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New to Clio’s, please help!





Hi there. Ive always wanted a Clio 16v (Id love a new Sport 172 Cup, but heh, who wouldnt) and have found a 95 N plate in Blue, 100k, a few mods (uprated discs/pads, suspension, exhaust, air filter, new alloys, etc) on offer for around £3,700. A couple of things.

Can you tell me if this is a good price or not. Its got 12 months MOT, 6 months tax, and a years warrantly, with a good service history. Cam belt recently done. Also, what about insurance? Is there a particularly good/specialist company? I suppose Ill have to inform them of all the mods.

Any help/advice would be gratefully qppreciated. I look forward to becoming a full paid up member of ClioSport very soon!
 


Good to have you on board son! What a bizarre name, an Arsenal reference I presume? What was the score against Blackburn??!! Only kidding.;)

I think if you looked that you could find cheaper than that with less miles on, I guess it also depends on the mods nad from what you describe you are getting it from a garage which always bumps the price up a tad.

If you know a mechanic then buy privately and get him to check it over before you buy. At least then you can haggle on price.
 


I run a 16v with 93k on the clock, but its (now) an absolute minter. So Id not let mileage prioritise over condition. Just this weekend I was speaking to a 16v owner replacing his steering rack on 52k - but mine is still fine on 93k!

Id like you to bear in mind that this list might make it sound as if theyre crappy cars. Theyre not, its just that I havent highlighted the strengths of the 16v here! This is in addition, of course, to the normal checks such as HPi, crash damage, etc etc.

The cars are fairly maintenace-intensive, but, as ever, the care it has received thus far will usually dictate condition. Look for a big folder of bills.

What you should then be looking for then can be split into categories:

Exterior: Rear arch lips are susceptible to rusting, front ones are plastic so arent a problem; rust also possible on door bottoms, around window rear quarters and boot bottom; front fogs (expensive) are prone to splitting due to stone chips; bonnet and front bumper also prone to stone chips.

Mechanical: N.B. due to engine size, many otherwise simple jobs on 16v/Willy are engine-out jobs:(. Cambelts must have been done before 72k; diffs, gbox and clutch are all expensive jobs so check carefully; rear brake callipers can seize; check aftermarket exhaust mountings - often a poor fit; rumbling can be caused by poor exhaust manifold to downpipe gasket (cheap job, disturbing noise); erratic idle commonly due to faulty throttle potentionometer; 16v/Willy run hot, so check coolant system - hoses, rad, expansion tank, water pump, anti-percolation (if you can); engine mounts often go - embarassing and expensive to have your engine fall out, so see if engine rocks back and forth by opening bonnet and pulling accelerator cable; if car has induction kit check security of air hoses; check for snapped front springs; CV gaiters should be checked; handbrake is normally not good; if lowered, will need new front strut top mounts sooner or later.

Interior: Sunroofs leak; electic window switches are £20 - so check them too!

Hope this helps!:D
 


Sangy - My username is a reference to my receeding hairline, and not my footballing ability or team alliegances...but for the record Im a Liverpool supporter, so of course Im well chuffed at the moment!

Ben - Many thanks for the comprehensive run down! The car in qs has a good service history, most of it from the garage thats selling it. And they are going to fully service it before sale. But I think the cambelt was done late (90k), is this gonna cause any problems you think?

Any ideas on the insurance by the way, as my company (Im with the AA at present) want engineers checks etc and its looking like £1,500, even with 7 year no claims!?! :eek:
 


that cant be right? Im only 22 and pay £1300 for my 172Cup and thats fully comp. Get a quote online with directline.
 


sangys right, that insurance quote sounds way too high. Im 25, and I only pay £1060 on a 172 with 2 years no claims. Thatss with direct line.
 


sangys right, that insurance quote sounds way too high. Im 25, and I only pay £1060 on a 172 with 3 years no claims. Thats with direct line.
 


Try esure on the net i have 5 years no claims and im 25 and they said it would but just over £400 for me but it has to be standed:(
 


Clio 16v is an insurance group 12. Heaven help you if you need to be insured on a Clio V6.

Some firms dont like mods and will penalise you as a result.
 


I would suggest a company called HIC. They charge me a little over 400 squid for my 16v clio, with 6 years no claims fully comp.

Chuckie
 


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