Clio RS 197 vs Mk5 Golf GTI - Did I buy the wrong car?!

In this video I compare my GTI to the car I very nearly bought instead - a Clio 197. Did I make the wrong choice? Does the hot Clio make my GTI feel dull? One thing is for certain: these are two of the most exciting driver's cars you can get for under 3 grand.
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[@Tim4Games]

you've clearly watched/studied the old Top Gear episodes or new Grand Tour episodes. The intonation we're all familiar with resembles yours greatly. Keep up the good work, I subbed ;)

[@JackScarlett1]

I grew up on that stuff and take that as a big compliment! Many thanks for the sub

[@dmur197]

How can you complain that the 197 doesn’t look sporty with its spoiler and diffuser and front air inlets etc... and then buy a golf?

[@jackwells4568]

Daniel Murray you clearly didn't listen, he said this one is nicely specced. Others aren't specced like that one.

[@conconr322]

Wats up with a golf ye divy any real mechanic stays away from renaults so what you on about clearly havnt got a clue

[@peterdmoore]

Brembos ,massive disks, wider tracking,wider bumpers ,Duel exhaust,much lower ,massive diffuser looks just like a 1.2 🤷

[@paulmorel2464]

@@jackwells4568 all is standard 197 only the cup spoiler is from the cup version

[@elianioriofarrell]

​@conconr322 real mechanics dont stay away from good renault models, this isn't the 90s anymore mate, and the golf is the most overrated and dull cars in existence, but i get it, you like to blend in with the other boring saps

[@danthatch999]

Hang on you said you didn't think the clio looked sporty but your bland silver gti is?

[@197rsF1]

dan thatcher true

[@robertjames2011]

I wouldn’t swap my loud, sporty 197 for that shitty golf. I have a cup 197 recaro bucket seats an scorpion exhaust and compared to that scrappy gti, well I need not say anymore!

[@goodnick5266]

@@robertjames2011 and only a couple of hundred cups out there mate!

[@robertjames2011]

goodnick true

[@k12rising]

Silver GTI is not bland at all. It looks classy and refined yet serious. The Clio just looks like a chavs toy.

[@xCHUNKx]

I love my 197, I love the cheap feel of the interior, love the way the recaros grab me and hold me in place, I love the fact that there's hardly any buttons on the dash, I love everything about the car, to own one you have to love it for what it is, a cheap track ready car, it will need work and maintaining well. It's definitely a chore to daily but would I have it any other way? Nah.

[@grgurvuckov946]

Totally right. And outside look is just way better!

[@alterateawful6709]

Clio just handels better on the track Even than the new GTIs Which failed the mosse test at 69 km/h

[@floobadoo]

Mark my words, this bloke will be huge!

[@blazeclarke]

We'll all sit here and await the growth 😉

[@ClaudiuB]

Because he is 0% nervous when filming! And has also some nice non-exagerated puns

[@andypower31]

This aged well

[@joshoprayy]

Well he’s disappeared

[@button27699]

These videos are so ridiculously high quality. I hope to see more from you man, for a small channel, you produce auch high quality content. You deserve more subs

[@JackScarlett1]

Hugely appreciate that mate, I'll keep them coming!

[@_Safusa_]

Yep nice video Jack! I own a Renault Clio RS Throphy 2017 myself :)

[@donblub]

Long Story short, clio is sporty and fun, a blast on a track or some winding roads. The gti is boring but comfy, refined and very very good as a daily.

[@3Perry92]

1:28 when he hits the famous Clio 197 flatspot... haha

[@Michel912Michel]

does someone know what is the exhaust fitted on that Clio? It sounds just perfect!

[@tomchambo]

Own a 200 at the moment the facelift of the 197 basically the same car. It's good fun to throw around country roads at weekend but definitely more of a chore to live with on a daily basis than a GTi would be. The way the gearbox is setup and the high RPM's mean when just doing regular driving you feel like you really have to get the revs up to keep up with normal traffic speed. Visually I think the 197/200 is a much better looking car than the mk5 GTi, the clio looks really wide/chunky in person with the flared arches and if you stick a set of coilovers on they can look really aggressive. The interior is dogshit compared to a VW though no one can argue over that. Plastic fantastic.

[@tusharbhat2367]

Why hasn't this dude reached a million subs !!! Amazing video!!

