First post on here in a long long while, in fact I'm pretty sure most of my posts were on the old site before it got hacked! Wonder if any of the oldies remember me?! I'm looking for some advice really. In November 2008 I was lucky enough to own:
Bought brand new a factory order to my spec, full fat, climate, cup pack, recaros and speed lines, she was a beauty!
Within 3 months she was doin this at Caldwell park! (with only 1500 miles on the clock!!)
Other than the track day wheels pictured 2nd I also got a k-tec exhaust, panel filter and various other minor tweaks, I cherished her and even enjoyed frequent detailing sessions
However our relationship was short lived and after only 14 months she had to go to free up money for a house move, I traded down to a 182.
Now finances are on the up and I should be in the market for a new car early in the new year with £10-11k to spend max so I'm seriously considering a 197/200 again, however I have a few concerns with my choice and I'd like to pick your brains if I may:
1: 197 or 200? While my budget will no doubt stretch to a 200 are they worth the extra over a 197? Cupped & recaro'd 197 can be had for £8.5k now, is the 200 worth the extra
2: Recaros themselves (a must have), was any solution found to the wear issue on the 197 recaro's? Virtually all would be out of warranty now (not that reno were that helpful with warranty claims from what I remember anyway!). Was the issue resolved on 200 recaro's or do they suffer the same?
3: fuel consumption, I used to have a 2 mile commute to work in the 197 and never saw anymore the 24mpg. My commute is now 12 miles each way on an A road at 60mph, can I expect more in either model. Tbh my 197 never really got run in and was sold at 7k miles.
4: Any solution to miss matching front and rear seats if I were to get a 200 with recaro's? I'm amazed the rear seats don't match and I'm a bit OCD about that kinda of thing. I know full leather is an option now but rare and unlikely to come into my price range.
Or should I just act my age (nearly 33!) and stop messing with and loosing substantial money on renaultsports (bear in mind my carhistory goes as follows: new 172, Clio 16v, new Megane 225, new 197, Clio 182!)
Thanks in advance guys for any and all help.
Bought brand new a factory order to my spec, full fat, climate, cup pack, recaros and speed lines, she was a beauty!
Within 3 months she was doin this at Caldwell park! (with only 1500 miles on the clock!!)
Other than the track day wheels pictured 2nd I also got a k-tec exhaust, panel filter and various other minor tweaks, I cherished her and even enjoyed frequent detailing sessions
However our relationship was short lived and after only 14 months she had to go to free up money for a house move, I traded down to a 182.
Now finances are on the up and I should be in the market for a new car early in the new year with £10-11k to spend max so I'm seriously considering a 197/200 again, however I have a few concerns with my choice and I'd like to pick your brains if I may:
1: 197 or 200? While my budget will no doubt stretch to a 200 are they worth the extra over a 197? Cupped & recaro'd 197 can be had for £8.5k now, is the 200 worth the extra
2: Recaros themselves (a must have), was any solution found to the wear issue on the 197 recaro's? Virtually all would be out of warranty now (not that reno were that helpful with warranty claims from what I remember anyway!). Was the issue resolved on 200 recaro's or do they suffer the same?
3: fuel consumption, I used to have a 2 mile commute to work in the 197 and never saw anymore the 24mpg. My commute is now 12 miles each way on an A road at 60mph, can I expect more in either model. Tbh my 197 never really got run in and was sold at 7k miles.
4: Any solution to miss matching front and rear seats if I were to get a 200 with recaro's? I'm amazed the rear seats don't match and I'm a bit OCD about that kinda of thing. I know full leather is an option now but rare and unlikely to come into my price range.
Or should I just act my age (nearly 33!) and stop messing with and loosing substantial money on renaultsports (bear in mind my carhistory goes as follows: new 172, Clio 16v, new Megane 225, new 197, Clio 182!)
Thanks in advance guys for any and all help.
), is there any colours to avoid? Whilst I know colour is very much personal choice I was treated like a leper for choosing Nimbus when trying to move 197 through trade buyers like allvehicles, being told that if it was white they would've snapped my hand off but the couldn't shift a nimbus one! Given that even 2nd hand Reno sports depreciate like a stone what is considered an ideal spec for a 200?
