Growing Out Of The Clio?

[jenic]

My 182's gave me a bad knee

Standard seats in the clio gave me backache, the recaro's never did, neither did the buckets. Infact the buckets were great for your back as they kept it straight and flat.

All vans seem to make my back ache and give me a bad knee, same for hard seats like found in VAG cars. The Z is comfy luckily.

 

[alanc1000]

Wow, stuck up much!!

I'm 34 and drive a 172, doesn't make me a boy racer. Keen driver yes!
It's no different to all the older people you see driving Golf gti's, Focus ST's, Cupra's etc. Not everyone has the disposable income to be buying Z4's, Caymans etc like your self yet still want a good drivers car...

This growing out of Clio's is a load of crap. At the end of the day it's a fine drivers car on a budget.

well surely growing out of a car also has something to do with what you want to mirgrate to based upon what you can afford? Are you still driving your first car? No. And i suspect thats because you could afford something better and newer than your first car or the car you were driving when you were 21 with the money you decided to allocate on a car. Does that make you stuck up?

And where did i say the 172/182/197 etc wasnt a good drivers car?

I dont give a toss what cars other people drive, i spend my money on what i want - in the same way older people are quite free to not grow out of their clios.

 

[Adamm.]

Standard seats in the clio gave me backache, the recaro's never did, neither did the buckets. Infact the buckets were great for your back as they kept it straight and flat.

All vans seem to make my back ache and give me a bad knee, same for hard seats like found in VAG cars. The Z is comfy luckily.

+1 my back kills after a long drive and im the same in vans too on the way to work im duying to get out and stand up. and z's are mega comfy sat in my mates and its sooo comfy i could sleep in it.

 

[Matthew]

Seats in my Xsara VTS were like sofas... Brilliant seats.

 

[realnumber 1]

The older people who "dont care" what others think and cane it about in a clio are probs the same ones who try and dress like they are 21 and be cool on the dance floor at a 50th wedding anniversary party.

I still like clios, 172/182 = deffo have grown out of, its now a young chavs car, 197/200 = would be seen in as they are still being driven by more mature people.

This is what I feel comes across as a little stuck up.

 

[alanc1000]

This is what I feel comes across as a little stuck up.

but the people who that post would refer to (no one in particular here) obviously wouldnt care anyway, as they are at pains to point out they dont care what other people think. So why would they care if it was stuck up or not?

I think its stuck up that people would pull me up for wanting to change my cars to what ever i want as and when i please, rather than drive the same car i was driving 7 years ago. Surely its my choice, just like we all have a choice.

 

[Daniel]

You're talking facts alan, disecting everything people are saying.

You post 'comes accross' stuck up (it does) even though factually you may not have spken down to anyone.

Ever thought of being a politician?

 

[Christopher]

No offence Alan, but you take every opportunity to lord over the Clio-driving minions. You know it too.

Calling a Mk2 Renaultsport Clio a 'young chavs car' though is giving away that you're not a proper car guy; again no disrespect.

Sure, a percentage of chavs drive them; they're cheap... but a percentage of chavs drive Mk2 Focus RS'.

Harry Metcalfe still has his Trophy and I'm fairly certain it's not because it gets him the underage snatch at Goodwood Revival.

 

[Gally]

Harry Metcalfe still has his Trophy and I'm fairly certain it's not because it gets him the underage snatch at Goodwood Revival.

i snorted some prosseco. I'm actually stuck up though.

 

[Russ_16v]

It all falls down to what you want from a car, no more, no less. (Unless you are REALLY vain)


Take me as an example, I ran the black Clio for over 5 years and 50,000 miles - I worked hard with my business and managed to get up some money and sold the clio to buy the Elise.

LOVED the Elise, but decided to sell as we were looking to move house, and needed the money as deposit.

After a few months of f**king around, we decided against the house as the morgage company were trying to suck me dry, so although I could have bought another Elise, I decided to put the money partly back into the business (I will look at another Elise at the end of the winter i expect)

So I looked at my options - I had a few grand to spend (maybe a little more if needed) and I made a short list of cars I would have as a toy and the Clio again came out top.

I simply couldnt think of anything else I could buy for under 2k that gave what the Clio does.

