Clio 182 vs. 200 for daily use
Discussion
A bit of background, work situation is changing (significantly less money due to shifts stopping) so I'd rather not be using my Boxster quite so much to work (currently 50 mile round trip, usually 3 times a week vs. the same twice a week in the Trophy) due to general maintenance and repairs costing a good bit more than the Trophy, dampers notwithstanding.
As cracking as the Trophy is, it isn't the sort of car I really want to make my main daily driver, say four times a week from now on and using the Boxster once a week to give it a run. It's great fun on the right road but it's noisy and not the nicest place to spend time on a commute. As such I'll consider selling it later this year, as much as I don't really want to.
Now I know the 200 isn't exactly an S-class, but in comparison to the 182, is it significantly easier to live with day to day? The interior seems to be a significant improvement over the 182 (not hard) and I've read it is generally more refined, to what extent is the question.
I can live with a hard ride like the Trophy's as long as it isn't at the detriment of composure over poor surfaces. A lot of the B roads round my way are pretty bumpy and the Trophy, while very firm, is utterly composed through it all. Have read mixed things with the 200 Cup being brilliant on smooth roads but suffering when it gets bumpy. Can anyone offer experience on the regular 200 vs. the Cup on such roads?
As cracking as the Trophy is, it isn't the sort of car I really want to make my main daily driver, say four times a week from now on and using the Boxster once a week to give it a run. It's great fun on the right road but it's noisy and not the nicest place to spend time on a commute. As such I'll consider selling it later this year, as much as I don't really want to.
Now I know the 200 isn't exactly an S-class, but in comparison to the 182, is it significantly easier to live with day to day? The interior seems to be a significant improvement over the 182 (not hard) and I've read it is generally more refined, to what extent is the question.
I can live with a hard ride like the Trophy's as long as it isn't at the detriment of composure over poor surfaces. A lot of the B roads round my way are pretty bumpy and the Trophy, while very firm, is utterly composed through it all. Have read mixed things with the 200 Cup being brilliant on smooth roads but suffering when it gets bumpy. Can anyone offer experience on the regular 200 vs. the Cup on such roads?
Drive one.
Though the 200 cup ride is always composed and never out of shape on any road, it's those inside that suffer
I gave my old man a lift when I had mine somewhere and it had him swearing, something about his kidneys being bruised....
They are much nicer to be in than the 182s, driving position is quite high but at the same time you can near enough see every corner of the car making easy to position. They handle amazingly well and imo actually handle better than the Megane I currently (if it wasn't broken) drive.
Not sure I'd go back to commuting in one mind you....
Though the 200 cup ride is always composed and never out of shape on any road, it's those inside that suffer
I gave my old man a lift when I had mine somewhere and it had him swearing, something about his kidneys being bruised....They are much nicer to be in than the 182s, driving position is quite high but at the same time you can near enough see every corner of the car making easy to position. They handle amazingly well and imo actually handle better than the Megane I currently (if it wasn't broken) drive.
Not sure I'd go back to commuting in one mind you....
GrumpyTwig said:
Drive one.
Though the 200 cup ride is always composed and never out of shape on any road, it's those inside that suffer I gave my old man a lift when I had mine somewhere and it had him swearing, something about his kidneys being bruised....
They are much nicer to be in than the 182s, driving position is quite high but at the same time you can near enough see every corner of the car making easy to position. They handle amazingly well and imo actually handle better than the Megane I currently (if it wasn't broken) drive.
Not sure I'd go back to commuting in one mind you....
Cheers.Though the 200 cup ride is always composed and never out of shape on any road, it's those inside that suffer
I gave my old man a lift when I had mine somewhere and it had him swearing, something about his kidneys being bruised....They are much nicer to be in than the 182s, driving position is quite high but at the same time you can near enough see every corner of the car making easy to position. They handle amazingly well and imo actually handle better than the Megane I currently (if it wasn't broken) drive.
Not sure I'd go back to commuting in one mind you....
Getting a chance to drive one isn't straightforward.
What kind of commute are you thinking though? I'm not queuing in traffic at all, only spend a few minutes going through a couple of towns and the rest is single carriageway NSL.
