Carry on or move on?

[DomP182]

I'm in a bit of a quandary over my Flame red 172 since watching @RustyMojo do the bold thing in buying a cleaner example rather than keep throwing cash at a rough car.

I've been blindly plugging away getting the rear beam and all the underside stripped back and rust treated while the bodywork is actually a bit rough. It runs well but I think to get the cosmetics how I want it will require a fair bit of paint.

What do you all think I should do as I'm at a real turning point where I could easily just jack it all in. I could do a walk around video to give a better idea of the state of play.

 

[gez 172]

If your at that stage where your questioning yourself, it’s time to throw the towel in.

 

[chris blue]

If its got an MOT and is a good runner, why not just use it? - theyre great fun as I'm sure you know

Not every Clio can look the business- just so long as its safe

If its a project and u r fed up, then walk away.

 

[DomP182]

Yeah it runs fine, passed the mot with no advisories just the paint bugs me along with leaking box. I think a visit to a few body shops for some realistic quotes might be my best course of action, then make a decision.

The turinis look ace!😆

 

[dann2707]

If you want to sell it let me know 😘

 

[RustyMojo]

Bold? I’m not so sure mate. The fact yours has an MOT means you can at least enjoy it.. I was some way off with that. Work and life is becoming fairly all absorbing at the moment. My clio was a great release from Furloughed life and I genuinely believe it has helped keep a semblance of sanity. However the realisation now was that I was getting deeper and deeper into something, my OCD won’t allow me to make something ‘do’ it’s been some years since I owned an older car for enjoyment. So comparing it to my 3 year old BMW just compounded the issue. If it was MOT’d I would have carried on and used it as well as nibbling away at it.
In your shoes I would absolutely use the car and get some quotations to make the paint work right. I think if you could walk out to work on the car and it look ‘mint’ the other small jobs just become easier and more satisfying. Mine needs someone who is happy to get the car MOT able then run it as a going concern. I hope mine goes to someone who is going to continue where I left it, but I suspect it will be broken for parts. Which is a shame. Really I should do it myself. But I don’t have engine cranes, space or time

 

[DomP182]

Here's a little walk round video of it in uncleaned condition, I think it makes it look better than it is. There drivers side has a rippled dent in the rear quarter and the doors have chips that I've touched in on the opening edge. Other than that it needs a bonnet and the front bumper needs a respray.

 

[RustyMojo]

To be honest mate I think it looks lovely!

 

[RacingBeaut]

Better the devil you know. If you get another, the paintwork/body may be nicer, but you’ll have the same underside prep to do probably or at least you’ll want to after doing it on that one. And for the sake of that you could just get the current ones body tidied up perhaps

 

[Paulie031]

Car looks tidy, don't forget it is 18 years old 🙂 question is would you be more precious of one in better condition than yours? Like other have said I'd just use it and get some enjoyment out of it, always liked the flame red

 

[DomP182]

It really isnt that tidy if you saw it in up close but I appreciate your comments though, I may be better off getting the bonnet and bumper done and a few bits of correction.

 

[R-Sport.]

Looks identical to my old flamer.

 

[ajracer]

That's a lovely looking car mate considering it's age.
All the Bodywork faults are usual for any car that's used regularly and more than 5 years old.
I'd enjoy the car and if funds allow sort the paintwork out along the way.
Buying a mint example or turning your car into a pristine garage queen will give you a whole new set of worries as you won't want to drive it through fear of adding mileage or getting it dirty.

 

[Bankrupt_drunk]

I'm in a similar-ish position. I bought a cheap, silver 172 as a fun town car, runabout and possible track car so i wanted something cheap. I found a car with a great service history, but crunchy gearbox and rough bodywork. I sorted the gearbox, then did the wishbones, engine mounts, steering rack bushes, ARB bushes replaced the suspension and lots of other bits and pieces. If i add up everything i spent i could have bought a really nice example with better bodywork.

 

[DomP182]

Looks identical to my old flamer.

It was yours that made me want a flamer!

