Clio 182 vs Civic Type-R
Discussion
Dear All,
Bought an '03 Civic Type-R a couple of months ago, and have to say that I haven't fallen for it yet. Th best I can manage when people ask me what it's like is "It's OK".
To make matters worse, I keep seeing 182s around and I'm wondering now if I did the right thing. Does anyone here have any experience of owning both or driving both back-to-back?
Cheers,
Animal
Bought an '03 Civic Type-R a couple of months ago, and have to say that I haven't fallen for it yet. Th best I can manage when people ask me what it's like is "It's OK".
To make matters worse, I keep seeing 182s around and I'm wondering now if I did the right thing. Does anyone here have any experience of owning both or driving both back-to-back?
Cheers,
Animal
I drove a CTR back to back with the Leon Cupra-R and preferred the LCR at the time for it's power delivery and tauter handling. But it's hard-edged handling was it's downfall, as more than any car I've owned it did its damndest to remove your filling over anything but perfect road surfaces.
The problem with the CTR is it was quite un-intersting until the cam-shift when it all goes crazy and you wake up, that's great on track, but a lot of the time you're not in a situaton to be on cam, and the CTR would be very weak when that was the case.
My 172 I think is ahead of those two cars as it's lighter and thus more nimble, both in terms of power to weight, but more importantly the handling. Bear in mind though, that the Civic (and Leon) are both a size class above the Clio, hence their extra weight.
Also, bear in mind your intended use, you might regret having a highly compromised B-road blaster if you spend 90% of your life on the motorway.
The problem with the CTR is it was quite un-intersting until the cam-shift when it all goes crazy and you wake up, that's great on track, but a lot of the time you're not in a situaton to be on cam, and the CTR would be very weak when that was the case.
My 172 I think is ahead of those two cars as it's lighter and thus more nimble, both in terms of power to weight, but more importantly the handling. Bear in mind though, that the Civic (and Leon) are both a size class above the Clio, hence their extra weight.
Also, bear in mind your intended use, you might regret having a highly compromised B-road blaster if you spend 90% of your life on the motorway.
I drove a Type R quite recently, and it left me cold. It was quick, but engine noise notwithstanding, the speed was too deceptive... i.e. subtle compared to the Clio. It gripped well, but the steering was lifeless, and the chassis lacked a certain fun factor. As said, the Clio feels much more nimble, chuckable, light and playful. The sensation of speed is much better. Also the CTR felt like a people carrier in driving position. The 182 isnt perfect, but it felt very low down compared to the CTR and also just as comfortable.
In summary although the type R is just slightly quicker in a straight line, and plenty grippy with better build quality than the Clio, I much prefer the Clio. Its just so much more fun to drive.
In summary although the type R is just slightly quicker in a straight line, and plenty grippy with better build quality than the Clio, I much prefer the Clio. Its just so much more fun to drive.
pbirkett said:
The sensation of speed is much better.
I think you've just made me realise what it was that has put me off the CTR and LCR, the almost intangible factor that lets you enjoy the car even when hardly moving, something devoid in cars these days unless driving at 8/10s or above. It's something the Mk2 GTi did so well too, but many cars, especially new ones don't alas. Perhaps, it's the minor faults (wind noise, tyre noise, excees feedback through steering etc.) that give that extra perception, whatever it is, for me it makes the car far more enjoyable.
Tripps said:
It's something the Mk2 GTi did so well too, but many cars, especially new ones don't alas. Perhaps, it's the minor faults (wind noise, tyre noise, excees feedback through steering etc.) that give that extra perception, whatever it is, for me it makes the car far more enjoyable.
Funny you say that, my last car was a Golf mk2 GTI and yes I would agree it conveyed speed very well too.
My Clio does have lots of wind noise, lots of feel through the steering, and it rattles and squeeks, and to me, that just adds to its character much the same way as a creaks add to the character of an old house.
The CTR was well built, high up and devoid of feel. The engine sounded frantic (although not in a good way IMO - drive a Celica T-Sport 190 to hear what this type of engine SHOULD sound like), but was lacking in any kind of visceral thrill to me. The Clio actually feels like its fair pelting along even when you are driving it sedately.
pbirkett said:
Funny you say that, my last car was a Golf mk2 GTI and yes I would agree it conveyed speed very well too.
Spotted that, you have a very good taste in cars 
Out of curiosity how have you driven some of the newest big hatches like the Golf GTi and Focus ST, if so how did you find them for driver involvement and fun?
pbirkett said:
[quote=Tripps]
My Clio does have lots of wind noise, lots of feel through the steering, and it rattles and squeeks, and to me, that just adds to its character much the same way as a creaks add to the character of an old house.
My Clio does have lots of wind noise, lots of feel through the steering, and it rattles and squeeks, and to me, that just adds to its character much the same way as a creaks add to the character of an old house.
I must have a bad one then - as I have no wind noise, rattles or squeeks..
But then again - I could be a bit deaf having owned very noisy TVR's for over 10 year's..
rev-erend said:
I must have a bad one then - as I have no wind noise, rattles or squeeks..
You don't don't drive it hard enough for them to show Rev 
To be fair my squeak has gone now after fiddling around behind the head unit, wind noise only gets noticeable above the tonne (but compared to the Cerb it's as good as silent!) get a bit of tyre noise but that's down to my tyre choice and good be changed if it worried me.
Tripps said:
Out of curiosity how have you driven some of the newest big hatches like the Golf GTi and Focus ST, if so how did you find them for driver involvement and fun?
No, for two reasons. One i cant afford, and two, they simply dont interest me to be honest. Too heavy, and too refined. If i was gonna pay that much for that kind of car, i'd go for a BMW 330i.
pbirkett said:
Tripps said:
Out of curiosity how have you driven some of the newest big hatches like the Golf GTi and Focus ST, if so how did you find them for driver involvement and fun?
No, for two reasons. One i cant afford, and two, they simply dont interest me to be honest. Too heavy, and too refined. If i was gonna pay that much for that kind of car, i'd go for a BMW 330i. That's my thinking now after I lost so much when I unwisely bought the LCR, and expensive change of mind 7 months later when I sold it
I think our MPV will likely to change to something fast and refined next year when we de-MPV that part of the fleet, can't imagine going without a small nimble hatch for me now though, but the only thing I could think of to replace it right now is a 182 Trophy.
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