Dark Blue Mark

Been reading up on these and although I will probably never go "frog", it seems like they have made a decent car with buid quality of a Datsun

Reading through the threads it seems they suffer loads of problems. Is it just a number of isolated cases, or are they something to avoid?

Everyone agrees its an animal on the road, and great fun - so they got the engine and handling right, just seems like bits drop off all the time and dealers are crap. Is it all 172's and Cup's or just early ones?

I personally like it, and would definately go for it, apart from all the bad press.

Please start discussion / argumet below

MB

MadGrip

The guy next door but one to me has an 02 Clio 172 and he loves it,although even he admits (i Think) it looks a little girly

Brun

Mother has had hers for a year without fault.
Go ask on Cliosport.net and see what they come up with

bluenose172

iTrader: (2)

I had a 172 for 18 months and never had a problem with it.

My brother has also had a Cup for 6 months, also without a hitch!

Remember that car enthusiasts who use forums are in the extreme minority and hence when one or two people come onto a forum stating faults, you have to take into account the countless 1000's of examples with little or no problems.

Rich D

iTrader: (12)

I've got an '03 plate Cup and it's had a few little faults here & ther, but they aint that bad.

When you actually drive the car you soon forgive it though.


As an example, everyone remembers how great 205 GTi's were and the handling & performance are reminisced about with fond memories, but people seem to forget they rattled like mad, the interior was cr@p and build qaulity on a 1980's French car was much worse than it is now.

Still a great car though and people love them (especially on here), even though they have their faults and people just overlook these.


Think you see where I'm going with this...

Daz34

I have got a 2000X Clio 172 & haven't had any problems with it. Great car for embarrassing BMW 3 series coupe drivers who think they can overtake you
Buy one. You won't regret it.

Darren

TVR Gary

To be honest the reliability is a little iffy ...when I say that I mean little things that go wrong, the odd light, the odd rattle etc etc. BUT show me a car that doesnt have this sort of thing go wrong. I had two at the same time, one had loads wrong the other nothing....I hasten to add the one that had things wrong were only niggly things and not AA recovery jobs. You also get a 3 year warranty so back it goes if it aint right .......

I would give it 8/10 for smiles per mile, 6/10 for build quality, 7/10 for MPG

wilf

Mine Cups now a year old and been problem free since day 1

kenny_mcgee

I've had a 172 mk2 for over a year and no problems

Had it on the track & 1/4 mile and it does the daily
trip to work and back over Edinburghs crap
potholed & cobbled roads without problems

Great perf for the price and >30mpg its brill

And it true, the BMW/Audi/Merc/Jag drives hate it when
they can't pass or get overtaken :-)



[Edited by kenny_mcgee - 9/26/2003 8:37:36 AM]

[Edited by kenny_mcgee - 9/26/2003 8:38:09 AM]

[Edited by kenny_mcgee - 9/26/2003 8:38:36 AM]

Rokerlad

Another happy Cup owner here. Bar the odd dashboard rattle which every car I've ever owned has had to some degree. Good handling / performance with an average 35 mpg economy on a regular basis and only Grp 16 insurance. Well happy with mine.

MattW

Not 172's but wife has had Clio 1.2 Grande, Clio 1.2 Dynamique, and Scenic Dynamique in last 5 years. Only problem has been master cylinder in the scenic. The nbew clios are especially well put together, apart from the glove box.

jonc

I've had my MKII 172 for 2 years, and only had one problem with that was fixed under warrenty. Other than that the car has been trouble free and great fun to drive. I had a Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo previously, great car, very fast and IMO great eye candy, however, I have found the Clio definitely has better handling and loads more fun to drive. Almost as fast as the Coupe in a straight line, has nimble go-kart handling, ultra responsive engine (compared to the turbo) and is loaded with everything as standard bar SAT NAV. I've put Eibach springs on mine, doesn't lower it a great deal (not the reason I put them on) but has improved the handling a great deal, increased stability, less body roll and more chuckable around bends.

All Forums in general tend to be used as information source, hence you won't see many threads titled "Car working fine, no problems with anything" and instead lots of threads people seeking advice for problems they encounter with their cars. So I generally don't view problem pages on forums as good way of guaging the reliability of a car, unless of course you see lots of threads relating to a specific problem. I'm sure the numbers of people experiencing problems with their cars make up a small minority when you consider the number of happy owners and cars sold. The best smiles per miles of the cars I've owned.

Dark Blue Mark

Thats sorted that then chaps!

Ta muchly, lot of good info there.

