Buyers Guide / Thoughts on these two...

Robo_No1 · Dec 23, 2013

Hi guys,

I'm looking in to picking up a 133 for the Mrs and getting rid of our 197 Clio. I'm pretty used to Renaults (I may have met some of you on Clio197/200.net) so I'm fairly sure there's going to be a few 'problem spots' to check before buying. Is there a buyers guide anywhere on the site I should be checking out?

Also, what are peoples thoughts on these two? I might pop down and have a look at them on Boxing Day.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi.../postcode/s749dh/radius/1500/page/1?logcode=p

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...ed-listing/dealer/236394/usedcars?logcode=flp

They both have more mileage than I would like, but they're local so I'm going to go for a poke around and maybe a test drive for the Mrs.

Dazza1 · Dec 23, 2013

I'd say the first one as that grey colour is rare. Problems are lower ball joints go easy on them

Robo_No1 · Dec 23, 2013

Lower ball joints and easy/expensive fix on these? I know the lower ball joints have a tenancy to wear on the Clio's too. £300+ for parts from Renault, or a £50 joint from R-Sport if you can find someone to fit it. There's a Garage near me that'll supply fit Clio ones for £125 all in.

LC · Dec 23, 2013

Again id go for the first, try and knock £500 off that price only 2 known problems I believe are the ball joints (common in other cars but less expensive) and the leaky panels meaning water gets into the engine and onto the coils ( I believe or close to that ) other than that it's just wear and tear

Robo_No1 · Dec 23, 2013

That's not too bad then. As great as they are there's a list the length of my arm of common faults to check for the Clio and that's just off the top of my head haha.

No reported engine leaks or failures with Gearboxes etc? I have to admit I really like that silver one (Mirage?) but it's similar age and mileage to my current car and I would have liked to have gotten something a bit new and less mileage. Maybe 20/30k miles and 09 or newer.

LC - Yeah I think 5k is a little much for the mileage, but it is from a dealership. I wonder if they want a fantastic Clio 197 in trade?

oscar · Dec 23, 2013

Robo i'm pretty sure they'd take it in a trade, although you'll shoot yourself in the foot as you'll get so much more for it in a private sale

Robo_No1 · Dec 23, 2013

Yeah, I'll see what they can do. I would get a lot more for it private, but I'm pretty lazy and also massively short on spare time, so the effort of advertising/holding viewings will be a pain in the arse. My other concern is my cambelt is due in January (and MOT) so I would need to fork out £500/600+ to get them two done before it's worth a private sale. A dealership will either care less/not check what's due. So if I can get within £500 of private sale value (on trade in) then it might even out.