182 VS FRP

[Gally]

Well been thinking i've had the puma for nearly a year now and thinking of changing again.

Used to have an 03 172 rep and always loved the car, was faultless tbh. Always had a hankering for an RS clio but I chose to save some money and get the puma short term.

I didn't expect it to be so much fun and handle so well with very little modifications so the natural upgrade was to a Racing Puma classed as the best fwd handling car in the world.

Now think maybe 6.5k works out about the same as an FRP to a decent 182 poss a lower end trophy.

The FRP will be about 9 years old now a clio will be 4ish that's a big difference.
And that's the real stumbling block. The puma (if kept in decent condition) will only go up in value and obviously the clio will go down slightly. But a 9 year old car which needs good maintenance vs a 4 year old car which will run sweet most off the time.

My brother and dad are both Ford master techs and i've always been a ford man at heart.

So you can see my dilemma!

Any input would be great guys i've never spent this kinda money on a car albeit it's not a lot to some people it would be to me.
Also considered some CTR's.

VS

I do understand this is a clio forum but there is always some decent input!

Cheers folks.

 

[Aluco]

182.

Edit: b**ch.

 

[Revels]

You say about maintenance, but at 9 years old you will already have changed a lot. Suspension/brakes etc. Those sorts of things will have needed to be replaced by now I imagine. They won't be the case of a 182 and something you'll have to fund.

Have you driven a 182?

 

[Gally]

You say about maintenance, but at 9 years old you will already have changed a lot. Suspension/brakes etc. Those sorts of things will have needed to be replaced by now I imagine. They won't be the case of a 182 and something you'll have to fund.

Have you driven a 182?

Yeah I drive a lot of cars Revels luckily due to my job. Never driven a trophy tho.

The maintenance on the FRP is really the non sealed alcons that need refurbed similar to trophy dampers.

I'm thinking it would be a massive difference from the puma I drive but at the same time it's not that different.

 

[Tom@JMS]

2 Good cars to choose between. When looking for my 182 I test drove a trophy owned by a chap that had owned a FRP (if that makes sense) He viewed owning the trophy as an upgrade from the Puma IIRC in nearly every way.

 

[Greeny.]

I had an FRP engine in my old mk5 ZS and loved it, the popping from the exhaust was epic but power wise id have my 172 anyday. Few mates from ZSOC had FRP's and even though they are an epic car they all had quite a few problems with them, saying that though if your family are Ford techs, I doubt that will be an issue!

I personally think 182's are a waste of money for the extra power anyway, but if your looking for a newer car with good miles then yeah they are a good way to go. But however if your worried about the 182 loosing money, maybe its a good idea to have a good hunt around for a late 172 with good miles as you will obviously be loosing less money on it as its worth less in the first place.

 

[GM_182]

I think I'd struggle to justify the 182 (even though its my current car) over what looks like a mint FRP.

Previously I owned Fords including an XR2i and RS1800 and loved them both so I do have some Ford bias.

I take your point re. maintenance however you have that covered via your father and brother.

IMO I don't think that the cost of changing ,will provide you with a significantly better driving experience.

 

[cat171]

The general consensus with the FRP is that they handle really really well, but in a straight line they aren't all that really.
As you say though, the FRP will hold it's value better (it's proven already tbh) for the rarity factor (and the looks) i'd have one.
If I wanted a car that was a bit less 'special' i'd have the 182.

 

[Englebert]

You say it like you will be wed to the car! Just buy the Puma. If you don't get on with it, sell it and buy the Clio.

 

[Monaco Sean]

I'm not a huge Ford fan but I think it makes sense to keep the Puma.
As you said its only going to go up in value!

Whats the performance of the FRP's?

 

[Gally]

You say it like you will be wed to the car! Just buy the Puma. If you don't get on with it, sell it and buy the Clio.

It's 6.5k that to me is a lot of money and I don't want the hassle of getting rid of a car if I made the wrong choice, get it right first time and i'm sure I would be happy to keep the car longer term.

