Clio 172, any good?

Building Candy · 13 Jun 2008 at 10:13

Are they reliable? what sort of milage should I be looking for? im looking to spend about £5k and want aircon.......... im easily pleased.

Im coming from my Nova turbo so whatever I get is going to feel slow. Just something nippy will do and electric windows will be a novelty for me. Im more interested in fuel consumption and how much time im going to have the bonnet up.

Scottland · 13 Jun 2008 at 10:24

There's actually been a few threads recently discussing these and 182's. Have a read of those first

Homer-Simpson · 13 Jun 2008 at 11:05

Head over to the cliosport.net forums! Lots of useful information for you over there (and membership only costs £5 for a year)

AmDaMan · 13 Jun 2008 at 11:25

I bought mine with no service history from a dealer @70k miles and have since ticked over to 90k miles. I bought it because it was in excellent condition and made the assumption it had been looked after, I just got the dealers to do the cam and aux belt before I bought it (£600) and the only problem I've had is a leaking rad, probably due to motorway stone chips, which I changed.

It has been excellent. The engines are actually very strong as standard, you just need to make sure the belts are done and you change the oil every so often and the engine shouldn't give you many problems.

The kit if you get a Full Fat one will be nice coming from the nova as it will have auto xenons, wipers climate control etc.

It's quite well specc'd for the price you can get them for.

Ev0 · 13 Jun 2008 at 22:52

Done over 50k in mine since having it, just consumables and servicing really, although the temptation for goodies is always there. Fuel consumption is very good on them too compared to similar performing cars. Guess the relatively low weight helps things.

triggerthat · 13 Jun 2008 at 23:26

If you get one, go to fastchip.nl for a DIY remap.

[TW]Fox · 13 Jun 2008 at 23:28

Great hot hatchbacks.

triggerthat · 13 Jun 2008 at 23:33

You should easily get a nice one for 5K. If you can live without air-con and ABS (!), go for the Cup.

Ev0 · 13 Jun 2008 at 23:43

triggerthat said:
You should easily get a nice one for 5K. If you can live without air-con and ABS (!), go for the Cup.

Or grab one of the cups that had the climate option

thecremeegg · 14 Jun 2008 at 00:06

Cups are a bit of a nightmare to insure - so many get written off due to no ABS!

172's are generally pretty reliable, as long as treated right. Renault labour costs are extortionate so avoid them if possible. Prone to rattles and squeaks, but thats just due to being french. Wont get as much bang for your buck with any other £5k hatch

Begbie · 14 Jun 2008 at 00:25

Any pics of the nova?

O and keep the nova!

laiman · 14 Jun 2008 at 00:48

Not really related to reliability but I always find Clios to be really short of rear leg and particularily headroom, and I'm only 5'11'' just my 2p.

jongeeone · 14 Jun 2008 at 02:06

Just bought my son a Clio, the rear legroom is very small - same for the head room.

But i would imagine a 172 cup is a hoon to drive. Do it.

Adam · 14 Jun 2008 at 12:14

I have had 2 (including both a 172 Cup and 172 FF) and regret selling my last one (for various reasons). Cup was far more hardcore than the FF and I wrote off 2 other cars and caused extensive damage to my 172 in an accident (locked the brakes up). I would prefer the FF with all things considered, the little luxuries like a nicer interior, climate control and xenons etc make a massive difference.

Great cars, thoroughly recommended. Reasonable economical too, I used to average 37-38mpg.

Janesy B · 14 Jun 2008 at 15:40

i'd like one of these even tho it's french

The insurance companies wont touch me with this tho, even tho i can insure a mondeo st24 for £1500 :s

Adam · 14 Jun 2008 at 17:32

Janesy B said:
i'd like one of these even tho it's french The insurance companies wont touch me with this tho, even tho i can insure a mondeo st24 for £1500 :s

Hardly comparable :confused:

bmh.01 · 14 Jun 2008 at 17:40

Great hot hatch, mine used to put a stupid smile on my face as a regular occurance I only got rid of it due to the need for boost and I didn't stray far. Gearboxes do not like being abused is the only major downside with the car, treat them fine and they last no problems. I've had 3 and have never killed a box so don't let anyone tell you there weak its all down to how they get driven. Use it like you stole it and the box won't last, fast/hard changes are a no no.

Building Candy · 11 Jul 2008 at 18:19

I have decided to keep the Nova for now, it had developed an engine problem that I couldnt trace but I have now found it!

also the amount of clio's about has put me off, I'd rather be hot on a summers day (the few we have) and have heavy steering if it means Im going to be an individual! I thought by now i'd be ready to blend into the crowd but im not, being different is far more important!

Begbie: Any pics of the nova?

yes, yes I do

no way on earth you can blend in in that! plus you can always find it in carparks, sometimes before your even in the car park. No one in there right mind is going to knick it, parts are cheap and after a chat with the insurance company a 172 would cost the same to insure!

NarChaDBaueR · 11 Jul 2008 at 18:37

Good time to get some popcorn?

danza · 11 Jul 2008 at 18:45

MAXXXXIMUM REEEEEEESPEC'!

/jk.

Your Nova looks alright. The only thing I'd change would be the wheels, they look massive. Some Compomotive MOs in black or white would look :cool:

.

An old friend of mine had a sweet white Nova on white MOs, and that got nicked, so don't count your chickens etc.