197 advice, help needed!

[Jonny200]

Hi guys, having got rid of my 200 Silverstone for an elise, I'm after replacing my daily to another 197 as I just love them!

I have found this http://www.warwickshirecarsales.co....vvt-renaultsport-3dr-nuneaton-201609147762837
http://www.warwickshirecarsales.co....vvt-renaultsport-3dr-nuneaton-201609147762837
Which seems too good to be true... I have got a decent price for mine and it all seemed OK.

But today some things have transpired which are putting me off,

1) The seller doesn't know when the cambelt was done and if it has ever been done
2) very sketchy about the service history and has just given away that actually the 'full service history' is 4 stamps (should be 9/10)
3) very pushy saying that someone else is wanting to buy the car and wants commitment before he drives it to a relatives that is closer to me

Was really excited but it's turning into a nightmare. How important are these things, is it off here?

Many thanks

Jonny

 

[Big Ben]

Cam belt service is very important. Factor in £600 to get it done
£5200 is still a decent amount of money for a 56 plate albeit a very clean looking one!

 

[Jonny200]

so it's not anything special price wise then?

 

[Big Ben]

I would say it's leaning more towards dear than cheap but what do I know?

I bought a reasonably priced one a year ago and haven't had the best of luck with her to be fair

But once I've repaired/replaced everything on the car, it'll be like new lol

 

[LOCKE]

4 stamps for 33k is not perfect but wouldn't put me off too much. If the belts had been done they are due anyway so as said knock £600 of the price. I would offer £4500 for that car as it needs belts and service. Looks clean enough but don't be pressured into buying.

Stamps to me are not that important as I do all my own servicing. I keep all invoices and only use genuine parts. In my eyes just as good as any overpriced dealer stamp.

 

[Jonny200]

really not sure on what to do, I got told to make sure you keep up with the service schedule on 197's but maybe if it hasn't been it's because someone has used it to commute and doesn't really understand until the light comes on?

Who knows

 

[Foxspeed]

why is it so high up on the rear end??????? its not siting right that!!!!!

 

[Foxspeed]

"someone else is coming to see it/interested in it" yeh right the times i have heard that one (i have had a few cars over the last few years) my reply to that is - sell it then!

 

[6705russell]

If it is any consolation I have just had my cambelt done at 58000 miles, when they took it off there was minimal wear.
If you do buy it and can get to North Wales there is a good Renault specialist that can do the cambelt for £370 if you are wanting it done...

 

[jasonlovesfrench]

That rear end don't look right, I'd stay well away.

 

[6705russell]

Well spotted, definitely riding to high?

 

[Johnny 99]

Rear doesn't look right as has been said. Imho follow your gut feeling, there's plenty more about so don't rush. I myself bought the 1st one I looked at but I discounted so many before that including one I'd put a holding deposit down on at Renault dealer (which was refunded)! The one I bought was right for me & came with over a year remaining on the Renault 4+ warranty so it was ok as far as I was concerned. If you ain't 100% walk away, plenty to choose from.

 

[Daverb]

My one was like that standard at the rear, looks ok to me.

 

[LOCKE]

It's a non cup so will sit higher?

 

[6705russell]

Mines a non cup and does not sit that high?

 

[6705russell]

This is one at a garage near me, rear ride height lower.

 

[Foxspeed]

"full service history" = for 197/200 a service EVERY year not 3 of 4 stamps...those type of adverts are misleading!

no history of belts being changed then assume the worst and they havent been done - usual dealer vagueness

doenst sit right rear ride height to high they should within reason sit level

my feeling on this one is give it a miss low miles or not just seems "odd"

 

[Jonny200]

I think the car is up a bit of a hill which would explaint the height. Just phoned up a garage near me which has one with 23k on! That one has only got 2 service stamps! seems a common thing, this does come with warranty. Really not sure at all, but there is nothing close to it on autotrader

 

[Jonny200]

on another note, the MOT history does say that the springs have snapped in the past, maybe some idiot put normal clio springs in there (looks to be a hill on some photots flat on others cant make up my mind)

 

[Jimmy]

Too many alarm bells ringing - I would walk away. 4 stamps is definitely nowhere near enough history on a car like a 197, low miles or not. Dealer being pushy?? He wants rid by sounds of it... The cambelt is arguably the most important service item on a 197 - why would a previous owner not keep records of that...??

It sounds like a wrong 'un!