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Hobart Newbie need advice/help


nozzlepop

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Hey guys,

 

Well bit of a background first, I am 24 live in tassie/hobart, Had a nice mix of cars, vu ss ute, xr6t, 220kw foz xt, 260z, ej panelvan, supercharged rolla there is another 14 but i won't bother listing, Looking for clio sport, as i am travelling lots surfing up and down the coast, and want something cheap to run that handles well. Found a nice one in ACT blue 03 with 126k's on carsales. From researching the forum i seem to find differences of opinons on when the timing belt needs to be change, every 4 years? every 60,000k's? so i'm assuming the blue act one is due for a belt change.

Next question is there any tassie people on here? Just worried about servicing the clio in hobart, can't say i have heard the best things about Specialized car centre or whatever it is, but i think they are the only renualt servicer.

 

And one more question: any surfers on here? I really want to know if my 6'3 will fit through the back and in between the two front seats? and if i can fit two boards in there ill be very happy. I would love to have a look at one in person but can't find many in hobart.

 

Hopefully be a proper member in the next couple weeks! looks like a great forum.

 

Peace out from Apple isle.

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My 7'4" mini-mal fits in fine.

I lay the passenger seat back and put the seatbelt on it.

You load it in through the rear hatch.

Don't think between the seats will work.

If you've got a passenger they'll have to sit in the back behind you.

 

Good luck!

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Welcome! With timing belt - generally people base it on time rather than kms, so if it's a blue 03, it should've had it done in '07 and then next should be 2011. You'll find that when doing the timing belt, most people do the accessories belt at the same time (cos they're slightly out of sync in terms of when they need replacing), so a lot of cars will have both done every 3 or 4 years.

 

PS. run a quick search to confirm what I said, as I may have totally confused myself :?

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Cheers guys for the helpful replies, to be honest i love the idea of a clio and the look, and i can imagine how amazing it would be to drive up the east coast road:D but am a bit worried about how high matience they seem, I'm currently tossing up between all the hot hatches and have a budget of around 12-13. Drove a rolla sportivo yesterday, and it felt dead, need to rev it all the way to readline to get some movement. Astra turbo seem pretty cheap, around 10 mark, anyone had any of ther other hot hatches on the market?? would appriecate any advice... Sold my BA yesterday so need to find a car in the next week or two.

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Cheers guys for the helpful replies, to be honest i love the idea of a clio and the look, and i can imagine how amazing it would be to drive up the east coast road:D but am a bit worried about how high matience they seem, I'm currently tossing up between all the hot hatches and have a budget of around 12-13. Drove a rolla sportivo yesterday, and it felt dead, need to rev it all the way to readline to get some movement. Astra turbo seem pretty cheap, around 10 mark, anyone had any of ther other hot hatches on the market?? would appriecate any advice... Sold my BA yesterday so need to find a car in the next week or two.

 

They're no more high-maintenance those most car fans would do anyway, but maybe we're an anal bunch on OZRS lol

 

If you find one that has full service history and is in decent knick, you'll be sweet 8)

 

The only thing that would be similar (but down 20kW stock) is the XR4 - but I don't know if they've reached those prices yet...

 

You'll find that a lot of people who used to have a Clio have stayed with the RS brand and have gone onto a Megane 225/230 :wink: I guess that suggests that once you're in... you're in :mrgreen:

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yeah mate, i've been reading all the forum topics for hours ha, seem like they are a pretty high maintance compared what i am used too, timing belts and aux belts, dunno, its hard, i'm tending towards a golf gti, as much as i love the little clio and megane, be different if i was on the mainland.

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Howdy and hope you cross over, cause the more the merrier.

I don't know who can do the service down there, is your surfing just around the isle?

I ask as you may be able to time your services with any long trips, but it's a long shot.

The best i can help with are all the genuine parts that you need along the way, but yeah, a good Renault mechanic goes a long way.

I wish luck with your decision and hope you're happy with your choice.

Cheers,

WOLF

ps: you could always get a roof rack for your board.

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Cheers Wolf, thats not such a bad idea, i can always pop over to melb for my major services, Nar not that keen on roof racks, it's nice just to be able to chuck ya board in the car and go! So the blue 2003 one i am looking at, has 126k's, guy said the timing belt was changed in 2007, and it is due in march 2011, is the aux belt due to be changed at 120k? they are at every 60k intervals?

It has a full service history and looks really tidy inside and out, as my bro viewed/drove it for me.

What else am i up for? and anything else to look for?

thanks for the help

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Welcome Nozzlepop.

If you had a modded Subie, you probably already know this, but have a chat to Autocraft in Collins St. If they don't know the cars, or don't know anyone who can service them well, then it probably isn't worth knowing. Don't be afraid to bail up a mechanic from Specialist Car Centre (scout the New Syd or other pubs nearby on a Friday night) and ask them too.

The Clio would be great on the east coast roads (watch One tree bend just north of Coombend at speeds over XXXkm/h though, they have a tendancy on unweighted crests for the back to want to go faster than the front)

Wolf's idea is not too bad either, but add $300+ if you are not already over there and it ain't so cheap all of a sudden. Would be worth it for the major services though, to take it to PaulV at AutoParis (??)