Yes i could have got a cheap kit car, (very cheap) or a ropey Civic Type R, but my Exclusive has near 190bhp (needing a remap) it is low miles for the year, has sensible modifications but still looks standard, and owes me the grand total of £1100 - there is literally nothing i could get for the money that i can jump in, go for a thrash and have a great time in for that cash. (Exclude Saxos, iv had 3 and i dont fit in them)


Now im 30 next month, and there are not many people round my way in Clio's at my age - My mum said 'shouldnt you have a newer car by now?'

do i care about a newer car? Nope - I drive plenty of new VW's at work and new cars do nothing for me - when I have another 10k i have spare, then another toy will be on the cards, but i really cant see me selling this Clio - at least my old one was worth a bit with the itbs - this will always be a great little fun car that owes me f**k all, so its worth holding on to


Of course, if a small french hatchback is not your idea of a great daily drive, or your budget has increased enough to not only buy a faster/better/newer car but also run that car, then fair play in going for something newer, but IMO the Clio will always be admired by the right people - as one of the best FWD handling hatchbacks ever made - yes some people will frown, but who really cares? I walked past an E46 M3 the other day with my Mum and told her id like one and her reply was 'oh i didnt realise you were a drug dealer' - everyone will have a different opinion of every car going.

 

[bully]

Your mum is a legend Russ. Brilliant comment.

 

[Russ_16v]

Mum is pretty awesome, she told one of my mates (bear in mind this was the first time she had met him) that he 'needed a hair cut, and stand up straight, as he looks like a hairy dwarf' lol

 

[Daniel]

Hi 5 to mother!! lol.

 

[Filippo]

Ha, Russ your mum sounds ace. Can I have her number mate?

Seriously though, it's a car, drive what you want or what you need. It really is that simple

 

[Sam@NP]

Harry Metcalfe still has his Trophy and I'm fairly certain it's not because it gets him the underage snatch at Goodwood Revival.

The funniest think I've read on CS.

 

[Russ_16v]

The car bit is right, not about my Mum.

Lol

 

[Silent_Scone]

LOL your mum sounds quality. I'm pretty sure they use M3s undercover in operation Trident y0


It's all valid though, theres an image for everything

 

[Crispy Rice]

I had a Trophy a few years ago. Out grew it and got an R26. Now I have re grown in to a Cup. I can't imagine not having a Clio now.

 

[Scoot]

It really REALLY annoys me when people say that the clio is a chavvy car... The people that say this usually know f**k all about cars and just use it as a snob throw away comment. Im 24 and in my time driving I have owned a corsa sri, 2 300 bhp corsa gsi turbo's , 380 bhp astra gsi turbo, rx8, bug eye impreza, clio 172 and now on an e46 m3. Apart from the m3 I loved the clio the most its chuckablity its looks the fact that for what it is it is a nice car to be in and drive. The renaultsport clio simply cannot be beaten for the price. I bought mine at 20 for 4k and even now you cant get anything anywhere near as good imo for 4k. Its a brilliant car there are no 2 ways about it. You can keep your golf gti's and anything on my previous car list tbh! Ill take the little clio every time.

 

[Addz]

Get your hands in your pockets and buy my GP Dave

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

I got my VX220 as I felt it was time to move on. I loved the Clio, put a smile on my face every time I got in it.

But....as I don't give a monkeys about practicality etc, I moved on to something which is in a different league in terms of fun!

It was just that time, with Clios being dirt cheap now, I wouldn't have got much for selling it, hence me breaking the car.

Depends on your personal circumstances tbh......do what makes you feel happy, and something impulsive....like I did!

 

[theduck]

I had the 197 for 2.5 years, thats the longest I have ever kept a car. When I sold it I expected to miss it a lot, but it wasnt the kind of car we needed anymore and tbh had got a bit much when doing the weekly shop etc. The cup suspension was just too crashy and I never really got chance to use it properly.

We then bought the Z3 which I love, its such a lovely car to cruise around in and a laugh when pushing on, but on the rare occasions when the 197 would be in its element, the z3 doesnt cut it.