It's just a shame it fades a bit with age

 

[DomP182]

I'm in a similar-ish position. I bought a cheap, silver 172 as a fun town car, runabout and possible track car so i wanted something cheap. I found a car with a great service history, but crunchy gearbox and rough bodywork. I sorted the gearbox, then did the wishbones, engine mounts, steering rack bushes, ARB bushes replaced the suspension and lots of other bits and pieces. If i add up everything i spent i could have bought a really nice example with better bodywork.

That's mine to a T, bought it for £1400 and have slowly spent far more than that on it in nearly 2 years. I think I love it too much even with its flaws really

 

[Amos91]

I wouldn't worry about it mate, mine is far from perfect but looks good from a few feet. Just enjoy driving it and knowing underneath it's spot on, end of the day it's an old Clio.

 

[Bankrupt_drunk]

That's mine to a T, bought it for £1400 and have slowly spent far more than that on it in nearly 2 years. I think I love it too much even with its flaws really

The way i look at it, it's a hobby and cheaper than golf. I've got freinds that have spent far more on pushbikes.
While the bits are not that expensive, bodywork gets pricey very quickly.

 

[Clio_fool]

I'm definatly with the majority here, keep it because swapping for another could be opening a can of worms but also because its flame red and they are pretty rare. If the only thing you're unhappy with is the paint then get some quotes and make that the next mod you save up for.

 

[RustyMojo]

I would definitely get some quotes for the paint to be rectified if it’s worrying you. At least you know then exactly how much you need to spend. It may suprise you.

 

[Clio_fool]

Yeah, apparently half a PB can be painted for £200 so you'll get your whole car done for £37.50 I reckon 😂😂.

 

[DomP182]

Thanks chaps I feel better now!

 

[Ed Hodson]

If your car is good mechanically, I’d keep it and as others have said, consider getting some bodywork done when funds allow.

Mine is mechanically great, but the bonnet and front bumper let it down (rest of the bodywork is generally brilliant). I’d really like to get the bonnet and bumper done... but I keep stopping myself (reluctantly), because at the end of the day, it’s a car to enjoy and drive instead of being a garage queen, even though I have a tendency to want to make everything factory perfect.

 

[R-Sport.]

It was yours that made me want a flamer!

It's just a shame it fades a bit with age

tough choice

 

[DomP182]

tough choice

View attachment 1491651
View attachment 1491652

Oh Steve! If only my bonnet was as straight as that and my bumper as shiny 😫.

Respray in order!

 

[Rob_Willow]

That looks tidy enough for a 2002 plate mate. I tend to get carried away Repairing defects, but they’re rising in price so just enjoy it!

 

[botfch]

If it’s a daily I’d probably throw in the towel and buy something newer.

If it’s a toy then I’d keep it up with the maintenance on serviceable items while squareing some money away in an account to give it a refurb/restoration at some point in the future.

 

[Miguel Wilson]

It's in better condition than mine and I wouldn't dream of parting with mine .

 

[DomP182]

If it’s a daily I’d probably throw in the towel and buy something newer.

If it’s a toy then I’d keep it up with the maintenance on serviceable items while squareing some money away in an account to give it a refurb/restoration at some point in the future.

It's a toy mate, I'm very much siding with keep it and save for a new bonnet and freshen the paint up. It's also only done 89k so relatively low mileage really.

 

[MRBILLYUK]

It's a toy mate, I'm very much siding with keep it and save for a new bonnet and freshen the paint up. It's also only done 89k so relatively low mileage really.

My 182 is mechanically sound but most panels have a small scratch or dent. It used to piss me off when it was only a couple of years old but now I find there's no point caring anymore. Most have probably been done on car parks, with car doors and trolleys. I used to park miles from anyone else but some fcukin dullard always seemed to park next to me.
I've had dents taken out , got it looking good again only for the dents to return
The premium bonnets on ECP are supposed to be good quaity from what I've heard. Get a good discount code and it makes them quite cheap.

By the sounds of it id keep what you have and like others say just do bits to make it look better cosmetically.

 

[DomP182]

@MRBILLYUK I was just looking the premium bonnets on ECP funnily enough, about £160ish with discount but I think on a good weekend might be a fair bit less.