Negotiating on Price (182)

[sparklesTHEpony]

Found a 182 in my area, lowish/standard enough miles (80+) advertised for £1,800.

Thing is, no service history. Lady owner.

Willing to negotiate on the price but what would be a reasonable offer without coming across as a cheeky t**t?

Belts need to be done as soon as/if I get it.
I know service history is a massive thing and shows how the cars been kept/maintained so don't know whether to leave altogether?
Also to note through family I know a senior Renault mechanic so it would be checked over and belts done properly rather than rolling into ol' joes workshop down the road?

 

[Addicted]

Buy on service history over anything else.

Avoid imo.

It's all very well saying get the belts done when you get it, but if it's not had regular oil changes then it's probably a right dog.

 

[levaz]

What's your budget?
Then remember it's gonna cost you circa £600 to get belts done.
remove £600 from your budget
Make offer.

 

[coverman]

Offer £1200, she can only say no and if she does, walk away.

 

[sparklesTHEpony]

Feel like I'm insulting her with £1,200 haha but then again I'm too faint hearted with things like that. I may be just jumping the gun as its right near me. I'll offer 1,200 and if no then keep saving some more until the right one comes up.

Thanks for the advice and sense (;

 

[Addicted]

There are many Clios around for £1200 if you look, condition of them is probably less than you want, but it is possible.

Seen a few around £500-700 too

 

[davo172]

Buy on service history over anything else.

Avoid imo.

It's all very well saying get the belts done when you get it, but if it's not had regular oil changes then it's probably a right dog.

110% agree with ^^^

this service history is a must imo may seem like a bargain but will end up a money pit , no such thing as a bargain minter IMO

 

[Lal B3N]

I would say 1k really. Plenty of others out there.

 

[Rob669]

1500 if it's in pretty good condition IMO. But I wouldn't be taking it anywhere near Renault, family connection or otherwise - take it to a specialist and leave Renault to their basic models, again it's my opinion (and ten year's experience).

 

[Sir_Dave]

If your first offer doesnt insult the seller, it wasnt low enough.

 

[Willo40]

If it need the belts dong you have every right to take that into account, what the worst she can do? say no, walk away, look at another......

 

[Goodj]

love how CS always juymps at "yeah, offer them a fiver lol", but the second it's a forum car up for sale everyone's "Mental ,it's worth at least £34257 on a bad day!!"
Of course, it's rare that anyone actually makes an offer of that amount.

Back to topic:
as said, budget £600 for a belts service. In fairness, looking at autotrader, £2400 wouldn't get a decent 182 (if there is such a thing).

 

[leedsboy]

£1.76 and half a packet of Rolos.

 

[ilovewilly]

Putting that particular example a side because the lack of history, for the benefits of negotiation and what should be received as reasonable offer wise on a vehicle you are interested in, an £1800 advertised car- I'd be expecting to pay £1500 so would probably bid 14, stating a reason for a few hundred to be spent on it and prepared to come up slightly. Bid your max initially and you'll likely to be forced to meet in the middle and not get it for the price you wanted.

I always ensure I can justify an offer - and make it bloody realistic FFS.

An insulting offer would probably make me less likely to reduce to the point I knew I'd be happy with when I advertised it, which brings me back to - I want £1500 for my car, everyone expects money off, therefore the screen price is £1800 to make the buyer feel like they've got a deal, and also if after a couple of weeks of little interest I can reduce the price and not take that hit/state it's recently reduced. "£1500 - no offers" is not attractive.

 

[Goodj]

I'll give 'em a monkey

I KNEW I recognised you from somewhere

 

[scotty10]

Colour depending i would offer £1700-£1900. Its what you feel comfortable paying in the end. I picked up my second 182 with 80300 miles in RB with both cup packs and a good service history. However the belts need doing and i was surprised they weren't done with how detailed the service history is. I will get them done this summer.

If the car feels right for you and you're happy to pay up to 2k and get the work done yourself then buy it.

What do you think its worth with the belts done and go from there.

 

[CrippsCorner]

I'm a massive risk taker with cars, if the price is right I couldn't care less what the history is...

Throughout my life I've got a few shitters and a few absolute bargains due to this. I kind of look forward to finding out what's it's going to be lol. Any more than a few thousand I'd be more vigilant though.

