Swapping 1.2 16v for a 172? Running costs difference?

[sabian92]

Happy Christmas!

I bought my 1.2 at the start of November - didn't even entertain looking at the nippy clios as I just assumed they'd be mental on insurance. 22, no NCD, not brilliant postcode.... that sort of a thing. I pay 1050 quid a year in insurance (to be fair it's a multicar policy with admiral, but the vast majority of that in indeed my Clio! The other car is my in laws and I pay it for them, but theirs is only about 200 quid a year as they're old :tongueout. But yeah, about 800 quid a year for the Clio. Had a poke around on Autotrader, put in some reg plates into a few comparison sites... 1k all in for a 172! :rage: Bloody typical!

I get around 41-ish MPG currently as I rag the s**t out of it because it's so slow. I've had it up to 46mpg but I was moving slower than a funeral procession :smile: plus it's boring :wink: I'm also planning on a 'Ring trip next year so a 172 would do nicely for that as well. I'd plan to get shut of my 1.2 after my other half has passed her test as she's on my policy at the moment as a provisional driver, I daren't think of what the premium would be if I put her on a 172!

But yeah, difference in cost day to day? Is it noticeably more expensive to run compared to a 1.2? I do around 8500-9000 a year mileage wise.

 

[BoatNonce]

I'd say it's not something you'd notice straight away. You can still get 30+mpg driving normally around town, so personally I don't really use more fuel than I did in my 1.2.

It's the bills that are bigger really. Not just repair bills but tax too.

 

[Kchristmas]

I upgraded from a 1.2 around 3 months ago to a 172, fuel wise I don't really notice a difference unless I'm doing lengthy journeys. As above it's just the tax and cambelt costs really.

 

[imprezaworks]

Do it. They are quick and cheap to run

 

[bloke]

give me a shout if you're after one, got a good phase 1 here at the mo ready to go, had loads done to it.

 

[clancy]

Went from a 1,2 to 172 a few years ago

Petrol wise no real difference from day to day. Tax and servicing is the killer

Easiest thing to do is buy a car that's not long had all belts etc done. Car might cost a bit more but will be worth it when you see how much a major service can cost

And bloke how much ? Got an add?

Miss my phase 1, can never find nice ones like mine was

 

[The Chubby Pirate]

Remember tax can be paid monthly now so £270 over a year isn't nearly as bad.

 

[imprezaworks]

Agreed. Tax is meh, and servicing isn't dear. No much more than a 1.2

 

[clancy]

Er yeah, major service is pretty noticeably more expensive than a 1.2...

Either way do it, totally worth it

 

[The Chubby Pirate]

Even at that its still only £120-£140 for a major service, pounds per smile, they cannot be beat.

 

[clancy]

I was referring to the cost of changing the belts and dephaser if need be when I mentioned major service

 

[The Chubby Pirate]

Buying smart (one thats been done recently) is what its about.

 

[sabian92]

Sounds like they're worth really considering then.

What's a decent 172 ph2 go for? More to the point, what does a 1.2 16v Dynamique go for? :smile: 53 plate 1 Previous owner, clean inside and out (mostly!), 40k miles, belts need doing though. :weary: Never been done either, and it's got a pants service history - found my service log the other day, not a single stamp in it.

 

[The Chubby Pirate]

Theres already a thread on "what my cars worth lad" the boys will advise you on that.

As per 172's - they've plummeted, ideally, £1500 - £1750/18 for a good conditioned well maintained example is within grasp i'd say. That said, 182's are now falling into 2.5/3k territory for what i'd consider reasonable examples.

It wholly depends on what your plans are, are you handy with spanners? Does it need to be mint? PH/AT are rammed with examples, you won't be stuck for choice.

 

[sabian92]

There's already a thread on "what my cars worth lad" the boys will advise you on that.

As per 172's - they've plummeted, ideally, £1500 - £1750/18 for a good conditioned well maintained example is within grasp i'd say. That said, 182's are now falling into 2.5/3k territory for what i'd consider reasonable examples.

It wholly depends on what your plans are, are you handy with spanners? Does it need to be mint? PH/AT are rammed with examples, you won't be stuck for choice.

Ah right, had no idea. Will go and look now.

See, I paid more for that for my 1.2... bloody stealers! It's low mileage and mechanically solid though so I suspect I'll get most of what I paid back. Give it a good clean and a hoover and it comes up decent which help too.

My plans are basically to have a vehicle that's not piss-slow (former 125 rider as well, I weigh 18st, so you can probably gather it wasn't fast :smile, something that'll make me giggle but equally is comfortable enough to do long journeys in and carry a bit of luggage doing it. My 1.2 struggles anything more than 2 up without luggage. Plus something I can take to track days and be reasonably nippy in.

I'm not handy with spanners whatsoever but my uncle owns a garage and as long as I provide the parts I get free servicing. Throw a crate his way, he's happy. I'm not desperate for a mint one nor am I fussy on colour but a rotter is out of the question as is one that needs a load doing to it. It'll be my daily so a car that needs 3 months on axle stands or in a garage for 3 weeks isn't feasible.

Reckon I could get a decent example and with the change pay the extra on the insurance? :up: I can just update my policy and not need a new one I assume?

 

[clancy]

You should be able to update your insurance but dependant on your age and insurance company they may either say no or be outrageously priced. Get a new quote on comparison site for a 172 hen ring your own insurer and see what they offer, then haggle

Although your uncle owns a garage does he do many of these that you know of ? Standard service is fine but belts etc are expensive on these so don't just presume he will be happy to do it for nout lol

Best advice I can give is to buy a car with a recent belt change, ideally at a Renault specialist. Cambelt, auaux belt, dephaser, pump, filters and oil can set you back almost 1k to be supplied and fitted.

But don't be put off, these cars are awesome fun for the money, very comfy for a hatchback and fine on long drives, great for track use. Cheap to run day to day, often can show people up in what you'd expect to be faster cars

 

[sabian92]

You should be able to update your insurance but dependent on your age and insurance company they may either say no or be outrageously priced. Get a new quote on comparison site for a 172 hen ring your own insurer and see what they offer, then haggle

Although your uncle owns a garage does he do many of these that you know of ? Standard service is fine but belts etc are expensive on these so don't just presume he will be happy to do it for nout lol

Best advice I can give is to buy a car with a recent belt change, ideally at a Renault specialist. Cambelt, auaux belt, dephaser, pump, filters and oil can set you back almost 1k to be supplied and fitted.

But don't be put off, these cars are awesome fun for the money, very comfy for a hatchback and fine on long drives, great for track use. Cheap to run day to day, often can show people up in what you'd expect to be faster cars

I'm 22 at the moment, 23 next year. Not "new driver" but not "we don't think he'll kill lots of kittens" either. I got a quote last night on a ph2 172 for 1100 or so which isn't too bad. My insurer is Admiral and they're pretty reasonable so I may give them a ring, discuss it and see what they quote me. It's my fiancee I'm concerned about - provisional licence holder, no way in shite will they insure her on a 172 :smile: May have to stick her on her mum's Kia instead.

I don't know how many he does but he's a solid mechanic. I have no issue paying him, he just refuses it each time I offer. I never assume he'll do anything for free but it's nice that he does, saves me a fortune :tongueout:

I didn't expect it to cost that much.... Good Lord. What's the same job on what I've got a the moment? Just as a comparison.

 

[warwickstingray]

Belts are not expensive really. The specialists on here offer great prices. Particularly for the 172 cup. I was quite surprised when I looked into it compared to other engines that are similar and how much their cambelts cost. Tyres for 16 inch wheels are a bit more expensive but not ridiculous. There really is less in it than you would think. The sports are effortless to drive daily compared to a 1.2.

 

[clancy]

You won't know without phoning up bud as it depends on the under writter of your current policy. They may be fine with your age on a 1.2 say but that u der writers policy might say no under 25 in anything over a 1.6 etc. Had it when I swapped bikes last year, was on a gsxr600 for like £300 fully comp at 21, rang to change to a cbr1000rr and they wouldn't insure anyone on that particlar bike under 30 lol

Ah yeah I'm not questionin his abilities just they take longer than your average car which need to bare in mind. Last time I paid for everything to get done it cost me basically a grand (fee years ago) was due to the parts are relatively expensive in the first place, also the engine bay on the 172 is tight as s**t and difficult to do anything, lots of puss arsing about removing buts etc to do what you need

Not sure what it costs on a 1.2, however my mate had his fiesta 1.2 Cambelt done at the same time for £140 fitted, i think it cost me more than that just to buy the 172 Cambelt kit lol

Either way don't be put off by it mate, easiest thing to do is just make sure you buy a car that's had it done in the last year or so and then it's done and you don't need to worry

Just don't take a sellers word for it, check paperwork

Have you driven a 172 yet? If not it will put some massive smile on your face

 

[BoatNonce]

It's not too bad on a 1.2 but the cambelt on a 1*2 is a specialist job. If the timing's even slightly out it'll hit performance significantly, furthermore a cambelt change by someone who isn't a specialist won't look great if you come to sell it.

