by "Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
Published 03/02/2017 at 07:01
by "Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
Published 03/02/2017 at 07:01
Tags: CLIO RS
; CAR BUYING
STARS: 3
After test driving the 208 on tuesday evening (and forgetting my wallet in the car - moron) I thought it would be a though decision between the GTI and the Clio RS. In the meantime, the Clio seller added the pictures of the car, which confirmed what I thought: perfect color, recaro seats, nice wheels. This made the choice even harder. Every 2 hours or so I changed my mind on which one I was persuaded to buy.
Luckily, the Renault dealer made the choice pretty obvious when I went there this morning to check the Clio out.
The car was advertised as a non smoker car, with no accidents and a full service history. As I arrived, the first thing I noticed were the scratches on the front bumper. Next to them, the panel gaps were obviously all wrong. A tour around the car and of course two wheels were badly scratched. The passenger side door had a few dings. At this point, I go in, talk to the dealer, get the key card, which had been used as a bottle opener as proved by the damage on it. Access to the interior revealed sweat stains on the seats, badly worn radio commands and steering wheel, and cigarette butts in the seat rails. Under the hood, I noticed some missing insulation and the old alternator belt. At this point the dealer comes out and tells me they sell it on a commission basis for a private seller (autocorrect suggested primate, how appropriate) and that they would do a full service before selling it. Considering the condition of the car and the fact that the timing belt was overdue (5 years on these, the car is from 07.11) I wasn’t certain a test drive would be necessary, but whatever, free hot hatch fun. The exhaust must have had a leak, the sound was just obnoxious. The ride is a bit bumpy and it’s definitely more hardcore than the pug, and I must admit, the dash looks better in real life, or at least one gets used to it.
My decision was made, and on my way to work I called the dealer with the pug to arrange to get it on saturday.
"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
03/02/2017 at 07:08, STARS: 0
Weren’t you inspired to test another (but better maintained) Clio elsewhere?
Congrats none the less. I’m almost required to take my 205 GTi to the Oppomeet now, right?
"pip bip - choose Corrour" (hhgttg69)
03/02/2017 at 07:09, STARS: 0
did you point all the lies to the dealer?
"Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell." (oppisitelock)
03/02/2017 at 07:15, STARS: 0
Like for like either would be a good choice, with the Pug in better condition yeah it’s a no brainer. Will she be coming to oppomeet?
"Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell." (oppisitelock)
03/02/2017 at 07:15, STARS: 0
Yes, yes you are :D
"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
03/02/2017 at 07:17, STARS: 0
But 406 coupe :(
What’s holding me back is the 1000+ km in a 1988 subcompact with a short 5th gear.
"Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell." (oppisitelock)
03/02/2017 at 07:20, STARS: 0
I see your point, but also 205 gti.
"FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem" (fuelstratifiedinjection)
03/02/2017 at 07:23, STARS: 1
‘Verkauf im Kundenauftrag’ is the laziest excuse by stealerships. Congrats on the 208 GTi.
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
03/02/2017 at 07:26, STARS: 0
The performance and handling were as I expected actually, pretty similar to the 208 but a bit harsher. After testing both, my main remark is that there is a huge difference between a 200hp Clio/208 and a 250hp Megane. I wasn’t expecting that.
I don’t know if I take the 208 for oppomeet though, I’ll let the poll decide (I will regret that)
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
03/02/2017 at 07:30, STARS: 0
That would be the sensible thing to do. I’ll let the poll decide. My current running cars are the Bel Air, the Pajero, the 208 and the Audi, which I hope won’t be around until then.
"BvdV - The Dutch Engineer" (dutchengineer)
03/02/2017 at 07:30, STARS: 2
I can’t say you made a wrong decision, the 208 GTi is probably way easier to live with as a daily driver, and slightly better looking than the facelifted Clio RS.
Is it the red one you had in a post a while ago?
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
03/02/2017 at 07:31, STARS: 1
Thanks! Yeah it was kinda sad, I would have at least fixed the issues BEFORE trying to sell it
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
03/02/2017 at 07:32, STARS: 0
No, I figured if I leave quickly I can be at work half an hour before I planned to be, so I can get home on time
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
03/02/2017 at 07:40, STARS: 0
Yes it’s this one. Had the Clio been better, it would have been a though decision, but that was more of a 9500€ car at most, not 11.000.
"AndyG_UK" (ajg1974)
03/02/2017 at 07:52, STARS: 0
I think you have made the right decision. As said the Pug will much much easier to live with as a DD, having driven a couple of that shape Clio RS’s, they are very hardcore and yest don’t feel as quick as they should. Good track cars though.
One thing to watch out for with the Pug is the known issues with the 1.6 200thp Prince engine in it. Our DS4 has the same engine and has had a few recalls for various engine temp sensors and also the water pump. Plus they have known issues with the crankcase breather return system. If it is an earlier one (like ours) it only vents back in to one cylinder and can cause a few issues, especially if they have been driven too gently all the time, the later ones which vent in to all 4 are not as troublesome. We drive our DS4 like we stole it most of the time and have had no issues (now done 30k miles).
"DutchieDC2R" (dutchiedc2r)
03/02/2017 at 08:41, STARS: 0
Where’s the poll?? I wanna vote..:P....
"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
03/02/2017 at 09:06, STARS: 0
Polls are a bad idea for those of us with multiple old cars. They’d vote for my €300 base model 1986 Peugeot 205 (with the old Peugeot 104 engine/transmission). It’s so base it doesn’t even have a cigarette lighter (read: phone charger). Or a clock. Or an engine temperature gauge.
"Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell." (oppisitelock)
03/02/2017 at 09:14, STARS: 0
I have a feeling most will request the bel air haha.
"fintail" (fintail)
03/02/2017 at 09:33, STARS: 1
Don’t French cars come with cigarette marks from the factory? :)
"Svend" (svend)
03/02/2017 at 11:13, STARS: 0
Nice.
The Peugeot is a better looking car, easier to live with and I don’t think it’s look will age anytime soon.
Congratulations.
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
03/02/2017 at 15:29, STARS: 2
They come with a pack in the glovebox
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
03/02/2017 at 15:30, STARS: 0
Didn’t put one online yet, depends on the cars that will be available then
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
03/02/2017 at 15:31, STARS: 0
Oldschool
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
03/02/2017 at 15:32, STARS: 0
I equally fear and wish that
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
03/02/2017 at 15:52, STARS: 0
Thanks for the heads up, I’ll make sure to check it!
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
03/02/2017 at 15:55, STARS: 1
Thanks! I think I’ll have to give it a little personal touch though, it feels a bit too generic currently
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
03/04/2017 at 14:17, STARS: 0
Tow it with the 406.
"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
03/05/2017 at 10:17, STARS: 1
Because I’m Dutch I equip my coupe with a tow hook? The 406 is allowed to tow a car that light on a compact trailer though. 1200 kg tow rating if I recall correctly, the GTi is about 820.
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
03/05/2017 at 12:05, STARS: 0
See, I knew it would be possible.