Renault Clio 197 advice please.
Discussion
Good evening all.
My son is looking at this car at the moment.
What do people think at first glance.
Any thing we need to ask or look out for before seriously considering buying it.
Don’t know much about these, reliability, quality servicing etc.
Any help would be very welcome.
Thanks in advance.
Dave S.
My son is looking at this car at the moment.
What do people think at first glance.
Any thing we need to ask or look out for before seriously considering buying it.
Don’t know much about these, reliability, quality servicing etc.
Any help would be very welcome.
Thanks in advance.
Dave S.
I purchased one of these in may this year.
2008, 74k miles, full service history including original invoice. It has recaro seats and the cup pack (stiffer springs and dampers). I paid 3.2k for it which I'm happy with.
The one in your link is fair but more but comes with nearly 30k less mileage but doesn't have the recaro seats or cup pack which I see as very desirable.
Things to look for
- gearbox, take the revs up 5/6k in 2nd through to 5th to check for crunch. Very common
- cambelt change, says two changes so probably not due a change. But they are due every 5 years at a price of £500 with water pump and aux belt at a specilist. Mine needed it when purchased so real cost 3.7k you could say.
- check aircon works, stones can break the compressor and stops it from working.
- turn the wheel at slow speeds full turns to check for swivel hub/track rod end issues.
Absolutely epic cars, mines a weekend/track day car. For the money they are great, comes with a lot of technology cruise and keyless entry, I got xenons too. They handle amazingly well, in regards to fuel consumption I get 37mpg on a 70mph long run and about 20/25 in town, averages about 32mpg bot great and nor is the 300 a year road tax.
But it's all about the handling and hopefully little depreciation.
2008, 74k miles, full service history including original invoice. It has recaro seats and the cup pack (stiffer springs and dampers). I paid 3.2k for it which I'm happy with.
The one in your link is fair but more but comes with nearly 30k less mileage but doesn't have the recaro seats or cup pack which I see as very desirable.
Things to look for
- gearbox, take the revs up 5/6k in 2nd through to 5th to check for crunch. Very common
- cambelt change, says two changes so probably not due a change. But they are due every 5 years at a price of £500 with water pump and aux belt at a specilist. Mine needed it when purchased so real cost 3.7k you could say.
- check aircon works, stones can break the compressor and stops it from working.
- turn the wheel at slow speeds full turns to check for swivel hub/track rod end issues.
Absolutely epic cars, mines a weekend/track day car. For the money they are great, comes with a lot of technology cruise and keyless entry, I got xenons too. They handle amazingly well, in regards to fuel consumption I get 37mpg on a 70mph long run and about 20/25 in town, averages about 32mpg bot great and nor is the 300 a year road tax.
But it's all about the handling and hopefully little depreciation.
I had an earlier 197 and I have just purchased a 40,000 mile 2009 200 Full Fat Cup for just over £5000 (a private sale)
They are great fun cars but go in with your eyes open. Routine servicing is not expensive but faults with French electrics can be hard to diagnose. I think the belts need doing every 5 years in those cars and its £800 / £1000
Has it been tracked? A lot of these have been abused. I'm not a fan of the rear spoiler but each to their own.
For that money I would be tempted to track down a newer 200. Certainly the interior in the 200 is better than my 197
The fact I have purchased another one says it all. They are great fun
Good luck!
They are great fun cars but go in with your eyes open. Routine servicing is not expensive but faults with French electrics can be hard to diagnose. I think the belts need doing every 5 years in those cars and its £800 / £1000
Has it been tracked? A lot of these have been abused. I'm not a fan of the rear spoiler but each to their own.
For that money I would be tempted to track down a newer 200. Certainly the interior in the 200 is better than my 197
The fact I have purchased another one says it all. They are great fun
Good luck!
Seems a little pricey to me. Low mileage on a 10+ year old car seems to be a British fetish, in lieu of closer attention to condition/service history/impressions from a chat with the seller (the last of which dont mean anything from a trader).
The smart money on a car of this age goes with a private seller. You can check how long they have owned it, get a good idea of their attitude towards maintenance from a 5 minute chat, and with a car like this (if possible) buy from a marque specific forum (more potential evidence of treatment and history).
Cracking car by the way, in the best colour too (with the possible exception of liquid yellow). If I hadn't decided to go to a 2 seater 'vert daily, these were near the top of my list.
The smart money on a car of this age goes with a private seller. You can check how long they have owned it, get a good idea of their attitude towards maintenance from a 5 minute chat, and with a car like this (if possible) buy from a marque specific forum (more potential evidence of treatment and history).
Cracking car by the way, in the best colour too (with the possible exception of liquid yellow). If I hadn't decided to go to a 2 seater 'vert daily, these were near the top of my list.
Edited by mrtwisty on Saturday 7th December 18:33
indestructible focus said:
No advice other than get a less powerful car for his safety and cost wise too.
Why? If he's happy to pay for the privilege of driving a fun car at 18 (presumably in lieu of spending his cash elsewhere - booze, drugs, designer clothes etc), why should he deny himself the enjoyment? A 197 isn't exactly a fire-breathing, twitchy widow maker! If he was considering an MR2 Turbo for example, I might be able to see your point, but a modernish fwd Renault?
Are you sure you're on the right forum? Perhaps www.handwringers.org is more your scene?
Dave3166 said:
Any advice for insurance.
It’s my 18 yr old son that is interested in getting the car.
First started driving last October, passed his test this September.
Quoted £3000 about for insurance.
Regards
Dave
Thanks for any help on this mater.
Insurance is a tough one for an 18 year old to be sure.It’s my 18 yr old son that is interested in getting the car.
First started driving last October, passed his test this September.
Quoted £3000 about for insurance.
Regards
Dave
Thanks for any help on this mater.
I assume you've tried adding yourself/his mum/other relative to the policy in various combinations?
Fully comprehensive policies are almost always cheaper these days.
Try different combinations of parking on a drive/garage/road (if these are available to you). Garaged overnight is not always the cheapest for example.
What line of work is he in? You can legitimately describe most occupations in more than one way - some variations of which are cheaper than others.
Basically though, if he wants to drive something interesting, he's going to have to assume the position for a few years. There are worse things to spend your money on as a teenager!
mrtwisty said:
Why? If he's happy to pay for the privilege of driving a fun car at 18 (presumably in lieu of spending his cash elsewhere - booze, drugs, designer clothes etc), why should he deny himself the enjoyment?
A 197 isn't exactly a fire-breathing, twitchy widow maker! If he was considering an MR2 Turbo for example, I might be able to see your point, but a modernish fwd Renault?
Are you sure you're on the right forum? Perhaps www.handwringers.org is more your scene?
There not what I'd call stable compared to minis or s puma .A 197 isn't exactly a fire-breathing, twitchy widow maker! If he was considering an MR2 Turbo for example, I might be able to see your point, but a modernish fwd Renault?
Are you sure you're on the right forum? Perhaps www.handwringers.org is more your scene?
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