That 172 is a stunner; good work fella!

Had two 182s; one gave me no trouble except for a failed electric window switch...the other (current daily) is an utter w@nker and despite huge amounts of TLC has been massively unreliable, in fact so much so a local Renault specialist is collecting it on a flat bed tonight to sort the latest issue. I have given up.

When it works though its blimming brilliant though.

Well i nearly bought a 182 cup, but decided against it in the end, after i had ago in my mates clio, the clutch was like lead, felt awfull. So holding out for another impreza as can't think of anything else.

I've owned 3 now....a 172 back in 2004, a 200 and a 200 edc

The chassis in the 200 is, quite frankly, a work of brilliance. In the right hands (and as long as the revs are kept up), it will happily stay with far more exotic machinery. The optional recaros are a must, as is the cup 'pack'. (Don't bother with an actual 'cup' version unless your aim is knocking milliseconds off your lap times)

As an overall package, the 200 edc is a great car. The gearbox gets a lot of stick, but unless you've actually driven one, don't believe everything you read. Also comes with launch control as standard and, again in true Renault style, the chassis is bloody brilliant, as are the brakes (better than the brembos on my 200). The built in tomtom sat nav is also class. Try and get one with the RS monitor if you can, quite hard to come by though.

Been tempted a few times myself, even went to look at a couple, both dogs with un-realistic price tags, one of which had obviously been in a decent shunt and badly repaired. Also been tempted by the Megane R26 but I can't be arsed with un-reliable cars that keep getting niggly faults so binned the idea and sticking to my WRX Wagon. Might go for the new shape Fiesta ST in 2/3yrs when prices come down to around the £5k mark.

One of the problems of Clio Sport models is the unavailability and expense of parts.

Clio rear discs: £30
Clio Sport rear discs: £220-£280...they have the hubs as part of the disc.

Clio bottom ball joint: £45
Clio Sport bottom ball joint, £220, dealer only.

Clio rear spring: £28
Clio Sport rear spring, £115, dealer or second hand.

They look hideous cramped / placky inside - alright for short trip

Depends what you want, the seats are nice and grippy, the ride isn't crashy and they grip like hell.
Front tyres only last 10-15k if driven hard.

But they aren't built to Audi/BMW levels, no...nor do they cost it;)

I was just looking for cheap hot hatch and the clio seemed to tick all the boxes. You can pick up a cheap 172 for around the grand mark, in fair condition, just for a cheap hot hatch.

Theres not much else with same power cheap to buy and good mpg. But decided clio isn't for. If that clutch wasn't so heavy i may of had it, but seemed final straw. Tempted by Feista ST or older Focus ST as a cheap runner, but to be honest i may just buy another Impreza.

I can't believe the rubbish I've just read. I've owned my Ph1 172 Clio for nine years and it's only going from my ownership when the rust eats it away. I love my Impreza but it's a different kind of car to the Clio. To get decent power from an F4R engine you will have to pay big money, with an Impreza pay a little, say £500, and get a good upgrade. The parts for my RS Clio are simply peanuts: the right ball joints cost a tenner each from ECP, wishbones forty quid, a pair of rear discs about fifty quid, Brembo discs for the front also fifty a pair and front suspension struts are ninety quid the pair.