What to look for in a 172/182!

[jakeypoo]

Hi guys!

After having a nicely specced astra sri 1.8 earlier in the year, i started a new job and got a mk5 astra company car, so the other astra had to go!

So since february i have had to drive round in the dreariest most boring ecoflex rubbish astra which bores me to death!

I decided on my 21st birthday (december) i should treat myself to a new motor!

I looked at everything, audi s3's, vxr's, st's, bmw's etc aswell as the clio, and each time i come back to the clio!

Why? Its nice and small to fit on ever growing driveway of cars, fast, a sorted package from the start, reasonably priced, full of toys, torquey and good on fuel, and i have heard nothing but good things!

So now that time is passing so fast, i was wondering what advice you could give me when looking at the clio's! I heard that the cambelt is a expensive job?

I prefer the 182 over the 172 due to the exhaust and would get one with the cup packs also, but what do i need to look out for when looking/buying one?

Any advice is much appreciated guys!!

 

[Revels]

Howdy.

The exhausts/engine mounts are made off toffee. So they'll always fail. Those being replaced is a good thing. Make sure it's had the belt serviced at 72k/5 years. Everything else is just common sense really. Tyres/suspension/dents etc etc. There was a bonnet recall but that should have been done long long ago.

For the 182's, avoid the Cups. Pikey spec for no real gain. They only come in Racing Blue (baby blue) and Infero (orange).

Cup packs are spoiler and splitter for one (splitter usually fallen off, expensive carbon replacement at k-tec for 100ish or Skoda for 20) the other is anthracite allows, exalto tyres and cup suspension which lowers it 3mm.

Other than that, crack on. Probably looking at about 4.5k for a decent 182.

 

[jakeypoo]

Cheers for that!

The exhaust doesn't worry me to much as this would be the only mod I would probably make to it, but would want something raspy!

I have never driven one or been drive in one, so for those who own them, what do you think of the performance?

 

[gaz44]

As above, you can't go far wrong with these cars unless you are unlucky! Quick, cheap and fun - not sure about torquey though, compared to the other cars you mentioned!

Performance is spot on for what it's good at - B roads. Motorway - not so good, IMO. They are not uber fast but that's not important with them.

 

[jakeypoo]

I meant torquey for the type of engine as a turbo'd motor will always have more torque!

Im just after something fun to use and chuck about, without having to make changes to it like i did to my astra! And what wont cost the earth to run!

 

[Dave..]

Not even torquey for a naturally aspirated engine.

Good cheap cars though, and quick for what they are.

 

[gaz44]

I meant torquey for the type of engine as a turbo'd motor will always have more torque!

Im just after something fun to use and chuck about, without having to make changes to it like i did to my astra! And what wont cost the earth to run!

Look no further then, a Clio should tick all the boxes! Get a 172 Cup if you're hard, regular 172 if you're soft. No point in a 182 unless you want a newer car.

 

[jakeypoo]

Am i right in saying the 172 cup doesnt have air con or abs? i definetly need that!

Apart from the difference of 10bhp from the 172 to th 182, are there any other differences?

Looking to spend around 5k so would be looking for something with decent mileage, prefereably full service history and the cambelt changed! Is that reasonable for that money?

 

[DB.]

Very reasonable mate!

Ill be selling my Racing Blue 182 in the New year with about 45k on, FSH, belts changed and a nice Yozza raspy exhaust being the only mod! Maybe a bit too late for you if your looking to buy in December though!

The 182 has the dual exit exhaust rear bumper as apposed to the 172 as well as nicer alloy wheels!

 

[gaz44]

Very reasonable mate!

Ill be selling my Racing Blue 182 in the New year with about 45k on, FSH, belts changed and a nice Yozza raspy exhaust being the only mod! Maybe a bit too late for you if your looking to buy in December though!

The 182 has the dual exit exhaust rear bumper as apposed to the 172 as well as nicer alloy wheels!

Not sure you are correct about the wheels...

Am i right in saying the 172 cup doesnt have air con or abs? i definetly need that!

Apart from the difference of 10bhp from the 172 to th 182, are there any other differences?

Looking to spend around 5k so would be looking for something with decent mileage, prefereably full service history and the cambelt changed! Is that reasonable for that money?

You are right, no ABS or aircon. All weight!

Not many other differences really apart from cosmetics. And that 10bhp is more like 4 but it's a lottery as to what bhp is found within the Clios. They tend not to make make their power! Should be a few nice examples for £5k.

 

[jakeypoo]

Very reasonable mate!

Ill be selling my Racing Blue 182 in the New year with about 45k on, FSH, belts changed and a nice Yozza raspy exhaust being the only mod! Maybe a bit too late for you if your looking to buy in December though!

The 182 has the dual exit exhaust rear bumper as apposed to the 172 as well as nicer alloy wheels!

Nah that is exactly what i would be looking for, and it pretty much matches all my criteria! I turn 21 in late december, so would be looking around december/january time!

 

[DB.]

Well drop me a PM in January mate and we will see what we can arrange!

Just saving my pennies now for a new car!

 

[Ex-User (54566)]

5K is a decent budget, you should be looking at FSH, belts done and under 55k. Or even less...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1966351.htm

Now is a good time to buy, but it could all change by December.

 

[jakeypoo]

cheers for the info guys!

I pretty much have my heart set on a 182 now!

But im a little confused, you can buy a 182 with cup packs, but also get a 182 cup, which all i have read is comes in two colours and loses options like leather and xenons! whats the difference?

Also what makes the cambelt more expensive to do than a normal car, is it an awkward job then?

 

[Triki]

You have pretty much hit the nail on the head, with regard to the 182 with cup packs, and the 182 cup. More colour choice with a cup packed car.
Cambelt is a job that needs doing by someone who knows what they are doing. Its fairly involved, hence the costs. But have a look about on here for prices.

 

[SaraJ]

Cambelt is an essential job, i personally wouldnt risk buying one that needs it doing soon, so stick to your guns on one that has been done I found out the hard way even though mind HAD been done!

 

[jakeypoo]

Still keeping an eye on some clios! But have evern started looking at 172's now due to them being a bit cheaper!

Would anyone recommend a cup though, what advantages/disadvantages does it have over a normal 172?