What to look for when buying?

[Dan-v6]

Hi,

I hope to be starting the search around mid Feb. (the GT3 should be gone by then)

What to look for?

I read about gearbox problems? (How can you check it's ok?)

How long does the suspension last?

I am not too worried about service items, Cam Belt, water pump ect.. (I have a good friend who is an RTE (Renault Tech) and used to working on V's)

Ideally, I woul like one done around 30-45,000 miles. Colour wise not too worried (1st Mars, but know there are now too many around)


As there are not loads for sale right now, can you guys give me an idea what I would get for the below budgets -

£12k

£13.5k

And

£14.5k

This will tell me if I need to ups my budget!

Thanks as normal.


Dan

 

[Ali]

Not many for sale just now Dan... Best strike while the iron is hot; and before the values go up exponentially!

 

[Kett]

Hi Dan

Isn't a replacement Metzger GT1 engine circa £30k plus VAT?

I appreciate that Vees are expensive to run in comparison with FWD Renaultsport Clios, but they really are very cheap in comparison to Porsches. :approve:
(I once had a 'box fail on my 20k miles 986S and was quoted £7k + fitting for a replacement.)

The Vee won't provide you with a "white knuckle" ride that you might expect from a GT3, but the pleasure of ownership (I believe) is on a par. [cmilie=iconcheers.gif]

Even v6clio.net membership is a fraction compared to PCGB! :rofl:

I'd expect to pay £14k-£16k for a good 255 Vee and £18k-£20k for something exceptional.

 

[Dan-v6]

Hi,

Yea the GT3 engine is £32,500 + VAT (so I was told by the Porsche dealer)

I never drove the GT3 hard, had her 6 years going around 4 trackdays so the 'white knuckle' ride is not what I am looking for.

I am after a car that's an event to look at each morning I leave for work (in a Megane dCi :s ) and come weekends I can use for a little fun, take to Le Man, Euro drive and (no shouting) put a seat cover on, chuck the dog in and have weekend(s) away around the UK.

I work for a Renault dealer, so running cost should be low (ish) compared to the GT3, I have done 580 miles in the last 14 months in the GT3 and with servicing, insurance and storage it's cost me around £3,200. [smilie=icon_eek.gif]

I split up from my other half mid 2012, so can't see the point of having £35k tired up in a car when I can put some of that into the mortgage (need to watch the pennies), spend £15k on a toy I can leave outside and enjoy without having to call the storage company to let them know I would like to collect my car, then call again asking if I can bring it back, plus would never take the dog out in it and we can't have her left alone now.

:salut:

 

[Kett]

That all sounds very sensible. You will not be disappointed with the Vee. :approve:

Why not post a thread in the "Wanted" section and see what comes to the table?
You might also PM some of the 255 Mars owners on the register...

 

[V6 2HOT]

Sounds like the vee is perfect for what you and your dog want. Every drive is an event and the rarity brings its own attention and a good conversation starter. Running costs is mot,tax and a service each year. Lot less than a porsche I would imagine.

 

[Dan-v6]

That all sounds very sensible. You will not be disappointed with the Vee. :approve:

Why not post a thread in the "Wanted" section and see what comes to the table?
You might also PM some of the 255 Mars owners on the register...

Thanks, I will do once the GT3 has sold. :approve:

 

[looch]

My advice, become a club member and check out the buying guide in the knowledge section. :approve:

Then like others have said its waiting game, theres not much around at the moment. The illiad ph2 at £10,995 is way to cheap imo so maybe that would be a great opportunity. You could spend a few grand upgrading the suspension, seats etc and getting it tip top

Good luck in your search

 

[Ali]

What's the spec of the GT3, i'm trying to persuade a buddy of mine to get one.

I had a couple of laps in my pals 997.1 GT3 at the ring in oct...it was sensational...He however was only good enough for 8:27.

 

[quik99]

Hi and welcome to the club.

The illiad priced at 10,995 did look like a bargain, however i believe it has now sold.

There is a lovely BG which went up for sale yesterday. Asking price is 17k but it has had some pretty extensive maintenance work carried out only recently (one being a brand new gearbox!). Certainly worth looking at if within your budget.

 

[Matt]

My advice, become a club member and check out the buying guide in the knowledge section. :approve:

Then like others have said its waiting game, theres not much around at the moment. The illiad ph2 at £10,995 is way to cheap imo so maybe that would be a great opportunity. You could spend a few grand upgrading the suspension, seats etc and getting it tip top

Good luck in your search

This

 

[johnler]

what are you after a ph1 or 2

 

[Big Iain]

Having worked for Reno for what I presume is around 10yrs? In that time running many Renault Sports surely you will be well aware of how good/bad these cars are with regards to reliabilty of parts?

