My French Hot Hatch Thread
Discussion
Having come close several times, I've decided that it must now be done. Thought I'd try and use this thread to ask all the questions I have and get some help and advice. First of all I'm only looking at RS Clios and the 306 GTI-6.
So first question. A lot of the cars I'm looking at are at the cheaper end of the market, not the cheapest but the cheaper. Many need new belts which is understandable as they're expensive and the cars arent fetching top money.
I've read quite a bit about guidlines and pricing for cambelt and auxbelt services for both cars. Cna anyone recommend a specialist in the London/Herts area or give an idea on pricing?
Thanks and I'm sure there will be quite a bit more.
So first question. A lot of the cars I'm looking at are at the cheaper end of the market, not the cheapest but the cheaper. Many need new belts which is understandable as they're expensive and the cars arent fetching top money.
I've read quite a bit about guidlines and pricing for cambelt and auxbelt services for both cars. Cna anyone recommend a specialist in the London/Herts area or give an idea on pricing?
Thanks and I'm sure there will be quite a bit more.
If you go for a clio (which you should do 
) then a visit to Danny at 519 Automotive in Bedford would be in order.
http://www.519automotive.co.uk
) then a visit to Danny at 519 Automotive in Bedford would be in order.http://www.519automotive.co.uk
Ian_sUK said:
If you go for a clio (which you should do ) then a visit to Danny at 519 Automotive in Bedford would be in order.
http://www.519automotive.co.uk
Thanks for that. Just what I wanted/needed to see. Some solid prices - which I can now factor in to any purchase needing the work. As an example, theres a 172 that looks great although its been 50k since its belt change and its on over 100k now. Even if I didn't want to keep it forever, I'd be slightly concerned. For not much more, in this case maybe as little as 400-500 more, one can be had with the work recently carried out. ) then a visit to Danny at 519 Automotive in Bedford would be in order.http://www.519automotive.co.uk
Simes205 said:
I've been all over the FAQ section there recently. An absolute goldmine of info. 
I've just picked up a 306 GTI-6 with 12 months MOT and completely standard in nice condition for £700, its a seriously quick car as well, the gearbox just about pushes into 'great' car category for me. Its surprisingly spacious and practical as well.
On the down side I hate the driving position (pedals are way to close and steering wheel to far away) and its pretty tiresome on the motorway (rough, boomy, loud).
On the down side I hate the driving position (pedals are way to close and steering wheel to far away) and its pretty tiresome on the motorway (rough, boomy, loud).
F1 Contractor said:
I've just picked up a 306 GTI-6 with 12 months MOT and completely standard in nice condition for £700, its a seriously quick car as well, the gearbox just about pushes into 'great' car category for me. Its surprisingly spacious and practical as well.
On the down side I hate the driving position (pedals are way to close and steering wheel to far away) and its pretty tiresome on the motorway (rough, boomy, loud).
Sounds like you got a good deal there. What year/ phase is your car? On the down side I hate the driving position (pedals are way to close and steering wheel to far away) and its pretty tiresome on the motorway (rough, boomy, loud).
Interesting what you say about the driving position and motorway driving. Maybe the driving position wouldn't be so bad for me as I'm not too tall (5'8). People complain about the Clio too but I get on well with mine as long as the seat is in the right place. Motorway driving wouldn't usually be an issue but I would like to do a few longer trips over the summer, maybe something to have a look at on a test drive.
I've just picked up a 306 GTi-6 too.
I'm 19, so can't speak for the Clio (anal rape when it comes to insurance, not a problem for the 306 though )
It is quick. It handles great. Gearbox is great. Seats are great.
MPG? I went on a run with the Midlands guys to Wales (400 miles of let's say ... spirited driving) and brim to brim managed ... 30MPG (!)
I'd test both, but honestly I feel the GTi-6 is under-loved.
Good luck
Sean
I'm 19, so can't speak for the Clio (anal rape when it comes to insurance, not a problem for the 306 though
)It is quick. It handles great. Gearbox is great. Seats are great.
MPG? I went on a run with the Midlands guys to Wales (400 miles of let's say ... spirited driving) and brim to brim managed ... 30MPG (!)
I'd test both, but honestly I feel the GTi-6 is under-loved.
Good luck
Sean
Edited by ic0n on Wednesday 4th May 15:26
jonnydm said:
F1 Contractor said:
I've just picked up a 306 GTI-6 with 12 months MOT and completely standard in nice condition for £700, its a seriously quick car as well, the gearbox just about pushes into 'great' car category for me. Its surprisingly spacious and practical as well.
