182 for 3k? Too cheap?

182 for 3k? Too cheap?

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Discussion

TheArchitect

Original Poster:

1,238 posts

185 months

Friday 16th March 2012
quotequote all
I'm growing more and more bored of the golf and quite fancy something exciting to drive again. Only problem is I do about 25k a year for work and 15k personal mileage so I cant have something that'll depreciate like a stone or cost a bomb to run day to day. I was looking at picking up another puma as it was a giggle to drive and i can pick up a solid one for 2k however if i spent a little more i noticed i could get a clio sport. I would be looking for an unmodified one as insurance is a pain however i 'might' consider one with the exhaust changed providing it looks standard.

Question is could I pick up a good one for 3k? Ideally a cup or a full fat as I would like it to be a bit different to aid selling it on after 2 years.

I've looked around and have seen engine mounts seem to be classed as consumables, and rear shocks last around 40k before needing replacing. but none of that is something I couldn't sort or cost too much to get done for me.

MiseryStreak

2,929 posts

213 months

Friday 16th March 2012
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Sod the 182, get yourself a nice, unmolested 172 Cup with full service history and low mileage. Or just wait another year or so for the 182 Trophy to drop to 3 grand!
3K will get you into a DC2 Integra Type-R now too, if you like the Puma, then you should like a DC2.
I did 25K in 8 months in the DC2, fuel was a killer, 270 miles out of a 45 litre tank if I was careful! 182 surprisingly good on fuel, I managed 45mpg on the computer on a motorway journey once.
Actually a nice 'full fat' with Cup packs 182 might be the thing for a 25K a year commute and someone weekend fun/trackdays. Oh dear, I've gone full circle, sorry, you're in a good position anyway, let us know what you go for.

Edited by MiseryStreak on Friday 16th March 14:16

zygalski

7,759 posts

151 months

Friday 16th March 2012
quotequote all
40k miles per year!!!
That must be a spend of at least 6000 pounds on fuel alone...

TheArchitect

Original Poster:

1,238 posts

185 months

Friday 16th March 2012
quotequote all
Work pay 45p per mile for 10k and 35p per mile there after so looking into it I can just make a Clio work out for me, and on personal mileage it shouldn't be too much worse than the Golf.

zygalski

7,759 posts

151 months

Friday 16th March 2012
quotequote all
182 is a fun car. I had one for 2 years.
Very odd driving position though & feels like you're driving a bus with the wheel in your lap.
Acceleration to 50mph is ferocious!
Check to see that the cambelt has been changed.
The full service/cambelt change costs a grand to get done by Renault.
Careful when washing the car. Too rough & you'll ding the paper-thin panels...
Careful when leaning forward whilst the boot lid is open. Renault kindly sharpened the edge of the parcel shelf to scalpel-sharp precision, so anyone over about 5 feet tall can get a frontal labotomy on the cheap.
Tyres should be Michelin PE2's & whilst very good, they ain't cheap.
So-called leather on the steering wheel bubbles up nicely after a few years in the sun. 500 quid plus to replace. A common fault which Renault won't accept as item not fit for purpose.

Edited by zygalski on Friday 16th March 15:20

Cub911

350 posts

187 months

Friday 16th March 2012
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I'm running a 172 at the moment.

If you are seriously considering one, have a poke around here;

www.cliosport.net

Plenty of information, pitfalls to look for and some good examples for sale on the forum.

xr287

874 posts

186 months

Saturday 17th March 2012
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zygalski said:
The full service/cambelt change costs a grand to get done by Renault.
It cost me about 600 for the cambelt and auxbelt from the Inverness dealers. You simply wouldn't get a Renault dealer to do this unless you live hundreds of miles from a specialist (as I do) or the local dealer is one of the designated renault sport centres and actually know what they are doing (as mine is) The independent specialists do cam and aux for less than 500 and you know it has been done right.

zygalski said:
Tyres should be Michelin PE2's & whilst very good, they ain't cheap.
These have been discontinued now, so I have pilot sports 3s which seem to be the replacement for them? They are just as good if not better anyway with the bonus of supposed to be longer lasting

T17VER

68 posts

217 months

Saturday 17th March 2012
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Thats right PE2's have been discontinued, I've got a set of PS3's on my Trophy and can't fault them.

182's also seem fond of cv boots and track rod ends. Steering wheels can be retrimmed for £150 in proper leather, as said have a look on cliosport.net

rb5er

11,657 posts

178 months

Saturday 17th March 2012
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I was going to suggest a racing puma but for 40k a year it would be tragic mileage to put on what will become a real classic car.

Dc2 or clio it is then (although its not nice wacking that sort if miles on a dc2 either)

simoid

19,772 posts

164 months

Sunday 18th March 2012
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I've got a 55 plate 182.

Love it to bits.

Cambelt, aux belts etc service was around 600 from my local indie.

There are a few common weaknesses, such as exhaust mounts, engine mounts and CV joints. If you can, getone you fancy up on a ramp and have a look underneath/get a friendly mechanic do so.

If the car is up to scratch, the seller won't have a problem with this. I know I'd be letting anyone inspect whatever they like on mine because I know it's sound.

There are a few scare stories around, however:

I just changed my rear shocks at 53k because they were starting to go, and the car was in getting a couple of 10 quid exhaust mounts and brake fluid anyway, and my original exhaust is still going strong after 6 years. My engine mounts are still sound. If my shocks can last 53k, of around half A/B roads and a lot of town speedbumping, I'm sure others will last far longer!

