Ok, I have owned my 172 for 3 years and have covered almost exactly 30,000 miles in that time so thought it maybe interesting to discuss the actual running costs, as I keep all receipts even a petrol book, sad I know, but it does give you an idea both for existing owners and potential new ones...
So....bought it at 18 months old with 10,500 miles on the clock, the first service having been completed. Absolutely mint, lady owner and totally standard.
The only mods I have done since then are cliosport and Nurburgring stickers, a cat back K-Tec SS recessed exhaust (following 2 standard replacements under warranty ), Nokia car kit, personal plate and Alpine iPod head unit. All undoable if wanted in the future, but I feel a subtle combo.
Petrol -
30,000 miles - £3765 equting to 35mpg over the 3 years
Servicing -
The 24k was done at Renault whilst in warranty - £213
The 36k was done at 35k by Rentech inc cambelt and aux, also included new front discs and pads - £775
Sundries -
6 new conti's, new to the back each time - £420
Wiper blades - £30, Renault - doh!
Tax - £180 per annum, to £205 this year
MOT - 2 so far, £27 each, sailed through both.
Battery - £55 following the trip resetting saga - fixed that!
All in all, I cannot fault this car, I have owned cheaper and more expensive cars (by purchase price), and they have all cost me more than this car costs to run!
Add in the pleasure of this forum, the subtly of the car, and not massive depreciation, only another Lotus Elise will get me out of this one I reckon.
Anyway, hope this is of use to people.
Piers
So....bought it at 18 months old with 10,500 miles on the clock, the first service having been completed. Absolutely mint, lady owner and totally standard.
The only mods I have done since then are cliosport and Nurburgring stickers, a cat back K-Tec SS recessed exhaust (following 2 standard replacements under warranty ), Nokia car kit, personal plate and Alpine iPod head unit. All undoable if wanted in the future, but I feel a subtle combo.
Petrol -
30,000 miles - £3765 equting to 35mpg over the 3 years
Servicing -
The 24k was done at Renault whilst in warranty - £213
The 36k was done at 35k by Rentech inc cambelt and aux, also included new front discs and pads - £775
Sundries -
6 new conti's, new to the back each time - £420
Wiper blades - £30, Renault - doh!
Tax - £180 per annum, to £205 this year
MOT - 2 so far, £27 each, sailed through both.
Battery - £55 following the trip resetting saga - fixed that!
All in all, I cannot fault this car, I have owned cheaper and more expensive cars (by purchase price), and they have all cost me more than this car costs to run!
Add in the pleasure of this forum, the subtly of the car, and not massive depreciation, only another Lotus Elise will get me out of this one I reckon.
Anyway, hope this is of use to people.
Piers
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