I wouldn't touch the renault with a barge pole. Opinions are like arseholes and all.

Sorry, the Civic

3 tenth's to 60?

My old man was going to buy a Focus, but the arrogance of the dealer put him off. "Of course Ford is the best because we are the most popular and always have been!".

He's now getting a Honda Civic instead which i am far more exited about!

Clever man your old man!!

The GTI's in standard form, are not as quick as the Civic Type-Rs. And the new ones ... I'm sure the Edition 30 model is different though, and I'd be inclined to go for that one.

My choice, would be the R26 Megane. Beats the Civic for speed, and cornering, but I'm sure they've both got their good points.

Bet you can tell me which one will be worth more when you come to change it......and......loads of bits will have fallen off the Renault too!

Golf GTi or Octavia II vRS for me , if I was in the position to throw that much money at a car.

Clever man your old man!!

yeh, but none of that overpriced type s nonsense.

Sorry, the Civic

3 tenth's to 60?

i have a copy of evo kicking about somewhere with a massive road test of all the hot hatches, round a track the Megane was massively quicker than the others. we are talking a few seconds or so round track.

i have a copy of evo kicking about somewhere with a massive road test of all the hot hatches, round a track the Megane was massively quicker than the others. we are talking a few seconds or so round track.

Same mag as me. Yellow R26, With the dark colour multi spokes? I am in love with it.

and the new civic was quite a let down apparently, they expected a bit more than the previous one but was no where as good for all out fun. too soft.

but was no where as good for all out fun. too soft.

I hate it when that happens

and the new civic was quite a let down apparently, they expected a bit more than the previous one but was no where as good for all out fun. too soft.

Unfortunately, the new Civic Type-R, isn't as quick as the old one, nor does it handle better. I think the Civic Type-R before the new one, is still regarded as one of the best Hot hatches of it's time.

Still, for a new car, it doesn't have to be about speed for the new Civic. It has fantastic interior styling which is uncommon for Japanese cars.

Quick! Call a mod! Welshy's hijacked Chrispy's account!

LMFAO. I only say this cos my previous car was a Beemer. Saying the Fabia feels better to drive than a Megane was my main point.

Renaultsport Megane (Cup/Trophy/R26) - all I'd say is don't knock it till you've tried it

And comparing one to a bog standard dCi model or whatever was mentioned earlier, is a little naive IMO. The steering feel comment I'd challenge as well, but again - not sure if this was in reference to a std model.

A good friend of mine has one, a 225 Cup, and I've been consistently impressed with build quality and fit and finish, as well as the handling and performance.

It would certainly be on my shortlist, were I looking for a car from this sector.

Steve

Unfortunately, the new Civic Type-R, isn't as quick as the old one, nor does it handle better. I think the Civic Type-R before the new one, is still regarded as one of the best Hot hatches of it's time.

Still, for a new car, it doesn't have to be about speed for the new Civic. It has fantastic interior styling which is uncommon for Japanese cars.

Agreed on all counts. Mate of mine had a go in the new one and didn't like it.....well, he did prefer the interior and the seats but nothing else.

Too soft was the 1st comment he made. Slower, more soggy and not as raw or involving.

Renaultsport Megane (Cup/Trophy/R26) - all I'd say is don't knock it till you've tried it

And comparing one to a bog standard dCi model or whatever was mentioned earlier, is a little naive IMO. The steering feel comment I'd challenge as well, but again - not sure if this was in reference to a std model.

A good friend of mine has one, a 225 Cup, and I've been consistently impressed with build quality and fit and finish, as well as the handling and performance.

It would certainly be on my shortlist, were I looking for a car from this sector.

Steve

I was talking about a standard dCI model on all counts and my point was my concern as to what they'd do to the sporty ones to fix the horrible steering and body roll.

Not quite polishing a turd but, starting off with a flawed package to begin with and trying to 'hot it up'.

Have you been in a Renaultsport Megane, or driven one? I really think you should.

One of the most focused hot hatches you can buy today, would be what I'd say. Polishing a turd?! Nowhere close!