On the down side I hate the driving position (pedals are way to close and steering wheel to far away) and its pretty tiresome on the motorway (rough, boomy, loud).
Sounds like you got a good deal there. What year/ phase is your car? On the down side I hate the driving position (pedals are way to close and steering wheel to far away) and its pretty tiresome on the motorway (rough, boomy, loud).
Interesting what you say about the driving position and motorway driving. Maybe the driving position wouldn't be so bad for me as I'm not too tall (5'8). People complain about the Clio too but I get on well with mine as long as the seat is in the right place. Motorway driving wouldn't usually be an issue but I would like to do a few longer trips over the summer, maybe something to have a look at on a test drive.
The driving position is horrible for me at 5"10', to stop from getting a cramp in my leg I have to put the seat right back and then the (not adjustable for length) steering wheel is miles away, I am intending to fit a dished race wheel to move it closer to me, its O.K for a thrash and track days (90% foot to the floor) but on a long trip its pretty crap, I use a wrecked 406 DT for my comute, not for the economy but for the comfort and driving position.
The most appropriate comparison I can give is to my old MK3 Golf 16v, the Pug is a little quicker and the gearbox better (obviously) but the Pug feels basic and under-designed on long trips and the motorway and not as refined as the Golf (just about sums up French/German car philosiphies really)
F1 Contractor said:
Its a '98 model, no idea what 'phase' it is.
The driving position is horrible for me at 5"10', to stop from getting a cramp in my leg I have to put the seat right back and then the (not adjustable for length) steering wheel is miles away, I am intending to fit a dished race wheel to move it closer to me, its O.K for a thrash and track days (90% foot to the floor) but on a long trip its pretty crap, I use a wrecked 406 DT for my comute, not for the economy but for the comfort and driving position.
The most appropriate comparison I can give is to my old MK3 Golf 16v, the Pug is a little quicker and the gearbox better (obviously) but the Pug feels basic and under-designed on long trips and the motorway and not as refined as the Golf (just about sums up French/German car philosiphies really)
I guess you've got fairly long legs for your height then. My 306 D Turbo had probably one of the best driving positions of any car I've driven. And the seats were lovely.The driving position is horrible for me at 5"10', to stop from getting a cramp in my leg I have to put the seat right back and then the (not adjustable for length) steering wheel is miles away, I am intending to fit a dished race wheel to move it closer to me, its O.K for a thrash and track days (90% foot to the floor) but on a long trip its pretty crap, I use a wrecked 406 DT for my comute, not for the economy but for the comfort and driving position.
The most appropriate comparison I can give is to my old MK3 Golf 16v, the Pug is a little quicker and the gearbox better (obviously) but the Pug feels basic and under-designed on long trips and the motorway and not as refined as the Golf (just about sums up French/German car philosiphies really)
A quick update. Got some insurance quotes today. 172 will add roughly £230, GTI-6 adding £110. For reference, other cars I got quotes on were a Volvo C70 T5 (wildcard!) and the BMW 328 - between £175 and £225.
Although I've had a BMW recently and very much want a hatch/something different, the cruising/long distance capabilities of a the 328 appeal. Having said that, any work they need doing or slight things wrong will equal big bills and hassle.
Back to the French stuff. Its looking like I'll need to be factoring almost double for a 172 than for a GTI-6. Aside from the extra insurance, any quality 172 thats been looked after is nearly £2k. One that hasn't will need £700 just to make sure the belts don't go. This leaves me wondering whether I want to spend double on the 172 - probably - and wondering even if I go for a 306, being older and likely leggier, it could throw up more issues.
Although I've had a BMW recently and very much want a hatch/something different, the cruising/long distance capabilities of a the 328 appeal. Having said that, any work they need doing or slight things wrong will equal big bills and hassle.
Back to the French stuff. Its looking like I'll need to be factoring almost double for a 172 than for a GTI-6. Aside from the extra insurance, any quality 172 thats been looked after is nearly £2k. One that hasn't will need £700 just to make sure the belts don't go. This leaves me wondering whether I want to spend double on the 172 - probably - and wondering even if I go for a 306, being older and likely leggier, it could throw up more issues.
I had a 306 Rallye, back in the days when they were still £6-7k (2004) and have had various 1*2's since (currently have a Trophy), and am still on gti6.com.
My advice? Buy a clio.
