I want a 16v clio and want to know what your opion is. Do I buy a standard one- which I havent found a single 1 yet!! or a modded one? Cheers, Sam
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Buying a Valver
- Thread starter samcourtney86
- Start date
I want a 16v clio and want to know what your opion is. Do I buy a standard one- which I havent found a single 1 yet!! or a modded one? Cheers, Sam
Was a Clio 1.8 16v
U defo want 1 that is original bodywork but if its been lowered properly, got a SS xorst, etc then its only a bonus over not having these things done.
The chances of finding one with MINT bodywork are very slim now.. (Altho, it does depend on your definition of mint)
They all rust on the arches (well, 95% of them..) and finding one which has been repaired properly.. is probably as slim as finding one which is mint in the first place.
I gave up.. so I got a Williams (basically the same things to look for when you buy one) which had rusty arches.. a few bodged bits of bodywork.. for the right price - at least then, you can get it fixed properly and know it doesnt look stupid and wont rust again!
Other things important, such as Service History - or at least receipts to show things have been done.. things like cambelt change is expensive.. so look for them to be done (they should all be done now.. every 5 years or 60k/72k depending who ya speak to! Evo say every 30k I think?!).
Erm, It really depends how picky you are.. I gave up looking for a ready mint one.. but then, Im mega picky..
Definetly look at a few tho.. and goto see them.. Some adverts for them make out they are mint, not a mark on them.. but when you get there, its a different story.
Personally, Id try and buy a standardish one.. bodywork wise anyway. Things like Exhaust, Filter etc.. would be ok.. they are easily changed if you want.
Good Luck!
yeah, agree with the above. Simple bolt-ons can always be taken off afterwards anyway, so if it has been decatted, chipd, zorst, filter then thats practically standard anyway by most peoples reckoning on here... mine too! Afterall these bolt ons are usually better quality than the original parts too.
If your based in the mids id be glad to show you round my 16v to see what to look for !!
When i was looking for my currant car (2nd) i was getting pissed off with travelling for miles to see these surposed "mint" cars to find out they were sheds. Dont assume that if its in for a high price then that will reflect condition. 16v prices seem to be all over the place at the minute. See as many as you can and inspect each car very carefully, look at everything. Any doubts, walk away. Mine was the best i saw and i think i paid over the odds for it, (but strangely didnt care), not to say my cars in any way "mint".
Incidently, mines up for sale july time if yer interested.
Check all the electrics - Windows, wipers, sunroof, central locking, bulbs, mirrors, switches the lot.
Electrics are always playing up on both Clios I have owned. (16v and 1.4rt)
Also check oil level - Valvas go through oil like no other, if its low then they dont know alot about their car and possibly havent maintained it as well as possible.
Gearbox is WELL expensive to replace as well as clutch so be very afraid if your not comfortable with that!
Dont try to be clever buy putting a magnet over the front as the archs are plastic!
Some times a modded car will be treated better than a standard A-B car - think about it, a modded car is owned by a car enthusiast who spends time and money on their car and probably isnt afraid to throw money at it. Where as some one who just drives to Asda each day might not bother getting anything done to it!
Make your mind up if you like the Phase 1 or Phase 2 best - I bought a phase 1 and have since changed most of it to phase 2 spec and I think alot of other people have too!
The Jinx
My tip is to go for a slightly higher mileage example that comes with lots of receipts/history, like I did. Youll pay a couple of grand less for a car which is probably only 1-2yrs older than those in the £3k+ bracket.
Mine had already had cambelt, re-con head, new clutch, new g/box and I only paid £1400.
Ive since shelled out about £6-800 on a new steering column, clutch cable and all new alarm/immobiliser and a few other minor bits and bobs.
mines completely standard !
i will never mod it either (it has a stereo but thats it)
it took me 2 months to find & its got grey leather, there are some pics some where of it.
the buying guide is pretty good on here, or failing that Ben H has a massive article with lots of detail in (its on here some where) if you do a search you should find it.
Travelled from Huddersfield all the way to london for mine and its the first one i looked at and i bought it.
I couldnt find a spot of rust plus the guy drove like a grandad. There was a hole in the exhaust but it didnt matter because i was getting a custom one fitted. The power steering belt was slipping and the fella thought it needed a new drive shaft so with those two points alone i knocked him down from 2000 to 1450 i was well chuffed (and not in the dirty way).
Id have payed 2000 hahaha laughing all the way to the bank. I sold the alloys and the stereo that was in the car so i suppose it cost me even less.
There are decent cars out there but you might have to make a bit of effort
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