Syaing this, I recently bought a 1.7 Puma, and tbh, that pretty mcuh fills the gap left by the 197, but is still great day to day and returns good MPG.

So now, I have £225 a month more in the bank (no finance) and have 2 cars that I really enjoy, not one that in the end I only enjoyed on the right day on the right road.

 

[Howell]

clios arnt chavy tell ya what is a 1.2 corsa with stainless exhaust n blacked out windows with a 17 year old behind the wheel who has his seat reclined to the point where ya lying down lol

Or speaking like that is chavvy, not a clio sport! Does the clio make you smile at times or are you changing it because your worried about image?

 

[Tony Hunter]

I got my VX220 as I felt it was time to move on. I loved the Clio, put a smile on my face every time I got in it.

But....as I don't give a monkeys about practicality etc, I moved on to something which is in a different league in terms of fun!

It was just that time, with Clios being dirt cheap now, I wouldn't have got much for selling it, hence me breaking the car.

Depends on your personal circumstances tbh......do what makes you feel happy, and something impulsive....like I did!

Yes, but yours was in bits.

 

[Vicky.]

I saw you in your little bean on my way back from Trax Dave .

I also disagree with all this "growing out of a car" crap. I do agree that you can get tired of modifying cars with age but as far as ownership goes, if you get your kicks out of a car then why get rid of it?

 

[alanc1000]

I saw you in your little bean on my way back from Trax Dave .

I also disagree with all this "growing out of a car" crap. I do agree that you can get tired of modifying cars with age but as far as ownership goes, if you get your kicks out of a car then why get rid of it?

but you are only 22. I bet you a grand you wont be driving your clio in 10 years time.

 

[Russ_16v]

I am All falls down to personal situation/opinion, everyone is diffrent

 

[alanc1000]

You're talking facts alan, disecting everything people are saying.

You post 'comes accross' stuck up (it does) even though factually you may not have spken down to anyone.

Ever thought of being a politician?

Yes i'm very straight talking this is true! If it comes across as stuck up, then people need to see past the emotion and look at the facts. You have taken the piss out of certain cars many time on here, but i wouldnt say you were stuck up!

No offence Alan, but you take every opportunity to lord over the Clio-driving minions. You know it too.

Calling a Mk2 Renaultsport Clio a 'young chavs car' though is giving away that you're not a proper car guy; again no disrespect.

Sure, a percentage of chavs drive them; they're cheap... but a percentage of chavs drive Mk2 Focus RS'.

Harry Metcalfe still has his Trophy and I'm fairly certain it's not because it gets him the underage snatch at Goodwood Revival.

No offence taken. But how many times have you slated this very forum saying its full of retards etc these days? Quite a lot. And these same forum people you call retards are often clio drivers. So again - no offence to those who are not retards, but you know as well as i do that Clios some of the owners / drivers are chav. And i havent actually mentioned my car in this thread anywhere, i expect most people who have read this dont even know what i've got. And why am i not a "proper" car guy just because i've moved on from Clios? I think an Escort RS Turbo is a great car, but its still a chavs car. All IMO of course.

 

[Vicky.]

but you are only 22. I bet you a grand you wont be driving your clio in 10 years time.

True, I am still young and I probably would get the odd look or two being in my 30's in a stripped out noisy clio but if it made me happy then sod everyone else.

In all fairness though my seats are doing my back in so I probably won't be able to put up with it for another 10 years :rasp:.

 

[rosco454]

For what its worth im 27 and about to buy my first RS clio having not had a fast/modified car for a few years due to having an L200 as a company car.I dont really need to get another car I just fancy a toy again and a clio fits the bill for me.I did test drive one yesterday that had a pipercross viper and overly loud stainless exhaust fitted and did think to myself it was a bit much but that said I have a big grin plastered across my face all the way round as the seller was happy for me to give it a bit of stick.I didnt buy the car in the end for other reasons but if im enjoying myself in a clio then to hell what anyone else thinks.

Cheers Ross.

 

[Chili Red]

I bought my first RS Clio when I was 31! There are Clio owners on here who are much older than that as well. I don't think you grow out of them, I think you just get used to how quick they are and want something faster/better built.

They're only chavvy when they're modded to look chavvy IMO - same as anything really.