 

[bloke]

love the service history brigade...buy a stamp on ebay and there's your book stamped up:wink:

 

[dangerous dave]

love the service history brigade...buy a stamp on ebay and there's your book stamped up:wink:

Most people know that a stamp means nothing... I've seen dealers right "serviced" in biro with a few phone numbers in biro... All spanning 8 years in the same handwriting...

Its all about the invoices...

If you can't put it in the folder, in a drawer somewhere safe, your a cnut and don't deserve a decent resale price..

 

[joebloggz]

if its got no service history then then dont accept that the mileage is genuine. im selling mine for that its done 156k but full history and all stamped and runs mint.

 

[bb55am]

bought my182 a year ago off a guy, but it was registered in his mrs name for £1800, it had recent service history and 'he said' the belts had been done 100% but no receipts to prove, had decent tyres alloys , milltek exhaust, eibachs. Anyway 72000 miles the cambelt went at 80mph wiping out my engine, so secondhand refreshed engine and new clutch went in totalling £ 1300. (should have done belts at 70k like I had planned had already bought all belts n s**t, but was chancing it).
Some front end parts needed 3 weeks ago £300 and now a gearbox rebuild needed for £500, so yeah ask for reciepts, definatley try get price down if they cant prove belt changes.

 

[dangerous dave]

if its got no service history then then dont accept that the mileage is genuine. im selling mine for that its done 156k but full history and all stamped and runs mint.

Mot's are logged online and the mileage it's writted on there for each year.. I don't know how far back it goes but that's about the only think that could be classed as a fact..

Unless she's been blowing the mot tester since new to fake it.

 

[joebloggz]

Yes but when a car is new it wont have to have an mot till its 3rd year so it could do 60k in this time, so before its mot the clock can be put back to 5k or whatever you wanted then when motd it says the car has only done low miles.

 

[R-Sport.]

Give it a miss. You have zero chance of convincing a woman that she has to drop £600 for a cambelt change.

You cannot haggle a woman. ( not sexist BTW just life)

 

[Addicted]

love the service history brigade...buy a stamp on ebay and there's your book stamped up:wink:

Didn't see anyone mention stamps, but service history.

Yes but when a car is new it wont have to have an mot till its 3rd year so it could do 60k in this time, so before its mot the clock can be put back to 5k or whatever you wanted then when motd it says the car has only done low miles.

Lol

But in that time you get a free warranty assuming it's service is maintained, so why would people bother doing that.

 

[CrippsCorner]

My latest Clio 182 had a full service book (stamped by Renault) but no invoices... it's been the most reliable car I've ever bought.

 

[Iain C]

I'd offer 1300. Lack of history would put me off but if your gonna do all the work it shouldn't matter too much. Maybe go 1400 but walk away otherwise.
I do take a lot of risks with cars too. Some work out some don't.

 

[Jack!]

[My experience that somehow validates all examples of the same or similar instances]

 

[Iain C]

[My experience that somehow validates all examples of the same or similar instances]

Wasn't the op asking for advice that's formed from experience?

 

[ADY 554D]

£600 for a cam belt change might have been right 3-4 years ago but you can get it done locally to you for around £360

 

[Stefan.]

£600 for a cam belt change might have been right 3-4 years ago but you can get it done locally to you for around £360

With dephaser.....

 

[ADY 554D]

With dephaser.....

why does the dephaser need doing ?
no mention of it in the original post and if its not noisy why do it..
might aswell call it £1000 and change the water pump and alternator aswell for no reason

 

[Stefan.]

why does the dephaser need doing ?
no mention of it in the original post and if its not noisy why do it..
might aswell call it £1000 and change the water pump and alternator aswell for no reason

Then why do the belts, i know id be pissed off if it started rattling few months after. As it will cost you again by having to change the belt again.

 

[pSynrg]

I bought my 2004 182, North London in 2011. A few days after the riots in Enfield. Sat on the forecourt, it had had all it's glass smashed. 92k on the clock. Zero service history, 2 previous owners, 1st owner 90k miles. I got it for a grand plus a 2002 Merc A210 with a blown head gasket. I just wanted rid of the dreadful Merc as well as WANT a 182.

I also felt sorry for it. Dealer had all the glass sorted.

I still have it. It had been neglected probably for the previous 12k. What I've (had) done:

First job, all belts changed. Then, new tyres (PS3's), major service inc new coil pack, dyno run and mapping (184bhp). A few months later dephaser getting very noisy so new dephaser and of course belts (again!). Ride was lumpy, handling unpredictabe on the limit and lots of shunt in the drivetrain. So new engine mounts, dog-bone, coil-overs and poly-bushes all round. Full brakes overhaul, new discs front and rear, calipers reconditioned, new pads. Next, Miltek sports cat while having the Miltek exhaust refitted (someone had bodged it in the past). K-tec induction. Went for another remap, dyno run (204bhp!)

