20 replies to this topic

[Stampy 21]

my GF really wants a polo GTI a brand new one in white i thought cool sounds like a nice car but i have been looking at the competition and have found the vxr corsa and the 197 clio,they are all around the same money but the polo seems to be at the bottom of the list power wise and looks wise i think i have booked her a test drive in the clio what would other people go for? i really like the white idea tho what does everyone think on that aswell?anyone got or driven any of them? Thanks i think the figures are Polo 150 bhp Clio 197 bhp VXR 200 bhp

[bohemoth]

the polo is the rarest and best looking, if performance/handling wasnt too much an issue id have that. the clio is probably the better setup car imo. corsa looks wild but a bit boy/girlracer.

[Code Monkey]

corsa comes in SXi spec as well little less than the VXR but still more go than the GTi polo and without the ott body kit

[robfenn]

You can get the Clio in white... problem solved. The Polo for me looks like a young lad has tried to just copy the Golf GTI. I know that's the idea, but it just looks no where near as good. Also, the standard Polos aren't good (my mum has one) whereas i've driven normal Golfs and they've been great... the difference is massive. I guess you're looking at smaller cars but really the best option is a SH Golf GTI..with parking sensors!

[Teramyke]

Id have to say clio by far better car, white is good. My only concern would be reliabilty with it being a renault as i know they arent particularly good at least when when it comes to lagunas anyway.

[EdButler]

A Simple £350 remap will hoik the Polo upto 220bhp & 250+lbft 1.8T 20vT with K03s Turbo = Excellent Engine and will have BAGS more torque than the others, combines with rarity and better residuals Check for a rear beam though, i think the new Polos still have them making them not much fun to drive (although she may not like it too 'fun'!!)

[Richy]

Reality is... Polo will hold it's money longer, followed by the clio then the Vaux. I've driven the clio and vxr, the iiccle vxr was fantastic. But i'd still buy the polo.

[jazzyjeff]

Just to add to the mix - some of the magazines seem to be favouring the Fiesta STi? (I am aware though that the new Fiesta range is due to be launched later this year/early next year). JJ

[The Knobs]

Mini Cooper S, turbo version.

[Tashyboy]

Got thr VXR in red bog standard from Pentagon for £14,400, ( Price match with jam jar.co.uk ) and it is the mutts nutts. A mate at work has bought the 197 and he is really disappointed with it now he has seen the VXR, espescially the inside. Says the seats on the 197 are rock hard but thought he would get used to them, now he cannot get on with them. cannot say a bad thing about the VXR.

[Oli]

I have a black 197 f1 edition and all i can say is wow!! its so fast!!

The handling is amazing. the brakes are immense and the overall package makes it a really good drive.

I will say however that petrol consumption is not the best. i average around 23mpg! could be worse is suppose.

The only other thing i would suggest u take into account is your driving style. If you like having low down torque dont buy the clio. If like me you like bouncing of the rev limiter and getting the most out of the car buy the clio!!!

theres a goodish video from 5th gear of the clio vs corsa Youtube link

As for the corsa in my opinion the styling is very erm........ chav tastic. dont really have much else to say about the corsa and know very little about the polo gti as it just seems very dull to me.

[Stampy 21]

thanks for the reply people me and the gf went and had a go in a 197 today all i have to say is wow the car is in black on a 57 plate x demo so it has been worn in the proper way it has the white speedline alloy wheels which are an option,climate control,keyless entry,cup rear spoiler,extra tinted windows and the sports seats we took it out for a drive and dam it is good fun the engine just wants to keep on revving and it pulls alot better than i expected, it also goes around corners like it is on rails, she loved it and is picking it up on wednesday thanks for the help people i will get some pics up when she gets it oh ye and it is still cheaper with all the bits on it than the std polo gti

Edited by Stampy 21, 08 March 2008 - 04:16 PM.

[David87]

The Clio 197, without a doubt. Just make sure it has the Cup pack. An awesome car and you can get some seriously good deals on a Renault.

[SteveA]

You can use the money you saved to begin to pay for the problems when they start.

[Stampy 21]

i guess u dont like them then? what problems u had?

[David87]

Renaults are fine nowadays. I had a 182 Trophy for 8,000 hard miles and it didn't miss a beat. Not once. I've got a video somewhere of me stuck to the back of an 888-tyred VX220 Turbo round the Nurburgring somewhere, and the 197 is quicker still.

[jonnyboy]

clio 197 is the best of that bunch fella. Corsa VXRs are quick but 197s are fun

[Chrisonite]

I can understand she prob wants a new car but IMO the best car of that size is a Mini Cooper S I have seen driven the Clio and they just dont come close the mini is built the best and is bloody quick. No competition!! Good Luck!!

[SteveA]

I know that Renault are now sourcing their engines from toyota now IIRC so that can only be a good thing. My GF had 2 clios and a 106 all were an absolutely shocking and failed non-stop. Dealer customer service was nothing short of abismal. A mate at work has had a 206 and a 307, sold both due to massive problems (one had faulty ABS, was changed and still faulty. Other would randomly forget its transponder keys). My dad had a megane and a laguna, both brand new both developed huge electrical faults and were in the dealers a lot. So basically I'm not keen on french cars. These may be isolated incidents but in top gears new cars satisfaction poll the bottom 10 cars were all french.

[theotherjonnymac]

Reality is... Polo will hold it's money longer, followed by the clio then the Vaux.

I've driven the clio and vxr, the iiccle vxr was fantastic.

But i'd still buy the polo.

3 yrs down the road you will have a car still worth something.