But to each their own

Steve

Sounds like I would go for the MkV GIT as well. Dad's got a 56 in black and it is very nice. I love getting a go in it, and although it doesn't "feel" as fast as the mongrel, the speed really creeps up on you in a subtle way and says BOO!!! when you reach a ton (on single carriageway roads...) Also has good low down torque which made it quite "dieseley" - just without the noise.

Can't comment on the fords, etc, but for economy I know the GTI is pretty good. I think my Dad's currently averaging 35mpg.

I think the F1 & the R26 Are the only two that have LSD? Correct me if I'm wrong Steve. But reading article after article, they top all charts.

Hmmm. Should I buy one?

Yeah, that's right. I'd certainly recommend trying one out, just because! It's also nice to be able to compare and contrast with other offerings in the same bracket.

Steve

does the focus have more leg/ foot room than the fabia?

yeh, but none of that overpriced type s nonsense.

:rofl:

Ignorance is funny sometimes

I know youre talking about the Renaultsport verions but I used to own a Megane II and it was c.r.ap. I logged 12 visits to the dealer in two years. Water leaks, central locking failing (3 times), rear tyre wear before the front!!, dash coming loose and dropping down, start button failure(twice) and to cap it all , it was worth bog all after 2 years.

Have they sorted all these problems out?(They were known issues in 'Parkers') I dont think they have.

To sum up. The Megane has potential and there is no doubting its appeal in Renaultsport guise, but just be aware of the problems and the depreciation before you buy. There are better cars out there than Renaults and they hold their price better too.

No brainer as far as I'm concerned

:rofl:

Ignorance is funny sometimes

It's the price that some people can't afford!

Thank god for that eh! Phew...

To be honest l think some contrast needs to be made between the standard 225 Megane and the Cup Chassis'd variants. The standard 225 is a wollowy mess of a car, which was reflected in the automotive press' opinion of it! The build quality of these early cars was also poorer that the euro 4 cars.

In contrast, the Megane Trophy/Cup recieved decent reviews with many motoring maganzines including Evo (i believe the trophy did well in one of thier Ecoty features). With the uprated Eibach set-up on the Cup along with thicker ARBs, Brembo brakes and drilled discs all round etc its a very capable car. I've had many tangles with ST's, VXR's, vRS's, RS's but l've found the Megane to come out on top. If Wardy was impressed after his pro-kit/ARB'd Ibiza and his current FSD's/ARB/poly bushed effort then i think that tells its own tale.

I'd also like to point out that pretty much all 225's which have ever seen a pair of rollers have produced at least standard power; something that can not be said for some of its competitors. Mine made 239bhp flywheel standard.

Also just for info the 225 has a wider track etc than a standard Megane. Its more than simply a 1.5dci with a big engine and some lowering. I agree, thats a fairly naive suggestion.

I originally came from the VAG stable and never considered buying French. I had the same pre-concieved ideas about it. However, l've been pleasantly suprised, with far fewer trips to the dealers compared with my Lupo Gti and a better quality of service whilst l was there! I'm not saying its a VAG beater in terms of quality but alot of the bashing that the renaultsport cars have suffered comes from either unlucky owners who picked up a dog or uninformed people spreading what "their mate down the pub said". Its almost folklore that Renaultsports are badly built!

The main problem Renaultsport have is the variation in build quality. You seem to either get a good 'un or a duffer. For people who get a good one, they can't understand what all the fuss is about! The same applys to the VAG range, with Friday afternoon cars, but l think there is more variation in the French market and more chance of getting a car which will be nothing but trouble. My advice would be to buy a later car in which they ironed out most of the issues.

On a slightly different point l was amazed at the level of build quality on my 225 Cup in comparison to numerous Clio 172/182 variants that l've been in. It seems to be a much more solid build; something that l'd say applies to the new 197 also. Seems to be less of the French flimsy build and more of a concentration on building a solid vehicle. Correct me if l'm wrong but l believe that now the majority of Renaultsport cars are built at a sperate facility to the stock Renault range of cars.

If you purchased a Cup/Trophy/F1 brand new from the dealers then l'd be fairly horrified at the depreciation of it. However, in contrast l purchased mine at 10 months old for

am one for the astra vxr personally love them and think that would be my next choice in car mate had one for a bit and he said it was rapid