gino128 Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 Took one out for a test drive the other day - wow, what a QUICK car. Very assured driving and great brakes. However, is it ALL THAT...really? Is it a question of performance over everything else? Am I trying to recapture my youth in a boy racer car? Any opinions and experiences would be greatly appreciated to help my decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wallachie Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 Get the Cup or one of the limited edition Trophy models. The Trophy was limited to a run of approximately 1000 and only come in silver with anthracite alloys, looks good and has an upgraded chassis and brakes. They are a bit boy racer though, especially going from a BMW - mind you the Megane 225/Cup/Trophy is alot more exclusive than a 3 series coupe these days - but maybe they're rare for a reason! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHA Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 Yes you might be. I was going to get a Clio V6 until I saw someones Boxster S. Went for a test drive today and placed a deposit. Go try it.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 Get this month's evo - there's a hot hatch group test, Megane Trophy vs Astra VXR vs Golf GTi vx Focus RS. (And they do a rather alarming two car roadtest - Clio Trophy versus BMW M6) I should think any one of those would make a 325Ci auto feel a tad... er, slow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gino128 Posted August 3, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 [ QUOTE ] I should think any one of those would make a 325Ci auto feel a tad... er, slow. [/ QUOTE ] You're not wrong there. I used to have a 1.8T golf and I though THAT went, but this thing is incredible. I need to consider a 5-door for the nipper though. I guess coming from the BMW, there is an image problem I need to get over too. As nice a car as the BMW is, it makes me feel as if I have achieve something in life (how wrong can looks be?!!). With the Megane there was something a bit mainstream about it. Then again...aren't Renault's supposed to be great quality these days? Is it a practical, durable everyday family car that goes like stink or is it a bit tinny and prone to problems? I guess servicing etc. will be quite cheap? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autobahn Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Get the Cup or one of the limited edition Trophy models. The Trophy was limited to a run of approximately 1000 and only come in silver with anthracite alloys, looks good and has an upgraded chassis and brakes. [/ QUOTE ] Both are apparently stripped out to make performance gains - its whether after a few months, coming from the BMW, you could cope without the interior toys? Friend has one who swears by it - everyone else swears at it when they see the a*se end! A good car to punt around by all accounts but depends how long you want to keep it. Depreciation might be a bugger. Personally, long term, I wouldn't want to sacrifice a few toys for performance gains - plenty of cars that offer both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 I'm genetically biased against French cars as a rule, so I'd be tempted to say it'll be tinny and problem prone. But it looks great, it's a proper big boy's hot hatch, and it's probably got more cabin and load space than the Bee Em. Depending on cost/budget, coming from a BMW I might be more inclined to look at a Golf GTi. But they do look a bit dull compared to the Megane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gino128 Posted August 3, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Personally, long term, I wouldn't want to sacrifice a few toys for performance gains - plenty of cars that offer both. [/ QUOTE ] The thing is other than the climate control and my wonderful folding mirrors there is little else that the Megane has got that the BM hasn't...and the lovely sound of the 6-cylinder engine of course! What felt strange was how I didn't feel as if I was driving a car that looked as good as it does. Does it have 4 years in it anyone reckon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autobahn Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 [ QUOTE ] does it have 4 years in it anyone reckon? [/ QUOTE ] Four years with a French car or four years with a German car? No contest. From experience, unless Renault build has substantially improved the nipper will have pulled it apart within two years! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wallachie Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 Have you considered a well specced 1 series, I know everyone on here slags them, but I think if you get the spec right, they look great! Get the 120d sport - 163bhp - get it remapped to circa 200bhp - I reckon that would be a good car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RossG Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 If you like it then go for it. I really really like the standard Meg 225 (prefer its wheels to the Cup's or the Trophy's) plus I would want all the toys. It looks great and goes like off a shovel. It is one of a handful of cars that are definately under consideration when I change the Furb. It is also one of the cars where I would tend to ignore the general opinion of people on this board. True, it isnt German and it isn't a VW or an Audi - but it is by no means a bad car. And I really don't think the build or interior are that far behind the Germans either. My wife runs a DCI 80 as a company car - and it's 8 weeks old with just under 8k on the clock and it hasn't missed a beat. The only problem with the Meg, across the range is the steering. The chasis is not actualy that bad - but the steering is light and wooly. But the way that I see it, the meg 225 ticks the very quick box, and the stunning to look at box. It has real presence, which IMO is very important for a hot hatch - and that is why I am actively considering one Particularly in that yummy orange paint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonb Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 The VXR looks very sweet in this months Evo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shao_khan Posted August 4, 2005 Report Share Posted August 4, 2005 The Megane with the trphy pack is a nice looking car - local dealer has one but I havent had a chance to drive it, but with those wheels and brembo calipers it certainly looks the part. I would certainly give it serious consideration, although I think for me the Vx might just win out, but both would be ahead of the Golf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leenx Posted August 5, 2005 Report Share Posted August 5, 2005 No - Not a waste of time. As someone pointed out earlier in the thread, you're gonna get people ripping the car because it's french. But I've had both the Clio 182 and now the Megane 225 - with Cup chassis pack and can honestly say i've had no problems with them. Unlike the TT, RX8, and most recently Cupra R. The build quality both interior and exterior in the Megane is very good and will need a good kicking before you start seeing plastic and bits coming off. Check the Golf GTI forum out regarding niggles with their new purchases!!. Right image - Ok it's got a contriversial looking as*! but I like it and it kicks some serious cars into touch in terms of performance. Get the Trophy if you can though, has a few more toys and will probably hold onto it's resale value a bit more as it's limited ediition - like the Scooby WR1 ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now