[@edwardioo2233]

Good video mate, keep it up! Remap the gti, will be a different car all together!

[@TopCarsTV]

Great vid! Funny, brief and to the point! Subscribed!

[@JackScarlett1]

Thanks bud, same to you!

[@mardon85]

Great delivery. Enjoyed this thanks! You deserve more followers.

[@jamiemarshall6260]

Renaultsport hot hatches in my opinion set the benchmark for what a hot hatch should be. I’ve had a few over the years and also had many German cars as daily hacks. I test drove a golf mk5 gti when it was new and it still is to this day the most underwhelming car I’ve ever driven. It’s a sensible well built German car but it’s no hot hatch. The diesel gt model felt like it packed more punch than the gti. Obviously this is all my opinion but if you’re in the market for a hot hatch you want something you can grab by the scruff of the neck and enjoy then most Renaultsports will do that without sacrificing too much practicality.

[@bharatmodi6712]

Totally agree.

[@mrmarrow8918]

Jack - 1st time viewer, and am very impressed!

[@JackScarlett1]

Thanks a lot mate, welcome aboard!

[@lewishunter6252]

Having being a 197 owner myself (albeit in a slightly better "sportier" colour) i do agree with some of what you've said, interiors are shit. 100%, no doubt about it. But they really are driver focused cars. The reason your GTi probably feels quicker is because of the torque, my friend recently picked up a red Mk5 GTi and we went for a bit of a hoon and I have to say I found myself lifting off when we were going for it because the Clio is that much more urgent than the golf and obviously slightly quicker, both good cars none the less 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@vintagerust7723]

Wow you guys are so lucky there in the UK. 2,800 pounds is a great bargain for a hot hatch!

[@kyleswanepoel1388]

I don't regret buying my Clio 197 one bit! It's one of the most enjoyable and rewarding drives I've ever had. For the money you pay, it's an absolute steal!!!

[@bentdog8917]

Just stumbled on this and glad I did. Well done. Hope you make it big.....realistically! 👍🏻 x

[@bentdog8917]

I subbed as well! 👍🏻 x

[@BleeCarswell]

Another great video! Makes me want a louder exhaust on my Clio 😂

[@robinmarples5198]

What the **** in France they are 10 000 euros minimum

[@Ty4ons]

RHD depreciates like crazy

[@stevenkilvington5617]

You can pick a high mileage one for about £1500 in the uk

[@SaphPea]

Woohoo your channel is getting all the love it deserves. Only way is up x

[@JackScarlett1]

Love saphsaph! ♥️

[@ladiesboy69]

You're like the love child of the 3 old Top Gear guys 😂

[@RobLaneYT]

Your up there with Ricky from LLF mate. Keep up the quality vids!

[@JackScarlett1]

High praise! Ricky is the man. Cheers for watching mate

[@jordanfarrell1996]

Sold my 197 For an 8P S3 last year (Similar to the GTI i suppose) 197 is an amazing car for the weekends and a head turner around Dublin, But daily city driving was a chore and lack of low down oomph, and long motorway journeys and the interior, and the list goes on... anyway. mapped 300hp S3 100% all round better purchase

[@scotthastings8845]

Jordan Farrell I’m between a 197/200 or the 1.6 Fiesta ST. (Different price brackets I know) the ST will no doubt be more economical when I need it to be and have more comfort features but I’m drawn back to the Clio for its proper go kart characteristics.

[@warwickstingray]

Your old lazy fart basically.

[@FEGTTTSDH]

Except when you need repair a S3, you can buy a 1/2 clio... German are very good, but somestimes the "overenginerring" is damm expensive when some things broken

[@goodnick5266]

True, where i live out in the sticks, never even been on a motorway, 197 cup does the biz for me ;)

[@derrickkoh468]

Very very entertaining. Rewatched all your vids a few times! Looking forward for more!

[@Know3ody]

Was looking for a new car and decided on a 1 series BMW coupe, golf gti, BMW 5 series m sport or a clio 197........ I went with the 197. Its not a normal 197 but it certainly is a fun one!!! NO REGRETS. Best few days of my life! 🤣

[@WalesGaming86]

Good God man, the RS wins any day. Unless you're an old man, then have your GTI.

