Have Trophys lost their appeal?

[Cue]

before there's anymore..... Trophy is good on track - it was designed to be a b-road blaster though, it's about as quick point to point as any car on the planet on a b-road.

Track work is not it's specialism, but it's still capable. All Clarki said was that it's more likely to have been tracked, which I would like to diasgree with but if you look at the percentage of 182's that have seen track action against the percentage of Trophy's that have the Trophy would be a higher figure so I doubt I could argue it for long.

Either way the main issue most people will have with a trophy is the same issue most specialist cars have, unless you know all about them they don't seem special.

How many drivers will be able to tell the difference between a good handling car and a poor handling one? My dad, who has 000's more miles under his belt than me still thinks his LS430 handles well when it's 'sport' button is pressed ffs.

It's competion is more likely to be an open top roadster than say a saxo, golf, mini (hyb found this out!)

 

[artdealer]

Below from the original press release, but it was designed to be optimal on road and track "using race car technology"

Overall, these chassis modifications give the Trophy much improved damping control at all speeds, improved traction and reduced body movements (roll and pitch). This is particularly noticeable on poor quality roads i.e. typical English B roads

 

[pacey]

i'm still amazed more people don't know what one is.

Me too ! just about sick of explaining to people what they are etc :?

 

[Guest]

If anyone asks what I drive I just say a 'Renault Clio'. Much easier than explaining, I don't sound like an anorak-wearing moron and it's a thousand times less vulgar than saying, 'Oh, I drive a RenaultSport Clio 182 Trophy; it has Sachs Racing dampers and Recaro sports seats, don't you know!'

 

[Not a Diesel]

I was considering buying a Trophy a couple of months back but decided to get a brabus smart roadster coupe. Will probably get clio in a year/18 months. Felt it more critical to get the smart when it was new & under warranty.

I'll be happy enough nuying a 3 year old 30k Clio without warranty as I wont feel obligated to get it serviced at main dealers.

I too have been brainwashed by Evo.

Ultimately Evo & Performance Car before have branded many cars King Hot Hatch & Giant Killer, B Road Champ such as Pug 205 GTI, Williams, Pug GTI-6/ Rallye. All French and all depreciated at similar rate to mainstream.

Also a factor is they replaced it (with a car that you may not think is as good) and its a brave man that pays £12k for a 55 plate Trophy vs a 56 plate 197. Cars like Corrado VR6 Storm which were a classic & never replaced hold up better.

Just the thoughts of a non owner and potential buyer.

 

[Steve]

I didn't get a Trophy because of it's residuals though. It's nice that they're holding up OK but TBH if it was suddenly worth nothing, it's only £13K depreciation which is less than a lot of performance cars in 13 months! It would just mean I was forced to keep it, oh no, wouldn't that be terrible.

A guy at work has a Smart Roadster, I think they're great (apart from the three spoke wheels-they play havoc with my OCD) but I'd never fit into one so it's not an option for me. How are you finding it?

 

[hoolio]

Sorry but this has been annoying me for days. The Trophy was/is a niche car that will appeal to only a few, it's red, to all intents and purposes it's a two seater that is not all that comfortable for the front seat passenger, it has no boot space to speak of especially if you carry a spare wheel, it only has afew of the toys of the FF, it will not be comfortable for most on the motorway, personally i feel safer doing 90 on a b road, it seems to "need" the input. And the only time anybody else realises it's special is when they follow me into a corner and come out a hundred yards behind eating my dust.
I really love my car, but i'm a single old guy, it's just not practical for most.

 

[DaveTrophy]

Sorry but this has been annoying me for days. The Trophy was/is a niche car that will appeal to only a few, it's red, to all intents and purposes it's a two seater that is not all that comfortable for the front seat passenger, it has no boot space to speak of especially if you carry a spare wheel, it only has afew of the toys of the FF, it will not be comfortable for most on the motorway, personally i feel safer doing 90 on a b road, it seems to "need" the input. And the only time anybody else realises it's special is when they follow me into a corner and come out a hundred yards behind eating my dust.
I really love my car, but i'm a single old guy, it's just not practical for most.

That pretty much sums it up for me too.

 

[artdealer]

Yesterday due to no interest after a month I traded a Clio 197 in a good colour with 4500m - even though there's only a few available new. An hour later I took an order on a used Trophy. Says it all really.

 

[Steve]

Says it all really.

Just thought I'd reiterate this. Niche car it may be, but it's still a damn site more desirable than a 197 to the average driving enthusiast. I'm so used to the speed of the Trophy now, a 197 must feel really slow after a while.

 

[Olliev8]

After paying 11k for 216, if the depreciation in 13months was that total value i would be little upset to start with, but as i'm not looking to sell it for atleast a few years (and if all goes weel i never will) i wouldn't be to fussed.

i love it and don't want anything else!!!

 

[trophy176]

Here here olliev8!!

Dont sell em keep em forever!

My get 176/500 tatooed on my arm!!

All my mates didn't realise how much of a spotter/anorak/car nut until recently. They were all confused why I had changed from 172 to 182 and what was this strange writing on side saying TROPHY!

One friend even siad did you just fancy a differrent colour? I try to explain what the trophy is and bla bla bla. No one gets it though!! So I just hit my favourite bit of B road and forget about the rest.

 

[AWESOM-O 4000]

Hey 176, i've got 177, and it ain't ever getting sold!!

Can't think of a better small second car when I need one and for the moment, in central London, nothing is as much fun with as much practicality!

I think there might be a lul in the market because it's getting to summer so people are thinking about other things, plus there is loads of choice for newer cars, and the money is not all that different to one of our tomie's

WIll be gutted if I have to get rid, but hope to just get a bigger car and keep it forever!

 

[trophy176]

Saw a 55 integra today and also seen allvehicles are selling - I do like the look of them and the stats but the Trophy is a keeper. And I think in terms of real life practical car it cant be beaten Newcastle is nothing like London but it is easy to cut through traffic. My only other vice is a bike!!

Decided tonight I am going to do week road trip to Monaco in Trophy after watching top gear when they went to Oslo.