Brand new subbed member, but I don't own a Clio yet!

[alexdodd]

Been without a car for a year, but this is no sob story. I live centrally in Edinburgh and commute to work by bike (but i'm not part of the lycra brigade). From where I live it's much much much easier and cheaper without even counting the cost and hassle of parking if I cycle round most parts of Edinburgh.

That being said there are still many moments when I wish I hadn't sold my car, and 1 year on i'm finally cracking. Now i've never owned a Clio nor even a Renault before in my life. But after doing research on and off and given my budget and what I'll need a car for a Clio 172 seems absolutely perfect for me!

Basically i'll be doing the odd bit of commuting long distance because lets face it at short notice the train is silly expensive compared to driving. Otherwise the car will be used for just social pootling about and my mountain bike trips. I miss most of all being able to throw my bike on the back of a car and go MTB somewhere cool.

I want a car that's fun to drive, yet relatively pain free and cheap/economical (I'm not made of money unfortunately). First I was thinking Focus ST170, or maybe a Golf, but in reality I think the Clio 172 suits everything better

I've paid so I can read around the Buyer's Guides and Servicing threads that seem to be well worth the year sub already!

I wasn't sure if I should post this in General or here as I don't know how many people will read the "New Forum", but based on a really tight budget of 2k tops but realistically would rather spend 1.5k is it possible to get a decent enough 172 for that? Or am I dreaming/stretching? Ideally I'd like the ESP and Climate thrown in, and assuming at this price the car is old enough that the Cambelt/Big Service *should* have already been covered right?

Is it just a case of sitting tight and waiting waiting waiting. So far i'm checking AT, PH, eBay on and off.

Major limiting factor is lack of car right now means I can't really travel anywhere easily at short notice. So i'm not in the position to travel 200miles to get the perfect car, do you think that will severely limit me?

What should I be expecting for £1.5k? Should I even be aiming at the 172, or should I suck it up and just go buy a standard Clio?

 

[Tom]

Welcome to the club, alexdodd!

 

[alexdodd]

Jesus that was quick! Cheers man Hopefully you all do me proud, still waiting for me stuff in the post, although a tax holder isn't quite what I need right now

 

[theduck]

I picked up a ph1 172 with full documented history including cambelt change for £1200 and tbh I was desperate to get a car and it was a tidy example. If I hopped a but harder I may have got similar for a bit less. Definitely find a good 172 at £1500.

 

[alexdodd]

That's nice to hear! So far most i've seen that I thought sounded OK where much closer to £2000. I guess I'll just hang on. A £1500 clean looked after 172 with a good history would be my dream!

 

[Gally]

Welcome to the forum, spend some time on here and enjoy. Full of knowledge about pretty much anything.

Do you know the difference with the PH1 and 2 chap? I actually stay in West Lothian so not far away, i'm in Edinburgh a lot, superb city.

You'll definitely get a tidy PH1 172 for £1500 or less, not sure if Symon's is for sale yet. Titanium Silver is a superb colour, a tad common but a lovely Silver. I do like Black but couldn't live with cleaning it!

 

[alexdodd]

After reading around I'm not entirely sure about the differences, I can Ph1 came with a CD changer as standard and has a different front end I can see. What are the major reasons I want a Ph1 over a Ph2?! Ph1 seemed like quite a short run comparatively and Ph2 just put a bit of weight on?

Found this thread which is helpful but I don't see why I wouldn't go for a Ph2 as well? Unless I can't afford that (but it seems I can!?).

 

[mitch1503]

keep your eyes on the cars for sale section aswel mate... WELCOME to the club though

 

[theduck]

Ph2 is slightly softer and has traction control and fly by wire throttle rather than cable and just a nicer place to sit. I would but the best car I can find for the money history and condition wise and forget about whether it's a ph1 or ph2.

 

[alexdodd]

Tbh that what I was going to do, I'm happy with either/or, it just depends on the condition, didn't actually think to check the sales section here, good call!

 

[Scrooge]

Welcome

 

[Dunx90]

Welcome, my 172 is for sale (from Dundee)

 

[alexdodd]

Welcome, my 172 is for sale (from Dundee)

Haha, nice example but just above what I'm willing to spend unfortunately. Although you are helpfully close!

 

[alexdodd]

This is interestingly cheap, no? Ad is A LITTLE ANNOYING, but could be worth a look right? Shame I have no real reason to be in Halifax! Knock 10-15% off and we're looking at a sensible figure yeah?

Read the threads but I forget what i'd be looking out for on high mileage-ers, steering wheel wear is common right, washers tend to pack up, what else?

 

[Rhauri]

I just bought a Flame Red 172 - Phase 2 (see this thread) which was in your budget, but I'll need to spend and extra £600 on it getting the major cambelt service with all the extras done. Given that the body work and interior are in super condition, stacks of receipts, decent mileage and low owners I feel like I've done well.

If you're happy with slightly higher mileage than mine, and silver, you're in a good position to get yourself a good 172 with decent history and belts done with a bit of life left on them for under £2000 for a Phase 2 172. Better still, if you're happy with a Phase 2 172 Cup, they're a tad cheaper and the cambelt & aux belt service is considerably cheaper should you find a good car that needs it doing.

If you're unsure of the differences between the Phase 2 models, check this out: http://www.cliosport.net/content/guides/Renault Sport Clio Guide.pdf

Personally, I always prefer to buy privately when it comes to specialist cars like this, proud owners will always sell their cars privately. Thats not to say good ones can't be found through dealers though, as more affluent owners who don't mind loosing out when Part Ex'ing a car will too probably keep onto of the service history and condition - low owners is usually a good initial indicator to a well looked after car which that one in Halifax seems to have.

Give them a call and have an extensive conversation with them about the bills, receipts - you want to hear the book has been stamped every year with each (if not most of the latest) service backed up with an invoice detailing what was done. You also want to talk about the physical condition of the car, paint work, interior and how it feels on a drive on the road.

Further to that. key questions are:

- Date & mileage of last Cam belt & aux belt Change?
· Who conducted the last change and is there a receipt to back it up?
- Last Oil Change?
- Electrics - Any warning lights on the dash? Any other electrical faults throughout the car? Central Locking working?
- Any Dampers / Suspension Issues?
- Crash Damaged - Any evidence of rust or deformation under the boot carpet? / Recorded as Write Off?
- Engine Mounts - Any significant engine movement/knocking under load/driving?
- Exhaust condition - Rattles, knocks or blowing?
- Washer Jets work?
- Gearbox feel and condition?
- Clutch feel and condition?
- Two keys with the car?
- Locking wheel nuts?
- Interior rattles & squeaks?
- Steering wheel condition?

If everything above sounds okay, its worth a look for sure. If possible, even take the cash you're willing to pay for it should the car be as you want it... gives you great bargaining power with the old, 'I'll drive it home right now'.

Hope that helps for now!