[@mikesanders5433]

Great video man, my first video of yours and I’m impressed with your work. High quality. Subbed 👍

[@matto2k9]

Have owned both. Mk5 blows the clio away in just about every category apart from fun. Straightine golf has it but twisty roads I'd pick the clio everyday

[@goodnick5266]

And it's ALL twisty roads where i am, so it's my 197 cup everyday!! have also had Golfs ;)

[@biffon69]

A friend of mine had a mk5 and sold it after he drove a clio 182. Had it ever since. Now I’ve sold my megane 265 and bought a clio rs200

[@jaaackwebber6337]

Your going places on KZbin man, great videos ps I had a 197 and was the most fun car I've owned

[@JackScarlett1]

Thank you brother, really appreciate it

[@LorenzoClara97]

Clio rs3 waaaay batter driver's car

[@marcelk3847]

Slow

[@conconr322]

Clio is shit g

[@conconr322]

@@marcelk3847 truth

[@lostgps3005]

@@conconr322 Clio would win in the corners

[@conconr322]

@@lostgps3005 wed stick to the road more bro wen the clio ends up in a bush n you just see are rear lights it's not good are car is like 4 off them clio I wudnt touch renault anyways

[@BWTV]

Man for your 3rd video this is some incredible content

[@JackScarlett1]

Thanks man appreciate it. Got shoots with some sick cars scheduled for the new year!

[@ActionHeinz]

What do you want? A little quirky race car or a calm family hatch? Answer the question and you know which car you want even without driving them before.

[@JackScarlett1]

I don't agree. Yes the Clio is a quirky race car. But the GTI is much more than a calm family car

[@ActionHeinz]

Jack Scarlett Of cause you don’t... you defend your car and your decision. I’ve driven both, the Clio and the Golf. You just can not compare them. The Clio is so much more fun on twisty roads it’s more nimble and agile. The Golf is not a bad car, not at all. It’s the better car to live every day with. But when it comes to putting a smile on your face the Clio wins by miles...

[@jamie3499]

@@ActionHeinz unfortunately not many people will understand this, I completely agree.

[@letsdrivecars]

Absolutely spot on review! The Golf is way more civilised but the Clio offers a bit more sportiness and is a little bit more engaging. It's just a matter of personal preference. Also there's nothing wrong with my TASTEFUL spoiler thank you very much 😉

[@JackScarlett1]

😂😂 I was waiting for you to comment that. She's a beauty mate, thanks again for letting me have a spin 👊

[@paulmichael3844]

The interiors are shit comment made me nearly drop my phone 😂😂🤣

[@samvrs]

The 197 is my fave one 😍

[@christophersmith3703]

Nice review, but it isnt a like for like comparison. A more accurate comparison would be the Golf gti vs Megane Renaultsport, or the Clio vs the Polo GTi.

[@Jaredscott89]

it is when accounting for price and how they appeal. cheap fun hot hatches. Maybe when new your point would have been valid.

[@christophersmith3703]

I disagree, the cars are still different in terms of both price and the size class they are in.

[@goodnick5266]

@@christophersmith3703 Very true Chris!

[@FEGTTTSDH]

Yeap vw is quality inside especially panels fall down in every VAG I ever see

[@diavo009]

Loving your videos mate! Keep them coming!!

[@rydoo3705]

Good vid, keep up the good work !

[@Phil16Wales]

Awesome video, great review of both, but I had the total opposite view, because my Clio 200 isn't a daily 😉

[@goodnick5266]

Mines 'a daily' around the country lanes!! ;)

[@MilfMelons]

I’ll be happy to say I was one of your first 2 thousand subs

[@JackScarlett1]

That means a lot mate! New vid this week 👊

[@StakedWealth369]

The Clio all the time!

[@mngaweyapitman9991]

197 beautiful car. Go for the cup though. Standard isn't quite up to it. Look at the shocks. If they be got blue and Orange spots, it's a cup. Gets confusing because you can get a cup with the standard interior. If it's got red brembos, then good to go

[@Buck3366]

Personally I would use the GTI as a daily and the 197 as an ashtray.

[@goodnick5266]

Grow up moron.

[@samvrs]

I rlly want dat Renault 😍🔥

[@80sChild1987]

Another pro video, cheers pal.

[@simonhughes3406]

Brilliant video- as are all the others! Properly funny too.

[@aq2819]

Can’t get a better looking car in this class than my black RS 197… pity I was forced to scuff the shit out of one of my front rims to avoid a maniac on a roundabout changing 3 lanes in one go!