MB

Dream Weaver

Save your money and buy a 205 Mi16, retro cool

Had my Mi16 for about a month now. Was dissapointed initially, but soon realised the thottle cable was loose, and only giving about 1/2 power when you pressed it to the floor.

Now sorted, and yesterday on a dual carriageway I had my first challenger - Clio 172

We were equal in 2nd gear up to 6500rpm, then he had to change and I had another 1k rpm left. Would have steamed passed him but noticed a copper and we had to slow down.

Was very happy with the performance though, made the 172 look slow.

DW

frisby

Took a Clio 172 Cup out yesterday in my quest for a fairly economical but rapid hatch. What can I say other than I'm sold. Sod the Air Con and ABS, when I nailed it in second I was grinning like an idiot!!!!

The initial depreciation seems steeper than the ordinary! 172 Sport so I'm looking at paying not much over £9k for up to a 1yr old car with maybe 5-9k miles. Though I can get a new one for about £11k.

Don't do much motorway driving, so it suits my current circumstances fine.

laters

stu

ScoobyJawa

DW -

jonc

Aircon comes as an option on the Cup now and what with the summer we've just had, I'm glad I had aircon!

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

A 172 is fine...as long as it doesn't decide to randomly loose power when trying pulling away. Or you get dodgy clutches and gearboxes.

My uncle's still does...effin dangerous too! And the dealers are so fed up now they are ignoring him! (in other words they have'nt clue what's wrong and don't know how to fix it).

And I know it's not the only one that does that.

On the other hand I know someone who has the old shape 172 and he's well chuffed with it. So, IMO its a lucky dip - worth asking the person selling why he's selling it (if buying 2nd hand), as the reason could be it's a complete lemon - Not that they wouldn't tell the truth if it means getting rid of their shed

[Edited by ALi-B - 9/26/2003 10:30:41 AM]

Rich D

iTrader: (12)

Simon,

I think it's time you ran the 205 against my Cup then...

My old 306 Rallye could match my mates 205 Mi16 down the 1/4 mile everytime (within 1/10 of a sec) and the Cup is quicker than the 306 was, so I'd like to have a go at your Mi!

Anyway, thought you were taking me out for a spin in it?!

Dark Blue Mark

How much fuel does it take and how many liles from a tank then?

I just worked out 12k miles (year) in my sccob costs me £1920 based on 23mpg.

Probably only £500 per year saving - so might just get another scoob! Oh, and a few quid on insurance.

MB

Dream Weaver

Rick

Will take you for a spin soonish. It is a little ropey for now as the piston rings have gone, so just trying to save up for new engine and twin 45's as well as roll cage.

The Group N mounts also mean it shakes you to death when trundling.

Dales also gave me the same challenge - his Cup vs my Mi. We will be looking to book a trackday in November ish if you fancy it? I dont think there would be much in it. Only disadvantage is the Mi's average 25mpg vs the Cups 35mpg

Will pop and see you next week some time for you to have a look - email your address, cant remember it now.

kenny_mcgee

MB, I believe the fuel saving would be 500-600 quid at least based on 32mpg in the clio. Based on mostly town driving, spirited b roads and very little motorway. So if you do more motorway that will rise to around 35mpg.

Saving on servicing, scooby is 7500 miles / 6 months is it not? Renault is 12k / 12 months.

Rich D

iTrader: (12)

They have a 50 litre tank and range depends on how you drive.

I'm averaging mid 30's mpg at the moment which is a mixture of commuting and going for a blast, so pretty good as I'm not driving it carefully. On a run it's easy to get over 40mpg even driving quickly.



I had a 306 Rallye before the Cup and the 306 was a LOT worse on fuel, so I'm saving money too!

Rich D

iTrader: (12)

I'll e-mail my new address later as I'd like to have a look at it...

Nuclear

I had one about 3 years ago, inbetween subaru's, go it kept it for about 6 months, was quick, handled well......but It was so small....I always felt cramped up and it does look girly and hasnt got any real mean presence....great car, but a lot less exciting than a scoob, in my opinion.

Gary VR6

I've had a couple of probs with my Cup:

1) suspension top mounts - fixed under warranty in a day, car washed and hoovered, faultless customer service

2) tailgate interior panel rattle - fixed as part of service, again faultless service & wash & hoover

3) Gearbox mountings - being fixed next Friday under warranty in a day - expecting wash & hoover or else!!

I'm very happy with it. I managed 30-70mph indicated in 5.53 secs the other day (normally 5.7-6.0, but my front tyres are down to 2mm, so acting like slicks!). Compare that with the competition, and remember that that's the sort of performance you can use every day; and with 35mpg all day too, you won't stop smiling....