Newbie looking for a Clio.

[Ginjaninja]

Hi there guys,
I'm about to start looking for a MK2 Clio, probably a 1.2 or 1.4. I'm on a pretty tight budget so was considering a minor accident damaged, as i'm quite handy with a spanner.

Basically I'm looking for some general advice or info on what to look out for, typical things that go wrong, best ages to go for, that kinda thing. Or if you's have a buyers guide or anything? Figured the owners club was the place to start

Any and all info appreciated,
Thanks

 

[adamf92]

What exactly is your budget if you dont mind me asking. If youre looking for a MK2, then theres either the phase 1 or the phase 2, both look fairly different so take a look at them and decide what appeals to you more. As long as its got a good history, and nothing is on the out, ie cam belt, clutch, gearbox etc then you should be onto a winner. Make sure theres decent tires+tread too so you wont have to shell out for any new ones for a while

Might help? Its sunday so excuse what may be rambling/ no help

 

[Ginjaninja]

Probs gonne be around £800ish, ok so there aren't any major lookout points that are I wouldn't already know about? That's good news

Yeah very helpful, thanks for taking the time to reply. I will take a look at as many phase 1 & 2s as I can, see which I prefer.

I'll let you know how I get on anyway

 

[ryanhavana]

Bonnet catch is one that should be mentioned imo. There was a recall on them, the bonnets tend to fly open and cause major damage!

 

[kerry-w]

Probs gonne be around £800ish, ok so there aren't any major lookout points that are I wouldn't already know about? That's good news

Yeah very helpful, thanks for taking the time to reply. I will take a look at as many phase 1 & 2s as I can, see which I prefer.

I'll let you know how I get on anyway

£800ish will get you a decent undamaged PH1.

I paid £750 for my PH1 with a fresh mot, new tyres, 3 month warranty, car did have 120,000 miles on the clock though but ive got it up to 142,000 in the past year and the only main problem was the clutch which was only £200 to replace.

 

[adamf92]

Bonnet catch is one that should be mentioned imo. There was a recall on them, the bonnets tend to fly open and cause major damage!

^ THIS

 

[Ginjaninja]

Bonnet catch is one that should be mentioned imo. There was a recall on them, the bonnets tend to fly open and cause major damage!

That's crazy! Will obviously keep a note of that, thanks a lot

Thanks Kerry, some helpful info. I'm hoping to get something with less mileage. The reason I was thinking accident damaged is because I can then hopefully get a nicer, lower mileage car, for less money n fix the bodywork or whatever myself. Do you what parts prices are like for them, are there differences in parts prices between Ph1 and Ph2?

Thanks again

 

[kerry-w]

That's crazy! Will obviously keep a note of that, thanks a lot

Thanks Kerry, some helpful info. I'm hoping to get something with less mileage. The reason I was thinking accident damaged is because I can then hopefully get a nicer, lower mileage car, for less money n fix the bodywork or whatever myself. Do you what parts prices are like for them, are there differences in parts prices between Ph1 and Ph2?

Thanks again

PH1 and PH2 are basically the same car bar the front end, parts are relatively cheap to be honest if you using the likes of eBay and breakers yards.

For example, Ive picked up a front grill and wing in the corect colour for £20 on ebay, theres always loads being broken for parts too.