I have a Mazda £ MPS aero which i am selling at the moment as some of you may know, previously i had a Fab VRS lowered on eibachs with remap, intake and filter performace mods so was approx 170 BHP.

i am getting married next year and looking to save money. I thought about another furby but wanted something more sporty so turned my head to the clio 182 trophy. I can pick one up with 28k on it 55 reg for 8k, insurance and petrol consumption is not a worry either. They seem to be pretty good! Read loads of reviews and looks like the way to go.

My questions!

Reneault...Pi#s poor build quality rep so is this a mistake?

Anyone had or driven one? If so thoughts?

i am aware it may have been tracked but if i drive it a bit it still has warranty so can get issues sorted. Initially looked at focus ST but could do with saving a bit more on the car change.

Cheers

Stu

If you want to save money go for a Fiesta Zetec S TDCI and get it remapped

I lovely car. Never had the pleasure of the trophey but driven a 182 cup. Nice.

As for build. I've owned 2 1.2 clio's (51,52 plate from new) and Nicci got a 04 1.2 from new. So out of 3 cars the only problem we've had was the alarm I had fitted to the 52reg. Now my dad had a 1.8 laguna. He wasnt't sad to see it go.

I don't see why not tbh, they are decent enough little cars, and certainly entertaining to drive!

fiesta...really? I guess what i am getting at is is there a better sports car for that money???

I cant find one but thought other people may have opinions...8k budget or maybe 9k...

Yeah, lovely cars! Im a bit biased as my brother owns one and ive had quite a few drives in it!

As for build quality, its not great then again the interior in the Ibiza FR isnt anything to write home about. It will do the job. Recaros are very comfy and they are pretty nippy "2.0 litre go karts" as my brother puts it!

They are a great little cars, and not all have been tracked. Even tho thats basically what they are made for!

I thought about another furby but wanted something more sporty

More sporty than a furby! You mean such a thing actually exists :confused:

The recaros were a good selling point as i have sport seats in my Mazda and the hold around corners is vrilliant. The shocks are amazing in the trophy as well. Just have to drive one i guess!

Is the zorst not any good? Minor question but if your bro has one you will know!

My mate has the 182, but not the cup. A great go-kart of a car, ticks all the boxes for me.

Bet its more fun with the lighter cup.

The trophy is lighter than the cup, comes with recaros, sachs shocks costing 1k each!!!!!! upgraded steering wheel, light weight wheels, larger rear spoiler and i think thats it...180BHP, pretty much stuck with that as no turbo so £££££ to get any considerable gains.

Some lads have spend 700 ish and got 10BHP.....um not worth it boys!

0-60in 6.9 so not too shabby. It will make up for my decrease in power from 265BHP in the twisties i guess.

Still gutted i have to sell... GRRRRRR

Look smart.Only hot Renault I have had a spin in was a 5 GT Turbo years ago(grrrreat)

Is it another car that is going to be screwed by VED next year though?

civic type-r (old shape), focus rs, meganne 225, fiesta st, corsa/astra vxr, octavia vrs

there is loads out there but only you knows wat u want

Speaking of build quality...

I've owned 2 Ranaults in the past and can honestly say I had no problems with them whatsoever. I had a mint 25 which is one of the nicest cars I've ever driven. And at the time a nearly new Clio (mk1) I owned both for several years and had no problems with either. ... Wish I could say the same about my Fabia... ... ...

I've had two Renaults - no mroe unreliable than anything else. However you'll find the dealer service an absolute mess if you need them to do any diagnosis or repairs! As long as you have a decent independent then nothing to worry about.

Go for it! I had a 182 cup until I got my VRS and it is the best car I've ever driven (not sure that says much actually, I had a Ka before the 182.....)

Superb handling (and the Trophy will be another step forwards again) and very exciting to drive. I got a much bigger buzz driving it around at 7500 rpm than I do the Fabia at 2500 rpm

I found build quality to be excellent, and certainly I had far less trouble with it in a year of ownership than I've had caused by leaky doors on the VRS.

I only got rid of it because I was only getting around 24-25 mpg on my commute, which made up most of my driving. Starting to regret it now with diesel inflation......

I think there are a few things to look out for on the Trophy - particularly associated with its rather expensive suspension! I'd check in with the Renaultsport forum for more detailed advice.

HTH

I only got rid of it because I was only getting around 24-25 mpg on my commute, which made up most of my driving. Starting to regret it now with diesel inflation......

Thanks, that's the funniest thing I've read in ages!

I'm afraid I can't offer any constructive advice, other than the Clio's I've seen always look like a very nice (fast) little car...

Yeah do it if you dont mind insurance or fuel.

I had a 172, but sold it for the fab vrs. Fuel and servicing was a outrage lol, but if you can afford it.

Watch out for the cambelt though, costs well over £500, maybe more now as that was a few years ago.

Let us know the outcome

Yeah do it if you dont mind insurance or fuel.

I had a 172, but sold it for the fab vrs. Fuel and servicing was a outrage lol, but if you can afford it.

Watch out for the cambelt though, costs well over £500, maybe more now as that was a few years ago.

Let us know the outcome

How much were services then? is cambelt just 60k or is it 60k or 3 years??

How much were services then? is cambelt just 60k or is it 60k or 3 years??

Cambelt was 60k I think. It knocked when I booted it lol, hence also why I got rid. The guy I bought my VRS off (Who I knew) wasn't to happy as they hardly made any money off the 172 haha

Edit- Also you get a shift light as a added extra lol

If you fancy a little cheap pocket rocket, try the Twingo cup edition.

Only 133 or 122BHP, but drives like a go kart, and as so light, can leave most hot hatches at the lights

Not a fan of Renault myself. Ok until they go wrong - then it's VERY expensive. Was the reason I parted company with my 2nd Clio ('96 1.8 RSI)

Lad at work has the 172 Cup and loves it. Not had any issues with it apparently apart from it lacking A/C and half its soundproofing making it noisy and hot

I do take the pi55 though - flimsy, rattly French rubbish I say to him. Just makes me feel a bit better that my vRS weighs at least 300kg more. :(

My dad had a Clio 172, if that was anything to go by then the Trophy will be awesome.

I toyed with the idea of buying a 182 with the Cup Packs on it. Drove a few and all of the Clio Sport cars are spot on. If you're prepared to live with a few rattles and a somewhat iffy driving position then test drive one. They're awesome.

For a 2 litre petrol they're not bad on fuel either...

i had a 1.2 clio 53 reg for about 2 years and it was always fine no probs at all.

i have also driven the 183 cup and i loved it, the trophy is a limeted edetion and i think they only made 500 of them, a freind of mine had one (i love the seats) but his girlfreind crashed it for him:(

The recaros were a good selling point as i have sport seats in my Mazda and the hold around corners is vrilliant. The shocks are amazing in the trophy as well. Just have to drive one i guess!

Is the zorst not any good? Minor question but if your bro has one you will know!

Yeah shocks are great and im not sure about the exhaust? He had a orbisoud manifold back when he got the car, it was rather loud so he put on a Janspeed.

Judging how many people change the exhaust asap, its most likely a bit rubbish, quite quiet and restrictive.

I say go for it! now and then they come up for sale at good prices on cliosport, i did consider a matching trophy for myself....but insurance is a killer at 21

Had a couple of Renaults in my time, god awful build quality, and interior plastics made from the same plastics they make cheap kids toys with...brittle and nasty. Apart from that they are ok.