Looking a buying a clio.. some advice..

[joe_90]

Hi,

I currently have a s2000, but looking to upgrade the misses car from a war torn punto, to a cilo.. possiblely a 172 (so i can enjoy it too).. looking to spend about 4K ish..

Now, what im looking for is some sort of buying guide, and running costs.. We are used to low running costs on the S (except the rear tyres, which might as well be made of steam, they just seem to evaporate quickly.) What sort of things 'go' at diff milages, and what should not not buy (i.e 55K miles and the cambelt has not been done)

I hear some nasty surpises on cilos.? is this just b****cks or actually true.

Or if anyone has a 172 for sale about 4k.. I will have a look at the 'for sale' section in a mo.

I have seen this one http://www.autoaddicts.co.uk/GetDealer.do?did=27646&pageid=1 obviouly i would knock the price down.. is that a good example?

Cheers..

 

[Dubai182]

Hi.
Evo did a good second hand guide on the 172 not too long ago,thats definately worth checking out,they list prices of repairs and things most likely that will need repairing and what mileage etc.

Sure someone else can help alot more but check out EVO for a starting place.

 

[joe_90]

Cheers will have a look if I still have that issue lying around.. unless someone has a scan?

 

[paul_h172]

make sure it has a full service history, and cam belt has been changed, should be done at 70k miles or 5 years, steering wheels are abit tatty on this model. running costs arnt high, arverage is around 33mpg ish.

 

[joe_90]

Cheers.. i will look for the fsh etc.. just wondered if there were any 'specifics' to look for.. suspension bushes etc?.. odd knocking noises on full lock? that kind of thing.

 

[Englebert]

That front top mount knock is common and the exhaust will fall off at some point. When i bought my 172 i actively asked if they had the problems as they are an inevitability. I'd rather know the car had the problems and had them fixed rather than it happen to me!

There is nothing really serious to worry about though.

 

[TheCake]

hi Joe - *waves* fellow Honda owner (EP3 CTR) You're in safe hands with this lot.

 

[joe_90]

hi Joe - *waves* fellow Honda owner (EP3 CTR) You're in safe hands with this lot.

cool.. good to hear..

my current debate is a 172 (v1) or a older williams... hmmmm

 

[edde]

cool.. good to hear..

my current debate is a 172 (v1) or a older williams... hmmmm

A good Williams personally I loved mine.

 

[danclarke]

I'll try and dig out that evo and scan it later if i can find it!

 

[TheJesus]

172 will give you less trouble I'd imagine, but it wont be anywhere near the same driving experience. the Willy is very direct feeling, almost feels like an extension of yourself sometimes as it really does give that much feedback

 

[Daz]

172 will give you less trouble I'd imagine

Maybe, that's what I thought too..

Now, I'm looking on the forum, and 172's are starting to go wrong.. and it'll only get worse as they get older

I was quite close to getting a newer Clio for some reliability, but, now I don't think I am