Final stages

CliffyBiro · 14 Dec 2008 at 14:29

I've narrowed down my search for a car down to 3.

98 Renault Clio Grande
1.2 Petrol
120,000 miles
£800

98 Renault Clio Grande
1.2 Petrol
Unknown miles but calling to find out more tomorrow.
£895

98 Citroen Saxo
1.5 Diesel
130,000 miles
£800

I'm a little concerned that the 120k on the first Clio is too high.

Any opinions?

Also, the seller of the first Clio and Saxo claims the Clio is group 3/4 and the Saxo is group 2 insurance. Is this true?

mr tommo · 14 Dec 2008 at 14:32

Id be concerned about the mileage too. Not necessarily that the engine is going to blow!!1! but all the other components that have been worn over the last 10 years and 120k miles on a french car.

Edit - just had a quick look at parkers and it states the lowest insurance group for a 1.5 D is 4. (depending on model it goes up to 5)
Though insurance groups certainly arent the be all and end all of insurance prices! Ive had many times where a higher insurance grouped car was less to insure than a lower group.

rG-tom · 14 Dec 2008 at 14:33

im not normally one to be concerned by mileage, hell my car hit 120k the other day, but the car spent the first 90k of its life going up and down the motorways. A french shopping car isn't really likely to have done that, so it's more than likely going to be knackered completely. This is of course a generalisation but even still

Peter Diffey · 14 Dec 2008 at 14:39

At 120K it has a lot of potential to be really bad, but those 1.2 8v engines are good.

It would really rely on a test drive and inspection, my 1.2 8v Clio (98 too, so same as the one you are after!) was in good visual and mechanical condition at 94K.

CliffyBiro · 14 Dec 2008 at 14:41

Well, I'm having a mechanic friend of the family have a look at them this week.

He's inspected every car we've bought.

The Saxo would almost do that mileage again, wouldn't it?

fonzee · 14 Dec 2008 at 14:45

so many better buys out there than those three...

Nor · 14 Dec 2008 at 15:11

I'm sure you'd be able to find a low mileage example for similar money. Keep hunting.

Clarkey · 14 Dec 2008 at 15:19

Whatever you do, don't buy the 1.5D, they are truly terrible.

CliffyBiro · 15 Dec 2008 at 12:00

What would be considered an acceptable mileage for a '98 petrol?

timbob · 15 Dec 2008 at 12:16

skippi90 said:
What would be considered an acceptable mileage for a '98 petrol?

Well, average mileage would indeed be 120,000. But the wear and tear on a 10 year old french car with 120k on the clock will be considerable. You'll probably find yourself in the position of having to replace things like bushes and bearings, possibly even clutches, driveshafts and dampers in the not too distant future.

For what it's worth, I consider the "reliable working life" of an average small french hatchback to be about 100k. After that, the car (in my book) becomes a liability for day to day reliable use. So in answer to your question, I'd want something with less than 80k on the clock if I was to get a couple of years use out of the car.

A bigger, more well engineered car (Mondeo, Cavalier, Primera etc) has a "reliable working life" in my head at least, of about 200k.

All of the above is of course, a massive generalisation, and based on nothing but my gut feeling, having experienced many old cars of different sizes, ages, and mileages.

GravyMonster · 15 Dec 2008 at 12:29

fonzee said:
so many better buys out there than those three...

^this

CliffyBiro · 15 Dec 2008 at 12:31

For a first car though, I feel a <80k mileage is not obtainable in a decent motor for <£1000.

Mull3t · 15 Dec 2008 at 12:41

120k Is a lot for a French car, you'll prob find yourself a month or so down the line forking out £100's to repair something.

IMO, I would try and put a little bit more towards your budget, will hopefully work out cheaper for you in the long run.

timbob · 15 Dec 2008 at 12:45

I picked my own car - a Honda Civic, and found 8 of them within 60 miles on Autotrader for under a grand, with fewer than 80,000 miles on.

It is definitely doable.

Defcon5 · 15 Dec 2008 at 12:48

skippi90 said:
For a first car though, I feel a <80k mileage is not obtainable in a decent motor for <£1000.

Last year I got my other half a '98 106 1.1 (with 75k, and the Zest 3 spec with electric windows and power steering etc) for £800

CliffyBiro · 15 Dec 2008 at 12:50

Just called about the second Clio.

82k miles

EDIT: Now just trying to get hold of the mechanic to have a look at it tonight.

Peerzy · 15 Dec 2008 at 16:58

skippi90 said:
For a first car though, I feel a <80k mileage is not obtainable in a decent motor for <£1000.

I sold my W (2000) reg Fiat Punto with a full Fiat service history, 1 owner and 64k on the clock for £1250 the other day. They are crazy cheap at the moment. Was my first car and can't fault it at all (but I'm sure I'll get plenty of OMGZ a Fiat!!!1!!1 Get a Mondeo or 330ci!!!)

[TW]Fox · 15 Dec 2008 at 17:00

I'd have thought any of those three are about ready for the bin by now?

deko · 15 Dec 2008 at 17:01

Peerzy said:
I sold my W (2000) reg Fiat Punto with a full Fiat service history, 1 owner and 64k on the clock for £1250 the other day. They are crazy cheap at the moment. Was my first car and can't fault it at all (but I'm sure I'll get plenty of OMGZ a Fiat!!!1!!1 Get a Mondeo or 330ci!!!)

on the flip side, i bought a fiat punto 6 months ago for 1300, 1 owner, X reg and about 65K, and it was the most unreliable piece of **** ever made.

Peerzy · 15 Dec 2008 at 17:02

Clicky

deko said:
on the flip side, i bought a fiat punto 6 months ago for 1300, 1 owner, X reg and about 65K, and it was the most unreliable piece of **** ever made.

Yeah obviously there are bad examples and good examples. In the 8 and half years we had ours it was nothing short of brilliant, and I'd rather have one of those than an R reg Clio with 20k more on the clock for the same kinda money.