Buying a ph1 172 - will I like it?

[ThereIsOnlyMe]

For various reasons I need to free up some of the cash that's in my current car.

I'm probably going to px it tomorrow for a phase 1 172 that I've found locally. It's got full Renault service history, all it's mot certs, and under 30K miles.

I haven't driven it yet, but I spent some time looking over it last weekend, and it looks like a tidy straight-up car that could be a minter with a little bit of TLC.

Sounds good huh? Part of me is quite excited.

The only trouble is, the car I'm px'ing is my mk2 Focus ST, which is by far and away the best car I've ever owned. It ticks every box for me, and I'm worried that I'm going to be disappointed with the Clio especially if it feels like it's struggling for torque after the 2.5t in the Focus. I've always had torque-y cars rather than rev'y ones, and I'm not sure if I'm going to like it.

nuts.

Please help to put my mind at ease and tell me about all the things to love in 172 land.

 

[Will.]

http://www.cliosport.net/forum/show...172-20-000miles-ON-THE-CLOCK-BE-QUICK-%A32995

It's not that one is it?

 

[recaro182]

Hi mate, I think this is the car I just posted about in my thread....

http://www.cliosport.net/forum/show...s-anyone-know-anything-about-this-Phase-1-172

If so, you might be out of luck i'm afriad!

 

[Tony Hunter]

You get what you pay for.

 

[imprezaworks]

Waits for response......................................

Dan

 

[marinemackay2003]

One way to put your mind at rest is..... Go out and drive it

That way you will know for certain instead of others opinions ect

P/x or buying without driving it is crazy might look good on outside, could drive like a melted marsh Mallow

 

[ThereIsOnlyMe]

That's the one, I'm pretty sure it's the only one they've got.

Any idea what's happened to the front bumper? The off-side front corner had massive gaps to the rest of the car when I saw it, although it seemed to be attached.

Anyway regardless of that particular car, my question still stands...

 

[bedford8256]

mines for sale

 

[Poopensharten]

There will be no dissapointment tbh.

The lack of torque is made up with the fun factor of throwing the Clio about. Focus ST's are great cars but in my opinion only "quicker" on paper.

Any experience i have had of any there has been little difference between them.

Bear in mind that the bhp/ton is higher on the Phase 1 172 than it is on the Focus

Torque may win races but does it put a smile on your face?

 

[ThereIsOnlyMe]

Bedford... doesn't look like a ph1 in your avatar?

What's the spec / price?

 

[ThereIsOnlyMe]

recaro182... I've just spoken to the dealer, sounds like you've got yourself a new car.

Congrats.

 

[Poopensharten]

Ouch! Keep looking mate, there are plenty of others available!

 

[recaro182]

recaro182... I've just spoken to the dealer, sounds like you've got yourself a new car.
Congrats.

Thanks. I knew I had to be quick with this one if it was as mint as it sounded. Sent my dad over to test drive it as out the country at the moment, said it felt very good. Full history as you said and in good condition inside and out.

Will be my new track car project plus a second car as a daily driver, very excited!

Keep looking there are some good ones out there

 

[bedford8256]

click on my profile and see my threads its listed on here, odyssey blue 172, cheers

 

[ThereIsOnlyMe]

Danny_172,

Cool. Thanks for that. I'm not particularly fussed about which is quickest to be honest. I learnt a long time ago that the nut that holds the wheel makes the biggest difference .

I guess it's just a different style of driving, and maybe I've become a little lazy with a string of large capacity & turbo cars.

There are so many people that love 1*2's they can't all be wrong, right? Mind you, saying that there are loads of people that love v-tec's too :rasp:.

Re this car... it looked like a peach, and there are lots out there that seem to be dogs, but the dealer was offering me less for the ST than WeByAnyCar, so I guess every cloud has a silver lining huh.

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

Mine had plenty of torque. Would pull happily from 1500RPM in 5th with no struggle. Just needs a set of matched inlets (and preferably a decent s/s exhaust and panel filter). Mine pulled away (just) from my mates ST2 in 2nd .. ;-)

 

[Terry172]

That's the one, I'm pretty sure it's the only one they've got.

Any idea what's happened to the front bumper? The off-side front corner had massive gaps to the rest of the car when I saw it, although it seemed to be attached.

Anyway regardless of that particular car, my question still stands...

The gaps in the front bumper just under the headlights are common mate as it's just a poor fit by Renault but sometimes the bumper can need adjusting toreduce the gaps and get it sitting right

You will enjoy the PH1 ........saying that though my one may be up for sale soon due to cutting back on costs and only running one car but I really hope not as they are fun!!

 

[R-Sport.]

PLLEAASEEEEEEEEEE Check the VOSA mileage checker from the V5 log book serial number & the reg before you buy it!!!!!!!!!

http://motinfo.direct.gov.uk/internet/jsp/ECHID-Internet-History-Request.jsp


S

 

[recaro182]

PLLEAASEEEEEEEEEE Check the VOSA mileage checker from the V5 log book serial number & the reg before you buy it!!!!!!!!!

http://motinfo.direct.gov.uk/internet/jsp/ECHID-Internet-History-Request.jsp


S

Steve would you recommend doing this even if every single MOT certificate is in the paperwork?

 

[R-Sport.]

well-

If we are referring to the 20k one thats been discussed there isnt any mot's--

If its another car then I would say check that page because it will list all the failures --- often you only get the green front sheet on historic MOT's-

S

 

[recaro182]

It's not the 20K ebay one. It is at a dealer in Sussex and has all MOTs and full service history. The dealer has said he knew the previous owner as dealt with him in the past. I have a good feeling about it, but may check just for peace of mind. Thanks.

 

[Poopensharten]

Danny_172,

Cool. Thanks for that. I'm not particularly fussed about which is quickest to be honest. I learnt a long time ago that the nut that holds the wheel makes the biggest difference .

I guess it's just a different style of driving, and maybe I've become a little lazy with a string of large capacity & turbo cars.

There are so many people that love 1*2's they can't all be wrong, right? Mind you, saying that there are loads of people that love v-tec's too :rasp:.

Re this car... it looked like a peach, and there are lots out there that seem to be dogs, but the dealer was offering me less for the ST than WeByAnyCar, so I guess every cloud has a silver lining huh.

They are superb mate, the one thing you will notice is the fuel consumption coming from the ST.

Although the cabin may not be as nice a place to sit, it is very much a great tool for the job!

Best of luck!