clio r27 to Ibiza FR / Cupra

[Deleted member 49882]

Hi guys, just joined the forum today.

I currently drive a R27 Clio but have recently been thinking of changing / trying something new. I have driven Renault Sport Clios for a good while now, having a 182 before the 197.

I have been thinking of changing the Clio to the new Ibiza FR or Cupra. I think these new Ibiza's look really good and seem to be well cheaper in terms of running costs compared to the Clio.

I spend between £60-70 per week on fuel which is pretty ridiculous if you think about it. So one of the factors in thinking of a change, is the cheaper running costs of the Ibiza. The Ibiza seems like an interesting car, pretty economical, cheapish to insure, low car tax band than the clio, but pretty similar performance.

I took a Boc out at the weekend for a test drive and I was quietly impressed with it. Can't believe Seat have managed to get so much out of a 1.4 lump, albeit with a supercharge and turbocharger. I thought it was a very well finished car...although I think that a nice set of Recaor's would have finished it off. I also wasn't too sure about the DSG, but it worked very well.

I was wondering what peoples opinions might be changing the Clio for the FR or Cupra. Am I going to be left disappointed if I decide to change? Has anyone gone from Renault Sport Clio to the Ibiza. I would like to hear your opinions and any advice.

Thanks

Dave

 

[mardon]

I had a 106 Gti before I went VAG and I compare all my car's handling to that. It really was immense fun to drive the high reving little 1.6 with its sharp and agile handling. My first foray into the VAG stable was a Fabia VRs which was great on fuel but very dull. I then went mk4 Cupra Tdi which handled a little better and had some more shove. Finally I got my boc. I loved having a petrol power band and the fact it does rev to 7k RPM. The handling and grip was certainly better than the previous two VAG based motor’s i’d owned. The DSG did get some serious getting used to and I did miss the changing of gear. Now 4k miles later i’m fully used to it and can have some serious fun flicking up and down the box.

I don’t think as standard the Cupra/Boc is as raw or fun at the Renault Sport clio’s but they are definitely more refined and better built. The car can be great on fuel when you want it to be 43mpg is certainly achievable when treated gently. Now I have a rear ARB and coilovers I finally have a car that compares handling wise to the 106 GTi but has all the extra power and refinement you would want from a new car.

Looking at my RR day figures you’ll see that the power is not far off and since they weigh less and have the fast and slick DSG box you’ll see that once bedded in they should be faster than the clio’s in a strait line.

Hope this helps

 

[warren_cox]

I thought it was a very well finished car...although I think that a nice set of Recaor's would have finished it off. I also wasn't too sure about the DSG, but it worked very well.

+1, but due to the VAG hierarchy SEAT's son't seem to be allowed branded Recaro's anymore.

I was wondering what peoples opinions might be changing the Clio for the FR or Cupra. Am I going to be left disappointed if I decide to change? Has anyone gone from Renault Sport Clio to the Ibiza. I would like to hear your opinions and any advice.

Thanks

Dave

The DSG is an unusual beast. Some (myself included) say it feels quite alien when you try it for the first time, but those who have it for any length of time seem to rate it.

It's hard to know which is best. They have a very different approach to achieving a similar outcome engine wise. I think the Ibiza is fantastic, but I have always really liked the way the Renaultsports drive. Tough call.

 

[EdHorny]

You'll miss the slightly better handling, but your current £60 - £70 fuel per week is a bit much, if you get a Cupra/Boc expect to get 260 - 280 mile per tank average. Yes at first the DSG is weird, but believe me, it makes this car easy to drive, you can get so lazy especially with cruise control.

ED

 

[Deleted member 49882]

aye...i know it is a tough call. just don't want to make a mistake and thought I would ask the enthusiasts. i know i will probably get biased opinions on the site.

i think the main attraction is the relatively cheap running costs.

my local Seat dealer is coming back to me with an offer on Wednesday. In fairness, I have been given an excellent trade-in on the Clio (losing just £950 from purchase 15mths ago).

will wait and see what the dealer comes back with and take another test drive before making a decision.

thanks for comments so far

 

[mardon]

if you get a Cupra/Boc expect to get 260 - 280 mile per tank average.
ED

I can get 420miles to a tank when driving carefully mostly motorway miles. So the frugle aspect is there if you want it.

 

[EdHorny]

I can get 420miles to a tank when driving carefully mostly motorway miles. So the frugle aspect is there if you want it.

420 miles, I bet that's at the max mpg speeds. Unfortunately, my work is uphill, I only do town driving mainly and I get frustrated by school run 4x4/people carriers who can't drive for toffee that I end up booting it quite often. Best I've achieved is 310 miles and that was first tank.

ED

 

[Deleted member 49882]

420 miles, I bet that's at the max mpg speeds. Unfortunately, my work is uphill, I only do town driving mainly and I get frustrated by school run 4x4/people carriers who can't drive for toffee that I end up booting it quite often. Best I've achieved is 310 miles and that was first tank.

ED

flip...i was expecting to hear that you would get more than 310 miles out of a tank. even with a 45 litre tank it doesn't seem just as impressive. I get at least 300miles out of a 50 litre tank at the moment. on average, i would be getting about 28mpg. i honestly thought that the ibiza would have been much better than that...reading that it's combined cycle is 44mpg.

i guess if mpg is a major concern i should consider a deisel...although not sure i can bring myself to swap over to an oil burner lol

 

[mardon]

Trust me these car's are fine on fuel if you dont floor it everywhere... but they do sup when driven hard.

A tank of mixed driving is usually 350-380 and I used v-power

 

[EdHorny]

Just so you guys have an idea of my driving, it's A to B as quick as possible. My last car a Pug 306 1.6 8v was thrashed everywhere, it was practically dead when I got rid on scrappage and with that I did 300 miles on 60 litre tank. dave cup has had hot hatches for a while so I guess he likes a bit of fun, so when I put my figures in I was trying to show that if you give beans, expect to burn the vpower (or equivalent) like it's going out of fashion. A couple other things that affect my mpg are that I only tend to drive in 'D' and 'S'. I like to concentrate on the road, plus thanks to another thread, my front tyres haven't been at the correct psi, now I have corrected that, I have seen an improvement. If you drive using paddles and don't floor it, yes you can get 380+ miles, but I don't. Don't think I'm dangerous, I'm a saint around schools, welsh towns, with other people in the car, police about, speed camera's, general built up area's.

If your throttle heavy this car will drink, frugal, this cars great.

ED

 

[mardon]

Do you have lots of nice lanes by you? I have some nice roads that I know well which I save my blasts for. I just love all the looks the car gets, its amazing

 

[mainaman]

I have driven the Renaultsport Twingo and it was amusing to drive on twisty roads,''wheel in the air'' during cornering,but as an everyday car-no,thanks...

The bigger Clio may offer sharper handling,but the Cupra is still a competent steer and it probably wins on performance(more accessable powerband as well),traction out of corners(courtesy of the XDS),build quality,running costs,refinement and looks inside and out(subjective,of course).

The DSG turned out to be the highlight of the car;the magazines were badmouthing it,while praising it in other VAG cars like the Scirocco and the Golf,but after driving a manual Ibiza(admittedly not a Cupra) last week i cemented my positive opinion about the DSG.

The engine,performance and soundtrack are great as well.

I don't like the non-round steering wheel and the not so-supportive-as-Twingo's seats.

The refinement is great as well;i am coming off a 2.0l NA car and motorway speeds were too noisey,while the Cupra is probably at 3000 RPM/70 MPH/7th gear!

The car comes with tons of standard equipment and i do miss only a temp gauge.

The economy is terrific for the performance,25 MPG in really heavy traffic or when trashing it and 35 MPG around town with the occasional trash(over 300 miles from the tank of 45 litres).35 MPG is the official figure for urban driving,45 MPG is the combined one when you do motorway miles as well.

The ride is firm and busy,but not crashy and it thumps over bumps.

But if you rate driving thrills as the only criteria when purchasing a car,the understeer-prone-at-the-limit Cupra probably won't cut it.

 

[Deleted member 49882]

The bigger Clio may offer sharper handling,but the Cupra is still a competent steer and it probably wins on performance,traction out of corners,build quality,running costs,refinement and looks inside and out(subjective,of course).

QUOTE]

I can honestly say, the Clio will out-corner any similar priced hot hatch on the market. the four-pot brembo brakes are immense. the performance is nothing to be scoffed at and can leave other 'superior' cars somewhat embarrassed.

My fear is regretting selling / part-exchanging the Clio for something that doesn't quite 'cut it'. I know very little about Ibiza FR /Cupra...it has never been previously a car I have given much thought to. But...with similar performance (perhaps the Ibiza isn't quite as raw) and cheaper running costs, the Ibiza has started to catch my eye.

I just don't want to make a mistake and then regret it. I suppose ideally, i would really like to hear from anyone who has made the change from Renault Sport to Ibiza sport models.

Some of the lads on Cliosport.net hold the FR / Cupra in quite high regard...so that is encouraging. i think i am ready to take a risk and try something new. suppose worse case scenario, if i'm not happy i can always change again.

thanks so far.

 

[warren_cox]

I can honestly say, the Clio will out-corner any similar priced hot hatch on the market. the four-pot brembo brakes are immense. the performance is nothing to be scoffed at and can leave other 'superior' cars somewhat embarrassed.

I would agree with this. All too often the German derived car brigade pick fault with the Renault over build and interior, but lets face it, which cars won the most 'car of the year awards' for quick hatches??? Renaultsport.

Not by accident either. I think they offer a different driver proposition which will more likely tick the boxes of the outright purist.

The Ibiza is massively competent, but if I have a criticism it suffers from that unfortunate affliction that all VAG cars seem to suffer (mine is ABSOLUTELY included in this), a slight woodenness and lack of feel in the chassis.

Where the VAG's score points is the turbo thrust and easily workable powerband which is only achieved by the Renault in much higher rev ranges. Its less hard work to make a VAG go fast.

My fear is regretting selling / part-exchanging the Clio for something that doesn't quite 'cut it'.