[@samvrs]

I rlly want the clio🔥🤤

[@samgillies9502]

Great vid, you got your gti for an absolute steal.. Hard to find any you actually want to buy sub £5k atm!

[@dct1]

When he describes the Clio’s interior 😂😂

[@alper694]

My brother in law had a GTI. It had like 265,000 kilometers on the clock, the engine broke down. Turns out the previous owner didn't change the oil at all.

[@JackScarlett1]

Yuuup that'd do it. RIP

[@alper694]

@@JackScarlett1 it happened in Turkey, he bought a new engine and changed some internals as well. He sold the car a few weeks ago and now drives a Volvo V40

[@rhysowen5595]

The only VW I've ever owned was a standard 1.2 Polo, and I currently own a 197, so here's my biased opinion; I prefer the 197. 100% agree on the interior, though, the center dash just ruins it all... It's also not that great as a daily... but still loads of fun, when it wants to be. Mine is in desperate need of some upgrades as well. Once I get those done, I imagine I'll love it 100x more.

[@jo23bulls]

Underrated channel. Subbed.

[@tedt7991]

In reality the Clio is not a Golf rival, it's the Megane 225/R26 which wipes the floor with it in every aspect.

[@JackScarlett1]

No doubt. Performance-wise the Mégane would smoke a GTI. Still French af interior-wise tho

[@imaadmalik7336]

love the R26, been tracking the prices on em for the past year or more.. they're not moving from around 5k

[@creman12]

Gti is my ride but I’d love to try the Renault, too bad I’m in Canada :/

[@ja390b]

Another nice video , keep it up ma dude

[@singre881]

This guy could save topgear

[@panz3r696]

I owned a clio renaultsport 200 and loved it more than my kids 🤣🤣🤣

[@goodnick5266]

iv'e got a 197 cup and i love it more than my wife and kids!

[@liammort757]

Whats the insurance like on these 197s

[@goodnick5266]

@@liammort757 CHEAP! ;)

[@paulhenson5847]

That looks like an Renaultsport R27 in which case it comes with the cup chassis, the recaros and the stickers the show that it's a limited edition model. If it feels soft, perhaps it's broken.

[@robertgodwin3701]

Was about to type the same. Assuming that is a genuine R27 it will 100% have the cup chassis!

[@jordanking9698]

I’ve just bought a GTI today couldn’t agree more.. I’ve had Clios and they are no where near as nice to drive as a Golf.. funny guy as well, keep up the good work 👍🏻

[@Alystas]

Fun Fact, in france (so where it was built) the clio is 10 ground more expensive... God France is absolutly depressing

[@malinkonia641]

Regarde en Suisse si t’en veux une

[@Alystas]

@@malinkonia641 Merci mais sI je voulais une caisse lourde, lente, laide, qui sous-vire à mort et tiens pas la route, j'en prendrait une fiable au moins

[@malinkonia641]

Oui des Audi il y en a toison ici aussi

[@gymbruh1824]

The Renault sport range has boring interior deliberately because it's a driving focused car with minimal distractions... Be it the 182,197 or the megane 225

[@jimbowhite8004]

Great video, my only negative is it's too short :) Subbed!

[@69bock69]

loved this vid, just subscribed

[@markferguson7918]

Who cares about interiors, surely grin factor is more important. The Renault sounds better, handles better, it's a pure drivers car. Golfs are for salesmen and old people. No brainier

[@Birmingham_racing]

Get a remap it will make it a lot quicker the clio

[@warwickstingray]

Your completely missing the point.

[@lewishunter6252]

Put a Mégane engine in the Clio, will make it much faster than the golf. Two can play at that game haha!

[@Birmingham_racing]

Lewis Hunter well obviously doing a full engine conversion is completely different to just getting a simple remap

[@yiannid10]

@@Birmingham_racing but if you want to go like for like, then yes, a Megane engine in the Clio is the comparison - considering the Clio competitor is a Polo which it absolutely wipes the floor of

[@Birmingham_racing]

Y D you seriously comparing a engine comparison to a remap?

[@chawenhalo0089]

love those 197/200 Clios. You made the right choice though, look at the RS fuel consumption. Last time I was in one it did 11L/100 km (my Z4M did 10.5...) something not quite right there...