The general consensus with the FRP is that they handle really really well, but in a straight line they aren't all that really.
As you say though, the FRP will hold it's value better (it's proven already tbh) for the rarity factor (and the looks) i'd have one.
If I wanted a car that was a bit less 'special' i'd have the 182.

Yeah i'm sure I wouldn't be that impressed by the speed side and i'm more of a cornering guy anyway it's only 20bhp up on my puma which isn't a lot for such a good car, they seriously missed a trick with such a low powered engine in such a good handling car.

I'm not a huge Ford fan but I think it makes sense to keep the Puma.
As you said its only going to go up in value!

Whats the performance of the FRP's?

I don't have the puma yet mate I have a 1.7 puma.

They are 155bhp iirc.

If anything i'm swaying towards the renault as it could offer me a lot more overall and a nice change from the puma side of things.

The prices of 182's have come down quite a lot that is why I was looking at them even 5.5k can get you a cracking example.

 

[Greeny.]

Go hardcore gally, mint ph1 and ITB it Sell the ITB kit when you come to sell the car, winnar.

 

[Russ_16v]

Id get a trophy or a ltd colour 182 if you can stretch to it, if you want to keep residual values

 

[Gally]

Go hardcore gally, mint ph1 and ITB it Sell the ITB kit when you come to sell the car, winnar.

If I was in the market for a 2-3k car I would now consider a ph1 after seeing Danny's they do look good and I didn't give them justice because I didn't like the interior.

I still love ph2 172's especially yours mate.

 

[Greeny.]

I still love ph2 172's especially yours mate.

xx Come join the Clio family again!

 

[JT182]

FRP's are gorgeous cars. Very big fan of them, I looked at buying one before I bought my Trophy. Only thing that lets them down is the interior. Seats are nice, but that's about it. Clio's aren't exactly like an S-Class inside are they but compared to the Puma it's in a totally different league.

Handling wise I wouldn't say their is much between the two, when I drove a FRP I felt it was just lacking in grunt, 155bhp sounds a lot in a small car like that but it just didn't deliver the performance I was wanting. Fantastic car, but could do with an extra 20bhp in my opinion. As much as I love them for their looks, handling, and exclusivity, I'd still have a 182 over one.

 

[Gally]

FRP's are gorgeous cars. Very big fan of them, I looked at buying one before I bought my Trophy. Only thing that lets them down is the interior. Seats are nice, but that's about it. Clio's aren't exactly like an S-Class inside are they but compared to the Puma it's in a totally different league.

Handling wise I wouldn't say their is much between the two, when I drove a FRP I felt it was just lacking in grunt, 155bhp sounds a lot in a small car like that but it just didn't deliver the performance I was wanting. Fantastic car, but could do with an extra 20bhp in my opinion. As much as I love them for their looks, handling, and exclusivity, I'd still have a 182 over one.

That's a good post mate thank you.

I think eventually the exclusivity and handling would wear off with the FRP and i'd need something just that little bit quicker and i'm sure the 182 could give me b road handling and a bit of pace.

 

[Greeny.]

a late 182 and abit of money left for subtle mods perhaps?

 

[Gally]

a late 182 and abit of money left for subtle mods perhaps?

I'm thinking yes, are the cup packed 182's the hardest to come by?

Don't want a cup.

 

[Greeny.]

They are the hardest/most expensive to get anything for suspension wise, so personally would stay away as I would be upgrading the shocks anyway.

 

[JoedotwasT5phy]

buy a trophy. that is all.

 

[Justin]

FRP!

Guy has one in my street, totally rebuilt everything engine wise (hobby) and it sounds awesome. Clio's are everywhere

 

[Greeny.]

Stainless 4-2-1 and decat and it pops like foook at 3k and over, sounds so nice its untrue

 

[JT182]

That's a good post mate thank you.

I think eventually the exclusivity and handling would wear off with the FRP and i'd need something just that little bit quicker and i'm sure the 182 could give me b road handling and a bit of pace.

