On a base level, a Clio 192 would make an obvious replacement for my C172. But...
Some time ago, when my Clio was in for a repair, Renault loaned me a Clio 1.4 (don't laugh; you're lucky to get a pogo-stick from Renault).
It wasn't fast, but neither was it hopeless. It coped with the m-way without any 'oh my God I'm going to die' moments, and had ample grunt to cope with the ebb and flow of the traffic.
Through corners, it showed the same inherent balance, precise steering and strong brakes of the C172. But is did without the he-man steering, the rough-as ride, the peaky engine, the BOOM BOOM BOOM engine and the BANG BANG BANG over bumps. 'This', I thought, 'is the car I should have bought'. Because day to day, for 99% of the driving I do, it really doesn't give anything to my C172.
And now, Renault offers the Clio 138. It is a 2.0, with 138bhp. But get this; performance-wise, it's torquier (thus more useable) engine means it's only fractions slower than the new C192; it attacks corners with the same stability and aplomb (alebit with more roll). In short, day to day, it will be every bit as fast as a C192, but much more comfortable, more fluid, cost less to buy, run, insure and maintain.
Which makes me think...I can't be the only person who wants a fast, agile, comfortable small hatch that doesn't batter you senseless every second you drive it...when everyone else is travelling just as fast but with much less pain and a whole heap more comfort...and at less cost.
So I wonder... is the C138 more of an alternative to the C172 than the C192 is?
g
Some time ago, when my Clio was in for a repair, Renault loaned me a Clio 1.4 (don't laugh; you're lucky to get a pogo-stick from Renault).
It wasn't fast, but neither was it hopeless. It coped with the m-way without any 'oh my God I'm going to die' moments, and had ample grunt to cope with the ebb and flow of the traffic.
Through corners, it showed the same inherent balance, precise steering and strong brakes of the C172. But is did without the he-man steering, the rough-as ride, the peaky engine, the BOOM BOOM BOOM engine and the BANG BANG BANG over bumps. 'This', I thought, 'is the car I should have bought'. Because day to day, for 99% of the driving I do, it really doesn't give anything to my C172.
And now, Renault offers the Clio 138. It is a 2.0, with 138bhp. But get this; performance-wise, it's torquier (thus more useable) engine means it's only fractions slower than the new C192; it attacks corners with the same stability and aplomb (alebit with more roll). In short, day to day, it will be every bit as fast as a C192, but much more comfortable, more fluid, cost less to buy, run, insure and maintain.
Which makes me think...I can't be the only person who wants a fast, agile, comfortable small hatch that doesn't batter you senseless every second you drive it...when everyone else is travelling just as fast but with much less pain and a whole heap more comfort...and at less cost.
So I wonder... is the C138 more of an alternative to the C172 than the C192 is?
g