Renaultsport Clio 200 or Peugeot 208 GTI - which one to buy?
Discussion
The short version - which should I buy?
RS Clio 200 full fat with cup pack - normally aspirated, good handling, needs to be driven hard to get the best out of it, maybe frustrating around town, basic and dated interior
or
Peugeot 208 GTI - turbo charged, nicer interior, good performance and economy but maybe a bit (or a lot??) less involving than the Clio
The longer version:
I am about to buy a second car (have a Golf GTI on contract hire that goes back in 6 weeks). This is a car almost exclusively for use by me - I have got a Discovery for family duties - so want something that is fun to drive. It will mainly be used for short journeys - some in town, some on better roads and the odd 50-100 mile motorway trip.
I have narrowed the choice down to an RS Clio 200 (not the current flappy paddle one, but the previous version) or a 208 GTI.
I have previously had a 208 GTI on contract hire - and I loved it way more than I was expecting. I have also had the current RS Clio - which I got shot of quite quickly due to the gearbox.
However, I have always loved the look of the previous RS Clio. I did test drive one - very briefly - a few years ago and was left a bit underwhelmed. I think this was a combination of factors - the test drive was fairly short and a lot of it in traffic, so not really what the Clio was designed for, and I was coming from a much more powerful car so it was inevitable that the Clio would seem a bit weak in comparison.
I still cannot stop looking at them though.
My dilemma is whether I should take the modern, safe option of the turbo charged 208 GTI (which I know I like) or scratch the Clio itch - my main concern is that I will find it too much like hard work for 95% of the time and will only appreciate it for 5% of the time when on the right roads. The 208 is very easy to live with but possibly lacks a bit of fun and does not look as good as the Clio. If I went for the Clio, it would be probably be on a 60 plate and I would aim to get the FF with cup pack. The 208 would be a 13/14 plate so newer and probably marginally lower mileage.
Has anyone else had both or can offer any real world experience? Budget is around the £8k mark and I am really not interested in anything other than these two cars as I have already looked at - and discounted - Golf R32, Alfa 147 GTA, Civic Type R, Suzuki Swift Sport, Golf GTI, Focus ST etc etc.
Any comments much appreciated
RS Clio 200 full fat with cup pack - normally aspirated, good handling, needs to be driven hard to get the best out of it, maybe frustrating around town, basic and dated interior
or
Peugeot 208 GTI - turbo charged, nicer interior, good performance and economy but maybe a bit (or a lot??) less involving than the Clio
The longer version:
I am about to buy a second car (have a Golf GTI on contract hire that goes back in 6 weeks). This is a car almost exclusively for use by me - I have got a Discovery for family duties - so want something that is fun to drive. It will mainly be used for short journeys - some in town, some on better roads and the odd 50-100 mile motorway trip.
I have narrowed the choice down to an RS Clio 200 (not the current flappy paddle one, but the previous version) or a 208 GTI.
I have previously had a 208 GTI on contract hire - and I loved it way more than I was expecting. I have also had the current RS Clio - which I got shot of quite quickly due to the gearbox.
However, I have always loved the look of the previous RS Clio. I did test drive one - very briefly - a few years ago and was left a bit underwhelmed. I think this was a combination of factors - the test drive was fairly short and a lot of it in traffic, so not really what the Clio was designed for, and I was coming from a much more powerful car so it was inevitable that the Clio would seem a bit weak in comparison.
I still cannot stop looking at them though.
My dilemma is whether I should take the modern, safe option of the turbo charged 208 GTI (which I know I like) or scratch the Clio itch - my main concern is that I will find it too much like hard work for 95% of the time and will only appreciate it for 5% of the time when on the right roads. The 208 is very easy to live with but possibly lacks a bit of fun and does not look as good as the Clio. If I went for the Clio, it would be probably be on a 60 plate and I would aim to get the FF with cup pack. The 208 would be a 13/14 plate so newer and probably marginally lower mileage.
Has anyone else had both or can offer any real world experience? Budget is around the £8k mark and I am really not interested in anything other than these two cars as I have already looked at - and discounted - Golf R32, Alfa 147 GTA, Civic Type R, Suzuki Swift Sport, Golf GTI, Focus ST etc etc.
Any comments much appreciated
Clio 197 owner here so I'm bound to be biased.
What i would say is they are 2 very different cars, its the engine that really makes the car. The Clio will need to be driven hard to get the best out of it. They are pretty gutless below 4k but get them up in the rev range and they are ace.
Go for one with Recaros and the Cup Chassis and you will have one of the best b road blasters made, around town they ride horribly and don't expect more than 30 mpg. They are grumpy when cold and the manners in traffic aren't great.
If its a 2nd car I'd go with the Clio, and if you can, get on track with one!
What i would say is they are 2 very different cars, its the engine that really makes the car. The Clio will need to be driven hard to get the best out of it. They are pretty gutless below 4k but get them up in the rev range and they are ace.
Go for one with Recaros and the Cup Chassis and you will have one of the best b road blasters made, around town they ride horribly and don't expect more than 30 mpg. They are grumpy when cold and the manners in traffic aren't great.
If its a 2nd car I'd go with the Clio, and if you can, get on track with one!
Peugeot owner here (though not a 208 GTI).
The Clio can have those dreaded gearbox issues, if you can look past those then its a good car to get.
The 208 GTi you want is probably out of your price bracket (the 208 GTi by Peugeot Sport) which has all the goodies like the front LSD etc, seats in these are superb but you are looking at £12000+ for one.
The Clio can have those dreaded gearbox issues, if you can look past those then its a good car to get.
The 208 GTi you want is probably out of your price bracket (the 208 GTi by Peugeot Sport) which has all the goodies like the front LSD etc, seats in these are superb but you are looking at £12000+ for one.
Thanks for the replies
I think I will have to test drive the Clio again and then make a decision. My hesitation is that a short test drive is unlikely to really give me a good idea as to whether I would be happy living with the car day to day.
Without doubt, I prefer the look of the Clio.
The Peugeot would be one of the earlier GTIs - probably a 13/14 plate - so not the later Peugeot Sport version. As I said in the OP, I had one for 2 years so I know exactly what the car is like - and I really enjoyed it.
I think I just fancy something different and the Clio is a car that I have always liked - it is just getting my head round whether I could live with it day to day without getting frustrated. I know that on the right road it will be fantastic, it is all the other times when I am not on a nice B road that I need to consider
I think I will have to test drive the Clio again and then make a decision. My hesitation is that a short test drive is unlikely to really give me a good idea as to whether I would be happy living with the car day to day.
Without doubt, I prefer the look of the Clio.
The Peugeot would be one of the earlier GTIs - probably a 13/14 plate - so not the later Peugeot Sport version. As I said in the OP, I had one for 2 years so I know exactly what the car is like - and I really enjoyed it.
I think I just fancy something different and the Clio is a car that I have always liked - it is just getting my head round whether I could live with it day to day without getting frustrated. I know that on the right road it will be fantastic, it is all the other times when I am not on a nice B road that I need to consider
I've had my Clio 200 (recaros and cup packs) for 6 months and smile every time i get in it.
I use it 3 times a week for a daily commute and it's not missed a beat. As mentioned above they are lumpy when cold and you need to work the engine to be pushing on but the handling is pin sharp.
I'm doing my 1st trackday in mine this weekend
I use it 3 times a week for a daily commute and it's not missed a beat. As mentioned above they are lumpy when cold and you need to work the engine to be pushing on but the handling is pin sharp.
I'm doing my 1st trackday in mine this weekend
Gassing Station | French Bred | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff