Newbie saying Hi and in need of advice!

[Looking for a 172!]

Hiya, just thought it'd be rude not to introduce myself! Im Dave, from Essex.
Just selling my mondeo now, as i test drove a ropey 108k x-reg 172 and totally fell in love with it. Hence now being on the quest to find the perfect one for me!

Basically what i want to know is what i should look out for when searching the limitless vast of em for sale! Ive not got a great deal to spend, (ideally £4k, but it looks like i'll have to stretch to £5k for a nice one).

So what do people recommend, i.e phase 1-2 etc!

 

[fee]

hi,dont know what to look out for but welcome

 

[_Kenny_]

Welcome to CS mate, you will get a better condition ph1 mate so I recommend that.

 

[Looking for a 172!]

I much prefer the exterior look of the ph1, but must that steering wheel on the ph2 is such an improvement!

 

[fUbAr]

The things to look out for in the Ph1 172:

• Cambelt should realistically be done around 50k
• Vibration around 4k revs - this is the exhaust heatshield and they all do it (easily fixed)
• Alloy bonnet on some (lighter than a carbon one)
• Shift light on some
• Steering wheel wear (they all do it)
• Engine mounts knocking (they're made from butter)

That should get you going.

For £5k you should be able to get a 2001 Y plate, with around 50k miles on the clock. Try and get rare colours such as Flame Red, Sunflower Yellow, Pearl Black and Odyssey Blue. Also look for the 172 Exclusive which comes in Scarab green, with different alloys and full leather interior... numbered between 1-172

hope that helps.

 

[fUbAr]

MY PH1 172 SITE

 

[Rich]

Welcome and enjoy. Hope you find a good un.

 

[Looking for a 172!]

Damn! I found an exclusive and thought it was all bulls**t! Lol! No 85!
And i've seen some advertised with shiftlights, and once again thought of a chav'ed up car with a dirty big shift light on the dash!
How much is a cambelt (complete job) and also engine mounts?
Is it enough to make you buy another car?

 

[fUbAr]

Damn! I found an exclusive and thought it was all bulls**t! Lol! No 85!
And i've seen some advertised with shiftlights, and once again thought of a chav'ed up car with a dirty big shift light on the dash!
How much is a cambelt (complete job) and also engine mounts?
Is it enough to make you buy another car?

any owner who looks after their car should have the cambelt done before 50k. Renault state 72k or 5 years, but thats a load of rubbish.

If i found a car for say 5k that has 50k miles on the clock that hadnt had the cambelt done, i would work this into the price and offer 300 quid less.

Cambelt change should set you back anywhere from 300-500 depending on garage. Replacing all 3 engine mounts should be around £150 (they may not need doing, depends on how its been driven)

The shift light is tiny, in the corner of the dials display. TBH its pointless becuase if it comes on, your already too late shifting. I would try and find an Alloy bonnet example, they really are very light!

 

[Jonaldinho]

Welcome to the forum, keep an eye on the cars for sale section, a few minters appear on there quite often.

 

[Clio 1.216v Dynamique]

Hi and welcome, Hope you find your perfect Clio mate