Readers' Rides: Sam's Leg-Cocking Renaultsport Clio 182

Image credit: Jeff Bloxham Photography

Renaultsport's latest hot Clio offering might have left us feeling cold, but previous-gen versions are still more fun than a box of frogs (no pun intended...). What's more, they're inexpensive to buy, love to cock a wheel on the race track and provide cheap thrills like no other. CT reader Sam is a Clio RS owner; in his own words, here is why Sam loves his ride so much:

Hi guys, my name’s Sam and I’m from North London. I've done a lot of kart racing in my time so when I was compiling a shortlist of potential street hooners back in 2011, my choices were slimmed down to a short selection of lightweight, nimble cars.

Top of the pile (partly thanks to its ridiculously low price), was the Renaultsport Clio 182. It wasn’t long before I’d found my perfect one, a Racing Blue Cup chassis’d car with a mere 70,000 miles on the clock. It squeezed into my budget at £3500. I can still remember the excitement of feeling that 5000rpm variable-valve kick in on the day I picked her up, and two and a half years down the line, it still makes me giggle like a girl at a Bieber concert (I'd imagine...).

It's in no way the fastest thing on the road, but the 2.0-litre engine provides enough punch to challenge bigger rivals on the drag-strip. It’s through the twisties, however, where the 182 comes into its own.

Direct steering, fantastic B-road damping and a playful chassis, the 182 is a barrel of laughs that loves to get its tail wagging; she likes to cock an inside rear wheel every now and then too.

Aside from the occasional country blast, I’ve also enjoyed three track-days with my 182. On the track, it's a combination of my ‘F1 wannabe’ late braking and the car’s lack of concern for flat out laps, that's seen us shock drivers in far quicker sports cars. I’ll never forget the time a Z4 M driver told me he’d never been overtaken by a tripod before.

She does have her negatives though, with an ongoing list of little niggles that present themselves one by one. Fast approaching a heavy footed 100,000 miles, the odd light bulb change and cracked spring can be forgiven, but autumn’s incessant drizzle and the challenges it presents to French build quality has meant a small leak has developed. It’s a fairly easy fix, but something that I can’t help but think wouldn’t appear on a slightly more solid German car...

Nevertheless, when I’m spending peanuts to keep her running and averaging over 40mpg on a helium shoe motorway run, I realise it would be hard to find such a bargain track weapon that is as mechanically reliable. And in all honesty, when I charge through country lanes behind the wheel of my 182, I doubt many other cars could stretch a smile across my face as wide as this. My slightly moist, wheel cocking and sports-car-eating 182, is no doubt a keeper. And what's more, Clarkson's a fan of her too:

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If you think we should feature your car on Readers' Rides, email alex.kersten@carthrottle.com with a pic and a few words explaining why you love it so much. If we like it, we'll feature it!