Debating. Renault Clio Sport or Gen 5 Prelude VTI-R

I'm probably going to get bias opinions here :D but i'm in the market to upgrade my EG Civic and ever since I was MUNCHED by one 2 years ago I've been interested in an 02-04 Renault Clio Sport. Now i've been on the Renault forums for a few months now and you should see the crap that happens with these cars. They are poorly built!!! But you can't escape the fact that they are an incredibly quick car. I would love to get back into a new Honda and the only one that is within my price range (Looking to spend $18,000 - $21,000) is the Gen 5 lude. I would love to have a car that is close to the performance of the RSC but more importantly I want the reliability that Honda delivers. So I need to know what sort of power can you extract from a VTI-R with standard mods and do you think it would stand up to the RSC after those mods ??

I love those clio sports.

And I don't own a Honda so this isn't that biased.

But if I had a choice, DC5R no questions asked...
BUT, this is simply due to the tuning/aftermarket of Honda.
Plus they look oh so sexy when done up in full JDM racey looks...

woops I misread
Prelude or clio... hmmm this is getting tougher as the prelude is quite heavy etc.

I think it depends what you really want, more of a luxury cruiser type car or a "racer"

I've driven VTi-R 5th Gen preludes and they aren't bad. Handling isn't great, and power is ok'ish, but they are very smooth, and quite

i had115.5 Kw at the fronts (very accurate figure) with basic mods, V2 intake (500), custom fabricated exhaust (750), VAFC2 (500 once tuned and fit) with a very safe tune, a leaner mixture had a peak power of just short of 118fwkw.

since then i have added ground wire kit and volt stabalizer and low resistance leads.
i have an underdrive pulley kit which i will put on the car soon.

i should be good for 120fwkw in full street trim and the car goes very well. i have never had a run with a clio sport but aggresive driving should get me mid to high 14s once i have my pulleys on.
what do the clio sports run?

i will be slightly biased but i will confidently say that for the money i cannot think of a better car, looks class, reliable as all hell, and pulls harder than 95% of 4cyl NA stock for stock. how many NA 4cyl cars for under 20k can serve it up to a S pac commo?

My mate just bought a Renault Clio Sport Cup (2 days ago)
It has to be one of the best little cars that I have driven.
It is fantastic.

I know his is a 06 model, but I can't see how you could compare the 2.

1/4 mile time is 14.8 and that's stock.

I too don't know how you can compare the two but i'm trying...i'm trying hard

try to make a kind of decision table. eg

option..................................weighting. ........lude...............clio
.................................................. ..........raw.....wtd....raw....wtd

feul / 100kms............................10/10........ x........10x.....y ......10y
induction....................................2/10...... x ..........2x.......y......2y
power
speed
torque
daily drivability
space
sound stage
1/4 mile
Mods availability
mods $$$
looks
reliability


at the end total up up the wtd values and see if u have a clear winner.
this is good coz u can rank things that are more important higher up (eg u want power over the fact the that it has poor fuel consumption for example, u will rank power maybe an 8/10 and fuel/100 maybe 2/10 coz u couldnt care less.)
give it a go and post ur findings! lol

ps sorry i had to use the dots, damn settings wont let u use that many spaces it clumps it up/

Renault Clio Sport any day man! The build quality of the newer French cars are top notch. Unlike days gone by where they'd fall to bits. Although in saying that, my previous car was a Peugeot 306 s16 95'. Also a french car, and the build quality was excellent! So i dont think ull have any problems in that respect.

Performance wise, stock vs. stock. The renault will kick the shit out of the prelude. In a straight line an around the track. Although the french car enthusiasts arent too keen on modding their cars at all. So trying to mod the Renault is next to impossible. But the factory package is so good anyway.

From memory the models you're looking at will be around 124-130ish killowatts. And if uve ever seen one in real life, its TINY! So its a sling shot.

RCS's are great, but they're getting very common. Ive seen them alot lately. If u like french cars, i would reccomend the Peugeot 306 gti6 instead of the RCS. They're alot rarer, and they're pretty much a sleeper, because almost everyone underestimates them. Similar performance as the RCS, 124kw @6500rpm, and 196Nm @ 5500, 6speed manual box (RCS is a 5 speed). These cars handle as well as (in my opinion better then) the old Integra Type R and in a straight line stock vs. stock, they're neck and neck. If u get the 00' model, they're slightly faclifted and touched up, they look sexy imo. Heres a pic of a nice black one:

http://www.mymane.net/albums/AF_0101...IBIT.sized.jpg

Well, hope that shed some light onto French cars a little bit for u. If u want the name of the BEST french mechanic around (sydney), PM me.

