Thinking about a V6

[x1xmarcx1x]

Hi all,

Thanks for reading.

I have been reading about the v6 for long time, having previously owned a 172 Cup and 182 Cup from new, and am thinking very seriously about trading my MX5 for one. Although tempted, I'm very nervous about getting a bank breaking car and would like to know whether or not this is a silly worry...or not!

I have read every guide possible, is it a case of just biting the bullet and buying one? My knowledge of cars from a mechanical perspective is 0 so I would be trusting what I see on paper with regards to history and I would be buying from trade with a budget of about £9k.

Sorry for the random post, I am just a little unsure about making the step! Feel free to talk me in (or out) of buying one.

Many Thanks,

Marc

 

[Duncan]

Hi Marc, your concerns are understandable but you will not regret getting one!

Buying from the trade at 9k limit will massively limit your choice, If you can buy private you will open lots of other options & get alot more for your money as well as getting a far better feel for how the car has been looked after.

Alot of cars in the price point you are looking at have issues or history. Make sure you do your research and ask on here before handing over your cash. A few small issues with these cars can soon end us costing thousands to put right. Trust me I've done it!!!

Try and see as many as you can before you buy.

 

[Williams]

Welcome to v6Clio.net Marc..

I cant offer you any more advice at this stage, than Duncan has.. Keep us posted with what cars you're considering. We are lucky we have been adding to a very good register for these cars, and whilst we don't have every bit of information on every car, we certainly have a great deal accounted for.

Good luck in your search!

 

[x1xmarcx1x]

Thanks both, I will post any links to cars that I spot...but I guess you already know they will be on autotrader

My budget is a little worrying...at a push I could up it to £10k for the right car. I will only buy a car that has FSH and has the cambelt/waterpump changed (with proof). Being a daily driver, I need a reliable car but as I only do about 5k miles a year it isnt that much of an issue. I should have bought one a few years ago but bottled it And you only live once.

My thinking for buying a £9k car was that it would give me some cash (£1k) to get it tidied up a little.

To be honest, I also love the whole community that there seems to be round the cars as well - that is another reason I want the car - the rarity of them ticks a big box for me.

Marc

 

[ian hosk]

Hi Marc

I don't think you would regret owning a vee. Its a special car and one not brought with any badge snobbery. Its not a great deal quicker than your previous Clio Cups 0-60 but the wonderful sound from the V6 engine that is basically in the car with you will make you grin every time you give it good hard run through the gears towards the red line. It gets plenty of heads turning too, some people have just never seen a vee before.

Service history is a must and its generally better to have an un-molested example. So things kept original is a good sign. Accident damage one are out there and not necessarily a no-no if repaired properly. The parts are expensive so a car can be killed due to repair cost more then actual damage. A few guys on here have cat D & C repaired cars.

Storage space and turning circle are not too special on vees but usually people have them as a second car (mine is) so you live with the small negative points.

A lot of the parts are standard Clio and the engine is a V6 used in other Renault models. They are generally very reliable too.

There is lots of help and advice from here also. Go test drive one and tell me you don't want one (thats what I was told just before i had my first go... then went straight and ordered mine from a dealer).

Ian

 

[Mr Tim]

Good Choice! :approve:

I'm guessing with £9k to spend you're looking at the Phase I?

I wouldn't be too put off by a lack of cambelt change, just budget for it in any potential purchase. You then have the option of getting who you trust to do the work. That's what I did anyways...

 

[ColinG]

Hi Marc and welcome to the club,

Not much more to say than what's already been said, but you should get a nice mk1 for 9-10k without too much trouble!

Where abouts are you located?

Being part of the club is almost as fun as driving the Vee! It's such a close knit community and everyone will go out of their way to help others,

 

[Matt]

Hi Marc andwelcomet to the club mate, :approve:

 

[piers]

:welcome:

 

[DFB]

Hi mate and welcome.

The real trouble is not buying the first one you see. They are so hard to resist once you see one in touching distance.

