At 27, I've bought my first car!

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Soldato
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19 Jan 2006
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As per the title, at the ripe old age of 27 I’ve finally bought myself my first car!

It’s a 2007 Renault Sport Clio 197, fitted with a load of luxuries like auto Xenon headlamps, with turning lights, cruise control, keyless entry/start button, auto wipers etc but most importantly the optional Recaro seats. I wish it had the red brake calipers the Cup has though, I would like to get them at some point if I can justify the cost. The alloys could do with a bit of a refurb as the paint on them is starting to bubble on a couple of them, so I may have them acid dipped then changed to a different colour, perhaps a deep grey or matt black.

The cars done approx 54,000 miles, 48k of them were done in the UK with the last 6k being done locally over the past 2 years.

It’s a bit of a beast compared to what I’ve driven in the past, coming from a 220,000 mile old 2006 Toyota Avensis the difference is astonishing and it certainly brings a smile to my face – loving the noise it makes above 4,000 rpm.

Going to give it a good clean at the weekend if the weather stays dry and get a few pictures up.
 
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I bought it yesteday in the dark, so I haven't had a chance yet - I had previously test driven in the day light and given it the once over so I didn't "buy blind"

It's a standard Clio 197, nothing special to look at but a heap of fun to drive!
 
The brakes are exactly the same just get a tin of VHT paint from halfrauds for a fiver and some new Brembo stickers off ebay for a couple of quid and job done!

They're very nice cars, my missus loves hers to bits. You will get the odd electrical gremlin but they seem to be more of an annoyance than the kind of issue that leaves you stranded.
 
matt_fsr said:
Hope you didn't get it from Carcraft? :D
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Of course I did, they offered a very affordable deal, it's only £160 a month for 60 months - it was so nice of them to give me a credit agreement with my history! :cool:

It was a cash sale, from my savings as opposed to taking a loan

I'm pretty sure the cambelt has been done, they're meant to be done at 5 years / 72k miles, and it does have some form of belt listed in the service history if my memory serves correctly. I'd hope it does as that will be a £500+ job!
 
Xenons? Not on a 197 unless they were retrofitted? It might have projector lenses however, as I think you needed these for the cornering lights.

I had Recaro seats in my Clio 200 and there's nothing else quite them for support (and comfort, I felt!)

Enjoy! You're winning at this first car thing.
 
wingman said:
Xenons? Not on a 197 unless they were retrofitted? It might have projector lenses however, as I think you needed these for the cornering lights.
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According to this article Xenons are an option on the 197 - http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evolongtermtests/204615/renault_clio_197.html

Options on our car include tinted rear windows (£200), automatic xenon headlights with ‘dedicated cornering lights’ (£500), a single CD player (£100) and electric folding/heated door mirrors (£100).
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Mine has all the above, with the 6 CD changer unit too I believe, though I've yet to locate it as it's linked to an iPod at the moment :p

Amos91 said:
Did the previous owner have the cup suspension fitted as an aftermarket mod?
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There are no aftermarket mods on the car.
 
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From what i'd read people say get the cambelt & waterpump done every 4 years, we got it done for £350 at a local renault specialist. They need to have the right cam locking tool as its very easy to put the timing out otherwise.

I believe Xenon was an option, ours has got cornering lights but they're just standard bulbs.
 
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