Moley

iTrader: (9)

I'm off to look at a couple of Clio 172's tomorrow, is there anything in particular to look out for?

stilover

Squeeks. Lots of fecking squeeks.

I had the misfortune to own a MKII 172. Hated it. The worst car I've ever owned.

The Air con is Asmatic. I thought the engine was week, and that it understeered for Great Britain. It was at the dealers more times than I ever want to remember.

Maybe mine was just a sh!te one, but never again !!!

nick172sport

iTrader: (6)

yep buzzing round the interior light they all suffer with it aircon fan you replace it then a few days later goes again check that cambelt has been done aswell as alternater belts i had a bill when i bought mine for 800 quid for a cambelt change and service renault since buying mine ive had to replace the alternater belt but comes as a kit 300 to fix mines done low mileage 53 plate 50k i paid 3.5k for mine fsh i average 38mpg driven sensibly if you test drive it rag it in second then go to third when at 6000 rpm and you will be amazed very happy with mine

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

These are really getting quite old now, they're french and they're Renaults.

Be afraid, be very afraid.

We owned an 02 one from 6 months old to 4 1/2 years old. Multiple issues and it had only done 23k miles when we sold it.

You hardly see any about now, but there were plenty when they were newer. To me, they seem to have vanished too quickly - as in way quicker than other cars.

nick172sport

iTrader: (6)

nowt wrong with french cars they have there pitfalls so do subarus and ive had a couple

Moley

iTrader: (9)

Hmmm, not sounding fantastic.

Can't think of many other cars i fancy though as a daily driver.

Servicing and repairs aren't a problem as a good friend is a Renault specialist, so that side is all sorted.

I'm amazed how cheap some are now.... but worried they are cheap for a reason.

craigyp

iTrader: (5)

Had a 182 to 2 years was mechanically sound!!! But god the french are crap with electrics!!! The car was only 2 yrs old!! Beside that the drive was fun fun fun!!!!

nick172sport

iTrader: (6)

gary mines a daily driver and is sound good mpg saving me 80per month on petrol compared to scoob dont buy a cheap one pay a bit extra i did you get what you pay for do not go on cliosport full off k.**** but there are bargains in the for sale section but dont ask anything because you will get moderated straight away as the questions been asked before

Moley

iTrader: (9)

It is a 2002 model, fairly high miles, but has a full Renault service history.

If it isn't any good i'll walk away, but i'd like it to be a decent car.

Aslong as it's better than the P reg Corsa 1.4 Sport it's replacing i'll be happy!

Johnny E

Good cars bud if you get a goodun. Ive had a couple now, i use them on the track

Enjoy this vid of a friends one playing and wasting a 6.3 mers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRYKCZmHtvo

andy_s37

I got my 172 Cup last week and so far I love it. I had a little bit of tidying up to do but it was nothing a bit of T-cut and elbow grease couldnt sort out. It handles really well and is quite nippy around town. Its no Subaru but then again its horses for courses. I am quite surprised that the insurance price for these is only a couple of 100 quid cheaper than a modified WRX, is this what you would expect or have I been fleeced?

I've been doing small (1-2 mile) journeys around town and have achieved 34mpg.

Andy.

Brun

Owned one for 25k miles. No squeeks, rattles or any issues what so ever.Decent level of kit and quite comfy. Handled quite well but not much weight over the rear wheels made it feel nervy to meWould i have another????..................... not on your fookin nelly. To get it to go anywhere meant screwing it's ***** off - tiresome at best. Decent TDi's would be long gone before you could change gear. I'd choose my 50mpg Fab VRS every day of the week even though it does handle like a oil tanker.

jonc

I had a MKII 172 for 3 years 24k miles and loved it. Had very minor rattles but mechanically and electrically sound and went like stink. Also very well equipped too, climate, xenon HID, auto wipers, part leather/alcantara seats and was a hoot to punt around. Now have a 2005 Clio Trophy, for me both 172 and 182 are mechanically and electrically sound, hardly any rattles, 33mpg average and 45mpg on the motorway, not bad for a sub 7 secs 0-60 petrol car, in fact I can't think of any petrol engined cars that can match it for performance and economy. Check for cam and aux belt changes have been done, cam belt is changed every 5 years or 72k miles and aux belt every 3 years or 36k miles.

Generally people will inevitably be quick slate it because it's French, etc, but for me in my years of onwership I have had no issues with either car. 172's are getting old now, but you shouldn't see any issues with one that has been well looked after. Enjoy you test drive!

Fantom

Seems a lot of people slate them but my experiences with them were great. I had two and hardly had any issues.
They are so much fun to drive. How stilover can say understeer I do not know. I was so impressed with the turn in on mine.
Yes you have to rev the engine to go fast, but surely thats how it should be?
Not sure how tall you are but I found the seats and the driving position pretty crap.
I just bought aftermarket seats though and it was much better.
They are easily as quick as standard imprezas, yet get well over 30mpg. I used to get 32mpg and only ever did short journeys.
I am going to be buying a car for track use next year and it will be a phase 1 172 for sure.

Rob Day

iTrader: (78)

Ive had one Renault (Alpine) and it was Fantastic, but just like a Subaru it was a big let down in certain areas as standard, so be prepared to pay out espcially if you get a 10yr old one. My sister has a 172 Sport, and she has had it with the car, its being valted this week and being sold on. The last few issues (last month) was the the 5th gear syncro, then a week after throttle cable snapped !

chief-long-shin

Main thing I would keep an eye out for having a totally misinformed view is

Check it is not made by Renault
Check it's not a product of France
Check you are small enough to fit in it
Check they remembered an engine
Check for scoobyworls badge, walk away if this is not present

On a more serious note who puts the bloody bonnet release in passenger footwell. Tossers

Fantom

Chief, I think you'll find the bonnet release is that side as Renaults are French and therefore left hand drive.
They didnt bother swapping it for us English

stilover

Maybe it was because the car I owned prior to the Clio was a 106GTI. So taking the same corners at the same speed as the Pug did, the car understeered.

Moley

iTrader: (9)

Well, i bought it.

Seems a great little car. Full Renault service history, cambelt has been done.

Only driven it home, but went via motorway, duel carriageway, and a decent mix of A and B roads, and it drives really well on all of them.

stilover

Does this mean you've sold the Scooby? Or is this just a little run around?

nick172sport

iTrader: (6)

runaround i think anyway gary can you sort a insurance scheme for clios as you were very dear after i sold scoob

Moley

iTrader: (9)

Just a little runaround to replace the Corsa i have.

Nick, i think Greenlight, Adrian Flux and Chris Knott have the market wrapped up insuring Clio's.