Help me decide which one! Links inside

[TameRacingDriver]

So I'm torn between two cars, both have their advantages and disadvantages.

First one is this 306
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3883740.htm

Pros:
4 months tax
12 months MOT (TBC)
Cherished, original example
Rare colour

Cons:
280 miles away
Stretching my budget


OR

Renault Sport Clio 172
http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=9...

Pros:
Cheaper (more affordable to me)
Better fuel economy (might be importantish)
Lower mileage
Some tasteful modifications
Closer to home

Cons:
Shorter tax and MOT period
Not original
Needs cambelt and aux belt next year

Help me decide!

[TameRacingDriver]

Bear in mind both of these I'll have to buy unseen .

[Vitorio]

My vote is for the Clio. I was leaning towards the pug untill i found out that GTI-6 doesnt mean it has a 6 cilinder, but a rather dissapointing 160 hp 4 cilinder (not calling 160hp slow, i just got my hopes up for a 200hp v6)

Anyway, i'd recommend against buying unseen in any case, although i appreciate travelling out there just for a look might be hard, perhaps work something out with the seller in terms of reserving the car?

[Hub]

Both have the potential to have lots of issues at that age. Both seem quite well looked after. The Clio has a bit more power... but I'd have the Peugeot as they look great, handle well, and have good potential to be a future cult classic.

I wouldn't buy either unseen though!

[TameRacingDriver]

Problem I've got is that I can't find anything decent for sale nearby

[s m]

Vitorio said:

My vote is for the Clio. I was leaning towards the pug untill i found out that GTI-6 doesnt mean it has a 6 cilinder, but a rather dissapointing 160 hp 4 cilinder (not calling 160hp slow, i just got my hopes up for a 200hp v6)

Anyway, i'd recommend against buying unseen in any case, although i appreciate travelling out there just for a look might be hard, perhaps work something out with the seller in terms of reserving the car?

That reminds me of the old Top Gear hillclimb challenge with the 306 V6

I think I'd go for the 306 myself out of those 2 although the 172 would be a smidge quicker

[TameRacingDriver]

Well I've just found out the 306 has an mot until just next month... thats possibly enough to rule it out for me as what with the travelling and the higher price its a little out of my reach / more than I could justify.

[deltashad]

If I bought the 172 I'd be thinking about making it into a light weight toy, possibly for the track.

The 306 GTi-6 was a really good car when new. Excellent handling and a good sized car to live with. I think they'll appreciate in the future and for all round dynamics this is the car I would go for.

[rhinochopig]

The 306 rallye was the better of the two.

TBH, despite both of them being epic hot hatches, both are ageing French cars. Unless I had a decent war-chest for repairs I'd want to go over each with a fine-toothed comb. I wouldn't buy unseen.

[Krikkit]

rhinochopig said:

The 306 rallye was the better of the two.

TBH, despite both of them being epic hot hatches, both are ageing French cars. Unless I had a decent war-chest for repairs I'd want to go over each with a fine-toothed comb. I wouldn't buy unseen.

Indeed - both are a bit rich to be buying unseen. There've been several 306 Rallye's come up recently for less than that GTI6 in better condition too.

[TameRacingDriver]

OK I take your points about the buying unseen. If that many agree then who am I to argue. Guess I'll just have to look for something more local.

[rhinochopig]

TameRacingDriver said:

OK I take your points about the buying unseen. If that many agree then who am I to argue. Guess I'll just have to look for something more local.

Don't let it put you off completely. You could always pay for an inspection on the car. But having run a ruinously expensive Mi16 in my younger - days got excited as it was my first car - and bought the first that came along, I would simply urge caution with an old French car.

[r1ch]

rhinochopig said:

The 306 rallye was the better of the two.

Perhaps this is the general opinion, having had the rallye it is basically a gti6 with a very slight weight saving (52kg).

If you drove a rallye and gti6 back to back you wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

To the op, i'd personally go for the gti6 but the 172 would probably be more capable. I just prefer the 306 in the looks department, and its more spacious.