Pay more for a Trophy and then pay some more to have the Sachs suspension rebuilt (if the previous owner hasn't had it done already).
Then pay some more again and have fitted: braided brake lines, Mobil 5.1 brake fluid, Mintex 1144 pads and Brembo High Carbon discs (assumming the owner hasn't already got these items fitted).
Then pay a little more again and get fresh tyres all round - the Trophy seems to prefer new rubber (again, assuming the previous owner hasn't had the tyres changed in a while or they're near the 1.6mm limit).
Or just look for a Trophy with all (or most) of the above already done.
if you've limited driving experience then few (you may) will appreciate the handling, 172 cup and a few choice mods will outstrip most cars on a b road but the T a different level again, although for similar money you can now pick up early elises....
I prefer the way the Trophy looks & understand the step up from the 182 Cup. Its just a question of whether to pat £2k ish more to get a Trophy, I like the idea of 'having something abit different & special'
My mate has a Clio Williams so i do have some experience with the Renaultsports.