Just got back in the house... been out on the road car-hunting all day!
Step-by step saga breakdown:
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Phase 1
Turns out the original Clio 182 I was going to look at
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...del=CLIO&min_pr=6000&max_pr=7000&max_mileage= that seemed almost cheap was in fact a Cat D write-off... thank God for online HPI checks eh?
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Phase 2
So after that revelation I then went to see another one near Lakeside in Essex advertised for £7'000 only to get there and find out that the 40k miles it was advertised at was in fact close to 80k and had been mis-advertised. Not only that, but the thick ****er of a salesman who looked about 15 had the cheek to say "Ok no worries mate, bye" after explaining that i'd driven 60 miles to see this car based on that advert. No apology, no courtesy, complete set of gimps, very "barry boy" sort of place too. That was this one here
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...del=CLIO&min_pr=6000&max_pr=7000&max_mileage=
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Phase 3
Anyway the final car I went to see after the above turned out to be this beauty here, which was being sold at an official Renault dealers for £6'995 with a low 33k mileage and both cup options (though that's not stated in the advert)
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...del=CLIO&min_pr=6000&max_pr=7000&max_mileage=
To be honest as soon as I saw it I fell in love with the thing. The car was in fabulous condition, only a few minor chips to the paint, very minor kerbing to one alloy, and a chip in the windscreen, which i'll get on to in a minute.
Anyway after sitting inside and having a fiddle I was then given the keys and was able to take it out for a test spin. Now, bearing mind I not only had the dealer, but also my dad in the back I was still seriously impressed with how the car handled and more importantly the acceleration, I couldn't stop grinning, God knows what it'll be like when i've no lardy blokes filling it and it's just me in there, can't wait! It feels so light and nimble and the seating position is very, very comfortable. I'm also very chuffed with the sheer amount of kit it has too, makes my Vectra look like a flintstones mobile! Also there were no rattles and everything felt solid.
Anyway after the test drive we got back and I had already decidded I wanted it, so then we sorted out the financials. It was as I suspected really... not much budging on price. I ended up paying £6'995 with a full years tax thrown in (£210), 3 months full parts & labour warranty (can be extended to 12 months for £295, don't think I will though). It will also be given a full service before I get it... the alloys will be refurbed, the bodywork will be gone over to get rid of any chips in the paintwork, and the windscreen will of course be fixed, and if it's too deep a chip completely replaced.
I'd have liked to knock them down a bit further but they weren't budging and to be honest I can see why... apparently while i'd been looking at it and taking it for a spin about 5 people had called about it wanting to see it. In fact I actually nabbed it off of another guy who was supposed to be buying it but his finance was being refused by the credit companies... the dealers saw this as a bad sign and put it back on the market (just before I rang asking if it was still available) only for him to ring the dealership after i'd agreed to take it saying that his dad had agreed to finance the car and if it was available he'd have it. Tough **** tbh.
So i'm sure they would have had no lack of potential buyers so no reason to be too trigger-happy with the deals.
All in all after doing some research into the Clio 182 market in terms of pricing I think I got solid deal, and that the dealers weren't being greedy with the price... I honestly think they could have charged another few hundred quid with ease, especially if they'd serviced the car and refurbed the alloy before putting it on show. Maybe it wasn't the bargain of the century, but I know that it's in fantastic condition, wasn't ragged to hell before I got it (older lady owners who didn't do much mileage), and that when it leaves the dealers it's going to look as good as new due to them going over it all with a fine toothcomb. The full years tax doesn't hurt either, and i'll get them to stick a full tank in for me as well when I collect it.
So I go to pick it up next saturday, and all I have to do now is sort out my finance, insurance, and sell my old vectra for hopefully around £800 or so. I'm over the moon, and really can't wait to drive it. I have what I want now... a small hot-hatch that offers performance and character by the bucketload. Win!.
