Cayman R vs Clio 182 - Pistonheaders, what would you do?
Discussion
Full on first world problems, but always keen to hear what fellow PHers would do.
On the face of it , this may be easy for some and you can tell me to F’k off and get in the sea!
In short: 2 of our 3 cars in our family only have 2 seats and it’s becoming an issue. We have 2 small children (age 2 & 5) and car seats are a pain and I need something a bit more grown up, nicer to live with that we can all use. As it stands my wife has the only family car and that’s a pain if I need to do school/nursery runs or worst case there is an emergency.
I’ve taken the plunge and picking up an “as new” (640 miles) facelift Megane 300 Trophy this weekend. It’s got almost every option, right colour (Liquid Yellow), still a manual (super rare on the ph2) and most importantly still an involving drive that I can get the kids in. It’s a lovely thing to drive and genuinely looks pretty special.
So as I’m a normal guy on a normal income without storage or the want to pay for it, one of the following ideally has to go to make room for the Trophy.
Vehicle #1
My beloved Clio 182, owned since 2010 @ 8k miles and now about to clip 170k miles. I drive it everyday and it’s like “Triggers Broom”. Almost all of it is modified and new within the last few years and includes, custom AST dampers, Brembo brakes, Quaife diff, Recaro PPs… you get the idea. It’s also in very very tidy condition. She’s not perfect and always needs a little maintenance, but I do all that myself and it is what it is. There’s a massive PH thread on it, some of you may have seen. It’s a proper little weapon, very raw and analogue.
To me it’s absolutely brilliant but mindful she’s getting old, the wife refuses to drive it, I can’t get the kids in it and it’s useless for our family. It’s 20 years old now and I’m the only one that loves it.
I know I’d never find another like it and I’ve already had offers of £8k for it. They’re becoming rare in good condition now and quite sought after.
Do I just say enough’s enough and I’ve had my time with it and move on?
Vehicle #2
Porsche Cayman R. Owned since 2016 and absolutely adore it. It’s the right colour, (imo) manual, carbon buckets, spyder wheels a few mods and amazing to drive. It was a dream car for me and my version of a poor mans GT3, I’ve loved it. It’s about to hit 48k miles and I’m afraid to say I do get mileage anxiety with it as everyone with a CR seems to get minty over the miles and I admit I don’t drive it as often as I should.
Also obviously has 2 seats so useless for my family to use.
It is undoubtedly genuinely special though, rare, again analogue and amazing to drive. It offers a totally different experience to a FWD hatch. It’s never going to appreciate but also unlikely to plummet in value either.
It’s a decent lump of money I either sell and put the cash to good use or decide to keep it and actually use more than I do.
Is the 2 car garage a 300 Trophy and a Cayman R or do I out the Cayman and keep it all French with some cash in my pocket?
I appreciate this is a full on first world issue and only I can decide what to do, but I’m keen to hear the thoughts/wrath of my fellow petrolmen/women.
On the face of it , this may be easy for some and you can tell me to F’k off and get in the sea!
In short: 2 of our 3 cars in our family only have 2 seats and it’s becoming an issue. We have 2 small children (age 2 & 5) and car seats are a pain and I need something a bit more grown up, nicer to live with that we can all use. As it stands my wife has the only family car and that’s a pain if I need to do school/nursery runs or worst case there is an emergency.
I’ve taken the plunge and picking up an “as new” (640 miles) facelift Megane 300 Trophy this weekend. It’s got almost every option, right colour (Liquid Yellow), still a manual (super rare on the ph2) and most importantly still an involving drive that I can get the kids in. It’s a lovely thing to drive and genuinely looks pretty special.
So as I’m a normal guy on a normal income without storage or the want to pay for it, one of the following ideally has to go to make room for the Trophy.
Vehicle #1
My beloved Clio 182, owned since 2010 @ 8k miles and now about to clip 170k miles. I drive it everyday and it’s like “Triggers Broom”. Almost all of it is modified and new within the last few years and includes, custom AST dampers, Brembo brakes, Quaife diff, Recaro PPs… you get the idea. It’s also in very very tidy condition. She’s not perfect and always needs a little maintenance, but I do all that myself and it is what it is. There’s a massive PH thread on it, some of you may have seen. It’s a proper little weapon, very raw and analogue.
To me it’s absolutely brilliant but mindful she’s getting old, the wife refuses to drive it, I can’t get the kids in it and it’s useless for our family. It’s 20 years old now and I’m the only one that loves it.
I know I’d never find another like it and I’ve already had offers of £8k for it. They’re becoming rare in good condition now and quite sought after.
Do I just say enough’s enough and I’ve had my time with it and move on?
Vehicle #2
Porsche Cayman R. Owned since 2016 and absolutely adore it. It’s the right colour, (imo) manual, carbon buckets, spyder wheels a few mods and amazing to drive. It was a dream car for me and my version of a poor mans GT3, I’ve loved it. It’s about to hit 48k miles and I’m afraid to say I do get mileage anxiety with it as everyone with a CR seems to get minty over the miles and I admit I don’t drive it as often as I should.
Also obviously has 2 seats so useless for my family to use.
It is undoubtedly genuinely special though, rare, again analogue and amazing to drive. It offers a totally different experience to a FWD hatch. It’s never going to appreciate but also unlikely to plummet in value either.
It’s a decent lump of money I either sell and put the cash to good use or decide to keep it and actually use more than I do.
Is the 2 car garage a 300 Trophy and a Cayman R or do I out the Cayman and keep it all French with some cash in my pocket?
I appreciate this is a full on first world issue and only I can decide what to do, but I’m keen to hear the thoughts/wrath of my fellow petrolmen/women.
From your other thread, you know my feelings on this haha
Keep the Clio, not only is it a special car to you specifically, I suspect trying to replace a 182 with another inferno 182 will be harder than finding another Cayman.
Car vs Car it's not much of a comparison as head vs heart the Porsche would be the winner but I'd still vote keeping the Clio and having a lovely pair of RenaultSports.
Keep the Clio, not only is it a special car to you specifically, I suspect trying to replace a 182 with another inferno 182 will be harder than finding another Cayman.
Car vs Car it's not much of a comparison as head vs heart the Porsche would be the winner but I'd still vote keeping the Clio and having a lovely pair of RenaultSports.
Ooh, that's a tough one!
Completely empathise too.
Dream car, versus 'your' car. That's rough. One thing I'd strongly consider is what you'd use the extra dosh released from the CR for.
I'd also really question your intent for either longer term. If you're going to keep it 'forever' then the clio's current age isn't a problem as the Cayman will soon catch up and they'll be much of a muchness. Cayman might be a tad more expensive to keep tip top though.
I'd also be seriously thinking about the mileage anxiety thing. Frankly, f
k other CR owners - they're not buying another one. It's not a daily, so it's never going to increase by crazy miles, and the miles you do do will be a lot of fun.
Perhaps no answer, as I don't think my choice really matters, but hope I've helped the thought process a little!
Completely empathise too.
Dream car, versus 'your' car. That's rough. One thing I'd strongly consider is what you'd use the extra dosh released from the CR for.
I'd also really question your intent for either longer term. If you're going to keep it 'forever' then the clio's current age isn't a problem as the Cayman will soon catch up and they'll be much of a muchness. Cayman might be a tad more expensive to keep tip top though.
I'd also be seriously thinking about the mileage anxiety thing. Frankly, f
k other CR owners - they're not buying another one. It's not a daily, so it's never going to increase by crazy miles, and the miles you do do will be a lot of fun.Perhaps no answer, as I don't think my choice really matters, but hope I've helped the thought process a little!
Very tricky call.
I think it comes down to money and cash flow. The Clio will cost buttons to run going forwards, parts are still cheap, tyres etc cheap, servicing cheap etc etc. plus you love it and you can get the kids in if you need to especially as they get a bit older, which the do remarkably quickly!!!! Assuming you still have the back seats in it?
The Porsche is lovely and I still miss mine that I sold about 18 months ago, however they do cost a fair bit to keep on top of them, servicing, parts, tyres etc all cost lots. Also it’s a nice car so you feel the pressure to keep it nice which can detract from the enjoyment somewhat.
Sensible budget for the R £3K per year? Sensible budget for the Clio £1K per year?
R values have remained remarkably stable for a good few years and I don’t see any sign of that changing any time soon. Sell it now bank the cash in a rainy day pot, thrash the arse off the Clio and buy a 981GT4 in a few years time, simples.
I think it comes down to money and cash flow. The Clio will cost buttons to run going forwards, parts are still cheap, tyres etc cheap, servicing cheap etc etc. plus you love it and you can get the kids in if you need to especially as they get a bit older, which the do remarkably quickly!!!! Assuming you still have the back seats in it?
The Porsche is lovely and I still miss mine that I sold about 18 months ago, however they do cost a fair bit to keep on top of them, servicing, parts, tyres etc all cost lots. Also it’s a nice car so you feel the pressure to keep it nice which can detract from the enjoyment somewhat.
Sensible budget for the R £3K per year? Sensible budget for the Clio £1K per year?
R values have remained remarkably stable for a good few years and I don’t see any sign of that changing any time soon. Sell it now bank the cash in a rainy day pot, thrash the arse off the Clio and buy a 981GT4 in a few years time, simples.
This is a tough one, Megane looks great, I had a Clio trophy and it’s the car I miss the most. Never driven a Cayman R but they are held in high regard.
bigmowley said:
Very tricky call.
Sell it now bank the cash in a rainy day pot, thrash the arse off the Clio and buy a 981GT4 in a few years time, simples.
Cayman R is supposed to be more fun than a GT4. I am in the minority I know but I had a 981 GT4 and I didn’t think it was all that!Sell it now bank the cash in a rainy day pot, thrash the arse off the Clio and buy a 981GT4 in a few years time, simples.
Not an easy choice. And I don't think their is a correct answer. I think it depends on how you want to use your second car and your mindset.
I assume you are happy to drive either on track and that isn't a deciding factor?
If you don't need the money out of it, the Cayman R is quite a special second car and quite different to whatever is likely to be your future daily car.
That said, you could become frustrated if you are reluctant to drive it due to worrying too much about milage or damage. That is assuming that you don't just want a garage queen to polish and pamper, (which some people are into, and that's fair enough).
The Clio would be a great second car in its own way, but it has some stiff competition in the Cayman R. There is something to be said for not having loads of money tied up in your toy though, having something that you love owning and driving but are not overly precious about.
There is a third potential option and that could involve something a little more extreme and lightweight, e.g. a Caterham or Elise. Lots of fun and potentially relatively cheap to run. Again, it comes down to what you want from your second car and how you would use it.
I assume you are happy to drive either on track and that isn't a deciding factor?
If you don't need the money out of it, the Cayman R is quite a special second car and quite different to whatever is likely to be your future daily car.
That said, you could become frustrated if you are reluctant to drive it due to worrying too much about milage or damage. That is assuming that you don't just want a garage queen to polish and pamper, (which some people are into, and that's fair enough).
The Clio would be a great second car in its own way, but it has some stiff competition in the Cayman R. There is something to be said for not having loads of money tied up in your toy though, having something that you love owning and driving but are not overly precious about.
There is a third potential option and that could involve something a little more extreme and lightweight, e.g. a Caterham or Elise. Lots of fun and potentially relatively cheap to run. Again, it comes down to what you want from your second car and how you would use it.
Alex_225 said:
From your other thread, you know my feelings on this haha
Keep the Clio, not only is it a special car to you specifically, I suspect trying to replace a 182 with another inferno 182 will be harder than finding another Cayman.
Car vs Car it's not much of a comparison as head vs heart the Porsche would be the winner but I'd still vote keeping the Clio and having a lovely pair of RenaultSports.
I know mate, I'm well aware id never find another which is what is making this decision so hard to get my head around.Keep the Clio, not only is it a special car to you specifically, I suspect trying to replace a 182 with another inferno 182 will be harder than finding another Cayman.
Car vs Car it's not much of a comparison as head vs heart the Porsche would be the winner but I'd still vote keeping the Clio and having a lovely pair of RenaultSports.
Gericho said:
Personally I would keep the Cayman and let the Clio go. Then you qualify for one of these:
Why can't you keep two in the garage and one outside (maybe with a car cover)? That's how I manage.
Wouldn't we all love enough garage space to do so, and with that setup, yes id manage too. lol Why can't you keep two in the garage and one outside (maybe with a car cover)? That's how I manage.
Edited by Gericho on Wednesday 28th August 21:14
mwstewart said:
It must be the Clio is someone is offering you 8k. Standard 182s at half that mileage go for under 5k, so I think it's a great chance to offload it. The Porsche is a nice car to keep with low mileage.
Yeah they do, but as you know as with all cars especially as they get older... they come in a wide range of condition and quality. I could break my Clio for probably double that price without too much worry.
Sway said:
Ooh, that's a tough one!
Completely empathise too.
Dream car, versus 'your' car. That's rough. One thing I'd strongly consider is what you'd use the extra dosh released from the CR for.
I'd also really question your intent for either longer term. If you're going to keep it 'forever' then the clio's current age isn't a problem as the Cayman will soon catch up and they'll be much of a muchness. Cayman might be a tad more expensive to keep tip top though.
I'd also be seriously thinking about the mileage anxiety thing. Frankly, fk other CR owners - they're not buying another one. It's not a daily, so it's never going to increase by crazy miles, and the miles you do do will be a lot of fun.
Perhaps no answer, as I don't think my choice really matters, but hope I've helped the thought process a little!
Thanks man, appreciate you taking the time to reply. Running costs are indeed a consideration.Completely empathise too.
Dream car, versus 'your' car. That's rough. One thing I'd strongly consider is what you'd use the extra dosh released from the CR for.
I'd also really question your intent for either longer term. If you're going to keep it 'forever' then the clio's current age isn't a problem as the Cayman will soon catch up and they'll be much of a muchness. Cayman might be a tad more expensive to keep tip top though.
I'd also be seriously thinking about the mileage anxiety thing. Frankly, f
k other CR owners - they're not buying another one. It's not a daily, so it's never going to increase by crazy miles, and the miles you do do will be a lot of fun.Perhaps no answer, as I don't think my choice really matters, but hope I've helped the thought process a little!
bigmowley said:
Very tricky call.
I think it comes down to money and cash flow. The Clio will cost buttons to run going forwards, parts are still cheap, tyres etc cheap, servicing cheap etc etc. plus you love it and you can get the kids in if you need to especially as they get a bit older, which the do remarkably quickly!!!! Assuming you still have the back seats in it?
The Porsche is lovely and I still miss mine that I sold about 18 months ago, however they do cost a fair bit to keep on top of them, servicing, parts, tyres etc all cost lots. Also it’s a nice car so you feel the pressure to keep it nice which can detract from the enjoyment somewhat.
Sensible budget for the R £3K per year? Sensible budget for the Clio £1K per year?
R values have remained remarkably stable for a good few years and I don’t see any sign of that changing any time soon. Sell it now bank the cash in a rainy day pot, thrash the arse off the Clio and buy a 981GT4 in a few years time, simples.
Hey mate, thanks for responding, hope you're keeping well. I think it comes down to money and cash flow. The Clio will cost buttons to run going forwards, parts are still cheap, tyres etc cheap, servicing cheap etc etc. plus you love it and you can get the kids in if you need to especially as they get a bit older, which the do remarkably quickly!!!! Assuming you still have the back seats in it?
The Porsche is lovely and I still miss mine that I sold about 18 months ago, however they do cost a fair bit to keep on top of them, servicing, parts, tyres etc all cost lots. Also it’s a nice car so you feel the pressure to keep it nice which can detract from the enjoyment somewhat.
Sensible budget for the R £3K per year? Sensible budget for the Clio £1K per year?
R values have remained remarkably stable for a good few years and I don’t see any sign of that changing any time soon. Sell it now bank the cash in a rainy day pot, thrash the arse off the Clio and buy a 981GT4 in a few years time, simples.
The Clio has pole positions in which means you cant gain access to the rear seats anyway (theyre not in there by the way, its all carpeted over)
In theory I could put stock seats back in and gain the use of the rear seats once more, but that kinda removes from the driving experience by some way and I don't really want to do that. Cayman running costs are indeed a consideration and yes I could buy a GT$ in a few years, the prices of those have certainly tanked of late and theyre incredible value. They certainly put a ceiling on R prices too, as why would most opt for an R over a GT4?
Youd have to really want an R to do that.
My ultimate would be to get into a GT3 at some point, but that also has the "no back seat" issue lol
popeyewhite said:
I didn't realise they were still making the Megane Trophy.
Anyway I'd keep the Clio.
Theyre not, this is a Renault UK press car that is still owned by them and they're selling it off. That would usually put me off but seeing as its still under warranty, its less of a worry. Anyway I'd keep the Clio.
Its a bit of a unicorn in that regard as its a phase 2 that is still manual, they were all EDC by this point. Has almost every option too, inc LY paint, Recaro interior and the Fujilight wheels & S007 tyres from the Trophy-R.
My thinking is, I could run it for several years and it still be ultra low miles, so cost of ownership should still be sensible.
keo said:
Cayman R is supposed to be more fun than a GT4. I am in the minority I know but I had a 981 GT4 and I didn’t think it was all that!
Many CR owners have gone to a GT4 and said similar, however, there are probably just as many who have jumped to the GT4 and loved it. On paper at least, the GT4 is a far superior car and the upgraded 981 interior alone will sell it for many.
The GT4 is a lovely car and I think id be very happy in either.
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