Sooo Tempted to buy a 172

[Glenn_23]

Hello, i joined this forum a while a go with the intention of purchasing a clio 172, however insurance, and not being able to find a good one prevented me in doing so. Now though i finished uni and have started looking at them again. My only problem is that they are getting on a bit now and don't want to buy one and carry out a load of work on one.

Do people use them as daily drivers, are they generally reliable. I have read the very helpful guide on buying one and what to look for, so just wondered what people thought on them, i know this is a Clio forum so obviously most people will say positive things, but any help would be appreciated.

Thanks Glenn

 

[Reyes]

They're fine as daily drivers and to be fair, the fuel consumption is pretty good. Good cars for the money.

 

[Dan1587]

Good as a daily! I get 37ish average mpg! Can be expensive if things go wrong but what car can't be? If your going to buy one look at when and if the belts have been done! If not it's going to cost about £600 from a proper place!
I love my 172, it's my pride and joy! I'm sure if you got one too, you'd love it!
Go for it...!!!

 

[Fletcher]

They're fine as daily drivers. My 172! Did about 90,000 miles in 5 years, without any problems.

 

[PP200t]

Hi and welcome. I have a 182 (slightly newer and 'more power' lol)
Mines my daily driver and I love it. As said above, make sure belts have been done and general checks as in guide. You won't be disappointed at all!!!! I average 34-37mpg and that's better than my mini cooper, and 10000000x more fun!!! Love it!!

 

[KEVRSI]

do it mate you wont regret it, just use your common sense when buying , if you see one post it up and get opinion on it etc.

 

[Glenn_23]

Thanks for the quick replies. I think i will go and look at a few. I like the understated look of the 172. So the advice is get one with the belts done as its an expensive job, and general maintenance checks?

Thanks Glenn

 

[leeds_182]

Just get one with a nice service history.

I've had 4 and never had big issues with any of them.

 

[brisa4984]

172s are getting on abit now.

id expect engine mounts, exhaust + mounts, cambelt + water pump and shock replacements?. I bought one 5 years ago and had it for 4 years and even then there were some horrific examples on the market.

if i was to buy a 172/182 or 197 id still expect to spend about 1k in repairs/maintenance within the first year.

 

[Goodj]

Easy answer is to invest in a warranty.

£237 for 3 years from Gocarwarranty.com

It'll cover the big-ticket items, if you get a last-off-the-line 172 you can get one that covers a load more for £330.

I will be

 

[andywa]

Go for it. I've got a 182 and use this as a daily driver and family car with the wife and 2 kids in tow. I've had mine for 13 months and had no issues. Like other people have said check that the belts have been done or if not use that as a way to bring the price down by around £500. I'm also averaging around 36-37mpg with a mixture if driving styles and roads so very economical for the type of car. Go test a few out and see what you think. Also don't worry about the bizarre idle it's a common thing due to the cars map iirc.

 

[DanielJames]

Easy answer is to invest in a warranty.

£237 for 3 years from Gocarwarranty.com

It'll cover the big-ticket items, if you get a last-off-the-line 172 you can get one that covers a load more for £330.

I will be

I wound't touch a 3rd party warranty after reading horror stories on Pistonheads.

Aparantly the customer service is rubbish and when you do get an answer they will just tell you its wear and tear and not covered..

 

[Glenn_23]

172s are getting on abit now.

id expect engine mounts, exhaust + mounts, cambelt + water pump and shock replacements?. I bought one 5 years ago and had it for 4 years and even then there were some horrific examples on the market.

if i was to buy a 172/182 or 197 id still expect to spend about 1k in repairs/maintenance within the first year.

1K in repairs and maintenance? That seems a bit high. Why would i need 1K, i plan on getting one with the belts etc done. I know all cars cost money, that just seems a bit high.

Glenn

 

[Dan1587]

1K in repairs and maintenance? That seems a bit high. Why would i need 1K, i plan on getting one with the belts etc done. I know all cars cost money, that just seems a bit high.

Glenn

Yeah I agree, I bought one without belts but that was the risk I took! Just look at all the basics mate and a few things people have pointed out in here! Most people can tell if a cars been looked after or not!
You looking at ph1 or ph2?

 

[Toms_clio]

Ring bell and ask what they can do.
I'm with them on a multi car policy for 12 month. 1 crash and 2 year ncb at 19 and it's £1286

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

FLOL ! 1k in repairs.

Buy on condition. Buy one with long MOT, and a recent timing/aux belt done. If not, look for at least £500 off the asking price.

I had a ph1 for 2 years and aside from a fresh set of tyres when I powdercoated the wheels, I don't think I spent anything on it due to malfunction. My ph2 has done me nearly 6 months without so much as a penny being spent. It had a service and aux belt done just before I bought it.

Look around for a while. A mint one will come up. Just be prepared to travel.

Ive no idea where you're based or what your budget is, but Steve @ R-Sport cars (check out the traders section) has the tidiest cars in the UK normally !!

 

[Martin_172]

the engines are bullet proff, as long as the belts are done they wont give you any bother. alternators, starters and all other things are pretty reliable too rarely hear of them going, heard of a few PAS pumps going but they are an easy fix.

gearboxes have a strange reputation of being soft but they arnt really, find one that feels good from day 1 and dont drive it like your in the fast and the furious and it will be fine, worth changing the box oil too.

electrics are all pretty decent too, never hear of many issues with them.

the rest of the car is fine, watch out for leaking rear dampers giving strange handling and snapped coil springs.

the biggest one is snapped handbrake cables but they are only about £25 a side i think. ive had 4 cars with rear discs (a ph2 172 a ph1 172, 1.6 16v and dci 100) and ive had to do both cables on all of them at one point!

 

[Glenn_23]

Yeah I agree, I bought one without belts but that was the risk I took! Just look at all the basics mate and a few things people have pointed out in here! Most people can tell if a cars been looked after or not!
You looking at ph1 or ph2?

Looking for a ph2, and i don't mind traveling to get a good one, sometimes you just have to dont you lol. R-Sport cars, ill check them out.

Thanks Glenn