Used car purchase. Can i afford to run it?
Discussion
Basically, i'm looking to buy a used car. I've leased my last few cars, which has been easy motoring, but i've really disliked my current A4, which is due to go back end of May.
I'm looking at Clio 172's or 182's mainly, as i've always wanted one. The question is, can i afford to run it? I need to service the A4 and get a quote to have some scratches removed before it goes back. I'm looking to spend about £1500 on the car, which will leave me with maybe another £500 or so as a backup from my savings, maybe a bit more, to sort out any niggles it may have. I'll then have to start saving up again each month but i will be able to put more money away, theoretically.
I'm aware of most, if not all, of the common issues on these, as well as their expenses and maintenance. Coming from leases, i am also worried about the reliability side of it. I know they're generally pretty reliable and is more annoying electrical things, more than anything. I do around 8k miles per year. I've found a Renault specialist, not too far from me, which is decent and i'm not great at doing stuff myself. I could spend a bit more on the car itself but would much rather have that backup money, just in case.
I don't wanna lease another boring car but i'm also worried about buying a lemon or it having alot of issues and not having the money to fix it. Can anyone chip in with experiences or advise?
I'm looking at Clio 172's or 182's mainly, as i've always wanted one. The question is, can i afford to run it? I need to service the A4 and get a quote to have some scratches removed before it goes back. I'm looking to spend about £1500 on the car, which will leave me with maybe another £500 or so as a backup from my savings, maybe a bit more, to sort out any niggles it may have. I'll then have to start saving up again each month but i will be able to put more money away, theoretically.
I'm aware of most, if not all, of the common issues on these, as well as their expenses and maintenance. Coming from leases, i am also worried about the reliability side of it. I know they're generally pretty reliable and is more annoying electrical things, more than anything. I do around 8k miles per year. I've found a Renault specialist, not too far from me, which is decent and i'm not great at doing stuff myself. I could spend a bit more on the car itself but would much rather have that backup money, just in case.
I don't wanna lease another boring car but i'm also worried about buying a lemon or it having alot of issues and not having the money to fix it. Can anyone chip in with experiences or advise?
To be fair, the running costs of a 172/182 are pretty low considering what they offer in terms of performance and fun. I had a 172 from new and another ten years later which had about 50k on the clock. As long as the main servicing has been done, cambelt and water pump being the main thing, then they shouldn't be too bad.
In terms of fuel economy, they're surprisingly good as long as you're not bouncing it off the limiter everywhere you go.
Any used car can throw up issues of course but this era of RS Clio really aren't too bad at all.
In terms of fuel economy, they're surprisingly good as long as you're not bouncing it off the limiter everywhere you go.
Any used car can throw up issues of course but this era of RS Clio really aren't too bad at all.
You might have a few issues every so often with any used car but when you add up how much you lose on depreciation and running costs, compared to how much a lease cost you (including putting right any faults at end of lease), and unless your very unlucky it will be a lot cheaper running an older car.
Try picking a car where the engine is simple and parts are common. I was looking at say a MK3 Mondeo. Ended up with a MK2 Toyota avensis. Loads of parts all over ebay for mine and they are all dirt cheap.
Try picking a car where the engine is simple and parts are common. I was looking at say a MK3 Mondeo. Ended up with a MK2 Toyota avensis. Loads of parts all over ebay for mine and they are all dirt cheap.
As far as I can tell, the belts and the dephaser pulley is the biggest job on the 1x2s - if you can get one that has had them done (and has evidence/receipts to prove it) that's £600+ saved and the engine should be fine for several years.
There's been some recent postings on cliosport about rampant rust underneath the bodykit on the sills in some cars, so that's another area to look at, but generally there are lots to choose from so you don't need to rush into anything.
There's been some recent postings on cliosport about rampant rust underneath the bodykit on the sills in some cars, so that's another area to look at, but generally there are lots to choose from so you don't need to rush into anything.