 

[Duncan]

What Looch says, become a club member, theres a decent buyers guide in the knowledge base that i would recommend you study first!! :approve:

To help in the meantime:

Gearbox - the problems ive heard of are all clearly audiable. Crunching in and out of gears, whirring/rattling in gear...signs of near death! Not heard of suspension wearing out...depends on how hard a life its had i guess. Im sure some will never wear out.

As for what your money gets you, it largely depends on whats for sale during the time your looking and how desperate the seller is. We are currently in changing waters and to be honest a decent phase 2 is most likely to cost around 15-18k during 2013.

But, my best guess at this current time, this is an approximation of what you may find for phase twos in the next couple of months:

£12k - an average ph2 with 30-60,000 miles on it. Possibly a car due a cambelt or other major work in near future, possibly patchy service history or a previous light damage.

£13.5k - Should see you a solid car in average to decent condition, well cared for, non id coloured car, 30-50,000 miles.

£14.5k - a well maintained lower mileage car 20-40,000 miles, lower number of owners.

Above this is price where you will begin to find the really nice cars and the more desirable colours.

Market, condition, colour and mileage can blow all this out the water of course, but hopefully will give you a rough idea.

 

[Dan-v6]

Hi,

I am after a PH.2.

Yea, I've worked for Renault for 12 years.. In all that time I have only had one problem, which was on a RS 225 and that being a coil.

So hopeful a RSV6 will be as good as the rest.

 

[Dan-v6]

What Looch says, become a club member, theres a decent buyers guide in the knowledge base that i would recommend you study first!! :approve:

To help in the meantime:

Gearbox - the problems ive heard of are all clearly audiable. Crunching in and out of gears, whirring/rattling in gear...signs of near death! Not heard of suspension wearing out...depends on how hard a life its had i guess. Im sure some will never wear out.

As for what your money gets you, it largely depends on whats for sale during the time your looking and how desperate the seller is. We are currently in changing waters and to be honest a decent phase 2 is most likely to cost around 15-18k during 2013.

But, my best guess at this current time, this is an approximation of what you may find for phase twos in the next couple of months:

£12k - an average ph2 with 30-60,000 miles on it. Possibly a car due a cambelt or other major work in near future, possibly patchy service history or a previous light damage.

£13.5k - Should see you a solid car in average to decent condition, well cared for, non id coloured car, 30-50,000 miles.

£14.5k - a well maintained lower mileage car 20-40,000 miles, lower number of owners.

Above this is price where you will begin to find the really nice cars and the more desirable colours.

Market, condition, colour and mileage can blow all this out the water of course, but hopefully will give you a rough idea.

Thank you for your detailed reply. :approve:

Out of interest, what's an i.d car cost these days?

 

[Matt]

Touch wood I've just had coils in all my ownership of a phase 1 and 2 so they are well built, under stressed units used. Big lazy vee lump which on the whole is reliable pal. :approve:

 

[Duncan]

Out of interest, what's an i.d car cost these days?

They can vary the most! The last one we saw was up for sale for 20k.

I'd say anywhere between 16-25k depending on the usual factors.

 

[Dan-v6]

Out of interest, what's an i.d car cost these days?

They can vary the most! The last one we saw was up for sale for 20k.

I'd say anywhere between 16-25k depending on the usual factors.

Thanks again for the reply.

For this kind of money I would look at a Cayman 3.4S, I think I need to keep a max budget to £13-14k, this will avoid the Cayman temptation.

 

[Copland]

Out of interest, what's an i.d car cost these days?

They can vary the most! The last one we saw was up for sale for 20k.

I'd say anywhere between 16-25k depending on the usual factors.

Thanks again for the reply.

For this kind of money I would look at a Cayman 3.4S, I think I need to keep a max budget to £13-14k, this will avoid the Cayman temptation.

I would say "good luck" trying to get a car for that.

I remember asking what was for sale at circa 13K and got told it wouldn't be a "good" car but something that might need some ££££ put at it shortly.

I raised my budget to get a good one but that will be cayman money so I would decide what I wanted before hunting.

There has been a few very cheap cars for sale lately but you may have missed the boat as a lot of cars seen to be taking a big hike in price but good luck anyway. I fear I think ure next car will be a cayman tho.