Clio is now at 110k and going very strong. Service history is what I've made it.

Be prepared to spend a load of money but if it's what you want and fundamentally a sound car and low price to begin with (~£1000) and you intend to keep then I'd say go for it. I absolutely love mine :smile:

 

[realnumber 1]

Miltek sports cat while having the Miltek exhaust refitted (someone had bodged it in the past). K-tec induction. Went for another remap, dyno run (204bhp!)

Not a chance with those mods lol.

 

[brisa4984]

personally id give 1.5k

 

[pSynrg]

Not a chance with those mods lol.

Well, I have to take their word for it, how on earth am I going to verify the accuracy myself, why would they BS? I am/was a surprised as anyone but it does feel strong. I have no agenda, I do not intend to sell...

 

[RS Charlie]

love how CS always juymps at "yeah, offer them a fiver lol", but the second it's a forum car up for sale everyone's "Mental ,it's worth at least £34257 on a bad day!!"
Of course, it's rare that anyone actually makes an offer of that amount.

Back to topic:
as said, budget £600 for a belts service. In fairness, looking at autotrader, £2400 wouldn't get a decent 182 (if there is such a thing).

This. It is amazing how the owners talk up the values of their car and also massively talk them down as well!

Personally, I'd leave it and get another car.
Why buy a 182 which potentially has more faults on it than other cars due to neglect? Buy one to drive it :smile:. A rough example of any car can soon add up to loads.

OTOH I did slightly overpay for my car but I have become sick of constantly spannering on a car ; I blame poor car buying/'bargains' that I have acquired in the past. Out of all of the cars I saw the Clio happened to be the straightest car I saw and in very clean condition. Whilst the belts will need doing in a few months I have already covered 1k in it without barely doing a thing to it (bar giving it a full service).

 

[loggyboy]

Colour depending i would offer £1700-£1900.

lol at offering 100 more than the asking price. GREAT TACTICS!

Firstly decide if you like/want the car for what it is. Then simply offer what its worth to you. Unless you dont plan on keeping it for more than 6months so dont want to make an obvious loss, few hundred quid over your ownership is neither here nor there. There may always be the chance a better value one will come up next week, but equally you could be hunting for months if someone else steps in and gets it.
if shes had lots of interest a low offer will be pushed away, if your the only caller in a week then you'll be in a stronger position.
Looking for my new one a few months back I budgeted about 2k for a well serviced low-average mileage one, but was struggling at that price. Most were advertised at closer to or over 3k, which were unrealistic IMO.
I offered 1750 for one advertised at 1950, but next person to view paid asking price. It had history but needed belts so someone was prepared to pay out or risk it (or didn't appreciate risk)
Ar time i was gutted for sake of 200, but a week later I got a bargain, that wasnt perfect or quite my original brief, but has proven to be good.... so far!

Service history is important but so is a good test drive and check over. IMO at this age, replacement engines aren't expensive or hard to find. Not like ur spending a years salary or making a massive financial commitment.

 

[scotty10]

lol at offering 100 more than the asking price. GREAT TACTICS!

Firstly decide if you like/want the car for what it is. Then simply offer what its worth to you. Unless you dont plan on keeping it for more than 6months so dont want to make an obvious loss, few hundred quid over your ownership is neither here nor there. There may always be the chance a better value one will come up next week, but equally you could be hunting for months if someone else steps in and gets it.
if shes had lots of interest a low offer will be pushed away, if your the only caller in a week then you'll be in a stronger position.
Looking for my new one a few months back I budgeted about 2k for a well serviced low-average mileage one, but was struggling at that price. Most were advertised at closer to or over 3k, which were unrealistic IMO.
I offered 1750 for one advertised at 1950, but next person to view paid asking price. It had history but needed belts so someone was prepared to pay out or risk it (or didn't appreciate risk)
Ar time i was gutted for sake of 200, but a week later I got a bargain, that wasnt perfect or quite my original brief, but has proven to be good.... so far!

Service history is important but so is a good test drive and check over. IMO at this age, replacement engines aren't expensive or hard to find. Not like ur spending a years salary or making a massive financial commitment.

Feck knows what i was thinking when i answered that question 😂