 4 pot brakes.

For me, the 197 just wasn't worth the 4.5k more over the 182, on a purey performance aspect, which was most important to me. The R27 is probably the best looking clio made so far, and it certainly feels a lot more refined than the 182. Its extremely solid and feels saloon size at speed. The 182 feels very different, its light, flickable and......the only way i can explain it is it feels older, which again appeals more to me.

Bare in mind brembo/ds2500 on a 197 upfront will be around £350 compared to £150 on a 182. Similar increases can be compared with most after market parts ;)

My money would go on a minter of a 182 and spend 1k on suspension and some 4 pots, and have a clio better than any 197 for a lot less money :)
 
Ev0 said:
That price is too high, if they won't budge move on as am sure you'd be able to get a later one which had a few minor improvements and the availability of the cup pack for that money.

That one is also pretty much as base spec as you can get, no climate, no xenons etc.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201114383795317 - looks a better buy

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201112382821719 - a little older but lower miles, xenons and climate

So basically you cna get them much cheaprt for similar age + spec, so either spend less or get a newer one :)
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Thanks, can I ask a stupid question : Why do some of the 197'a not have the renault sport badges on the back and some do?
 
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