Yeah, true. The issue i've got is if the bills tart stacking up. On a lease, for example, i know i can pay the monthly rentals. However, with a used car, you're never quite sure when a fault will rear it's ugly head and how much it will be to fix it either.
It's just the fear of the unexpected i suppose but, yes, leasing generally tends to be more expensive in the long run.
It's just the fear of the unexpected i suppose but, yes, leasing generally tends to be more expensive in the long run.
culpz said:
Yeah, true. The issue i've got is if the bills tart stacking up. On a lease, for example, i know i can pay the monthly rentals. However, with a used car, you're never quite sure when a fault will rear it's ugly head and how much it will be to fix it either.
It's just the fear of the unexpected i suppose but, yes, leasing generally tends to be more expensive in the long run.
Check the prices of consumables. I bought a Type R thinking it would be a reliable cheap to run hot hatch. Didn't bet on parts being so expensive - 400 quid for a backbox as no pattern spec one available, 478 quid for front discs pads and n/s caliper (72 of that labour) when caliper seized. 550 quid for four tyres (Though I knew that when I bought it).It's just the fear of the unexpected i suppose but, yes, leasing generally tends to be more expensive in the long run.
In that case why not put the current monthly rentals that you are paying into a savings account for a slush fund?
I am amusing that if you lease another car, you would have to pay an upfront payment which is close to the cost of the car you are looking to purchase.
I think you'll find that you will have a decent amount of money left over after 12 months (even after paying for maintenance and MOT's etc) to do what you wish with
I am amusing that if you lease another car, you would have to pay an upfront payment which is close to the cost of the car you are looking to purchase.
I think you'll find that you will have a decent amount of money left over after 12 months (even after paying for maintenance and MOT's etc) to do what you wish with
I have found it to be much cheaper to run 2nd hand cars. We had a new car (on PCP) and the monthly costs soon add up.
We ended the finance and bought a car each. unfortunately the OH's had a camchain slip after a few months but even with that it still works out cheaper running the older cars.
Now touch wood we bought her another car and all that's needed is a service and diff fluid and it's been fine. We are able to save the money that would normally be spent on finance and still have 2 nice cars.
We ended the finance and bought a car each. unfortunately the OH's had a camchain slip after a few months but even with that it still works out cheaper running the older cars.
Now touch wood we bought her another car and all that's needed is a service and diff fluid and it's been fine. We are able to save the money that would normally be spent on finance and still have 2 nice cars.
Integroo said:
Check the prices of consumables. I bought a Type R thinking it would be a reliable cheap to run hot hatch. Didn't bet on parts being so expensive - 400 quid for a backbox as no pattern spec one available, 478 quid for front discs pads and n/s caliper (72 of that labour) when caliper seized. 550 quid for four tyres (Though I knew that when I bought it).
Yeah, i did read your post and it did worry me. I was looking at EP3's but more expensive to buy and i did hear that some parts prices for OEM are dear. Luckily, the consumables are known to be very cheap on the Clio's, so i should be covered there.The only main expenses would the the big cambelt job and the clutch. If i can find one that's had them both recently done, i should be fine really. It's just the silly niggly stuff in between that worries me too.
cholo said:
In that case why not put the current monthly rentals that you are paying into a savings account for a slush fund?
I am amusing that if you lease another car, you would have to pay an upfront payment which is close to the cost of the car you are looking to purchase.
I think you'll find that you will have a decent amount of money left over after 12 months (even after paying for maintenance and MOT's etc) to do what you wish with
Funnily enough, that's exactly what i was going to do, along with the amount i'm managing to save away now. My issue was if a had a few things come up and would leave my savings high and dry. However, i'm really not sure this would be the case and i'm probably just being a pessimist.I am amusing that if you lease another car, you would have to pay an upfront payment which is close to the cost of the car you are looking to purchase.
I think you'll find that you will have a decent amount of money left over after 12 months (even after paying for maintenance and MOT's etc) to do what you wish with
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff