I've been toying with the idea of replacing the S for a while now and I realise that winter weather only contributes to this feeling (but the summer isn't over yet.. hopefully).

Firstly, I have to point out that I currently live on a relatively narrow street and don't have a garage. I always have to park half on the pavement (luckily it's not very high) and half in the road with mirrors in.

I have a bit of cash set aside to spend on another car, but not a lot, about

 

You gonna wash this one ??


clio !!!

 

What about a VX220 turbo or an Elise?

Or a Maserati

 

Ah should have said. If I could get into one, I still wouldn't drive a VX220 (turbo or not) or an Elise to Le Mans as I would be unable to extract myself from it when I arrived!

Maserati? Hmm, don't they cost a lot when they break?

 

The Clio V6 is slower to 100 then the 172 and 182 believe it or not

 

I have always liked the V6 Clio - utterly bonkers and impractical, crap turning circle, 'only' 250bhp from the V6 which hangs out over the back - love it and may well have had one instead of the S is the CO2 emissions weren't so massive (company car you see).

Completely impractical and pointless but I like them all the more for it.

 

They cost a lot before they break as well.

I quite like those V6 Clio mid engine jobbies.

How fast are they though?

They LOOK superfast and I hate cars that aren't as fast as they look.

 

I feel a test drive coming on. On paper similar to the S.. approx same bhp/ton and slightly slower 0-60. On the open road (whatever that N road between the Autoroutes was) I would expect that the extra lb/ft would be useful. I guess I'll have to check out the 350z as that has similar properties.

However the Clio would stand out a bit more

EDIT: looked into paper specs a bit more.

Car Engine Power Torque bhp/ton
Clio 172 4/1998 170/6250 147/5400 163
Clio V6 6/2946 255/7150 221/3750 182
S2000 4/1997 237/8300 151/7500 186
350z 6/3499 276/6500 268/4800 178
Ibiza TDi 4/1781 160/3750 243/1900 140

Looks like I'll have to get Stanza & Rich UK to follow me on my test drive.

 

You may well be very dissapointed then.

Not sure if the "new one" has improved much on the performance but apparently the handing is much better.

0 - 100 was near 18 secs IIRC

 

They are turboed aren't they?

Doesn't that mean you can instantly release an extra 200bhp etc? For