Clio adverts from a buyers perspective .

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First post here but i have been around lots of car forums for years . Its the first time i have experienced some of the issues and i have owned bought and sold alot of cars over the years so maybe someone here can explain .
We are looking for a car for the wife to use as a daily hack , she currently runs a moded S4 Audi and the fuel bills as you might imagine are a bit steep nowadays and he new job has more restricted parking so we are after something a bit smaller .
She loved the 205 gti she ran for a few years so wanted something similar but slightly more modern hence enter the clio :approve:.

Now , we are looking at a 197 or maybe a 200 if the price is right so i have trawled many adverts but a few things are really winding me up and yes i am choosy about the right car at the right spec as many of you would be . We don't mind mods , as long as they are decent and have been done well and with some knowledge about what you have done and why.

Now some of these adverts are dealer as well as private but time and again i read every extra possible and no expense spared , 2 good things as we would like a car with recaro's and speedline alloys , and i expect service histories to be spot on .
So why and i have not yet seen an "every extra on this car " advert and not straight away spotted no recaro's (disappointing) or no speedlines (usually on 200's) why say it ? quite clearly the car hasn't got every extra , in fact it hasn't got 2 of the main sought after ones .
The other gripe is no expense spared , and if over 5 years old the first question (as i am mainly looking at low milers ,is has the cambelt been done , i am almost sick of seller disbelife that its not just a mileage issue ,as its a rubber belt and they perish , so a 30k mile 6 year or 7 year old car needs a cambelt (one car i offered selling price less half the cambelt change cost or the seller to get it changed and he would have had a sale and he said his mechanic told him it didn't need doing) .

Am i missing something here or is the right car out there ? or should i look at something else like a JCW mini ? or a Mito cloverleaf ?, ....hell even a 500 abarth ?

your comments are gratefully received , and i am off to trundle your for sale section here .

cheers

harv.

 

[Sir_Dave]

If you want a 197 or 200, get on www.clio197.net

Or talk to this man: http://www.cliosport.net/forum/member.php?20158-R-Sport-Cars-LTD he has a mint RB 200 with Recaros & Speedlines for sale.

You'll need to become a member to see his section iirc.

 

[Gorms]

What is your price range?

 

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Gorms all i can say on that is flexible , i know that does not help greatly, but the right car for the right money!
Its no good trying to sell a 30k 06 197 with an exhaust mod for 8k to me , as i know its way overpriced , but a 10k 09 plate 200 with recaro's at 10k is a good buy (why are they always in scotland LOL ) , i have access to a trade site for dealers only and can see what the trade is punting around to each other , and at the moment there is nothing of interest as the trade is having a tough time . Temped by the matt grey limited edition car that a gatwick dealer has , the ones with full leather , but 20k ? can i spend on a new renault i know will loose alot of money , maybe maybe not , as it does look stunning .

 

[Sir_Dave]

Temped by the matt grey limited edition car that a gatwick dealer has , the ones with full leather , but 20k ? can i spend on a new renault i know will loose alot of money , maybe maybe not , as it does look stunning .

Thats Richard @ CDG Cars. He's Richard1 on here iirc.

 

[...]

maybe i should wander to see it in the flesh , its a nice looking car and spec ,

 

[Gorms]

maybe i should wander to see it in the flesh , its a nice looking car and spec ,

Not 100% sure with the pricing of the raider but i did manage to get my dealership to knock £1800 off the price of mine. Keep an eye out as loads of 200s will be popping up soon due to peoples pcp deals coming to an end after the £200 deal.

 

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thanks for the heads up on that Gorms , as not exactly rushing as we have just serviced the audi ( 350 quid every 20k isn't bad for a huge V8 ) i am correct in my cambelt thoughts on clios , 72k OR 5 years ?

 

[R-Sport.]

