Thoughts on this Phase 1

[MonPapillon]

Spotted this online, interested in the thoughts of the experts… especially as it’s 3.5hrs from me!

Used 2001 Renault Clio 2.0 16V Renaultsport 172 Phase 1 Silver Only 76,000 Miles £5,999 76,000 miles - Silver | Circuit Automotive | Circuit Automotive

Buy a used 2001 Silver Renault Clio 2.0 16V Renaultsport 172 Phase 1 Silver Only 76,000 Miles with 76,000 miles on the clock for £5,999 from Circuit Automotive at Circuit Automotive.

circuitautomotive.co.uk

 

[hopgop1]

Looks nice and original to me, I'd want some good photos of inside the fuel door and the rear arches and where the sills meet the skirts at the rear. I think it's likely most of these that have been driven will need some sort of rust correction, but hard to know the extent, usually expensive by the time you can see it on the outside. No history is a shame, I'd also be wary if it has been painted on the rear, in case it's been done to hide something.
Not sure if this is a reflection or the sign of some corrosion on the left of the photo above the skirt.

Being pedantic, it does also appear to be missing the strap on the airbox, that's exclusive to the ph1 I believe and quite expensive to replace if you're lucky enough to find one.
Don't want to put you off, it does look a nice car, just make sure you go in with your eyes open. Any mk2 will need some TLC.

 

[Poopensharten]

As above, i’d want pictures of the inside 3/4 panels, does look clean but it is 25 years old!

 

[MonPapillon]

This is great, thank you!

How easy is it to look inside the 1/4 panels? Could I easily do it if I visited? Feels unreasonable to ask them?

 

[Daz...]

There’s a company in Germany who sell replacement straps for the airbox, they’re just not in black.

 

[MonPapillon]

Sorry, not 100% sure what you mean by the airbox strap? I assume useable as is, and assume alternative would be fitting an induction kit?

 

[Ol’ Tarby]

This is great, thank you!

How easy is it to look inside the 1/4 panels? Could I easily do it if I visited? Feels unreasonable to ask them?

Whip a rear speaker out and pop an inspection camera down there. Or your phone

 

[hopgop1]

Sorry, not 100% sure what you mean by the airbox strap? I assume useable as is, and assume alternative would be fitting an induction kit?

The strap is pictured here, think it's just to keep the airbox in place and they're common to break. Don't think it's a big issue if they're missing, but I'm sure a ph1 owner will correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Coops Mk1]

It's no issue if it's gone, they get baggy when old and do nothing anyway but they're a nice to have. I have a third party one on the car and keep the original in a box in the shed, lol

As above really, main advice is get lots of detailed photos looking for any rot

 

[Coops Mk1]

It's also not a 2001 car it's a December 2000 registered and the recent MOT history is patchy, crucially nothing on rust which is good, but loads of little bits so I'd be asking lots of questions on if all that's been taken care of too

 

[Martin_172]

Id want a good look at it as that red circle looks like the telltale rust bubbles and if you can see it there then there's probably no sill left.

And the green circled bits, those are never body coloured these days, especially not THAT bright, that's where the rusty water from what's left of the sill leaks out, someone's painted that.

However most need sills now so as long as the price reflects it, your happy to take it on and the rest of the car is good, I wouldn't be put off, but just be mindful of what your getting Into

 

[MonPapillon]

Thank you Martin, impressive sleuthing!

I think I’ll remain patient, it’s a long way to go to be disappointed 😆