Discussion
Looking at these for my next car. Only had the GT TDI 115 Golf for a week and although it's a big improvement over my other cars in comfort, it's slow and handles like a boat! It'll do until I September though where I will have been driving for 3 years and have a years no claims (insurance has been stopped and started previously) and can afford to insure something 'fun'. By afford I mean scrimp and scrape..
Before I got the Golf I had a 106 Rallye S2 which I kind of regret getting rid of, handled like a dream and was so chuckable! Which is what I'm looking for from the next car, along with a bit more pace.
After selling the Golf I should have about £1500/£2000 to play with for the next car.I've been looking at 172's but what else is out there in my pricerange that offers decent handling, reasonable pace and not a complete crippler on insurance?
Before I got the Golf I had a 106 Rallye S2 which I kind of regret getting rid of, handled like a dream and was so chuckable! Which is what I'm looking for from the next car, along with a bit more pace.
After selling the Golf I should have about £1500/£2000 to play with for the next car.I've been looking at 172's but what else is out there in my pricerange that offers decent handling, reasonable pace and not a complete crippler on insurance?
Not a lot 
I arrived at a Clio 172 when I had a similar budget last year for my daily drive. I wanted the same things (ie handling, pace etc) and I would argue that there are not many cars out there that will compare for the money. The only ones I came up with were the 106 GTi, 306 GTi/Rallye, and possibly an MG ZR.
£1500 should get you a Phase 1 172 and £2000 a Phase 2. That's what I paid for mine (see my profile) and it was in very good nick with low miles. I've had it 9 months now and apart from needing a new radiator (took a stone on the M4) and a new cat (common at 10 years old) it's been trouble free and fun motoring. I commute 12 miles to work and I see 40 - 45mpg out of it with care, but it's rapid when you put your foot down!
There are buyers guides on the net, take a printout when you go to see one and you should be fine. I don't regret getting mine at all
I arrived at a Clio 172 when I had a similar budget last year for my daily drive. I wanted the same things (ie handling, pace etc) and I would argue that there are not many cars out there that will compare for the money. The only ones I came up with were the 106 GTi, 306 GTi/Rallye, and possibly an MG ZR.
£1500 should get you a Phase 1 172 and £2000 a Phase 2. That's what I paid for mine (see my profile) and it was in very good nick with low miles. I've had it 9 months now and apart from needing a new radiator (took a stone on the M4) and a new cat (common at 10 years old) it's been trouble free and fun motoring. I commute 12 miles to work and I see 40 - 45mpg out of it with care, but it's rapid when you put your foot down!
There are buyers guides on the net, take a printout when you go to see one and you should be fine. I don't regret getting mine at all
I have had my ph2 172 since end of November last year. After having a 1.2 8v then a 1.6 16v i decided i had to go for either a 172 or 182. Its a comfy ride but even with the standard suspension it handles really well without the rough bumpy ride. One of my mates has recently bought a 200 cup and hes lucky to average over 34mpg on a motorway where as mine doing the same run following him was sitting at 42mpg so fuel economy is great as well. I think the 172 is great value for money. Mine is the full fat so climate control, xenon's, half leather, cruise control and with 3 years no claims the insurance isn't to bad either to be honest. I love it def a thumbs up from me
I bought my 172 Ph1 three and a half years ago and its been such a blast to own and drive. I've done 15 trackdays in it, and put around 35,000 miles on it. Its now got 124,000 miles on the clock and still drives like a fairly new car. There's not many cars that are as much fun to drive.
Both my Wife and I love our Ph1 172, it's a hoot to drive.
Do your research though, a belt change is expensive and essential at certain age/mileage. If you want a fast, great handling, fun car then get one! I specifically wanted a Ph1 because it's got a cable throttle (heal and toe is easy) and just a little more raw than the newer ones.
Do your research though, a belt change is expensive and essential at certain age/mileage. If you want a fast, great handling, fun car then get one! I specifically wanted a Ph1 because it's got a cable throttle (heal and toe is easy) and just a little more raw than the newer ones.
DaveL485 said:
MagicalTrevor said:
Do your research though, a belt change is expensive and essential at certain age/mileage.
It's really not if you go to the right place. I do em for around £300 for Aux/Cam and all idlers and tensioners.You need the correct locking tools in addition to the belt kit itself. £300 is a great price however and if you are using proper Renault tools plus decent parts then that's a great service.
I've just bought a 172 Ph1. 77k, 2 owners for £1500. Bit of a bargain I think. Getting the belts done as a precaution as even though it looked pretty new, there was no evidence of it being done in the paperwork (helped me with bargaining if nothing else). Gonna be a little track project over time, really looking forward to tinkering and getting it on track
MagicalTrevor said:
DaveL485 said:
MagicalTrevor said:
Do your research though, a belt change is expensive and essential at certain age/mileage.
It's really not if you go to the right place. I do em for around £300 for Aux/Cam and all idlers and tensioners.You need the correct locking tools in addition to the belt kit itself. £300 is a great price however and if you are using proper Renault tools plus decent parts then that's a great service.
Was hugely surprised (and pleased) at how easy the rear shocks were to change too!
Get one! I had one for a couple of years and it was more fun than an Audi R8 (IMO). I wrote this on www.nitroaddiction.co.uk.
Zav
Zav
Had my 172 Cup for about two years now & wouldn't be without it! It's a 2nd car bought mainly to hillclimb but it's such great fun I use it on my (short) daily commute. It has thrown up a few niggles, mainly electrical but they are known faults & being french, don't cost that much to fix. Get over to cliosport.net, it's a great resource.
DaveL485 said:
MagicalTrevor said:
Do your research though, a belt change is expensive and essential at certain age/mileage.
It's really not if you go to the right place. I do em for around £300 for Aux/Cam and all idlers and tensioners.It's been known for main dealers to charge over £1,000
kayzee said:
DaveL485 said:
MagicalTrevor said:
Do your research though, a belt change is expensive and essential at certain age/mileage.
It's really not if you go to the right place. I do em for around £300 for Aux/Cam and all idlers and tensioners.It's been known for main dealers to charge over £1,000
kayzee said:
DaveL485 said:
MagicalTrevor said:
Do your research though, a belt change is expensive and essential at certain age/mileage.
It's really not if you go to the right place. I do em for around £300 for Aux/Cam and all idlers and tensioners.roystinho said:
kayzee said:
DaveL485 said:
MagicalTrevor said:
Do your research though, a belt change is expensive and essential at certain age/mileage.
It's really not if you go to the right place. I do em for around £300 for Aux/Cam and all idlers and tensioners.It's been known for main dealers to charge over £1,000
If the former, this is an absolute steal, and the guys over on ClioSport would love to know more so please post details! Even still, many people would rather go to an indy specialist.
kayzee said:
An actual offical Renault dealership!? Or an independant Renault specialist...
If the former, this is an absolute steal, and the guys over on ClioSport would love to know more so please post details! Even still, many people would rather go to an indy specialist.
Ok, maybe a bit unfair as I'm good friends with the workshop manager, but yeah, a proper Renault Renaultsport Dealer. Don't know what the regular price would be, but if I reccomend you I'll see what the score would be If the former, this is an absolute steal, and the guys over on ClioSport would love to know more so please post details! Even still, many people would rather go to an indy specialist.
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