Renault Clio 172 Cup

Advantages: Performance/economy/price
Disadvantages: Needs understanding

My CUP managed 10K miles without a hiccup, this despite being driven VERY hard on and off circuit. The car has the capability of showing some supposedly "superior" cars just what can be done with less than 200BHP and 2WD. On a session at Aintree racing circuit, on very wet track, it was all over EVOs and Imprezzas like a bad rash. This shouldn't be possible. However, on the same (wet) track the brakes were cooked after half a day's driving and tyres ...
...track a Cup here's what to do. 1. Forget the engine-it's quick enough to be interesting as it is. 2. Throw away the original pads and get some comp Mintex pads. Don't forget the rears as it really works the rear brakes hard and will cook the pads as quick as the fronts - if you're really leaning on it! You can also invest in some Mintex discs if you want a bit better performance. APs disc kits are good but cost ~£1200 for the front kit. 3. Buy ... Read review

Advantages: Fast Cheap, Hardcore Hot Hatch
Disadvantages: higher insurance, not for faint hearted! OEM Exhausts fall off!!!

The Cup is a modern equivalent of what the Clio Williams was back in the 1990s to the Hot Hatch Scene. I've owned my 172Cup for 4 years, the car is 170BHp (172PS) and weighs 1021Kg. The car is available in 2 colours (predominantly Mondiale Blue) and also there are some in Silver. There are full specs here http://www.renaultsport.co.uk/roadcars/heritage/clio172cup/ The car has cheaper interior than the normal 172, no side airbags, no Xenon lights, ...
...wheel. There is no Climate Control on most 172Cups, but it was brought in later on in the car's life as an option. 0-60 in 6.5 seconds this car isn't shy! The insurance is higher than a normal 172, some companies won't insure the Cup (also known as the 'Widowmaker'). Make sure that you are a good or experienced driver, as the car is 'hardcore' and an absolute hoot to drive. It will embarass cars costing a lot more money and will definately give you ... Read review

Advantages: Quick, fun head turner.
Disadvantages: none

Renault are one of the world's largest dealers and I am proud to have been the owner of a selection of clio's over the past 4 years. My first car was the clio 1.2. As soon as I was in full time work along came the 172 cup and now (as the name shows) I am the owner of the cliov6. Car number 413. Although I love the attention my car brings it was never as fun as the 172. The cost of running my car at around 21 mpg is hard where the 172 cup which i ...
...38 mpg. It is cheap to run and maintain. The cup like the v6 was a limited addition car and don't make them anymore. As we know the 182 is on the market now and if you have been to view one all car dealers will explain how cup optionals are offered. This must tell you something. Although being a small hot hatch it is very spacious in the back. Therefore can be used for all ocasions and events despite it's size. For the sake of saving £1000 that you ... Read review

Advantages: FAST, POWERFUL, GREAT HANDLING, NICE LOOKS
Disadvantages: SMALL, NO AIR CON, POOR BUILD QUALITY, SEATS ARE RUBBISH

...motoring world. The pedigree with renault is there the Williams clio was a joy to drive and although probably better at handling this 172 cup is also great fun. If you can ignore the tacky interior and the poor seats and focus on the fact that this car wont let you down ever in the performance department (which lets face it is what really matters with a car for people who love to drive anyway ) then this car will be the one for you. Its great fun ...
...its the best I can find for the money and beleive me I agonised over which car to buy. This was my preferance and despite it being merely a clio I don't overly regret it. Short of buying another second hand Scooby or Evo or maybe even a Honda Integra type R and risking it going wrong I brought this and its still under warranty etc so taking it back to have it fixed is not a problem, I think I made the right choice with the money available. ... Read review

Advantages: Very fast, excellent handling, very fast (again!!)
Disadvantages: Hard ride, specific client base.

I drove one of these cars a week ago. The car is very fast with most of the power being delivered after 5000rpm. Before this the car potters along like any other but after this it drives more like a sports car. The handling is very good with you able to throw it around corners like a rag doll. The brakes are excellent biting at the right moment when you need them. The only downside is the ride which feels tinny and lacks the refinement of a more ... Read review

Advantages: None
Disadvantages: Damaged car, never advised when purchasing!

...I bought a Renault Clio 172 Cup from Lookers Renault in April 2004. The car was an ex-demonstrator, I had an incident with the car where I needed some repair work done to one of the wings...whereon I was advised by the bodyshop that some 'touch-up' paint had been used to cover damage! I was horrified, and it turned out that the car had been involved in some form of impact, and not repaired properly. I was absolutely mortified that I'd paid £12,500 for a car which had been shunted and 'repaired' to a poor standard. The even more mortifying thing was that there was a Renault Megane 225 which had been front-ended and this would have been repaired in-house, and therefore not declared on the HPI reports for that car, just like it wasn't for mine. I would never purchase another car from them due to my experiences...I went to a dealer... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Quick Runaround, Stylish,
Disadvantages: Not very reliable, low power compared with rivals

...all under warranty and the 2nd dealer I used was very helpful. It is not a good way to start the first year with your new car. Four trips to the dealer within two months. All in all, the car is fast enough, comfortable enough, and happy enough but problems later on may be costly, and the inconvenience has put me off of upgrading to the 206Gti180. Peugeot do not seem to value their customers, and when problems arise, it seems like they have better things to do. Now that Renault have released the Clio 172 Cup at only £13k, Peugoet may be losing customers who are after a sporty supermini.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful