Pistonheads Gordini Write up
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Bones
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Pretty much what every review says :lol:
The Cup is the way forward if you want a bargain, there's no doubt about that.
The only thing with the RenaultSport Twingo is that the standard interior spec is pretty, well pants to be fair. I'm lucky I have the chance to contrast the two but the interior on my Gordini is world's apart from the standard 133 and given the choice I'd opt to be in leather seats, with a better standard spec.
I remember a time back in the day, when if you bought a RenaultSport you got leather seats, climate control, Xenons etc as standard. My Clio 172 had the same spec as standard as my Gordini Twingo does now but you have to have the limited edition to get close now days. The same went for the RS Meganes, the Phase I 225 was fully spec'd so you got luxuries and performance, then they start stripping it down more and more until by the end of production of the last RS Megane you end up with an R26.R.
To me the beauty of RenaultSports of old was that they weren't just the fastest model but the top spec in terms of features as well. Something I think a lot of journalists fail to remember when it comes to reviewing hot hatches. Living with a hot hatch day to day is very different to test driving a car and reporting back on it's driving dynamics. If I'm paying for the top model, I don't want poverty spec, I want all the features of the other models and the performance. (That's just me though :lol: )
The other thing they fail to remember is that if you buy a normal 133, spec it with the Cup chassis and a few other bits, it adds up to nearly the Gordini price. In fact my Mrs 133 was £100 more than my Gordini once she'd picked the spec she wanted!! :shock:
And finally, they also forget that perhaps some Renault fans out there recognise and want a car that pays homage to the Gordini models of old?!?! I know I did.
That turned into a bit of rant haha, not so much a moan but so many of the reviews have been somewhat frustrating.
The only thing with the RenaultSport Twingo is that the standard interior spec is pretty, well pants to be fair. I'm lucky I have the chance to contrast the two but the interior on my Gordini is world's apart from the standard 133 and given the choice I'd opt to be in leather seats, with a better standard spec.
I remember a time back in the day, when if you bought a RenaultSport you got leather seats, climate control, Xenons etc as standard. My Clio 172 had the same spec as standard as my Gordini Twingo does now but you have to have the limited edition to get close now days. The same went for the RS Meganes, the Phase I 225 was fully spec'd so you got luxuries and performance, then they start stripping it down more and more until by the end of production of the last RS Megane you end up with an R26.R.
To me the beauty of RenaultSports of old was that they weren't just the fastest model but the top spec in terms of features as well. Something I think a lot of journalists fail to remember when it comes to reviewing hot hatches. Living with a hot hatch day to day is very different to test driving a car and reporting back on it's driving dynamics. If I'm paying for the top model, I don't want poverty spec, I want all the features of the other models and the performance. (That's just me though :lol: )
The other thing they fail to remember is that if you buy a normal 133, spec it with the Cup chassis and a few other bits, it adds up to nearly the Gordini price. In fact my Mrs 133 was £100 more than my Gordini once she'd picked the spec she wanted!! :shock:
And finally, they also forget that perhaps some Renault fans out there recognise and want a car that pays homage to the Gordini models of old?!?! I know I did.
That turned into a bit of rant haha, not so much a moan but so many of the reviews have been somewhat frustrating.
I would agree with you there alex, if it was any other rs than the twingo. For me the 133 is about basic fun and being as cheap as possible.
It has to be because the abarth is a much, much nicer car inside for the money at the price the gordini is asking.
It has to be because the abarth is a much, much nicer car inside for the money at the price the gordini is asking.
That's the thing, the perception for so many people is that RenaultSport models should be about performance and less at toys in the car.
I'd say that applies across the range for most of them now. The models recommended, out of the RS Clio and Megane are always the Cup versions because they offer the most performance for you money.
Thing is I'm old now (29) but bought my first RenaultSport model 8 years ago and the difference inside and out from the normal model was amazing. I went from a 1.2 Clio to a 172 Clio so not only did you get the performance and handling but a cabin full of goodies, I've always wanted to maintain that in my following cars.
I remember an ex of mine having a Clio 182 Cup and thinking 'The interior in here is crap' when I used to drive it. Let's face it, we can't drive on full power everywhere we go so having that balance for me is ideal.
As you say the 500 Abarth does have a nice interior but let's face it, they look a bit gay, plus I'm not an Estate Agent so it just had to be a RenaultSport, which are far rarer!
I'd say that applies across the range for most of them now. The models recommended, out of the RS Clio and Megane are always the Cup versions because they offer the most performance for you money.
Thing is I'm old now (29) but bought my first RenaultSport model 8 years ago and the difference inside and out from the normal model was amazing. I went from a 1.2 Clio to a 172 Clio so not only did you get the performance and handling but a cabin full of goodies, I've always wanted to maintain that in my following cars.
I remember an ex of mine having a Clio 182 Cup and thinking 'The interior in here is crap' when I used to drive it. Let's face it, we can't drive on full power everywhere we go so having that balance for me is ideal.
As you say the 500 Abarth does have a nice interior but let's face it, they look a bit gay, plus I'm not an Estate Agent so it just had to be a RenaultSport, which are far rarer!
Bones
Well-known member
I'm not gunna lie, I only got the Gordini because I just couldnt find myself liking the standard interior... was offered a standard 133 for less money (obviously) but just didnt fancy the interior that much
jra3d
Well-known member
Each too their own I suppose, but i'd like to see another Hot hatch pull of the sledge hammer to the lower regions look, as mentioned elsewhere before!
chrisil
Active member
Alex is right... when I buy a limited model, I'll like to have more of everything.... the toys in the Gordini are pretty nice and I love the leather... but to add 20 HP more... that would be something which I really miss (as an homage to Gordini ;-)
miner154
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I was after (originally) an RS with maybe the cup pack, the Gordini cost to change was 200£ more than a standard RS from same dealer. No cup pack but in hindsight I'm glad had enough of shaking my tits into my chin on the poor surfaces where I live. The Cup is an excellent choice if a) you're on more of a budget b) have nice surfaced rads/go to a track and c) under 25 haha
haha