Considering purchase...mind nearly made up!

sorry a bit late to the party..thanks Kev for the tag..
as its been said earlier you will find the clio a bit down on power(compared to your octavia) full stop..you will have to be on its neck all the time to be able to enjoy it..up to 5,500 rpm the standard car runs around 150 bhp which is not a lot..gotta rev the life out of them..
the other option is to get one and meg it,which is what quite a lot of us have done..probably get the best out of both worlds..clios great handling capabilities and megs power..depends on where you live and whether theres someone willing to do the conversion for you..
good luck deciding
 
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Welcome Ben!

Think whatever car we have we always want more power, only trouble with the 197's/200's is they are hard to get without converting to Megane!
 
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Pav said:
sorry a bit late to the party..thanks Kev for the tag..
as its been said earlier you will find the clio a bit down on power(compared to your octavia) full stop..you will have to be on its neck all the time to be able to enjoy it..up to 5,500 rpm the standard car runs around 150 bhp which is not a lot..gotta rev the life out of them..
the other option is to get one and meg it,which is what quite a lot of us have done..probably get the best out of both worlds..clios great handling capabilities and megs power..depends on where you live and whether theres someone willing to do the conversion for you..
good luck deciding
Click to expand...

Cheers again. Hmmm I think a test drive is in order...

Hopefully I will be able to report back here on Friday after I have a go in one.

You have all been amazingly helpful! Thank you again, it is very much appreciated.
 
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Ok just driven the car...

Smooth, no worrying engine noises, suspension fine, turns well and very much goes where you point it.

Couple of marks to the glove box on the inside and steering wheel has been caught by a ring on finger at the top but I can live with that. No funny smoke and no crunching from the gearbox! The

Great colour and driving position....

However, cambelt there is no receipt for the work and it was last done in 2011!! So that needs doing. The track rod ends give off a little clunk when quickly turned at the wheel...But I had to force it to make the noise. Rear discs and pads need sorting soon too. Do these need a wind back tool on the calliper do you know?

Worst bit for me is there is a mark where it has grazed something on the rear nearside arch...Nothing a smart repaired could not sort but adds to the cost to sort it...

Re cambelt, what kind of price would i be looking at to get this done?

Overall love it but would offer less due to the work that is needed.

Cheers again everyone.
 
Is this the one you posted the link to on the previous page? Bit cheeky claiming cambelt as being done if it needs one immediately! It's not a cheap job either.

If you're a little unsure, walk away mate. There are loads around, the right one will turn up soon enough but the good ones go quick so you need to be on it.

Lots of cars up for sale in the Facebook groups. Might be worth having a look through there.

Best of luck Ben.
 
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Cambelt change you're talking anywhere between £400-600 depending where you go, and whether or not you decide to change the dephaser at the same time.
You don't want to cheap out on the Cambelt though and I'd always go with a specialist, but this may be difficult depending on where you're based.

Yes you need a wind back tool for the rear calipers, but you can get a cheap kit of eBay for about £12 IIRC, I got one and it worked a treat, if you want I'll dig out the link.

As you mentioned definitely tell them to knock at least £500 off for the Cambelt as it will need doing.
 
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Dystant said:
Cambelt change you're talking anywhere between £400-600 depending where you go, and whether or not you decide to change the dephaser at the same time.
You don't want to cheap out on the Cambelt though and I'd always go with a specialist, but this may be difficult depending on where you're based.

Yes you need a wind back tool for the rear calipers, but you can get a cheap kit of eBay for about £12 IIRC, I got one and it worked a treat, if you want I'll dig out the link.

As you mentioned definitely tell them to knock at least £500 off for the Cambelt as it will need doing.
Click to expand...
Cheers! I am based in Warwick so if you know anyone around this area then perfect!!

I did like it but that is pricey and needs to come off the price as you say.
 
Good to hear that you like the way the Clio drives! As Mes has said, there are plenty available so you don't need to settle for one that needs money spending on it to get it right. I agree on asking for at least £500 off one that needs the belts doing.
 
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Jimmy said:
Good to hear that you like the way the Clio drives! As Mes has said, there are plenty available so you don't need to settle for one that needs money spending on it to get it right. I agree on asking for at least £500 off one that needs the belts doing.
Click to expand...

To be honest, I wouldn't even bother contemplating the car, unless they were knocking money off for belts, rear discs and pads (£200), smart repair (£??). I'd walk away and wait for a more 'cherished' example. From memory, there's someone selling their 'enthusiast owned' 197 on Facebook, I think her name is Averill Garnett or something like that?
 
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Hi Ben, welcome to the forum - and sorry for not welcoming you earlier !


1. Glad you loved the concept and the driving sensations of the car.

2. There are loads out there. Even with money off - a less than loved example MAY still prove to be bit of a dog.

3. There are loads out there. Dont rush. Look at a few and see, notice, feel and mentally note the differences.

4. There are loads out there.......

GOOD LUCK !
 
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as above..lots of these out there if you are not sure but if you can sort all the niggles out,then why not..
important to do all the engine bits 1st..
and yes you need the wind back tool for rears..
 
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Hi Ben,

I'm on the lookout for a Clio as well although I've decided not to buy just yet unless something fantastic comes up. More than likely to be in the summer as I want to sell my civic privately and it needs a few things doing first.

I did have a test drive a few weeks back but unfortunately it wasn't a great experience. I got lumbered with a fat, old bloke who insisted on driving me somewhere quiet before I took over. The test drive was short and no decent roads. On the one good straight bit of open road he moaned at me for giving it the beans in 2nd and said how the fuel economy would suffer and it just isn't safe to be doing that on a public road nowadays. I've been driving sporty cars for 27 years and was an approved driving instructor in the past for gods sake!

I just haven't had time to drive another since as there's not much going locally. I'm also not 100% sure it's the car for me just yet. Also on the list is the FN2 type r (already have a civic) which I have driven and liked or blow the budget on a newish Fiesta ST. I test drive the ST at a local ford dealers and have to say it was absolutely phenomenal but then at over £10k that's to be expected.

What I have noticed when looking at cars for sale is that good ones are few and far between unless you have the time and inclination to travel large distances which can obviously be a wasted journey if condition doesn't match the description. Some people are very economical with the truth when it comes to maintenance, especially cambelts with these. I've been told the belts don't need doing for 10 years or, as you said the ad states cambelt done then you find out it was 5 years ago. Checking auto trader the same cars are for sale that were there when I started looking a couple of months back. If a really nice one does come up for sale it's gone within a couple of days. I've found the same with good type r's too. Tracking down a decent example is not that easy IMO. But hey, I'm enjoying looking!

There is a red RS200 in the classifieds on here that was serviced by SRS in Nuneaton. I don't think that would've been by the current owner but worth a PM to ask. Funny enough they would be my nearest specialist garage as I'm in Tamworth.
 
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Peeps, daft question...how do I become a paid member so I can view the classifieds? I'm a bit slow and can't seem to locate the correct method?!?

Cheers as per.
 
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