Renault Clio 200 (2009/2010)
Discussion
Hi,
I've been in two minds around spending around £13K on a nearly new Fiesta ST but have decided to take a different route, trying to be sensible, and only spend around £7K and use the rest for a mortgage overpayment.
I'd looked at the FN2 Type R but for some reason the insurance keeps coming out at around £1300 vs £800 for the Clio!?
From what I've read, the Clio doesn't sell too well and stock sits around for a while - presumably because of pretty poor fuel economy and higher VED - so what do you reckon I should be paying?
I'm looking for something with under 50K miles, full service history including water pump, belt and dephaser being done on time, with the cup pack so to include auto wipers/lights/climate etc. I'd love the Recaros but it's not a deal breaker. And I'm after one in very decent condition...
What do you reckon I should be paying?
Still a little worried about the gearbox as I know they're a weak point and don't fancy on shelling out for a refurb.
I've been in two minds around spending around £13K on a nearly new Fiesta ST but have decided to take a different route, trying to be sensible, and only spend around £7K and use the rest for a mortgage overpayment.
I'd looked at the FN2 Type R but for some reason the insurance keeps coming out at around £1300 vs £800 for the Clio!?
From what I've read, the Clio doesn't sell too well and stock sits around for a while - presumably because of pretty poor fuel economy and higher VED - so what do you reckon I should be paying?
I'm looking for something with under 50K miles, full service history including water pump, belt and dephaser being done on time, with the cup pack so to include auto wipers/lights/climate etc. I'd love the Recaros but it's not a deal breaker. And I'm after one in very decent condition...
What do you reckon I should be paying?
Still a little worried about the gearbox as I know they're a weak point and don't fancy on shelling out for a refurb.
the way pricing currently is (unless your after a liquid yellow or alien green) you should get one for well within your budget, gearboxes seem hit or miss i've had my 197 2 years and not had any issues barring a bit of stiffness until the box is warm. I'd look to see if the cambelt has been done, and if so who by, as they should be due or nearly due (£500 job to get it done correctly) id use this as a barter tool. then if you can check the manifold for leaks as the flexis break, if you do buy one get at least the lower and the torque mount replaced with a polybushed mount as this will save you any further issues. as for the fuel economy i get 22-24mpg around town (i do a 3 mile each way commute) but on a good run i can get this around and occasionally above the 30mpg mark. as an alternative have a look at a dc5 type r these are getting toward the top of your budget but they will hold their value much better than the clio. There are a couple of good groups on facebook to look on for sensibly priced 200's one is the 'clio sport owners club' and the other 'rs197/200'
edit- love my 197 great car and great fun, can't see myself shifting it on any time soon.
edit- love my 197 great car and great fun, can't see myself shifting it on any time soon.
I've just put my 197 up for sale so have been looking around and the prices are all over the place. (too old for you and I don't have the fancy seats...)
Have you been in one?
I had a passenger ride in a cup and it was too stiff for me to consider. I feel guilty having passengers in my 'normal' one... but I love driving it on my own. The ride is firm but not crashy like my wife's 'sporty' DS3. Those Recaro seats were very nice though...
Have you been in one?
I had a passenger ride in a cup and it was too stiff for me to consider. I feel guilty having passengers in my 'normal' one... but I love driving it on my own. The ride is firm but not crashy like my wife's 'sporty' DS3. Those Recaro seats were very nice though...
Thanks for the replies.
I've been out this morning and bought one! Well, put the deposit down anyhow, until I'm ready to collect in a few weeks.
Here's the link:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-Clio-Renaultspor...
They were really genuine and decent people to deal with, and the car's pretty much as described other than a poorly finished smart repair on the rear bumper which is now all cracked, and a few other relatively minor marks on the bodywork. It's a 7 year old car with 60K on the clock so it's to be expected. I wasn't too sure on the colour until I saw it in person today but it looks brilliant.
I can deal with cosmetic bits needing a bit of attention but I was unwilling to compromise on the maintenance, history and documentation. I've not come across a car yet of this type with only 2 owners, full dealer service history including the belts last year, and every invoice and MOT associated with the car! And it's the only one I've found not have ever failed an MOT even once. Basically, it's as well looked after as they come, right down to the 4 matching tyres.