A guy on here (Retromx) joined up just like you did and I offered him opportunity to come round and have a good look round mine and a spirited test drive to ensure a Vee ticked all his boxes.
Well mine certainly did as he came back round a few weeks later and bought it off me!
Fair play to the man.

Tis not a sad story though, I just went and bought another and made a new friend out of the whole process.

 

[mick.harris]

Hi Marc,
once you fancy a V6 you'll have to get one. if you end up buying something else you will eventually see another V6 and I bet you regret whatever your driving at that time, (I decided to change a couple of times but came back for my 3rd clio)
It's easy to be put off reading about massive bills and other horror stories on forums , but theres a recent topic about 'how reliable is your car' on this site that shows how good these cars are, and any information you ever need everyone on here genuinely want to help.

so thats a yes from me !!!!

 

[x1xmarcx1x]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Yes, the phase 1 is what I'm looking at and I'm based in Newcastle Upon Tyne (although location is not an issue...I travelled to Dorset for my last car!).

I did read the thread on the reliability and it made me feel very confident - its just natural end of life (brakes, gearbox, exhaust, etc) that worries me. That thread also convinced me that it's the car for me My lass thinks its a bit aggressive but she is happy if I'm happy.

I need to get looking...hopefully you won't mind if I post links asking about cars? I hope nobody jumps in and buys what I'm looking at based on what gets said here! Mind, there is always the next one

Marc

 

[V6 2HOT]

I hope nobody jumps in and buys what I'm looking at based on what gets said here! Mind, there is always the next one

Marc

That tells me you desperately want a vee and I guess fallen in love with it even though you have yet to own one. Trust me once you get one you wont wanna sell it they are special cars. I really hope you get the one you really want WHEN it comes up. Patience may be required.

 

[x1xmarcx1x]

I hope nobody jumps in and buys what I'm looking at based on what gets said here! Mind, there is always the next one

Marc

That tells me you desperately want a vee and I guess fallen in love with it even though you have yet to own one. Trust me once you get one you wont wanna sell it they are special cars. I really hope you get the one you really want WHEN it comes up. Patience may be required.

Yep, it has definately caught my eye! It's just having the courage to buy one as I have never spent that much money on a ten year old car - unlike other cars though, I'm guessing it won't depreciate as much if I keep on top of maintenance and I do tend to be fussy when it comes to niggly things on my cars. Luckily my current car is a fun one for the summer so I plan to get the plate on retention in the next couple of weeks and then will simply wait for the right car to appear...to be honest even if it takes a few months then I'm not too bothered

I'm guessing that questions I should be asking dealers include:
- is it FSH (every Renault stamp present)
- a list of major services and when they were carried out (inc belts and brakes)
- condition of tyres
- condition of the exhaust (I have noticed that some boxes look a little weathered on photographs from the rear)
- my own HPI check

Have I missed anything obvious?

Thanks again,

Marc

 

[Duncan]

Imo Renault service history is not that important, a service history with a v6 specialist is what I'd ideally like to see.

As mentioned above cambelt being done recently is not essential as getting it done yourself if budgeted for can give greater piece of mind! It's definitely a question to ask as it will affect the cars value. If you get a car for a grand less without the belts done, then it doesn't really matter. Bear in mind nearly all phase 1s will be due the second belt change now.

My main concerns would be condition, signs of accident damage, crunching when changing gear, miss matched paint, uneven tyre wear, worn discs & lack of service history.

Most of which a drive & a careful look over would pick up!

The exhausts rust easily, but it's easy to clean them uk so don't be put off by that!

 

[x1xmarcx1x]

Thanks everyone.

As my mind is made up, I have applied to get my plate on retention today and once that is sorted (hopefully in the next two to three weeks) I will be in the market for my first v6 I have also joined here properly so that I can make full use of the site.

In the meantime, I will continue to admire them on Autotrader/Pistonheads/eBay and wonder which will be mine...

Marc

 

[Big Iain]

Whats the mx5 details, guy in work is after one.. well at least last week when it was sunny he was lol.

 

[x1xmarcx1x]

Edited