[@maxdaniels4326]

great video as per

[@j_f_kyoushallnotbeforgotte2191]

His attempt at a beard cracks me up

[@pavlelukic9781]

lol it's not that bad

[@j_f_kyoushallnotbeforgotte2191]

@@pavlelukic9781 it's horrified, get his a shaver for Christmas

[@Buck3366]

We aren’t all beard Gods like your mother Paul

[@pauldodds8312]

I think when you say the clio is sportier i think what you mean is the clio is much fucking faster 😂

[@sammysev16]

Should try a megane sport as well! I used to own a 197, then a megane sport, then 182, now another megane sport, bit less annoying than the Clio on a daily basis and forced induction so you don’t need to drop a gear to actually move!

[@Marzaezone]

Made me laugh, you earned a sub😂

[@grandmadness9974]

What are your next plans for the channel??

[@markdyas7321]

A great video first time viewing I subscribed very good indeed.

[@7302ab]

style council with that cardigan

[@gjp8564]

Clio is awesome use to own 1.

[@vincezanon4843]

Rs 197 F1 team so beauty

[@jasonjay7650]

The golf gti Mk5 steering wheel is one of the best I've ever seen and felt. I just can't do french. My beko fridge draws have better quality plastic.

[@JAG0071877]

Mk6 is better, it is wrapped in leather. But the shape should be the same and they have the right size and feel to them

[@RizRazee_DB]

GTI looks much better than Clio even the interior of GTI looks high quality.

[@teeminger5111]

fanny

[@joshuaminke6629]

the exterior is better on the clio, and the interior is better on the golf

[@JN-qj9gf]

GTI's a better choice for 90% people. Clio's for people who would happily daily a sports car, but need a minimum level of practicality.

[@bobbob-gi1yp]

My friend you must think about the mazdas in the States they are practically direct competitors

[@jacksaville7862]

Jeremy Clarkson is a poor mans Jack Scarlett

[@TheDorinn]

I drive a golf mk5 gti, great cars but you forgot ti mention about turbo lag wich you can feel it, you dont get that in a normal aspirate engine. U mention that u drive most of the time in town, exactly where u can feel that turbo lag. While the clio just revs up. I had an 2.0 aspirated engine wich was much nice to drive then the turbo engine

[@leeg131313]

You’re testing a clio 197 and only revving till 6k ... the best of it is still to come !

[@joshuaminke6629]

yep, maximum power isnt achieved until you get over 7k

[@davidrowlands2172]

Another good video fair play. Suscribed +1 ; keep up the good work.

[@woody555kl]

Clio is better looking and much better drivers car but the golf is a better daily driver/compromise.

[@ryanfielding5136]

Having always been a Japanese car fan I recently had a MK1 Leon Cupra which h I absolutely hated, yes it was quick in a straight line and yes it was relatively well put together (apart from the rear door build quality issue where it would pool with water in the carpets) but for all that it had it never felt exciting to drive, I since bought a Celica T Sport after trying a Clip 197 as well which h is a fantastic car but I didn't like the seating position in the Clio and the slight issue of driving one on a test drive and some very bizarre noise coming straight through into the cabin (almost like a car alarm but not) Given the choice of the Golf or the Clio I'd say for long trips the Golf but if you enjoy driving and getting a sensation of fun when you're throwing a car around the Clio would walk it for me personally even if you have to overlook the build quality and electrical issues they sometimes have too 🙂

[@MzwandileHarmans]

Clio B segment hot hatch taking against C segment ? Nice

[@NB_NB_NB]

Handling of the Clio with the Golf engine

[@elianioriofarrell]

Or put a turbo on the renault engine

[@davidsanderson2960]

Yes.

[@danielfernandezgonzalez6746]

Well, I think that you should try the Mégane R.S. and not the Clio to compare with an Golf.

[@CarLifeUK]

Good review but the clio is way way more fun to drive.

[@Carlst17]

There is absolutely no way the clio produces 197/200bhp, at the time my brother had a clio gordini 197 and I had a corsa black edition 1.4T running 190bhp I fucking left him for dead even at speed the clio just couldn’t keep up, I also raced a liquid yellow 200 cup went sailing past him at 135 in a corsa! Yes the clio handles pretty good but the lack of speed is down right shite, now the 172 cup is a different game they are fast

[@jaycee6607]

Cool vid

[@JackScarlett1]

👊