Don't be put off by an aftermarket exhaust, some, if not most, cars will have needed one by now, especially since 182s can be the best part of a decade old now. Renault charge a fair few quid for an exhaust, so most people opt for a non-Renault exhaust - this doesn't automatically mean the car has been driven by a ned.

Lots of other things going for the 182 - cruise control, climate control, CD player and I would say comfy seats all add to the motorway abilities of 40 odd mpg at 60-65 mph wink

simoid

19,772 posts

164 months

Sunday 18th March 2012
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And in answer to the title question - I'd say no.

Values are dropping down gently and mileages are creeping up. I wouldn't be worried about paying 3 grand for one, I don't think I'd get much more than that for mine.

A website that buys any car reckons it would give me 2 grand for mine hehe

MagicalTrevor

6,476 posts

235 months

Sunday 18th March 2012
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I've got a 172 and I doubt I'd want to be doing 40k miles a year in it. Each to their own though smile

roystinho

3,767 posts

181 months

Monday 19th March 2012
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I'd say you'd need a full fat, ie one with the cup chassis rather than a cup if you're doing 40k a year, just a slightly nicer place to be

However, unless you can't run 2 cars, I'd be looking at getting an economical diesel and a 172 cup on the side. Something like a C2 hdi should be pretty cheap for the daily slog, then you can have the fun at the weekend in the Clio

kayzee

2,942 posts

187 months

Monday 19th March 2012
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3,000 too cheap? Mine was 1,800!

It's my second 182 now, and although the mileage is over double that of my first one... it's a lot better. My first one cost me a lot (or rather would have, had I not got rid quite quickly) so I guess they can be hit and miss.

As always, buy on condition. First thing I did was to get my steering wheel re-trimmed, absolutely top job from someone on ClioSport (cost me 165 for that plus my gear gaiter - these always snap! But 12 for a real new one from eBay) also attacked the front lights with wet and dry and they fade.

But overall bargain, love it... good luck!

PS: For some reason my pound signs won't show up, how annoying.

TheArchitect

Original Poster:

1,238 posts

185 months

Monday 19th March 2012
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Only reason I'm not doing 2 cars is double insurance (not cheap), tax, maintenance means currently I'm better getting an inbetween car. other wise I would be getting a supercharged MX5. Ill start having a look at some at different price ranges to see whats out there.

Cheers

simoid

19,772 posts

164 months

Monday 19th March 2012
quotequote all
Double insurance is your worry?

40,000 miles will be at least 1000 gallons of fuel in a 182.

That's 6 or 7 grand, at least!

VXED

383 posts

189 months

Monday 19th March 2012
quotequote all
I bought my 182 for 3,300, it was up for sale at 3,800 but wasn't in the best of conditions - Oil overfilled, alloys scratched, crap tyres and scratches all over it, but now i've sorted it out has been very reliable. I have a 120 mile round commute so probably not far off the mileage you'll be covering and i'm finding it ok, not the most comfortable of cars but acceptable. I'm also getting 42mpg of it on average, but my commute is all motorway.

HTH

MiseryStreak

2,929 posts

213 months

Tuesday 20th March 2012
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TheArchitect said:
Only reason I'm not doing 2 cars is double insurance (not cheap), tax, maintenance means currently I'm better getting an inbetween car. other wise I would be getting a supercharged MX5. Ill start having a look at some at different price ranges to see whats out there.

Cheers
I bought a 4 year old ex police diesel focus for £2,200 GBP (have that you pound sign thieving gremlin!) to do the commute in as it was a terrible thing to do to an Integra, in terms of my wallet and the wasteful mileage on the car. I say wasteful as motorways are not the way to enjoy any hot hatch (or small coupe if you're an evo reading pedant!). It turned out to be a really useful thing to have around, never need to wash it, thrash the hell out of it, mpg is always above 45 regardless, take stuff to the tip, pick up furniture, let the dog walk all over the inside, whatever. Then I ended up buying a 1970 Elan as I've always loved them and having the boring dogwagon to cover all practical uses, it wouldn't matter if it was permanently laid up!

So, I think you should get a supercharged MX-5 (I would go for a recent BBR conversion personally) and then a diesel barge for the commute. The best thing is you can take the fun car once a week/fortnight/month and it's a real treat, especially if you have to get to work early or leave late and get the roads to yourself. Get a limited mileage policy (or classic car policy if it's older) on the fun car and I guarantee your combined insurance premium and vehicle tax will be less than for the 182.

Sir_Dave

1,501 posts

216 months

Wednesday 21st March 2012
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My '55 plate Trophy did this the other day:


Brilliant car, & costs nine tenths of bugger all to run, fix & enjoy.

For 3 grand, you'll get a mint 182 with both cup packs & with the belts done recently by a specialist. Have a look on Cliosport.net, if you can ignore the various numpties, you'll find a wealth of info. Worth paying the £12 membership to access the for sale section, etc.



Edited by Sir_Dave on Wednesday 21st March 15:16

stevenr

915 posts

200 months

Wednesday 21st March 2012
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xr287 said:
It cost me about 600 for the cambelt and auxbelt from the Inverness dealers. You simply wouldn't get a Renault dealer to do this unless you live hundreds of miles from a specialist (as I do) or the local dealer is one of the designated renault sport centres and actually know what they are doing (as mine is) The independent specialists do cam and aux for less than 500 and you know it has been done right.
The Inverness dealer seems to have fired their prices up a great deal since i had mine,my brother recently bought a 172 and went to get the belts done as there was no proof it had been done as the seller was saying,he paid near a grand compared to the £550 i paid for mine.

They also tried to charge him £89 to change the bulb in number plate light.

I know there's no other specialists in the area but they're taking the piss now.