Thinking about buying...

[Tomm1992]

Thinking about buying a 1996 clio P reg. But it has done 112,000 miles and its a 1.2 for £400. Its also had its cambelt done, I was just wondering how many more miles would this do?

[CampDavid]

How long is a piece of string?

If it's in decent shape and serviced well then 50,000 gentle miles to the shops. Or 10 miles around the 'ring

[RobM77]

It completely depends how it's been treated. If you know anyone with a gauge, then a compression test might be revealing, or get a garage inspection. Also check the oil and any bills the car has etc. I don't have experience of the Clio engine directly, but given that a few of my cars have gone beyond 150k miles without using an oil, needing a new clutch etc I would expect another 40k out of it. Your problem will probably be other things such as the gearbox, suspension, clutch etc - if the car's had a hard life they could go at any moment, but that's a chance you take. There's often no such thing as a free lunch with cars - either you pay for depreciation or you pay for repairs. You could buy it and find it needs £800 worth of work doing tomorrow, or it could run for a year without needing work. Garage or AA inspections are about £100 though, so it's up to you if you want to pay that for a £400 car

Edited by RobM77 on Wednesday 28th April 16:13

[Tomm1992]

It does look in good condition not sure about fsh but I only plan on doing 8000 miles in the car as that's whats on the insurance quotes Ive been looking at

Edited by Tomm1992 on Wednesday 28th April 16:16

[Tomm1992]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
Thats the car

[GingerWizard]

I would say worth a punt if it does not drive horrifically. You will know 2 mins into the road test.... just make sure its cold when you go.

[Tomm1992]

Yeah i might go and have a look tonight as its only 5 mins away.

[V88Dicky]

My Aunty has had a 1996(P) one of those (the Oasis special ed.) since 2003. Its had tyres, cambelt, brakes and other consumables in that time, but no major work or problems. As always, if you go to have a look at it, make sure you thoroughly check everything over and as long as its ok, I wouldn't worry about the mileage.

[RobM77]

Promise me you'll keep the donkey sticker on the back

[jamoor]

TBH
MOT until March 2011 Tax until September 2010.

Should be what you're looking at, just go look at it and see how it drives, I wouldn't be thinking that far in advance if I was buying that.

[camp freddie]

CampDavid said:

How long is a piece of string?

Twice as long from the middle to the end?

[wrighty78]

£400 for a car with 11 months MOT and 5 months tax has to be worth a punt. As others have said, just make sure it drives ok, ideally from cold and get it properly warmed up.

That has the potential to provide a very cheap year's motoring! And it's probably worth £100 in scrap value / parts, so there's not much to lose, IMHO.

[Tomm1992]

jamoor said:

TBH
MOT until March 2011 Tax until September 2010.

Should be what you're looking at, just go look at it and see how it drives, I wouldn't be thinking that far in advance if I was buying that.

I would probably get rid in less than a year anyway

[Jayho]

looks like a very basic model, i had test drove an oldish clio at one point, no PS, no ABS no nothing, just pure and simply a car... having had Power Steering in my previous car which was older than the clio i was looking at I walked away! worst test drive i've ever been on!

So just got for a test drive and see how you like it!

Edited by Jayho on Wednesday 28th April 16:42

[anonymous-user]

For £400 it should do you fine, at the end of the day if it develops any problems just chuck it on ebay and get a few hundred back for it. A few friends at college had these with 100k+ on the clocks and they seemed to go on fine. But then it does depend on how its been treated throughout its life.

[excel monkey]

Jayho said:

looks like a very basic model, i had test drove an oldish clio at one point, no PS, no ABS no nothing

The RL was a basic model Clio. Most mid-90s superminis won't have PAS.

Think this looks a decent buy for £400. Long MOT, evidence of maintenance, owned by previous owner for five years.