The car's previous owner and past is also very interesting. Certainly not who you'd normally associate with driving a Clio 200.
The car felt very decent and tight during the test drive. It has the cup pack and I was worried the ride would be awful. No worries though, as it's much, much better than my '15 plate MINI Cooper SD with 18" wheels and run flats.
It's by far not the most expensive car I've bought or had the use of, but I'm absolutely itching to get my hands on it and enjoy it!
I've been out this morning and bought one! Well, put the deposit down anyhow, until I'm ready to collect in a few weeks.
Here's the link:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-Clio-Renaultspor...
They were really genuine and decent people to deal with, and the car's pretty much as described other than a poorly finished smart repair on the rear bumper which is now all cracked, and a few other relatively minor marks on the bodywork. It's a 7 year old car with 60K on the clock so it's to be expected. I wasn't too sure on the colour until I saw it in person today but it looks brilliant.
I can deal with cosmetic bits needing a bit of attention but I was unwilling to compromise on the maintenance, history and documentation. I've not come across a car yet of this type with only 2 owners, full dealer service history including the belts last year, and every invoice and MOT associated with the car! And it's the only one I've found not have ever failed an MOT even once. Basically, it's as well looked after as they come, right down to the 4 matching tyres.
The car's previous owner and past is also very interesting. Certainly not who you'd normally associate with driving a Clio 200.
The car felt very decent and tight during the test drive. It has the cup pack and I was worried the ride would be awful. No worries though, as it's much, much better than my '15 plate MINI Cooper SD with 18" wheels and run flats.
It's by far not the most expensive car I've bought or had the use of, but I'm absolutely itching to get my hands on it and enjoy it!
Cool. Enjoy it!
It's a bit sad but driving to and from work is genuinely the best bit of my day...
Mine didn't fail an MOT until it hit 64k or so - just broken springs and the washer jets. I discounted viewing a few based on their online MOT history.
As mentioned above if you intend to fit the engine mount poly bushes don't be tempted to run just one of them - I ran the top one on its own as I couldn't resist fitting it one night and the vibration was awful. My car had 82k on the clock when I bought it and you could feel the engine rock when changing gear thats why I got them. You can feel a rumble at idle now but it kinda adds to the raw driving experience.
I also appreciate a car with matching tyres!
It's a bit sad but driving to and from work is genuinely the best bit of my day...
Mine didn't fail an MOT until it hit 64k or so - just broken springs and the washer jets. I discounted viewing a few based on their online MOT history.
As mentioned above if you intend to fit the engine mount poly bushes don't be tempted to run just one of them - I ran the top one on its own as I couldn't resist fitting it one night and the vibration was awful. My car had 82k on the clock when I bought it and you could feel the engine rock when changing gear thats why I got them. You can feel a rumble at idle now but it kinda adds to the raw driving experience.
I also appreciate a car with matching tyres!
I'll eventually do a bit of a write up about it. I've not driven it much with still having a company car which is due to go back soon enough.
Last week I did a track day at Bedford Autodrome in it though - this was only the second time I'd driven the car - and it was great fun. I think the discs have some brake pad build up on them as there's a vibration coming through the steering wheel under braking. I probably should have had a bit more mechanical sympathy since the front tyres were pretty much new at the time and now are 75% worn. Much enjoyment was had from getting the inside wheel pouring with smoke whilst buying the accelerator coming out of some of the tight turns there. After 240 miles on the track I managed 10.9 mpg!
Other than that all's well. It's been driven sensibly at the moment and well on course for 440 miles on a tank, so not too bad at all. It's averaging around 32 mpg.
It's going in to have some paint work done next week to get it near enough mint. I sacrificed a few marks and scratches for the faultless service history and maintenance record.