I know there are those who will disagree with me due to where this is being posted, but I believe if you want a no compromise hot hatch then stick with the Clio. If you want a fantastic all rounder which is easier to live with day to day then buy an Ibiza. Driving should be about passion when you're an enthusiast, and whilst my car is quick I'd never say it was exciting, and it irks me quite often. Next time I am going to buy something with a bit more 'feel'. I get the feeling your preferences may sit the same way. Hence I'm going to stick my neck out here and say I'd stick with the Clio unless you absolutely HAVE to change.

Will there really be that much of a saving day in day out?

 

[mardon]

TBH I'd say the same. You certainly want to take the car for a longer test drive.

If worse comes to the worst you can always swap it for a new clio 200 if you dont like it. I'd give the car a good 4k miles first though.

I really do love mine but i've spent an extra £2,100 on 4-pots and Coilovers over the standard spec.

 

[HAIRWEGO]

The bigger Clio may offer sharper handling,but the Cupra is still a competent steer and it probably wins on performance,traction out of corners,build quality,running costs,refinement and looks inside and out(subjective,of course).

QUOTE]

I can honestly say, the Clio will out-corner any similar priced hot hatch on the market. the four-pot brembo brakes are immense. the performance is nothing to be scoffed at and can leave other 'superior' cars somewhat embarrassed.

My fear is regretting selling / part-exchanging the Clio for something that doesn't quite 'cut it'. I know very little about Ibiza FR /Cupra...it has never been previously a car I have given much thought to. But...with similar performance (perhaps the Ibiza isn't quite as raw) and cheaper running costs, the Ibiza has started to catch my eye.

I just don't want to make a mistake and then regret it. I suppose ideally, i would really like to hear from anyone who has made the change from Renault Sport to Ibiza sport models.

Some of the lads on Cliosport.net hold the FR / Cupra in quite high regard...so that is encouraging. i think i am ready to take a risk and try something new. suppose worse case scenario, if i'm not happy i can always change again.

thanks so far.

In my mind the BOC-CUPRA'S are more of a GT car, rather than a hot hatch. because you got the refindment and the speed. where as the Clio is a hot hatch with not alot of refindment, but great power.......................

 

[Poverty]

Hi guys, just joined the forum today.

I currently drive a R27 Clio but have recently been thinking of changing / trying something new. I have driven Renault Sport Clios for a good while now, having a 182 before the 197.

I have been thinking of changing the Clio to the new Ibiza FR or Cupra. I think these new Ibiza's look really good and seem to be well cheaper in terms of running costs compared to the Clio.

I spend between £60-70 per week on fuel which is pretty ridiculous if you think about it. So one of the factors in thinking of a change, is the cheaper running costs of the Ibiza. The Ibiza seems like an interesting car, pretty economical, cheapish to insure, low car tax band than the clio, but pretty similar performance.

I took a Boc out at the weekend for a test drive and I was quietly impressed with it. Can't believe Seat have managed to get so much out of a 1.4 lump, albeit with a supercharge and turbocharger. I thought it was a very well finished car...although I think that a nice set of Recaor's would have finished it off. I also wasn't too sure about the DSG, but it worked very well.

I was wondering what peoples opinions might be changing the Clio for the FR or Cupra. Am I going to be left disappointed if I decide to change? Has anyone gone from Renault Sport Clio to the Ibiza. I would like to hear your opinions and any advice.

Thanks

Dave

try a leon cupra, maps straight to over 300hp and isnt much more than a boc. Clios and megane sports wont come close to it on the roads and can do good mpg if you really want it to. That would then be a worthwhile change, as going from a clio 197 to a boc is more of a sideways step, but with different advantages and disadvantages to the clio.

 

[Deleted member 49882]

try a leon cupra, maps straight to over 300hp and isnt much more than a boc. Clios and megane sports wont come close to it on the roads and can do good mpg if you really want it to. That would then be a worthwhile change, as going from a clio 197 to a boc is more of a sideways step, but with different advantages and disadvantages to the clio.

hi. i don't really want a 'bigger' car...i have always liked the small, hot hatch type. i take your point about a sideways move, and to be honest, that is probably what i think myself.

the clio is basically a no compromise, straight out of the box, virtually track ready car. it is very very difficult to drive it easy...but that is the totally addictive characteristic about this car. it is the type of car that you basically end up driving flat out all the time.

i think that the ibiza might be a bit tamer, more suitable for day to day use and seems to be a well round, very tempting package.

if the dealer comes back me to me on wednesday and makes me a very good offer / deal, i am very much tempted to change. as things stand with the dealer at the moment...and i haven't even started to negotiate, i can basically get a brand new car at not much extra an expense for what i am currently paying.

thanks guys for the feedback so far.

 

[Poverty]

Thats fair enough, a word of warning when it comes to fast VAGs though, you will end up modifying it as the gains are very good for the money, and then it all starts becoming addictive!

 

[EdHorny]

Thats fair enough, a word of warning when it comes to fast VAGs though, you will end up modifying it as the gains are very good for the money, and then it all starts becoming addictive!

Oh so true. Done my brakes, got side skirts ready to go on, next is wheels, coilovers... we are only limited by our imagination.

ED