Cheers Dave-

The feedback Ive had from the few women that were looking at 197's/200s was that the drive was a tad firm for them on cup packed cars- just something to think about when test driving-
I can see the fiat being a gem for a woman-

Anyway- Clio wise depends what you want to spend & if your buying private or dealer-

If your going for a 197 get an R27 circa 8k
If your getting a 200 get a Full fat one ( not cup) & big spec ( again though some women dont like the recaros ) circa 11/12k
If your buying new- the raider is an option- but at 21k its an expensive option......

S

 

[...]

Thanks for that R-sport (not sure on your name) forget everything you think about women with this one as she'll dispel any thoughts you have .

maybe her page from her website on each previous car might help explain

http://www.hazelnet.org/160/index.htm
http://www.hazelnet.org/elise.htm
http://www.hazelnet.org/pug/index.htm
http://www.hazelnet.org/911/index.html
http://www.hazelnet.org/mini.htm
http://www.hazelnet.org/mgf.htm
http://www.hazelnet.org/cars/index.htm

next on the list for fun stuff is an R8 , but alas thats a few years off yet (and trust me she'll buy one) so coilovers (no problem) recaro's , walk in the park , etc etc etc , but she will want to test drive and get a fell for what she likes .

Half the cars shes had i wouldn't even begin to think about commuting in but then i drive a diesel Volvo estate and before that a diesel Lexus as i have the company cars in the house , whatever she has will no doubt end up doing the odd track day here and there , but we don't do so much now ,previously having driven most of the good stuff in europe (she'll show you round the ring if you need after 11 years living in Germany) and every track in the uk . so we come to the clio with a great understanding of what it is and what we want from it . Tracking down the right car at the moment still seems to be alluding me though so everyone's input will be most appreciated .

ask her her fave track car and it will be the one we sold a couple of years ago

 

[...]

ps , i had an A3 S-line new in 2010 , and got rid in 6 months because for me Audi sport suspension and 18's was just to much ......... i must be a big wuss !!

 

[Chip-mk1]

Cool bird

 

[Chip-mk1]

Have you considered the older 182 trophy?

Thats also a fantastic all round package, depends how bothered you are about it being new or not?

 

[McGherkin]

Spoiler

Rear arch gap?

R-Sport's RB looks like a good buy to me. Good luck anyway

EDIT: +1 on the trophy idea actually.

 

[Chip-mk1]

Trophys now are fairly close to depreciation proof really, and they still drive like a modern car, and lend themselves very well to track work.
And with the budget available, you would have your pic of the bunch.

She should at least try one before dismissing them as old tat I reckon

 

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not dismissed trophys as old tat thats for sure , but it will be doing 13 to 15k miles per year so don't want to start with a very high miler , low milage trophys are 197 money (some almost 200 money ) so thats the issue there .

 

[Chip-mk1]

40K trophy is about 7K ish probably on a private sale?

She has had a lot of cars, so sounds unlikely she'll keep it more than 2 years.

70K trophy in two years is probably still going to be worth 5K


Factor in a grand for servicing and a grand for consumables as a reasonable ballpark.

40 quid a week.

Cheap motoring!




Not really a section of the market I particuarly keep an eye on so feel to corect me if im a long way out on those estimates in your opinion, I did just literally pluck those figures from thin air but I dont believe them to be wildly far out.

 

[...]

She has had a lot of cars, so sounds unlikely she'll keep it more than 2 years.








ah shes had way more cars than those , those are the interesting ones , and none of em were 2 years or less in ownership , as we are maybe slightly older than the usual hot hatch croud .

car will most likely do 3 to 4 years as a daily hack so likely to rack up a fair few miles now , put it this way the S4 had 20k on when we bought it and now has over 60k on and her work journey was not as far .

as for cool bird ... LOL she'll appreciate that , though she is my wife and has been for some time ....

 

[Sir_Dave]

not dismissed trophys as old tat thats for sure , but it will be doing 13 to 15k miles per year so don't want to start with a very high miler

You're missing out there

Nowt wrong with a miley one if its well looked after ...