The 306, whilst offering considerably better steering & a fantastic gearbox/more LOOS, is simply too unreliable/old these days. A clio, imho, is the modern alternative.
You can pick up a PH1 for a grand easily. Look harder
My advice? Buy a clio.
The 306, whilst offering considerably better steering & a fantastic gearbox/more LOOS, is simply too unreliable/old these days. A clio, imho, is the modern alternative.
You can pick up a PH1 for a grand easily. Look harder
Sir_Dave said:
I had a 306 Rallye, back in the days when they were still £6-7k (2004) and have had various 1*2's since (currently have a Trophy), and am still on gti6.com.
My advice? Buy a clio.
The 306, whilst offering considerably better steering & a fantastic gearbox/more LOOS, is simply too unreliable/old these days. A clio, imho, is the modern alternative.
You can pick up a PH1 for a grand easily. Look harder
Great to hear from someone who has had both. I think thats the general way that I'm being swayed. A good PH1 for a grand would be very tempting. The ones that I've seen look fairly ropey though. Having had a PH2 vanilla Clio, spending a bit more on a PH2 with recent belt and history seems safer. My advice? Buy a clio.
The 306, whilst offering considerably better steering & a fantastic gearbox/more LOOS, is simply too unreliable/old these days. A clio, imho, is the modern alternative.
You can pick up a PH1 for a grand easily. Look harder
Links to decent £1k 172s appreciated though!
I have a phase 1 Clio 172 (early one with an aluminium bonnet, real throttle cable etc etc) as my daily driver.
It is good, it's a better all round car than a GTI-6 in many ways.
I'm a big hot hatch fan and have had pretty much any hot hatch worth talking about between 1985 and 2004 (years of manufacture) and some not worth talking about (AX GT, Metro GTi, Punto GT).
With that all in mind, buy a 306 GTI-6 or 306 Rallye.
It's a far better drivers car, more fun, more communicative.
If you do get a decent GTI-6/Rallye and decide you'd rather an RS Clio, come and talk to me and we might do a deal. I miss my old GTI-6!
It is good, it's a better all round car than a GTI-6 in many ways.
I'm a big hot hatch fan and have had pretty much any hot hatch worth talking about between 1985 and 2004 (years of manufacture) and some not worth talking about (AX GT, Metro GTi, Punto GT).
With that all in mind, buy a 306 GTI-6 or 306 Rallye.
It's a far better drivers car, more fun, more communicative.
If you do get a decent GTI-6/Rallye and decide you'd rather an RS Clio, come and talk to me and we might do a deal. I miss my old GTI-6!
jonnydm said:
Links to decent £1k 172s appreciated though!
To be fair, for your budget, ie less than £2k, nothing will be mint, but id be straight down to buy this though: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2773957.htmIn fact, im tempted to just buy & break it lol ...
If you want access to cheap clio's, where the history is generally searchable via previous posts, & most people know to get the cambelts done at a proper garage, not their mates dadas brothers friend, go to www.cliosport.net, pay the £12 and go in the for sale section.
Sir_Dave said:
jonnydm said:
Links to decent £1k 172s appreciated though!
To be fair, for your budget, ie less than £2k, nothing will be mint, but id be straight down to buy this though: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2773957.htmIn fact, im tempted to just buy & break it lol ...
If you want access to cheap clio's, where the history is generally searchable via previous posts, & most people know to get the cambelts done at a proper garage, not their mates dadas brothers friend, go to www.cliosport.net, pay the £12 and go in the for sale section.
JimGTxx said:
I think you'll struggle to find a decent RS Clio for a grand too.
I suppose it might be difficult to find a well kept low mileage GTI-6 thesedays... god I'm getting old!
To be honest, I'd budgtr £2k+ for either and make sure you get a good one - both are renowned for having issues.
Maybe mine was a lucky find but £700 for a T&T car, completely unmodified and in nice condition is way under the £2k target.I suppose it might be difficult to find a well kept low mileage GTI-6 thesedays... god I'm getting old!
To be honest, I'd budgtr £2k+ for either and make sure you get a good one - both are renowned for having issues.
jonnydm said:
I have looked at that one too. With a bit of a haggle and taken straight for a service it *could* be a bargain. That may be the best part of £1500 though. And mintier ones are up for £2k so realisitically not a huge difference.
As yes, but what you're forgetting is that any clio under £3k is going to need work, so you might as well buy the cheapest one possible, then spend your 'surplus' getting it up to scratch. Imho.Gassing Station | French Bred | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff