scotty,
i went from a 1.2 mk1 clio to my mk1 172.
i can honestly say that it is the best thing i have ever done !!!!
driving a 172 is an unbelievable experience, so bloody fast, its actually hard to keep it in 30 !
petrol is dear but surprisingly good bearing in mind the size of the engine.
my exhaust went and it cost nearly 500 quid to get put right, nothing else has gone wrong with it.............touch wood !
im 26, 2 years no claims and my insurance is 700 quid (direct line) group 16, not bad at all.
cheers
darswold