What megane have you got? The R26 can be had for around the same price and is something I'd consider. That also opens up the option of a Golf GTI (Mk.5) and Civic Type R (FN2).
Patrick Bateman said:
Cheers.
Getting a chance to drive one isn't straightforward.
What kind of commute are you thinking though? I'm not queuing in traffic at all, only spend a few minutes going through a couple of towns and the rest is single carriageway NSL.
What megane have you got? The R26 can be had for around the same price and is something I'd consider. That also opens up the option of a Golf GTI (Mk.5) and Civic Type R (FN2).
Shouldn't be too bad on that, it's long motorway or stop start they fall flat. 70 is nearly 4k rpm in 6th iirc so is a bit noisy.Getting a chance to drive one isn't straightforward.
What kind of commute are you thinking though? I'm not queuing in traffic at all, only spend a few minutes going through a couple of towns and the rest is single carriageway NSL.
What megane have you got? The R26 can be had for around the same price and is something I'd consider. That also opens up the option of a Golf GTI (Mk.5) and Civic Type R (FN2).
Mines a 250 though an r26 is nearly as good they just don't tune as well out of the box. Only mk5 I'd bother with is an edition 30 but they tend to command a premium and finding one that's not a bit leggy might be tricky. FN2..... meh
GrumpyTwig said:
Shouldn't be too bad on that, it's long motorway or stop start they fall flat. 70 is nearly 4k rpm in 6th iirc so is a bit noisy.
Mines a 250 though an r26 is nearly as good they just don't tune as well out of the box. Only mk5 I'd bother with is an edition 30 but they tend to command a premium and finding one that's not a bit leggy might be tricky. FN2..... meh
Not too bothered about tuning. Mines a 250 though an r26 is nearly as good they just don't tune as well out of the box. Only mk5 I'd bother with is an edition 30 but they tend to command a premium and finding one that's not a bit leggy might be tricky. FN2..... meh
Are the R26 running costs reasonable?
Patrick Bateman said:
GrumpyTwig said:
Shouldn't be too bad on that, it's long motorway or stop start they fall flat. 70 is nearly 4k rpm in 6th iirc so is a bit noisy.
Mines a 250 though an r26 is nearly as good they just don't tune as well out of the box. Only mk5 I'd bother with is an edition 30 but they tend to command a premium and finding one that's not a bit leggy might be tricky. FN2..... meh
Not too bothered about tuning. Mines a 250 though an r26 is nearly as good they just don't tune as well out of the box. Only mk5 I'd bother with is an edition 30 but they tend to command a premium and finding one that's not a bit leggy might be tricky. FN2..... meh
Are the R26 running costs reasonable?
If you want more info on either I suggest clio200.net for the Clio and rsmegane.com for the Megs, lots of enthusiastic Renaultists in there.
If you're broadening your search the Focus ST is a good compromise not as sharp as the R26 but still capable with a characterful engine that'll take big commuting in it's stride.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Patrick Bateman said:
Cheers.
Getting a chance to drive one isn't straightforward.
What kind of commute are you thinking though? I'm not queuing in traffic at all, only spend a few minutes going through a couple of towns and the rest is single carriageway NSL.
What megane have you got? The R26 can be had for around the same price and is something I'd consider. That also opens up the option of a Golf GTI (Mk.5) and Civic Type R (FN2).
The Civic is worth considering due to its similar nature of rev happy focused hot hatch like the Clio, although it is more Megane sized and not quite as chuckable on the twisty's it still handles well and it was the engine and gearbox combo with a more practical size that swung it for meGetting a chance to drive one isn't straightforward.
What kind of commute are you thinking though? I'm not queuing in traffic at all, only spend a few minutes going through a couple of towns and the rest is single carriageway NSL.
What megane have you got? The R26 can be had for around the same price and is something I'd consider. That also opens up the option of a Golf GTI (Mk.5) and Civic Type R (FN2).
Both car's get stick from hardcore fans for being bigger and heavier than the previous model, wade through that though and you will find plenty of love for the FN2 on here. The ride is very firm though
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