 

[warwickstingray]

I really don't think the cost even on a full fat car is expensive. The last time I looked at the packages for full belt services and a full service at the recommended specialists on here they were pretty reasonable. Christ I spent over 300 quid on 4 tyres for my diesel 206 with it's stupid 195/55/15's and they were mid range. Just loom at diesels. You save all that fuel and then the pump, injectors, turbo or any number of things rape your wallet because the last owner didn't service it properly.

 

[sabian92]

You won't know without phoning up bud as it depends on the under writter of your current policy. They may be fine with your age on a 1.2 say but that u der writers policy might say no under 25 in anything over a 1.6 etc. Had it when I swapped bikes last year, was on a gsxr600 for like £300 fully comp at 21, rang to change to a cbr1000rr and they wouldn't insure anyone on that particlar bike under 30 lol

Ah yeah I'm not questionin his abilities just they take longer than your average car which need to bare in mind. Last time I paid for everything to get done it cost me basically a grand (fee years ago) was due to the parts are relatively expensive in the first place, also the engine bay on the 172 is tight as s**t and difficult to do anything, lots of puss arsing about removing buts etc to do what you need

Not sure what it costs on a 1.2, however my mate had his fiesta 1.2 Cambelt done at the same time for £140 fitted, i think it cost me more than that just to buy the 172 Cambelt kit lol

Either way don't be put off by it mate, easiest thing to do is just make sure you buy a car that's had it done in the last year or so and then it's done and you don't need to worry

Just don't take a sellers word for it, check paperwork

Have you driven a 172 yet? If not it will put some massive smile on your face

Yeah, I'll give them a ring at some point, probably next week. I presume they're shut at the moment.

To be fair, a lot of young riders buy an inline 4 thou and find the nearest tree with it at a very vast rate of knots :tonguewink: Surprisingly, often doesn't end well for the rider....

I haven't driven one, no. I didn't even entertain the idea of them when I was looking for a Clio as I thought they'd be mega expensive (Like Meg R26 or Vee money) to run. That and I don't know anybody with one :smile: Feel like a bit of a prick now to be honest. I spent a lot on my current Clio because it was very low miles, mechanically sound, good nick, nice interior... and I could have had a 172 (with air con!) for potentially less money and 200 quid a year extra insurance. Doh.

It's not too bad on a 1.2 but the cambelt on a 1*2 is a specialist job. If the timing's even slightly out it'll hit performance significantly, furthermore a cambelt change by someone who isn't a specialist won't look great if you come to sell it.

So it's worth paying the specialist prices I presume then, even though they're insane? penmouth:

 

[clancy]

Never mind bud, you were happy to buy it so don't feel bad. Just try and sell it for a good price but be reasonable, put it on faFacebook and gumtree etc which are free for a high is price, if literally no interest then just drop it if you decide to pay for auto trader or something

It's worth paying a specialist to ensure its done correctly and for resale value. There have been a few horror story's of garages not knowing what they are doing

If I remember rightly you can't use normal locking tools on the cambelt, need specific ones of Renault, can cause problems if done without etc

It may be cheaper now days than when I last paid to have it all done, if it were me I'd just buy one already done buddy

 

[Mr Burns]

I think as far as cars go, I'd say the 172 is the easiest top-spec car you could upgrade to from the bottom spec one. The 172 really isn't expensive to run.

 

[warwickstingray]

If you read the procedure you would want a specialist doing the job. Plenty of pitfuls for the unwary or fitting jobs in brigade.
Also a specialist can give the car a full health check so it may hit you a little at purchase but save your wallet pain and you misery later on.

If you can find a tidy example that needs the belts doing you can use the cambelt and dephaser costs as a bargaining tool to recoup some of the cost for when you get it done. If you buy one that has had the job done with quality parts but isn't quite right but not so far out it's a ticking time bomb the specialists are a dab had at fixing ballsed up timing for a reasonable cost.