2002 Renault Clio 172 Cup from UK and Ireland - Comments

At 3500 miles the engine mount worked loose, Renault dealership yet to repair this fault 6 weeks on.

Service light constantly comes on.

In general the build quality is poor in comparison to my Vauxhall Corsa (2000 model). Like other Clio owners have said, when driving this car there are squeaks and rattles.

You don't expect this on new cars that cost 13 grand.

All faults aside, the car is amazing to drive and will keep up with most cars on the road. A guy in a Civic Type R challenged me to a race the other day, believe what you want, but the Cup was quicker up to 130mph. Dyno test has confirmed that my Clio is producing over 180hp in standard form. This car is how I pick it up from Renault. Oh by the way it handles like a go-kart, great fun on the right road! One last comment, the brakes are powerful, but very dangerous with no ABS. Not a good move when you consider that most people will never race it round a track. For the sake of few hundred pounds it should have been standard like the normal 172.

Lack of ABS is dangerous? I suggest you go on a driver training day such as the one run at Lotus Cars where you will be taught to brake correctly without ABS. A true driver prefers full control. Maybe there should be traction control and a pair of slippers in the next version.

I have a cup too and I agree about the ABS thing, I have a racing licence and have driven plenty of fast cars, however, on a cold Sunday morning just being able to stand on the brakes instead of having to consider the braking is a godsend. If you consider that Renault left the ABS off to save a little bit of weight, a little bit of money and make it more track friendly it seems to make sense. You then have to think that:

a) Many of the people who buy one have never had cars with no ABS and it will be them slewing into you and your kids when they can't control the ensewing slide provoked by an emergency stop and

b) most will never see the track, the only place where the lack of ABS and the small amount of assistance given by the ABS would lower overall feel.

One final point to consider, especially in terms of your comments, is that the Lotus Elise actually has ABS now!

I agree with the first post, great car to drive, I do 25k a year in mine, but utterly rubbish build quality and the worst dealer network in the world! I would say it is a better drive than my previous Civic Type R, but the quality and dealers make me wish I had stuck with that. Then again the new 182 Cup Trophy looks good and I am about due a new car!