All the best
Brian :) :thumbsup:

its based on what you want...a racer or a luxury sports car...the prelude is honda...build quality is tops...good power...excellent torque and there sexy cars in there own right...the clio itself sure its quick...so what? so is the type R...but there built for racing around tracks..and the style of the car is getting out dated...the prelude style has dated at all ...again you should drive both cars and weight it up..most ppl here would be biased so good luck! :D

Are you concerned at all about insurance? Because the RCS is classified as a hatch, and therefore cheaper insurance. While the Gen5 Lude is a coupe. I was quoted by GIO (19, full comp)with the RCS at around $1800 a year. While they wouldn't normally insure the Lude, we have 3 other cars with them and they quoted around $3500 a year :O

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Originally Posted by BrianC

Renault Clio Sport any day man! The build quality of the newer French cars are top notch. Unlike days gone by where they'd fall to bits. Although in saying that, my previous car was a Peugeot 306 s16 95'. Also a french car, and the build quality was excellent! So i dont think ull have any problems in that respect.

Performance wise, stock vs. stock. The renault will kick the shit out of the prelude. In a straight line an around the track. Although the french car enthusiasts arent too keen on modding their cars at all. So trying to mod the Renault is next to impossible. But the factory package is so good anyway.

From memory the models you're looking at will be around 124-130ish killowatts. And if uve ever seen one in real life, its TINY! So its a sling shot.

RCS's are great, but they're getting very common. Ive seen them alot lately. If u like french cars, i would reccomend the Peugeot 306 gti6 instead of the RCS. They're alot rarer, and they're pretty much a sleeper, because almost everyone underestimates them. Similar performance as the RCS, 124kw @6500rpm, and 196Nm @ 5500, 6speed manual box (RCS is a 5 speed). These cars handle as well as (in my opinion better then) the old Integra Type R and in a straight line stock vs. stock, they're neck and neck. If u get the 00' model, they're slightly faclifted and touched up, they look sexy imo. Heres a pic of a nice black one:

http://www.mymane.net/albums/AF_0101...IBIT.sized.jpg

Well, hope that shed some light onto French cars a little bit for u. If u want the name of the BEST french mechanic around (sydney), PM me.

All the best
Brian :) :thumbsup:

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this guy said it all
i'd choose the clio over the prelude anyday of the week
for everything its a better package...
im scared of clios now after being driven in one. they handle and acclerate so well! :thumbsup:

such unbias opinions. You guys rock :)

Clio Renaultsport 182 rocks. Test drove one.

Obviously that clio sport has lot strong power and handling comparing stock to stock but it lacks of aftermarket parts in australia so you would need to source them from UK, the problem will be the cost of postage

Clio would be better pick, but problem is aftermarket parts, very expensive, I drove 05 model "reno F1 blue" my cuz had it for a weekend very nice car to drive, very sporty but my ITR is much better, we raced each other, clio is much better at take off but after that I just killed him.
For that money you want to spend you could get EK Vti-R with B16a (no more than $15000) and for $3K-$4K you can make it to be as good as clio.

So far i'm leaning towards the 'lude. Apart from the performance it has everything else I want. I drive alot between Melbourne and Sydney and not having cruise control is a pain. Plus I always wanted a car with a sunroof and a Honda with V-Tech :) Was my biggest regret when buying my EG GLi Civic not getting the VTI version.

0-100 in 7.8 isn't too bad though. Just 0.4 off the Clio. I'm sure I could gain a few extra ponies with standard i/h/e mods :thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by berniebern

0-100 in 7.8 isn't too bad though. Just 0.4 off the Clio. I'm sure I could gain a few extra ponies with standard i/h/e mods :thumbsup:

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And when you reach a corner, the Clio just gets ahead. :D

dude ...... gayest car ever .... unless you get the turbo version.
put it this way i had 118.5kw in my type R and i used to smoke my mates reno clio GTR (some special edition) all day every day

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Originally Posted by superR

dude ...... gayest car ever .... unless you get the turbo version.
put it this way i had 118.5kw in my type R and i used to smoke my mates reno clio GTR (some special edition) all day every day

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Dude what are you talking about? First of all, current Renault Clio never came out with a turbo. They came in a 2L or a V6 which never came to australia unless if it was imported privately afaik. Secondly what is a clio GTR?!? You sure its not the Cup edition?

Anyway Clio's seems a good car for it's value, but I think that is the only thing going for them. I would get a Lude over it just because it will most likely age better then the Clios.

I think your comparing two different types of cars and It doesnt matter if the renault is quicker/ corner better,Its plain ****ing ugly!!!! but at the end of the day its your money and if you choose the renault you can join the Pedaphile Renault club of SA, with your granpa.