If you want a MCS, and you can happily afford it, get one

 

[imprezaworks]

Im 31 and if im honest sometimes i do think 'am i too old to be driving this'. Would i change because of what people thought, nope. I like changing cars so i would use it as an excuse to sell up lol. Although i have been looking at Meganes again....

 

[Tigger]

I'm 28 and I've got my RS almost 4 years, and it's my 4th Clio lol :approve: still be keeping it for another while too

 

[ColinG]

My mum and dad had an RB 182 for 4 years they are in their mid 50's now they have a White 200 and dad raves about it all the time! They have an e92 m3 which he hardly mentions in comparison, also everyone that comes into the farm, sales reps etc always comment on how nice the Clio is!

Age is just a number!

I got asked in a petrol station on the v6clio lakes meet in august how much the bodykit was lol, made me chuckle, just told the guy behind the counter to google Clio v6 and smiled

It certainly didnt make me want to sell the car cause of one persons lack of car knowledge!

 

[Krispwee]

that Clios some of the owners / drivers are chav

lol? You could say that about any car out there bar a few. I'm sure there are owners of whatever you drive that are chavs. Does that make your car a chav wagon?

I don't get this whole 172/182 being a chavs car. I see the point when it comes to a 1.2 etc but I can't recall a RS Clio being chavvy around where I live, they are all to busy driving Impreza's, BMW's and Civic's.

 

[Slippers]

Im on my 4th clio sport so doubt I will ever grow out of them lol

But you've never grown up yourself Timmay

Honey moon period still. 3 years on, I'm used to the power and it's all a bit predictable tbh. I know exactly how it's going to behave around every corner, and every straight..

Isn't that kind of what you want with a car? You don't want to go into a corner and then you plough into a ditch and come out saying "that was fun, at least it wasn't predictable"

I've just 'outgrown' my Clio. I'm nearly 27 but needed something that wasn't costing me as much in fuel and tax so I bought a diesel 1 Series...

 

[Chili Red]

I'm sure there are owners of whatever you drive that are chavs. Does that make your car a chav wagon?

LOL, he's got a new Z4. Probably not too many chavs driving them.

 

[Fletcher]

I don't think I will ever 'grow out' of my 172 had it for nearly 6 years and enjoy driving it more now then when I first go it, I am 30 now, but would happily still drive it at 40-50.

It probably helps that I have a different daily driver mind.

 

[Jamie]

I'm 27 and on Clio number 5! Although yes, the Clio's can look a bit boy racer ish (Not chavvy - V6's look chavvy!! Bodykit yo [Only joking!]) - they are cheap, good fun and quite quick - when looking around, for me, there isn't much that ticks more of the boxes and offers the same allround package - of the 182's especially. Don't get me wrong, I would love another car to go back and forth to work in, that I simply don't care about, but I won't be selling either of mine any time soon.

I understand the OP's point of "image" though - but I honestly think it's overrated and no one actually cares. I can say the following about my circumstances:
1. No client ever comes into the car park and says - "right, it's time to inspect the car! Offft, you've got a RS Clio, wow you're a prick".
2. No client ever pays any attention - ever, to what I drive. I struggle to see anyone giving a s**t tbh - more interested in getting the work done.
3. Only petty folk will give you any hassle - just laugh it off. (Both work and client's)
4. My fellow colleagues; no one has ever said, "you look like a child" etc. Although I get abuse for the 1 of 500, 1 of 330 comments etc - wish I'd never told them! But those that give me a bit of banter are my good mates so it's all good.
5. Only comments I've actually had about the Trophy are: "I used to have a 182, I liked it" & "Is it a Renault Sport you have? They're well rated aren't they?" & "Have you tracked that". So all in all, I'll take that.

If I was in your position and the car was worth about 50p, I'd keep the Clio and get something else when funds allow. Can pick up a cheap old runner with more/class/badge snob pretty easily.

If you go and drive a few other cars I think you maybe suprised at how much fun the Clio suddenly appears and how most standard cars (The main competitors - Meg R26 etc) aren't a great deal quicker.

 

[silvercup172]

im gonna tint my windows lexus lights and put a donk on the bass lol chav here i come