Clio 172 - width
Discussion
I'm really tempted by a tidy, late 172 for my next car, but I need a car that will fit down my driveway which is very narrow. My current Fiat Coupe 20VT is a tight fit (as the wheel arch on one corner will attest 
), so I don't think I could get anything much wider without modifying my house.
I'm slightly suspicious of the width quoted in Parkers; 1940mm seems very wide for a small hatch, wider than a Mk2 Mondeo in fact and nearly 7 inches wider than the Parkers figure for my car. Is this correct?
), so I don't think I could get anything much wider without modifying my house.I'm slightly suspicious of the width quoted in Parkers; 1940mm seems very wide for a small hatch, wider than a Mk2 Mondeo in fact and nearly 7 inches wider than the Parkers figure for my car. Is this correct?
MSTRBKR said:
I can attempt to measure my 172 cup if that helps? They are a bit wider than a full fat 172 (I think) so if the cup fits then the full fat will.
I have no tape measure but I can do a rough measurement with a 450mm ruler across the wing mirrors
Only the track is wider on the Cup. Distance between either wing mirror remains the same I have no tape measure but I can do a rough measurement with a 450mm ruler across the wing mirrors
The mirrors aren't the limiting factor to be honest; the drive is quite steeply sloped and I have a low wall to one side that divides my drive from my neighbours (~3 feet) and the path leading to the house on the other side which is about 18 inches higher than the drive. The widest part of the front of the car is the important bit for me - probably the wheel arches?
Heard a friend of a friend is selling a full fat '03 Phase 2 which I'm going to have a look at when he's back from holiday. He wants £3600 and it has 73k, possibly a bit strong on price?
Heard a friend of a friend is selling a full fat '03 Phase 2 which I'm going to have a look at when he's back from holiday. He wants £3600 and it has 73k, possibly a bit strong on price?
Mr2Mike said:
The mirrors aren't the limiting factor to be honest; the drive is quite steeply sloped and I have a low wall to one side that divides my drive from my neighbours (~3 feet) and the path leading to the house on the other side which is about 18 inches higher than the drive. The widest part of the front of the car is the important bit for me - probably the wheel arches?
Heard a friend of a friend is selling a full fat '03 Phase 2 which I'm going to have a look at when he's back from holiday. He wants £3600 and it has 73k, possibly a bit strong on price?
At that price, you can get one from a dealer with similar mileage. For not much more, you're into 182 territory.Heard a friend of a friend is selling a full fat '03 Phase 2 which I'm going to have a look at when he's back from holiday. He wants £3600 and it has 73k, possibly a bit strong on price?
jonnydm said:
At that price, you can get one from a dealer with similar mileage. For not much more, you're into 182 territory.
Thanks for confirming my suspicions. I've seen several for sale for ~£3k with significantly lower mileage, though not locally. It's silver as well, which is just a little boring compared to the blue and black IMO.Mr2Mike said:
jonnydm said:
At that price, you can get one from a dealer with similar mileage. For not much more, you're into 182 territory.
Thanks for confirming my suspicions. I've seen several for sale for ~£3k with significantly lower mileage, though not locally. It's silver as well, which is just a little boring compared to the blue and black IMO.Had one of these back in the day, be very cautious as bills can be ££££'s - check all the warranty work, as there were so many faults with mine.. glad I took out extended warranty as it spent alot of time in the workshop.. Electrical issues galore (hit the brakes, no brake lights - hazzards!), Aircon brake downs, trim falling to bits, fuel sensor faults, engine management system faults, x2 rear springs sheared after only 11,000 miles... Big service on these with belt changes and all of that, ridiculously expensive.
I had a love/hate relationship with this car, I was the 2nd owner with only a few K on the clock and as soon as that warranty was coming to an end, it went for a VW. It's a hoot to drive, brill chassis but can be a huge nightmare to own.. make sure you got some proper warranty as it'll empty your wallet like a Hooker in Vegas!
I had a love/hate relationship with this car, I was the 2nd owner with only a few K on the clock and as soon as that warranty was coming to an end, it went for a VW. It's a hoot to drive, brill chassis but can be a huge nightmare to own.. make sure you got some proper warranty as it'll empty your wallet like a Hooker in Vegas!
In that case Mike you should be ok.. handy with spanners and work shop manual 
I employ the same approach to my F and it only goes to a garage where I know the owner for bits I cannot do, or it needs to go up on the ramps... never been that comfortable getting right under a car on axle stands, emmm.
I employ the same approach to my F and it only goes to a garage where I know the owner for bits I cannot do, or it needs to go up on the ramps... never been that comfortable getting right under a car on axle stands, emmm.PJ3074 said:
Had one of these back in the day, be very cautious as bills can be ££££'s - check all the warranty work, as there were so many faults with mine.. glad I took out extended warranty as it spent alot of time in the workshop.. Electrical issues galore (hit the brakes, no brake lights - hazzards!), Aircon brake downs, trim falling to bits, fuel sensor faults, engine management system faults, x2 rear springs sheared after only 11,000 miles... Big service on these with belt changes and all of that, ridiculously expensive.
I had a love/hate relationship with this car, I was the 2nd owner with only a few K on the clock and as soon as that warranty was coming to an end, it went for a VW. It's a hoot to drive, brill chassis but can be a huge nightmare to own.. make sure you got some proper warranty as it'll empty your wallet like a Hooker in Vegas!
Not the experience I had with mine. No big bills right until the end when the gearbox had to be changed due to a knackered bearing (caused by oil leak). Apart from that it was 3yrs and just over 40k of regular servicing and that was it basically. Exhaust back box falling off (common) and a faulty oil pressure switch were the only other remotely expensive items.I had a love/hate relationship with this car, I was the 2nd owner with only a few K on the clock and as soon as that warranty was coming to an end, it went for a VW. It's a hoot to drive, brill chassis but can be a huge nightmare to own.. make sure you got some proper warranty as it'll empty your wallet like a Hooker in Vegas!
I suppose it is quite subjective but I considered it a cheap car to run, especially considering the punishment it took.
ETA - £3600 is perhaps a tad rich for a 70k Phase 2 172 now. I sold my 172 Cup on similar milage (bit higher IIRC) for £3250 on Christmas Eve, was in reasonable condition alloys mint (refurbished). With hindsight I could have got a bit more for it (plenty interest, sold within a week). Think the Cups may command a small premium these days but not sure (it was the opposite when I bought it).
Edited by John D. on Tuesday 15th June 19:05
Mr2Mike said:
Not really interested in a Cup, I really want a car with aircon as I've suffered through the last few summers (at least the few hot weeks we got) in the Fiat with leather interior and no aircon.
I wasn't suggesting you should be. Just clarifying my statement RE price. FWIW some of the last Cups to be built did have AC as an option.Personally I'd try to find a 182 with both Cup packs for your budget. Slightly better chassis and much better looks out the box than the standard 172 IMHO (its those gash 5-spokes I don't like!).
Mr2Mike said:
John D. said:
Personally I'd try to find a 182 with both Cup packs for your budget. Slightly better chassis and much better looks out the box than the standard 172 IMHO (its those gash 5-spokes I don't like!).
Ok, definitely something I will look for. Thanks for the help and advice!
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