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.
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!
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.
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