 

[Chip-mk1]

Im 37 myself mate, we arent all youngsters on here. Lol

My girlfriend trackdays her 172, and some of our other cars, and its always surprising to me how few other girls are really into trackdays etc TBH as she loves it.

Do the sums for putting 60K on a trophy versus 60K on a 200, and the trophy will look very cheap I suspect.


Not that im particuarly into trophys, just thought it would suit your needs, especially as they have that chic'ness from the rarity, so quite a cool sassy little girls car

 

[...]

Rear arch gap?

R-Sport's RB looks like a good buy to me. Good luck anyway

EDIT: +1 on the trophy idea actually.

do you mean on the 7 .........

is this better ?

depended what rims and tyres i was running on the day and for what reason and its not all about the widest track when setting cars up , even iff filled arches look better

 

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and point taken on trophys ....... maybe its me that prefers the 200 , and your know doubt right in what we will loose , maybe need to try a trophy , but then a cars track manners arnt the be all and end all .....

oh and 37 .......... youngster

 

[Chip-mk1]

and point taken on trophys ....... maybe its me that prefers the 200 , and your know doubt right in what we will loose , maybe need to try a trophy , but then a cars track manners arnt the be all and end all .....

The trophy has the best quality dampers ever fitted on a factory clio to the best of my knowledge, they manage to be good on track and on road.
Dont think I'm one of these blinkered people by the way, not even got a trophy myself, just thought it might fit the bill.
Im into all sorts of different cars myself.
At least get her to test drive one though

oh and 37 .......... youngster

There are a few on here quite a bit older than me, I beleive that Tony Hunter is around the 140 mark for example.

That said, there are a lot of real youngsters too, so dont be too surprised if the occasional thread reads like an Ali G script, but its a really good forum overall

 

[R-Sport.]

Good luck on the search-

Feel free to whip over & have a test drive ( as per PM) I have all 4 in the range at the moment- 172,182,197,200

Steve

 

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sorry steve not seen the pm , but will look and get in touch , 182 trophy might be closer to the 205 she had ,but a 200 might appeal as i suspect she may have softened after a few years with the s4 .

however don't be surprised if she get out of any of them and say its a bit underpowered , i have mentioned that not much will feel like her instant power 380bhp V8 , ecept maybe a another v8/v10 or 12 , however fuel bills are the point for the daily hack .

out of interest guys , real worl MPG , 35 with a motorway run to work ? (don't ask current mpg please )

 

[Chip-mk1]

Yeah we get 35mpg and above frequently on our 172.
It will return that quite happily at 80 ish.

If you want bad fuel bills, you should try my nova, lol

 

[Sir_Dave]

however don't be surprised if she get out of any of them and say its a bit underpowered , i have mentioned that not much will feel like her instant power 380bhp V8 , ecept maybe a another v8/v10 or 12 , however fuel bills are the point for the daily hack

If it helps at all, i find that my Trophy gives far more 'accessible' fun than my M3, ie you dont need to be doing 120+ in order to get your kicks. In a straight line, its obviously a lot slower, but down an A/B road, the M3 wouldnt know which way it went :race:

Hence why the M3 is going, & a newer Clio is being purchased for the daily grind ...

 

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you running rwd in the nova ? and yes used to seeing single figure mpg from track cars , if we are trying the pissing contest start looking at boats LOL and really weep when are at gallons to the mile ....glad i don't have those .

glad to see 35 at 80 ish as thats a good figure and roughly what i was thinking . , to get high 40's need a dismal

 

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ah ...you see sir dave your going for a newer clio when you have a trophy for the daily grind !! why and whats the thoughts ?

as thats where we are (but the audi or the 911 isn't going .)

 

[plymcl172]

you have a Nova chip ???

pic please I loved the Nova's

 

[BigDaveRotary]

Im 37 myself mate, we arent all youngsters on here. Lol

My girlfriend trackdays her 172, and some of our other cars, and its always surprising to me how few other girls are really into trackdays etc TBH as she loves it.

Do the sums for putting 60K on a trophy versus 60K on a 200, and the trophy will look very cheap I suspect.


