Simonl Posted July 25, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 The interior was pretty low rent TBH, better than the old cupra, but not a touch on the GTI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin275 Posted July 25, 2006 Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 I wasn't impressed with the interior of the Leon either, the plastics aren't too bad though, it's the look of the centre console that put me off. Nice looking car though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted July 25, 2006 Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 That volvo thing might be good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenjyGTI Posted July 25, 2006 Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Clio 197, I loved this car, well built, great driving postion, and very comfortable. Exterior has just the right amount spoilers and vents etc. My only critisism were the wheels, they are more SE than Sport. Some Black CUP alloys would have made this great car look sensational. I actually found it much more comfortable than the Megane and would easily have a 197 over a 225. [/ QUOTE ] Wicked report there Have to say, I really like the new Clio 197, quite impressed with it, had a look at a black one at my local Renault dealer last saturday, finish and quality is all spot on, and something of a bargain too! Can't argue with the spec either, I mean Brembo brakes as standard on a £16k car? Makes you realise how greedy VW actually are really doesn't it, why didn't the GTi have Brembo's as standard? Seriously tempted to go for a 197, I know I was after a TT, but my house will be completed next Spring (2007) so a cheaper car would be ideal right now, and the Clio is definately that, especially if you buy from here Sorry to go off topic a little, just my opinion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petsy Posted July 25, 2006 Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 why so long for house completion?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenjyGTI Posted July 25, 2006 Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 [ QUOTE ] why so long for house completion?? [/ QUOTE ] Cos I bought a new house, off the plans, they are not even officially available yet but shhhhhhh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac_Terrorist Posted July 25, 2006 Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 Having owned several 'Supermini' sized hot hatches over the years, they always appear great value and have strong performance due to weight. I personally think that you really need something just a bit bigger and possibly heavier for everyday use....I'm thinking of wet weather driving, motorway miles etc. I guess it all depends on how may miles you will cover in one - I find there seems to be much more fatigue associated with travel in small cars. Just my opinion of course Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenjyGTI Posted July 25, 2006 Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 Yeah I agree, my GTi is fantastic down the motorway, but as you rightfully point out, it all depends what you use the car for. I only use my car weekends as I am self employed, so have the use of a van during the week, so motorway travel in a car is rare for me. In all honesty too, I bought a copy of Autocar today, and they have a grouptest in Clio 197 v Focus ST v Astra VXR, they rate the Clio highly, and in actual fact, looking at the pics, the lastest generation car is quite a big vehicle really, especially with its wider track, suppose a test drive will tell all tho Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yahoo Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 [ QUOTE ] That volvo thing might be good. [/ QUOTE ] I agree - 260 bhp, AWD, quality interior and Focus ST platform. I'm holding off to see the new S3 and C30 R before I make any decisions about what to go for next. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted July 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 The Clio is as big as the Mk 2 golf was. It's easily big enough as an everyday car... why wouldn't it be. You don't have to spend £££'s to put a smile on your face, far from it (as i've found out many times) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 I like the look of the Volvo C30 too but no sign of a 4 door version. So, does this Mitsi qualify as a hatch ?.... I guess that as the rear Recaros don't fold flat then it doesn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davec1 Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 i test drove a 197 last week and thought it was very good. didn't really open her up , but the positives were: seat. looks. discounted price. quality seemed excellent. most of all , i was stunned by the suspension - lovely damping.- reminded me of how a boxster s travelled down a scarred road. i have a mark 4 r32 and have now started to look for my next car. tough one , as you all know it's a hard car to beat!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted July 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 TBH Red i couldn't get a look in on the EVO's, the stand was mobbed by japanese boy racers ... they were like flies round a cows arse!!! Thought i'd just leave it until i can pop in at my dealers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 [ QUOTE ] to a motorshow, you get what you pay for! [/ QUOTE ] Yes you pay £4000 more, But similar spec and discount more like £7000 extra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 I can live with the leon interior i don't think its as bad as people make out, theres a couple of bits i don't like but then there is in the GTI too for me. But i know i have different views to others on whats good plastic from the past. Think i now know what our second car is going to be now(as long as they make this colour) after seeing all the competion in the flesh and having a good look round them all Video link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppetboy Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 I plan to make a trip down to the motorshow over the weekend, so if anyone wants a photo of anything let me know and I'll do my best! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fresco1 Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I plan to make a trip down to the motorshow over the weekend, so if anyone wants a photo of anything let me know and I'll do my best! [/ QUOTE ] Err, there was that bit in the first post saying Vauxhall had the best birds on their stand ... any chance you might ... ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppetboy Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 well I did say "anything", not limiting it to cars! I planned to take some pervy shots anyway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted July 27, 2006 Report Share Posted July 27, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] That volvo thing might be good. [/ QUOTE ] I agree - 260 bhp, AWD, quality interior and Focus ST platform. I'm holding off to see the new S3 and C30 R before I make any decisions about what to go for next. [/ QUOTE ] Looks like its going to be fitted with the 5 cylinder engine from the ST but pumping out only 217bhp for the time being. Still could be a option for those that don't like the GTI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChalkyWhite Posted July 27, 2006 Report Share Posted July 27, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I can live with the leon interior i don't think its as bad as people make out, theres a couple of bits i don't like but then there is in the GTI too for me. But i know i have different views to others on whats good plastic from the past. Think i now know what our second car is going to be now(as long as they make this colour) after seeing all the competion in the flesh and having a good look round them all Video link [/ QUOTE ] Thanks Snoopy, prefer the looks of the previous Cupra R, so will lookup how much they are when the GTI's another year older i think. The new Cupra is all too rounded and not butch enough for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonGTI Posted July 28, 2006 Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 I visited yesterday, first of all how can that mazda be classed as a hot hatch, it the only thing in the looks dept its missing is its pipe n slippers. Focus ST was there with some different wheels accompanied by chavs wearing there in fashionable "elizabeth duke" £9.99 goldie looking chains. On the seat stand jason plato was there, nice chappie to be fair, the leon cupra, to me looked a little too high off the ground at the front, seats where ok, the interior very very cheap plastics, wasnt impressed at all. cars of the show for me, ferrari enzo and mclaren LM F1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted July 28, 2006 Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Cars of the show for me, ferrari enzo and mclaren LM F1. [/ QUOTE ] .... It's a bummer having 'champagne taste' when you've only got 'beer pockets' though, isn't it Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMC950 Posted July 28, 2006 Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 Having just returned from the Motorshow, its painfully obvious to me that whilst the competitors may boast about extra BHP, there is no competition that comes anywhere close to Gti in terms of style and quality. Most of them are complete buckets of plastic. Geez, that new Civic is forking aweful. It looks like an arcade game inside. The only car of similar type and on a par is the BMW 130i. That Astra VXR would need to come with over 300BHP and a face mask before I was tempted. What a tacky racer. I feel better now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 [ QUOTE ] the leon cupra, to me looked a little too high off the ground at the front, [/ QUOTE ] I looked it still had the transportation rubber collors on the suspension on so it was high. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] the leon cupra, to me looked a little too high off the ground at the front, [/ QUOTE ] I looked it still had the transportation rubber collors on the suspension on so it was high. [/ QUOTE ] ....I now have mental images of Geoff being the only person at the show crawling underneath the show cars. You could get slapped if someone got the wrong idea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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