by "Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
Published 02/27/2017 at 02:32
by "Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
Published 02/27/2017 at 02:32
Tags: CLIO RS
; 208 GTI
; CAR BUYING
STARS: 1
Wait, this isn’t 1990, let’s do Clio 3 RS vs. 208 GTI.
I’m looking for a car after the Megane RS fiasco. And I’m splitted like VanDamme on two Volvo trucks.
If you read about my recent misadventures, you know I bought a Megane RS, tried to register it, but couldn’t, because fuck administration. I took it back to the dealer, who didn’t have anything interesting available to replace it (some were interesting, but not available, and I don’t really wanna buy a car there anymore). Anyway, I need/want a car.
I thought about it all weekend, and checked different things, went through a ton of listings, and boiled it down to 2 specific cars.
I started with
really loose criteria
:
At least 200 hp
Less than 10 years old
Less than 100.000 km
Not too far away (I’m busy these days)
9000-15.000€
To filter out the SUVs and sedans, I added 2/3 doors to the criteria.
After some loops, I boiled it down to 2 cars, a
208 GTI
and a
Clio 3 RS
.
Let’s compare :
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1.6L turbo vs 2.0L NA
200hp@5800rpm vs 201hp@7100rpm
275Nm@1700rpm vs 215Nm@5400rpm
6800rpm redline vs 7500rpm redline
1288kg vs 1371kg
7,5L/100km vs 9,3L/100km (taken from spritmonitor.de)
Now of course the comparison is unfair, since the 208 started when the Clio 3 stopped, but you can find them both in the same price range.
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I really like them both.
The 208 has a really tame design, it has some plastic cladding on the fenders to make it wider, the bumpers are different from the basic ones, but don’t really look sporty, but that makes it stealthy. Also: red is fast.
The Clio is instantly recognizable as an RS, it really stands out with it’s specific bumpers and rear diffuser, and the yellow/black combo is just perfect.
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They both have good and bad aspects.
The Pug’s dash is clearly more beautiful, even though it has these stupid tablet-like screen added to the top. The red accents look awesome. The seats are average bucket seats covered in leather, they have red inlays and stitching, which is a nice touch.
In comparison, the Clio dash looks terribly boring. Other than that, it has the yellow accents everywhere in the interior, which are nice, and it has the same Recaro cloth seats as well, which are just perfect in every way (except comfort of course).
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I haven’t driven any of those. two, so I really don’t know what they are like. They are both around where I work, so I plan to check the 208 out after work tomorrow, and the Clio on Tuesday.
Both are awesome, and both have arguments for and against them, I hope I’ll be decided after testing them.
Any input on those two?
"bob and john" (bobandjohn)
02/26/2017 at 18:38, STARS: 0
id check insurance, then take the larger motor. they are clearly leaving something on the table in terms of performance, and a tune should fix that real quick.
"Orange Exige" (OrangeExige)
02/26/2017 at 18:40, STARS: 0
Curious about how much input you’ll get...
I’ve always assumed (well, seen the Oppo map before too) that most on oppo are in the US and thus would have absolutely no idea about any of these cars besides Forza (and GT, if they’re in that game). At the very least, that’s me.
If I try to narrow a search down in the US to 3-door hatch - I’d get like three results. Period. Even without any other criteria. A sporty 3-door hatch nonetheless?? Get outta here! I’m sure they’re not particularly amazing cars, but regardless, I’m jealous that you even have a choice.
(For the record I drive a Cooper S - prolly woulda been a top choice either way, but again, I didn’t have much of a choice (with roughly similar criteria).
"BvdV - The Dutch Engineer" (dutchengineer)
02/26/2017 at 18:47, STARS: 0
It’s like the 90s reversed, a Peugeot with a turbo, and a Renault without.
I’ve only driven the base model 1.2 versions of both, so I’m not what you’d call an expert. However, I do expect the 208 GTi to be more of a just a sporty version of the 208, while I expect the Clio RS to be more a very performance oriented version of the Clio. So in terms of ride I expect that to come down to the 208 being more comfortable, at the cost of a bit of sharpness in the handling.
That’s just based on extrapolation of my experience with the base versions, and other things I heard, though.
"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
02/26/2017 at 18:49, STARS: 1
I haven’t driven either, I’m more old school myself with my fleet of 205s. Anyway, from what I’ve read the 208 is the better allrounder while the Clio is the better track monster. Also, if you’ve never driven a 208 (or 308 mk2, 2008) with the tiny steering wheel and the dials above the wheel, allow yourself to get accostumed to that layout during a long test drive. It’s certainly
different
and some people simply dismiss it because of it. Unfairly, imho.
You might want to repost this when it’s not after midnight in Europe.
"Clemsie McKenzie" (thestirringcolumn)
02/26/2017 at 19:07, STARS: 1
Every review I read pins the Peugeot as competent but a bit boring while the Renault looks cheap on the inside but is tons of fun to drive. Plus I’d bet the 208 will depreciate further than the Clio, but what do I know. Let us know how you feel driving them, I’m curious!
"Svend" (svend)
02/26/2017 at 19:28, STARS: 0
So you got your money back from the German dealer?
I’d go for the Peugeot. The Citroen is looking old and dated now.
"Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen" (distraxi)
02/26/2017 at 19:39, STARS: 0
I liked 1990 better. 5 GT Turbo.
"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
02/26/2017 at 19:49, STARS: 0
I do agree with your first sentence.
/205 GTi owner.
"BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo" (bluemazda2)
02/26/2017 at 20:00, STARS: 0
I already promised myself that I’m importing a 208 GTi as soon as it turns 25 in that color with this set of wheels. I saw one in person back in Colombia and I fell in love immediately.
"Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now)" (bman76-4)
02/26/2017 at 20:08, STARS: 0
I vote Clio, I’ve never driven either but I like its exterior design language more.
"Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen" (distraxi)
02/26/2017 at 20:17, STARS: 0
Ah well, if we were all the same it’d be boring.
/ex 5GTT owner
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
02/27/2017 at 01:10, STARS: 0
Me too, but then again, a good GTT costs as much as the Clio. I’ll go back in time when my 505 is ready.
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
02/27/2017 at 01:11, STARS: 0
Same here, the 208 just doesn’t have the aura of the 205
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
02/27/2017 at 01:20, STARS: 1
That is true, but there are still some oppos in Europe. Those two aren’t the most popular cars though.
We sure have a lot more choice when it comes to hot hatches.
There were some minis in the same price range, but I’ve never be a fan of the new iterations. They are not stupidly fast, but generally fun to drive and quick. I just want something that lets me feel the road and that goes well around the corners.
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
02/27/2017 at 01:22, STARS: 1
That’s probably true, especially since the Clio seems to have the cup package. Even though they don’t call it by name.
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
02/27/2017 at 01:26, STARS: 0
That’s what I thought seeing the comparison, the 208 wins the acceleration game, but the Clio is still faster around a track, so that’s a strong indicator that you can throw it in curves faster.
I noticed the wheel, i’m curious how it feels.
Yeah I’ll probably repost
"Out, but with a W - has found the answer" (belg)
02/27/2017 at 01:48, STARS: 1
I’d probably go Clio for the engine. I’ve driven the 208 GTi by Peugeot Sport, and that felt too serious. A bit like a Golf GTI actually, but not as fun or comfy. Probably great on a track though. Then again, the standard GTi might be totally different.
"Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell." (oppisitelock)
02/27/2017 at 03:12, STARS: 0
Wow they actually took the car back? Thats great. As for the replacement I’d go Clio every time. One of the last NA hot hatches.
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
02/27/2017 at 03:16, STARS: 1
They do look great, but I think they could have gone a bit wilder. In the end it’s gonna be the one that will be better in person.
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
02/27/2017 at 03:18, STARS: 0
Interestingly, that’s what their respective looks reflect. The Peugeot is nice and all, but the Renault goes all in
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
02/27/2017 at 03:21, STARS: 0
I didn’t even know they did a hotter version of the GTI. I suspect the 208 to be a bit softer than the Clio, but I’ll know more after testing them
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
02/27/2017 at 03:23, STARS: 0
I never checked insurrance for any of my cars actually, but I suspect they are priced about the same. Power should be enough,but more is always better
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
02/27/2017 at 03:37, STARS: 0
Yes, but it was a long discussion and I lost some money. Whatever.
On the paper, the 1.6 seems to be better though, but I’m no fan of downsizing, so there’s that.
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
02/27/2017 at 03:38, STARS: 0
Most of it, I lost some in the process.
All of my cars look old and dated :)
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
02/27/2017 at 03:39, STARS: 0
I like how they went all in, the pug looks really tame in comparison
"Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell." (oppisitelock)
02/27/2017 at 03:47, STARS: 0
Damn shame you made a loss but as long as a reasonable agreement was made, it was for the best.
The 1.6 seems to have more low down power, but it doesnt like to be revved as much. Depends on your driving style really.
"Svend" (svend)
02/27/2017 at 03:58, STARS: 0
At least you got most of it back.
Hell of a learning curve though, but your older and wiser now and have a better idea of what to look out for and what to avoid at all costs.
The Peugeot looks much better than the Renault in my opinion (I’ve just realised I put Citroen in place of Renault in my previous post, my bad).
The Peugeot also looks like it’s design won’t get boring or staid in it’s appearance.
You’ve help me decide though. I couldn’t decide whether to go Irish with a Guinness or French with a Stella Artois Cider. I’ve decided Stella Artois Pear Cider. Cheers fella.
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
02/27/2017 at 04:54, STARS: 0
Yeah it seems Peugeot took a gasoline engine and made it a diesel.
"Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell." (oppisitelock)
02/27/2017 at 05:17, STARS: 0
Yeah almost haha. FWIW my girlfriend said “buy the 208!” She likes the way they look but doesnt want a GTI because theyre too powerful...