Not that im particuarly into trophys, just thought it would suit your needs, especially as they have that chic'ness from the rarity, so quite a cool sassy little girls car

Chip has destroyed any illusions that I have of my own manhood

 

[Sir_Dave]

ah ...you see sir dave your going for a newer clio when you have a trophy for the daily grind !! why and whats the thoughts ?

Currently have an M3 for day to day & the Trophy for trackdays/fun.

Looking to buy a house so need to reduce monthly outgoings. As such, im selling the M3 for a newer clio and stripping the Trophy back to rolling shell & putting it in storage. Newer clio should give me similar running costs to the Trophy but be a bit bigger/more refined for my 90 mile daily commute. However, it can also turn up to a trackday, hoon around, then drive home.

FYI, the Trophy will do 35mpg sat at 80-85 leptons. Is my average for the past 10k miles or so.

 

[Chip-mk1]

you running rwd in the nova ? and yes used to seeing single figure mpg from track cars , if we are trying the pissing contest start looking at boats LOL and really weep when are at gallons to the mile ....glad i don't have those .

Yea hthe nova is mid engiend and rwd, around the 500bhp mark, Guy I know is into helicopters, thats even worse for fuel but good for avoiding traffic, lol

glad to see 35 at 80 ish as thats a good figure and roughly what i was thinking . , to get high 40's need a dismal

I did a 60 mile trip in our 172 deliberately driving very steady and had 50mpg average for the trip which was on A/B/motorway, that was on the gauge though, which is about 47ish in reality as it slightly over reads.

35 is very attaintable though, TBH on a long journey you actually have to drive quite badly to get below that.

 

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interesting points guys , though knowbody has confirmed this dam cambelt issue yet , or why people stick every mod on the lis when its clearly wrong !! the bit that originally pissed me off .

 

[Chip-mk1]

What cambelt issue?

Sorry mate, must have missed that one.
Do you mean your comment that they should be changed on age?

If so I agree totally, but I dont know what the official renault line is on the subject, I wouldnt take too much notice of renault anyway though with these cars, the local dealer isnt likely to see huge numbers of the sports so to them its just another clio.

 

[Chip-mk1]

Chip has destroyed any illusions that I have of my own manhood

Perhaps mate you are so manly you can get away with a girly car and pull it off well?

Like some guys feel comfortable doing with pink shirts? lol

 

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but would you agree at 5 years but low miles (as i am looking at lower mileage cars ) they should have had the cambelt done if they are genuinely well looked after , having had a 16v cambelt go its not a cheap job to sort after a mess .

just making sure i am not doing a seller a diservice buy suggesting they should be done .

 

[Chip-mk1]

but would you agree at 5 years but low miles (as i am looking at lower mileage cars ) they should have had the cambelt done if they are genuinely well looked after , having had a 16v cambelt go its not a cheap job to sort after a mess .

just making sure i am not doing a seller a diservice buy suggesting they should be done .

I personally agree with that yes, but Im sure you wont get a 100% agreement from everyone on the subject.

Belts going is normally a case of a set of new valves and some guides, or a secondhand head, bottom end is normally fine, so its not really a massive issue to sort generally, but still better to just avoid by doing the belt.

Given that you have said you she is likely to do 60K miles and 4 years when owning the car, I would say whatever car you get unless it has proof of a very recent belt, you may as well just get it done straight away then you know its fine for the time you own it.

 

[Sir_Dave]

Personally i would rather buy a slightly cheaper car that hasnt had the belts done, then get them done by someone i trust, ie Fred @ BTM.

Rather than paying full retail for one thats just had them done by the dealer/a drunk bloke down the pub/NWP (in order of perference).

 

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don't disagree with that chip , but then price can often need to reflect such things , sellers thing its not a buyers market , but hey it really is at the moment ,just some cars the choice is limited .

nice to see a nice bit of feedback and banter this morning as well , as active forums are useful and we always try and give back as well as take from them .