Last week I did a track day at Bedford Autodrome in it though - this was only the second time I'd driven the car - and it was great fun. I think the discs have some brake pad build up on them as there's a vibration coming through the steering wheel under braking. I probably should have had a bit more mechanical sympathy since the front tyres were pretty much new at the time and now are 75% worn. Much enjoyment was had from getting the inside wheel pouring with smoke whilst buying the accelerator coming out of some of the tight turns there. After 240 miles on the track I managed 10.9 mpg!
Other than that all's well. It's been driven sensibly at the moment and well on course for 440 miles on a tank, so not too bad at all. It's averaging around 32 mpg.
It's going in to have some paint work done next week to get it near enough mint. I sacrificed a few marks and scratches for the faultless service history and maintenance record.
It's going in for the paint work tomorrow but will try and get a few snaps of the computer! It's not been too hard to achieve, keeping the revs below 3K and being restrained when it comes to booting it, and I'm still keeping pace with traffic and not in full-on OAP mode. I'm used to cars with far more low down power and it's been pretty surprising just how well it picks up at lower revs without needing to thrash it. Fuelling up at the cost of £70 for a full tank of 98 for the first time was still a bit of a shock.
I'd read a fair number of owner reviews/posts on fuel consumption and seen plenty who get 30+ mpg.
I'd read a fair number of owner reviews/posts on fuel consumption and seen plenty who get 30+ mpg.
Also just purchased a RS200 and absolutely love it. I waited for 3 months looking daily and finally ended up gaining a steal of a price for an Alien Green CUP. There is only 18 only ever produced! so very rare and hopefully it will hold its value.
Its an actual CUP so has no added extra pack options so no aircon, electric mirrors, keyless entry/start etc. However has the rear CUP spoiler and the recaro seats which was a MUST!
Just checked the link, yours is a RS200 FF which has all the mod cons with the potential of the cup pack extra. I had a choice of a FF with the CUP extra or an actual CUP and wanted a more sort after and raw driving experience clio. Your looks pretty sweet and jealous of your luxury parts a lot.
Has only one current issue with mine though which is really bugging me, once warm and gone for a drive and letting it idle on the driveway or at traffic lights. The idle drops so so low and id say below 500rpm when should be 750/800rmp and it feels its just about to cut out/stall. So booking it in to get checked over, heard this could be a throttle body issue where its clogged but could be anything!
Its an actual CUP so has no added extra pack options so no aircon, electric mirrors, keyless entry/start etc. However has the rear CUP spoiler and the recaro seats which was a MUST!
Just checked the link, yours is a RS200 FF which has all the mod cons with the potential of the cup pack extra. I had a choice of a FF with the CUP extra or an actual CUP and wanted a more sort after and raw driving experience clio. Your looks pretty sweet and jealous of your luxury parts a lot.
Has only one current issue with mine though which is really bugging me, once warm and gone for a drive and letting it idle on the driveway or at traffic lights. The idle drops so so low and id say below 500rpm when should be 750/800rmp and it feels its just about to cut out/stall. So booking it in to get checked over, heard this could be a throttle body issue where its clogged but could be anything!
9k is crazy money for a clio MK3, if I was putting that amount towards one I would be looking at the Matt grey Raider limited edition ones. They would be a huge investment. Or look into the Mk4's
Like you said the Gordini's alloys do need a change and not keen on the seats as I prefer the Recaros but that's only my preference. Seams to come with the Sprint lip spoiler too.
Like you said the Gordini's alloys do need a change and not keen on the seats as I prefer the Recaros but that's only my preference. Seams to come with the Sprint lip spoiler too.
B00ST1NG said:
9k is crazy money for a clio MK3, if I was putting that amount towards one I would be looking at the Matt grey Raider limited edition ones. They would be a huge investment. Or look into the Mk4's
Like you said the Gordini's alloys do need a change and not keen on the seats as I prefer the Recaros but that's only my preference. Seams to come with the Sprint lip spoiler too.
Like you said I won't be paying 9k for a clio, I took a look at the gordini and thought maybe my thoughts would change in person but I really didn't like it, the black one for £7500 is immaculate though, 30,000 miles on the clock.Like you said the Gordini's alloys do need a change and not keen on the seats as I prefer the Recaros but that's only my preference. Seams to come with the Sprint lip spoiler too.
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