A scenic drive in my little run around (Clio 172)

[kik1.6se]

I haven't been driving my VX220 or Westfield much recently, so I decided to treat myself to a fun everyday car to replace my cheap, but dull Astra diesel.

I've fancied one of these for a while and so far its lived upto its expectations. The cruise control and CD autochanger help make it a reasonable motorway car (which is good as I do 75 miles a day now), its fairly light and nimble so fun on twisty roads and the 170bhp 2.0l engine has plenty of low down torque and really kicks in from 4000rpm and beyond, so is quick enough.

Today was my first proper drive out in the car, so I took my camera to get some shots.

















Kirk

Edited by kik1.6se on Sunday 17th January 20:43

Edited by kik1.6se on Sunday 17th January 21:29

[TheLurker]

Lovely pictures. Where were they taken? (especialy the one with the reservoir)

I love just going out for a drive to see some good scenery and take some pics of the car. Nice to clear your head.

[RickIV]

Looks great

Really fancy one of these for everyday

What sort of MPG do you see on the motorway?

[dannytherev]

Nice car Kirk, awesome pics

[kik1.6se]

Thanks guys.

According to the trip computer i've been getting around 37mpg which is mainly motorway, but some driving through town as well. Today I got 35mpg, which was over 145miles with some duel carrage way and then quite a few twisty lanes.

The route today was Cardiff to Chepstow, up the Wye valley to Monmouth from there up the A40 to Abergaveny. From Abergaveny carry on west on the A645 and then head north on to the A4560 (nice stretch of road). When you get to the A4558 head west to Talybont-on-usk then turn left up a single track road that goes over a canal. If you follow that south you go through some nice country side and past the reservoirs. The single track roads are a bit rough in places, but I've driven them in both the VX220 and Westfield without any problem.

http://www.multimap.com/maps/?qs=brecon&countr... Powys, Wales, LD3 7

Kirk

Edited by kik1.6se on Sunday 17th January 22:01

[TheLurker]

kik1.6se said:

The route today was Cardiff to Chepstow, up the Wye valley to Monmouth from there up the A40 to Abergaveny. From Abergaveny carry on west on the A645 and then head north on to the A4560 (nice stretch of road). When you get to the A4558 head west to Talybont-on-usk then turn left up a single track road that goes over a canal. If you follow that south you go through some nice country side and past the reservoirs. The single track roads are a bit rough in places, but I've driven them in both the VX220 and Westfield without any problem.

http://www.multimap.com/maps/?qs=brecon&countr... Powys, Wales, LD3 7

Kirk

Thanks. I know the area fairly well (have relitives in Bwlch) so often go out for a drive around over the beacons or upto the elan valley. I also enjoy going over epynt - especialy when the rallying is going on.

I know the single track road you are talking about, I started to go down it one day when I was exploring, but decided it wasnt going to go anywhere special and turned around! Next time I'm there I will go and give it a go.

[Smithers Jones]

kik1.6se said:

Thanks guys.

According to the trip computer i've been getting around 37mpg which is mainly motorway, but some driving through town as well. Today I got 35mpg, which was over 145miles with some duel carrage way and then quite a few twisty lanes.

The route today was Cardiff to Chepstow, up the Wye valley to Monmouth from there up the A40 to Abergaveny. From Abergaveny carry on west on the A645 and then head north on to the A4560 (nice stretch of road). When you get to the A4558 head west to Talybont-on-usk then turn left up a single track road that goes over a canal. If you follow that south you go through some nice country side and past the reservoirs. The single track roads are a bit rough in places, but I've driven them in both the VX220 and Westfield without any problem.

http://www.multimap.com/maps/?qs=brecon&countr... Powys, Wales, LD3 7

Kirk

Edited by kik1.6se on Sunday 17th January 22:01

Fantastic roads, I live in Cardiff but Im originally from Abergavenny. Took a photo of my old 172 in the exact same spot!

[Beefmeister]

I used to have a Monaco Blue 172.

Stunning colour, really comes alive in the sun.

Cracking car.

I bought a K-Tec Stealth exhaust for mine - still hidden away, but makes a lovely noise. Not too intrusive, but definitely fruity...

[soad]

Cracking photos - nice car, stunningly beatiful scenery too!

[al1991]

Love that colour on the 172

[kik1.6se]

Thanks Guys,

The photos don't do the colour justice, it really does look good in the sun.

I'll think about the K-tec if I need to change the exhaust, don't want a big loud thing, so that sounds like a good choice.

Kirk

[Hollywood Wheels]

Nice! I'm looking at a 172 as a daily driver within the year, didn't realize you could get such high MPG on a motorway run, cheers for the info....

[Max M4X WW]

Never knew you could get these with cruise, nice to know.

Looks like a good example.

[sorrento205]

Well done for dropping the Astra Kirk, it really didn't suit you! See you soon mate. Ben

[minisloth]

Nice looking car. Your pictures have inspired me to go for a drive at the weekend in search of some of the roads you mention

[Beefmeister]

Hollywood Wheels said:

Nice! I'm looking at a 172 as a daily driver within the year, didn't realize you could get such high MPG on a motorway run, cheers for the info....

Your average mpg will drop a lot if you get the K-Tec.

Not because it affects the engine at all, but because you'll find yourself hoofing it in 2nd A LOT.

[joe_90]

Beefmeister said:

Hollywood Wheels said:

Nice! I'm looking at a 172 as a daily driver within the year, didn't realize you could get such high MPG on a motorway run, cheers for the info....

Your average mpg will drop a lot if you get the K-Tec.

Not because it affects the engine at all, but because you'll find yourself hoofing it in 2nd A LOT.

On the m-way doing 80ish I can get 40+
On a hoon late 20's.

On average i get about 34

[TheLurker]

minisloth said:

Nice looking car. Your pictures have inspired me to go for a drive at the weekend in search of some of the roads you mention

Me too. I think I will go and investigate either tomorow or thursday, or perhaps over the weekend if there are other people going aswell?

[v15ben]

I've got a Janspeed exhaust from K-Tec on my 182 which is a big, loud thing. The MPG has remained pretty much the same as with the normal exhaust at around 34-35mpg. Well at least on the odd occasion I haven't had my foot down to hear the amazing noise

[kik1.6se]

sorrento205 said:

Well done for dropping the Astra Kirk, it really didn't suit you! See you soon mate. Ben

Cheers Ben,

I remember chatting to you about wanting a 172 at a meet a while back, but not wanting to get rid of the Astra. You said I should do it and it stuck with me and I have finally bitten the bullet.

The cruise control was an option on them. I'm really happy I got one with it fitted as its really usefull, especially through the road works on the M6 and though Newport. The 172's were pretty well kitted out as standard, with the climate control, autochanger, leaher and alcantara trim etc. I would have been tempted to go for a Cup if I wasn't doing so many miles, but as it is I thing the 'full fat' 172 was the right choice.

Kirk