No problem.
If you could stretch to a Trophy though, that'd be even better. If you're after the exclusivity of a FRP, but with extra pace it's the perfect alternative.
How does the 1.7 respond to performance mods by the way? Is 20/30bhp extra within reach without a lot of work? If it had the same power as the Clio it'd be perfect. Just been looking on Pistonheads at them, gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous looking cars. Still very expensive for a low miler though!

 

[SpaceMonkey]

FRP running costs will be alot higher than 182 buddy.
The front brakes aren't cheap to maintain on their own.
I considered an FRP in the past visually they are stunning, but performance wise not so much.

 

[Glenn182Trophy]

if its going to be your daily driver frp will no doubt need the rear arches doing at some point and the interior is tacky i would buy a trophy

 

[Justin]

FRP running costs will be alot higher than 182 buddy.

I doubt it! Sure its an older car, but shouldnt be much between the running costs

 

[Monaco Sean]

If it was my money it would be going on a trophy/182

 

[Steve vRS]

Everyday car - a disposable Clio.

Weekend toy - FRP

The FRP isn't going to lose much more money if you look after it.

Steve

 

[trailerparktrev]

I'd go with the Puma too. Nice cars and the rarity is a bonus too.

 

[Gally]

They are the hardest/most expensive to get anything for suspension wise, so personally would stay away as I would be upgrading the shocks anyway.

I thought they were most sought after mate. Would you suggest a non cup packed 182 then?

buy a trophy. that is all.

Lols shot of your back seats?

Stainless 4-2-1 and decat and it pops like foook at 3k and over, sounds so nice its untrue

Yes i've heard them! Sound so good it's criminal. Milltek makes it sounds the dogs danglies!

No problem.
If you could stretch to a Trophy though, that'd be even better. If you're after the exclusivity of a FRP, but with extra pace it's the perfect alternative.
How does the 1.7 respond to performance mods by the way? Is 20/30bhp extra within reach without a lot of work? If it had the same power as the Clio it'd be perfect. Just been looking on Pistonheads at them, gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous looking cars. Still very expensive for a low miler though!

Nah you really have to spend a bit to get anything out them mate, that's why most swap the frp engine for a FRS!
There is no doubting how special these cars are but got a really sneeking feeling i'll want to change not long after due to boredom. Although taking it out on some twisties could cure that i'm sure.

FRP running costs will be alot higher than 182 buddy.
The front brakes aren't cheap to maintain on their own.
I considered an FRP in the past visually they are stunning, but performance wise not so much.

I know about all the brakes ect... I'm lucky enough to have 2 ford technicians in my family and I know that's another one of the factors, if anything did go wrong there would be no problems at all in fixing it!

Just starting to feel the 182 would give me the best overall.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

I doubt it! Sure its an older car, but shouldnt be much between the running costs

Some parts are very hard to come by now Justin.
A few lads on ZSOC have had to learn the hard way unfortunately.
The caliper service only costs £140ish & thats with a specialist (Although specialist servicing is preferable).
The paint on the rear quarters can suffer badly from stone chipping if front mud flaps aren't fitted or there is no form of armourfend type product protecting them causing needs for resprays etc mate.

It can add up quite quickly if you do an decent mileage.

 

[clvs2222]

FRP all the way!

 

[JonC]

Here, have a read, it might help.

http://www.itrsport.com/reviewArticles/puma_vs_clio_vs_itr/puma_vs_clio_vs_itr.html

 

[Gally]

Lols pics of yours mate?

Surprising quite a few say the frp.

 

[Gally]

Here, have a read, it might help.

http://www.itrsport.com/reviewArticles/puma_vs_clio_vs_itr/puma_vs_clio_vs_itr.html

Awesome read iirc with the frp finishing first but was the 'slowest' car there?

 

[The Chubby Pirate]

You know what im going to say Kevin lol

 

[Daniel]

For me, you can only compare the FRP to a Trophy. Both are a bit special.

Its out of either of those imo, and I honestly can't decide which!

 

[Gally]

For me, you can only compare the FRP to a Trophy. Both are a bit special.

Its out of either of those imo, and I honestly can't decide which!

What car does that say more for?

 

[Daniel]

You can't put me under this kind of pressure.