Choose me a Clio....

[da_murphster]

Noob here, howdy forum!

Looks like a garage has blown up my Alfa so after a new car. I was toying between 172 and CTR but the extra cost of a CTR and the mpg I'm struggling to justify it.

I have a flexible budget of between £2.5k and £4kish but this is to be my 'sensible' day and the less I spend the more I will have to do up my TVR.

Key things I'm looking for:
Build Quality and reliability - is a clio for me? I need a simple time with this car (the Alfa has been a real pain!) The TVR takes a lot of time (and money) so this car must be simple to own.
Residuals – I hate loosing money on cars so something likely to hold its value or that has already lost it is good.
Sensible mpg – above 30mpg as my missis will sometimes be bashing this up the motorway 100 miles a day.
Fun – B-road fun, drives to N Wales, Evo triangle etc – unlikely I will take it on the track.
Air-con – not sure – nice to have but I rarely use it in any of my cars.
ABS – again nice to have but my Alfa and TVR do without and I survive!


So what to go for? I test drove a 172 cup and was very impressed but the seats were awful – was considering one of these and changing the seats to normal 172.

I see there are lots of FF (been lurking and got your ‘ling) 172 on AT for under £3, many with sensible mileage. I’m very tempted by these but was wondering if I’m, better to spend a bit more and get 182 or 172 cup.

Do any versions have problems or are any version better/worse build quality? How well do these cars hold higher mileages?

In my head I’m thinking a lower mileage, non write off, early 172 – reckon I’m right?

Hints/tips/suggestions appreciated.

 

[Marky_]

Welcome

Sounds like the 172 cup would suit you best.

182s are possibly just out of budget for decent one, although the prices have plummeted. 182s are at that age where money need putting into them now as well (cam belts etc).

There's not much difference in terms of build quality etc between them. All come from the same factory. If you're not too bothered about AC/ESP then there's not much point in getting a non cup 172. Residuals - obviously the newer the car the more you'll lose.

Find a cup with the belts done and buy some buckets. Jobs a good 'un

 

[Tyler UK]

172 cup with new seats and put them in lower while you're doing it and you'll be sorted.

The 172 cup is cheaper to maintain than most as well due to the belts being easier to change and you haven't gotta worry about getting air con regassed etc. It's also the quickest of the lot.

High mileage isn't an issue, there should be loads around with about 60k miles on that should be great, 60k would be average as well for a 5 year old car.

With your budget, that's what I'd do.

 

[Jonophonics]

172 cup, I'm selling mines!

 

[Poopensharten]

Residual values on 172's arent somthing to consider, there over the hill as far as depreciation goes.

For your budget id get a tidy phase 1. So long as its been cherished itll run until the cows come home. The important thing as said, is the belts should have been done on ALL 172's now as there all older than 5 years old.

If it is a cup you go for make doubly sure it hasnt been written off and catogorey repaired, the wet weather seals the fate of these as they dont have ABS

 

[bodyboarder]

172 cup and change the seats , thats what i did!

 

[germjames]

I bought My 172 6 months ago for 3500 with 47000 miles. Belts already done, and the exhaust had been changed (standard one doesn't last from what I've read). I'm no expert, but from reading this forum largely i found myself a good car. Drove 4 or 5 before i settled on mine.

I have had 0 problems except the aircon is a bit flaky, but i knew that when i bought it. sailed through MOT, 12k service was cheap (GDI).

BUY ONE

 

[bodyboarder]

^ same as mine really paid 4k about 3 months ago with 33k on the clock , belts, exhaust, brakes all done. some good buys at the moment!

 

[da_murphster]

Hmmm....seems I'm on the right track.

I was looking into seats and see that it can be very expensive by the time you have done the frame etc - I would not be keen on spending lots.

I did see some standard 172 (non cup) seats go for £140 on fleabay - is it better going for something else? Anyone suggest how I can do this on the cheap? Read something about Evo seats fitting. What would I have to spend to get some half reasonable seats?

The only thing swaying me away from the cup is that they are harder to find and seem to be more expensive.

Is the suspension noticably better on a cup? What else is worth having - alloys etc?

Do you miss the a/c? Will the girlfriend be OK without abs?

 

[jonathanedew]

Will the girlfriend be OK without abs?

Does she know what ABS is?

 

[da_murphster]

Does she know what ABS is?

Doubt it but that won't stop her from locking up - how 'feisty' to drive are these? Likely to throw you into a bush?

I have searched but not finding info....

What are the differences between Ph 1 and Ph 2 - is it all cosmetic?

I personally like the sound of the cup but my head is telling me to get the 'softer' version and leave the extreme stuff to the TVR!

Out of interest any of you come from CTR - are they more/less expensive to run than a 172?

 

[jonathanedew]

Slow down and get a standard 172 with aircon... kewl!

 

[bodyboarder]

you can fit the seats out of a atr which are recaros, but they dont tilt forward to get in the back,i joined the atr forum and put a post up , with in 3 hours i had bin offered a really nice set of seats for 300. You will need to buy sub frames though, about 110 each. in the end i went for recaro trendlines out of a meg225.

 

[da_murphster]

you can fit the seats out of a atr which are recaros, but they dont tilt forward to get in the back,i joined the atr forum and put a post up , with in 3 hours i had bin offered a really nice set of seats for 300. You will need to buy sub frames though, about 110 each. in the end i went for recaro trendlines out of a meg225.

Can people still get in the back if they don't fold - making this car less practical probably takes it away from what I want it to do - will get told off by g/f!!!

I assume you paid a pretty penny for the trendlines?

If its going to cost more than £500 I prolly won't be able to justify it - are the standard 172 seats not a good compromise?

hmmm...just found a very nice looking 172 cup, needs cam and service but its a good price......

I'll wait to see what the gargage says about my poor alfa but might be off with bulging wallet to look at it....

 

[jonathanedew]

Cup says to potential buyer... is that a pocket full of bokko I see... or are you just pleased to see me? :rasp:

 

[da_murphster]

What should I allow cost wise for cam belt and service? £500 + £200?

 

[da_murphster]

I have found a 172 cup with less than 40k up for sale for about £3500.

It needs a cambelt and is over due a service (10k and 18m since last service)

MOT and tax about to run out - bloke not spending any money on it - needs the cash hence selling.

Is this worth considering? Could get low mile 172 fully sorted for about £3700 (assuming some bartering).

He admitted that it was once hit by a drunk driver (when parked) and has had a renault repair done - nothing registered though - it might have had the rear axle changed.

I would really like a cup but there are also plenty of sorted 172's out there that need nothing for under £3k.

There are also two 'exclusive' ph 1 172 on AT - are these good or not?

Opinions pse!

 

[da_murphster]

Anyone?

This clio I have found is starting to sound a bit too much of an unknown quantity - seems like the bloke cannot find the history.

I worry about people who cannot keep track of vital documents - does not inspire confidence that car has been looked after. Similar to people selling (often expensive) cars on Ebay but their advert is horribly misspelt (or even worse in text language!)