How To Get Into a Renault Without Spending *Much*
AutoTrader has always been my best friend when it comes to doing these cheapskates passages...
Renault has always stepped up their game in the hot-hatch world, first the fight between the Golf, the Civic Type R and Megane RS for the Nurburgring lap record. Then Renaultsport changed the entire hot-hatch world rule of game completely by introducing four-wheel-steering into the newest Megane RS - an invention that is only ever seen on supercars and hypercars, not hot hatches that's for sure. Of course if you want to get a taste of what the extreme side of things is like, you can always buy the new Renault Meganes and Clios. However, what if your pocket isn't that deep, and you'd like some of that famous Renaultsport-tuned chassis? Here's 5 cars that might not break your bank, yet bringing you all the fun you'll ever need.
Starting with the cheapest of the bunch: Clio 2.0 16v Renaultsport Cup
Credit: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201806308004211
This blue little Clio that you see above is no ordinary Clio. It's one of the earliest Renaultsport cars that you can get - named as the Renault Clio 2.0 16v Renaultsport Cup, this puppy offers thrills that no other hot hatch that time could ever offer. With a revvy engine and a Cup chassis, it's a hoot to drive on those twisty B-roads on a weekend, or you can even take it on a track day and you can still have tons and tons of fun. Offered with a 2L engine, putting out 172 bhp when new, these stats might not sound a lot for modern days, but it's dirt cheap. This car here is on sale on AutoTrader now for only £1,400, which is only a fraction of the modern day Clio. Yes it might have some usage in the past, and yes the rims could really do with some refurbishing, but for a weekend car, it'll never need to be perfect anyways!
Want to get into the Megane life cheaply? Step this way...: Megane Renaultsport
Credit: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201805026127920
This might not be as flashy as the modern-day hot Meganes, but don't be fooled by it's outlook. This is as cheap as Renaultsport Meganes ever will get. Equipped with a 2L turbocharged four-banger, this baby has 225bhp when new, this thing is capable of hitting 60mph in 6.5 seconds, and will go on to a top speed of 147mph, even faster than some of the 'hot' hatches nowadays. The best thing about this is, it's still the one of those old-school manual gearboxes that's equipped, which means you can enjoy that amazing sensation of changing a cog and balancing the clutch on a sunny Sunday. On sale currently on AutoTrader for £1,795, and it's definitely a car worth investing in, judging on how hot retro hot hatches these days are.
Some newer stuff for you up-next: Twingo 1.6 Renaultsport 3dr
If you are old enough, which you probably are, you might remember that ages ago, Jeremy actually drove a Renault Twingo on Top Gear. The car ended up sinking because Jeremy couldn't catch the cross-channel ferry. However, according to Jeremy, the car was cheap to repair, cheap to maintain, can carry a Ross Kemp at the boot of the car, and can fly. Very useful information that. Therefore for the next car that I'm introducing, I'm paying tribute to the *dead* Ross Kemp.
Credit: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201804105408523
Borne in 2008, this particular black Twingo has been well taken cared for, with a full service history, and by the looks of it, didn't even have a scratch on it, nor a broken a headlight, nor a broken front wing, back bumper, nor did it ever reach the bottom of the sea. If you want hassle-free motoring in a Renaultsport-tuned Cup-chassis hot-hatch, this might be the one. On sale currently for £1,990 only. Bargain.
Want a newer shape Megane? Megane Renaultsport 2010
Credit: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201805246826363
Before the hunt for the Nurburgring lap times, these 2nd gen Meganes were still the ones to have if you were to get a hot-hatch back in the 2010. These were the daddys of the hot hatch and the baby of all the car magazines of the day. And the fact that you can pick these up nowadays for £7,500 or there or thereabout, mean that you can probably fit those Renaultsport bits on cheaply and get that rock-hard Cup chassis feeling yourself in one of these. 247bhp from a 2L turbocharged engine is no slouch even by today's standards, but miles cheaper than those on sale currently.
Don't want a hot-hatch? You've forgotten something...
Credit: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201807058153392\
Think mid-engine rear-driven sports cars, you would think Porsche Boxster, right? Back in the 90s, Renaultsport launched a car that has a not-so Renault look to it, namely the Spider. This Spider is very rare, unlike any other Spiders, as this yellow one on top is the ONLY one on sale on AutoTrader now, and it's not exactly cheap. £35,000 is what the dealer is asking for. I know, I know it's not that cheap but think this way: if a modern-day Boxster can't offer the same kind of fun that thing offers, what can? For starters, just look at it? How many times have you seen something as bonkers and as distinctive on the streets? Just for the fun factors alone is worth this much. Then it's the investment point of view, just because of it's unique backgrounds and rareness, the value of these things are going to shoot up in a few years' time, and it's probably time to buy one if you're looking for something fun, without wanting to loose much money.
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Comments (6)
Love the Spider!
Hi congratulations - your post has been selected by DriveTribe reviews Ambassador for promotion on the DriveTribe homepage.
Great cars! They are surely great choices!
Thanks for your comments and appreciation :) would continue posting more of these in a couple of days so stay tuned :)
I will! Tomorrow I'm releasing a important post too