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/8...port182blu.jpg

if you get the clio and join the 60 year grandpa club. Grandpa Jo will be pleased that you joined...might even let you sit on his lap and ride it all day

^^ LOL

yea i think go the prelude.. should be able to get close to the clio in performance with a few grand spent and given the fairly cheap price preludes go for these days itll probably still be cheaper than a clio mods included...

also the prelude is a good/modern looking car that is absent of pedophelia :eek: lol jk

either is a good choice.. but go vtec ;)

http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring...207-geneva.htm

this car would be nice, peugeot 207 RCup :D

""Giving Japanese automakers such as Honda something to think about, Peugeot has gifted the 207 RCup with an insanely high-revving naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre, 16-valve petrol engine expected to redline at about 9000 revolutions per minute (rpm).""

The 5 gen prelude Vtir In manual does 7.2-7.4 and the 4th gen prelude can do 6.8 0-100.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by berniebern

0-100 in 7.8 isn't too bad though. Just 0.4 off the Clio. I'm sure I could gain a few extra ponies with standard i/h/e mods :thumbsup:

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clio's are so ugly and theyre known to have so many problems.................... enuf said.. gen 5 preludes hav style and once u mod them they can be quite dangerous ;) h22a is an awesome motor

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Originally Posted by vtek

The 5 gen prelude Vtir In manual does 7.2-7.4 and the 4th gen prelude can do 6.8 0-100.

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i think u got jap spec times there man :eek:

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Originally Posted by Chris_F

^^ LOL

fairly cheap price preludes go for these days itll probably still be cheaper than a clio mods included...

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Not exactly :) Can pick up a 2002 Clio 172 with 50,000 k's for about $19,000. Preludes are going for around $22-25k. Lude's are retaining their value so well which is another selling point.

i was refering to the clio 182 which is newer and still more expensive than a 5th gen as far as i know? the 172 will not really be that much quicker than a 5th gen only a 182 will be. So comparing a 172 vs. prelude, prelude gets the easy win IMO.

i wouldnt say they are retaining their value THAT well... afterall the cost what.. like nearly 50k+ on road back when they were on sale and now you can find them for low 20's and sometimes even under? The prelude has never been a super popular car in australia, but that's appeal.. theire uniqueness :thumbsup:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chris_F

i was refering to the clio 182 which is newer and still more expensive than a 5th gen as far as i know? the 172 will not really be that much quicker than a 5th gen only a 182 will be. So comparing a 172 vs. prelude, prelude gets the easy win IMO.

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hmmm...there's 0.2 sec difference between the 172 and 182. 172 does 7.4's and 1/4 mile in mid 14's.:) It's around the track that the 182 will blitz the 172.

That said, I reckon the Prelude would catch the Clio in a straight line battle granted both are prepared to break the speed limit and there is enough straight road.

nah it was actually yank times.

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Originally Posted by dc4t

i think u got jap spec times there man :eek:

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u test drive da granpa car yet?

Renault clio sports is a really fast car ....very good handling as well!

If u can get a 182 get that. If not, then a manual prelude.

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Originally Posted by berniebern

hmmm...there's 0.2 sec difference between the 172 and 182. 172 does 7.4's and 1/4 mile in mid 14's.:) It's around the track that the 182 will blitz the 172.

That said, I reckon the Prelude would catch the Clio in a straight line battle granted both are prepared to break the speed limit and there is enough straight road.

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wow 172 cutting into 14sec 1.4 mile? I think its more like mid 15sec considering the 182 would be doing high 14-low 15s in stock form. I wouldn't even consider the clio because they are fugly to look at, the seating position is similar to that of a bus and the quality is questionable.

I exaggerated those 1/4 mile times a little bit ;) Here's a timeslip.

Note, this is stock with plenty of wheel spin

http://users.tpg.com.au/adsl7quc/Tom/s15.1slip.jpg


Are there any gen 5 timeslips to compare with ?

5th gen vtir's do not go for 22-24. Chook recently sold his '98 Model for $13,000... There's lots of VTiR's for under 20k.

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Originally Posted by 91'lude

5th gen vtir's do not go for 22-24. Chook recently sold his '98 Model for $13,000... There's lots of VTiR's for under 20k.

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I'm going through a dealer and nothing over 60,000 km's.

i'd go with the lude

for just performance go the renault, grip levels and low end torque are great, though having sit in a rcs 182 cup...the interior is ****ing terrible...seating position suxxxx and its really very ugly...

for style with a bit of go, the lude

why not get a combo and go dc2r...i'd say comparable to clio on the streets (and more fun to drive), with greater "moddability", and much more sporty feeling than rcs