Renault used to be tied up with the mob in Derwent Park (Jackson Motor Co?) but seems they aren't any more.

Al..

Enjoying a t-shirt in Brisbane these days

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Haha, i'm enjoying the cold, have taken the rest of the year off work:) so bring on the cold fronts and swell! So the clio prob isn't the best option in tas, and as i'm not working i just want a cheap daily that doesnt have too many problems. The subie was great, had the stage 3 mrt kit on it! stock as a rock from the outside, but great fun for shaming v8's and rex's. So many shocked faces when they get dusted by a family wagon. But was also very easy to work on, hmm maybe a 180sx but i hate the stigma attacted with imports. Thanks for the advice on Autocraft, but wouldn't let them tune my car radio. So So overpriced and not even that good. Anyone owned any other hot hatches? astra turbo's? golf gti?

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None of the others you've mentioned will make you grin anywhere near as much.

 

Renault make a good car, but, as mentioned above, they like being maintained. If you're worried about costs, Colin at Alpine Affaire might be willing to give you an overview on the phone :wink:

 

Oil and gearbox changes are dependant on a particular size square driver (available from qualitool in geelong for under $10), pads are no harder than anything else I've seen, the brake fluid reservoir is awkwardly placed, but still within reach, and there's not much else I can think of you'd really need to get to if you were self-servicing between majors.

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Golf GTi's and Astra turbo's won't necessarily be any cheaper to service, but you may get a lower k's Astra for that money. Almost guarantee the Clio will be cheaper to insure though.

Fiesta XR4's can be had from $15k plus, Focus ST170's from $13k (only 3 on carsales atm)

Polo GTi's can be had from $15k too.

In terms of hot hatch in that range there is not a lot, that is pretty much it. All have the same sort of issues in terms of servicing though, the scheduled is no worse for a renault than any other IMO (my Mazda 6 costs more to service) but with a Clio you can afford to keep some money aside to fix it if it goes wrong.

Al..

Edit - don't know anyone with a Clio Sport down there either sorry

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Yeah, i have tested a corolla sportivo, and it felt very dead until 6000rpm, which is useless around town. I also took a st170 for a spin and felt pretty lifeless too, yeah i like the xr4 and polo gti, but just a bit expensive atm, need a couple more years on the market, i would rather spend around 10 if possible, thats why i like the clio's, only other option is a 180sx/200sx late 90's model, faster and parts are easy to access, but it still looks like a sports car. hmm very hard to decide, and re-sale for a 180 will be far better than a clio:( spec seeing as no one knows what they are down here!

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I tend not to touch cars with too much Weekness' ha. My last couple of performance cars have all been from the trusted reliable known stables. Ford/holden/subaru all with 0 problems, I did have a Mi16 last year, and that was one amazing car for 1000 bucks, till it started having electrical problems, but it was a awesome car to drive esp around corners.

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Hmm, wow in all 20 cars i have owned this would have to be the toughest decision, the more i read on this forum the more it's turning me off the clio. ha.

 

Jeees, 20 cars in 7 years, you could have purchased a new Clio for what it cost you in change-over fees!!!

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he more i read on this forum the more it's turning me off the clio. ha.

 

wow in all 20 cars i have owned this would have to be the toughest decision,

 

Don't worry, at that rate soon as problems arise you can sell up and buy another one or three.

Have you read all the fun things as well, why we the members are so in love with a bit of Renault?

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That's the thing, it's a little apple (pun) and oranges.

You said yourself, rolla had nothing.

These things have there quibbles, but for us MORRRRE than make up for it every single other day.

To date, haven't driven anything that has brought sucha smile to my face...

(well...except a Rally spec Sti with 500hp for some dirt laps - but even then it was on par for fun).

Good luck nozza.

WOLF

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Hmm, wow in all 20 cars i have owned this would have to be the toughest decision, the more i read on this forum the more it's turning me off the clio. ha.

 

Jeees, 20 cars in 7 years, you could have purchased a new Clio for what it cost you in change-over fees!!!

 

haha, i have only lost money on two of the 20 cars, and they were only 500bucks, i make on average around a grand or so after transfer and insurance,one of the best so far have been vz one tonner, made 4 grand in three weeks, xr6t paid for my week at pershier, made 1500 on a ae82 in two days, oh and my ej panelvan made 3600. I won't go on but yeah buying the right cars presenting them right you can made a fortune! Bought my girls foz gt from act two years ago, and sold it yesterday for only 100bucks less:P pretty good. So much to be made on cars, spec in tas, so many overpriced cars down here. I've started keeping all the profits seperate and thats whats paying for the clio :D

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I keep coming back to the clio tho, after hours of comparing the hot hatch's, just worried about selling it down here in 6 months time. I know ill always get a good price for a golf gti or a 180 etc. Clio do look fun tho, remind me heaps of the supercharged rolla, best overall car i have owned to date 3 grand from sydney ran a 14.4 as (wsdi or what ever it is). and with the supercharger on a switch in car could run it off or on any time.

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To be honest, and reading the fortunes you've had, the Clio Sport may not be the best to buy with an intention to sell for more or no less.

It's more a purchase for the passion of driving...it HAS to be.

Com on... just get one.

It's amusing, cause you sound like me (and so many others)..."i just keep coming back to the Clio"

Cheers,

WOLF

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The main reason I got a clio is i'm on a budget and thought and clio was the value car for around $10k. The main other cars I was thinking about were 180/200sx, but didn't really want a turbo (replacing it for $3k at 120k+ didn't appeal to me) and the clio's were newer/lower kms, so I got the renault. After 1 year of owner ship i dont regret it at all, iv'e had minimal problems and it's running well. And as for being slower than a 180sx, iv'e taken on 2 (both were modified, mines stock) and won once and lost once. (Modified Nissan turbos - 1, Stock RSC - 2 :nod: ) Also Renault owns Nissan or vise vera, so its a Nissan either way (Sorry renaultphile's but I come from a family of Nissanian's). :P

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I think your right wolf, prob not the best car for me, at worst after the next 6 months i'd want to break even, And the way renaults have been dropping is crazy. Nat not sure who was driving the 180's children? ha, or they don't know how to launch there cars properly, in stock form a 180sx is over a second and a half quciker to 100. it's just a pity there interiors look so sh*t, and as you mentioned are getting older now. But a good second hand turbo can be had for 500bucks no worries, and i have a mate that is a mechanic at DJ motors who also drives a silvia. Hmm only have three days to make a decision...

 

Anyone had a pulsar Gtir? 170kw in stock form and 1200kgs, 0-100 in 5.X seconds, surely they would have to be the best hot hatch??

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Interesting. We come from different worlds of passionate car ownership. Changing cars every 6 months would drive me batty.

 

Best of luck in your hunt, and if you do pop up to Melbourne and would like a coffee, a chat and a ride let me know.

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Haha, yeah thats what most people say to me, but how do you know that your current car is the best car out there?? if you haven't owned a wide range of cars? I look at it this way, as long as i keep making money on every car, and i get to experience such a wide group of cars, for free? which most ppl would have to pay to drive or never drive at all, I do have my rergets tho, EJ panelvan, bought it front Darwin for 2grand, unreged and hadnt been started for 2years, but had over 20grand spent on it, just needed a bit of tlc to get it back to glory, It's just a pity i was 18 and selling my first house, so had no where to store it. Advertised it for 8grand and i guy flew over from melb and bought it without even driving it. I've never had so many ppl interested in any of my cars, from a old cop pulling me over in town, "just wanted to have a look at the old girl" and the amount of old blokes that would crap onto me for hours about back in the day..

tried upload a pic but won't let me for some reason.

 

I am heading over to melb in a couple weeks, girlfriend roped me into going to watch the bombers play. So that could be good, maybe i should just buy a sh*tter and wait and till i come over to melb and see what all the fuss is about :P

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how do you know that your current car is the best car out there??

 

I don't, but I'm happy. :)

 

She does everything I ask of her, and makes me smile pretty much every time I drive her. I can load her to the gills with people or gear, and she still goes alright. I track her, and regularly take out class wins. There's precious little that can keep up with me on a good road, and she's cute enough to be non-threatening so I don't have to deal with morons trying to show off at every second set of lights.

 

Your other half being an Essendon supporter, however, I cannot help :mrgreen:

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Haha, i am also a dons supporter, ha but would rather watch league, How good was the state of origin two nights ago:D, well your doing a great job of convincing me ha i'm nearly there, once i find out what the dimensions are from the boot to the gearstick and console ill make a decision.

Please can someone measure there little clio for me???? would be greatly appriecated :hyper:

Have put a offer in on a RCS :D

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You're lucky I'm doing this for a Bomber's supporter. But I guess you don't barrack for CWood so it's not all bad.

At the height of the stereo face you are looking at a little bit over 2000mm, so 6'6" in old speak.

Above that the dash curves back but the rear window curves in so it is pretty consistent.

If you only plan on keeping it for 6 months, then shouldn't be a (major) issue with servicing either.

Al..

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Oh, and bear in mind the rear seat don't fold flat unless you take out the seat base cushions, easy enough job, but I've only ever taken them out and left them out when transporting bikes in the back, never tried to fit them in as well.

Al..

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Thanks for all the info and help guys, but don't think i will be getting a renualt, spoke to two different mechanics (that i trust and have always looked after me) And they both had bad stories about clio' for me:( one was a sport other 1.6. Both said they where more than happy for me to buy them cos they will be guarenteed lots of work, haha. But reccomend i steer clear of them, and esp in tas, no local suppliers of parts etc and the amount of idle time it would be sitting around waiting for parts. Pity they look like such awesome cars. All the best

Cheers Norrie

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hah, yeah you should do that for sure Wolf, but just not next to specialized car centre, so called renualt experts:P, Would be worth setting up a decent renault workshop, starting to get heaps down here, all the tree huggers love them, tho's little scenia or whatever they are called and of course tho's cool rooomsteeers.

 

And after not seeing any rcs i spotted two yesterday, phase 1 and black phase 2 with some nice aftermarket rims.

Never seem a bright red one before(phase1) two olds driving it

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