New member, looking to buy.

[RodC]

Hi there, new member here.

As I no longer have a work car, I'm looking to purchase something for a bit of fun and local transport. Not required as a commuter as I'm retired.

I'm reasonably familiar with Megane 3's as we have a GT220 Wagon and my partners son has a RS265 Cup.

I've been trying to make a shortlist of possible cars. I'd like to keep the budget below $20K, preferably newer than 2015, and it has to be a manual.

So far the list of possibles are:

Clio 3 RS (yes this is a possible exception to the >2015 rule)

Peugeot 208GTi Definitive Edition

Focus ST (anything in the price range newer than 2015, seems to be high km)

VW Scirocco R (also an exception to the >2015 rule, but also seem to be high km).

Megane 3 RS

 

In my searches, the Megane 3's seem to be by far the best value. But I'm really not across what they are actually worth at the moment.

I'm only looking at advertised prices on CarSales.

I see something like this:

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2016-renault-megane-r-s-275-cup-manual/SSE-AD-15583971/?Cr=0

and think low km's $20K doesn't seem to bad, even though I'm not sure about black.

Or for a couple of grand less:

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2014-renault-megane-r-s-265-cup-manual/SSE-AD-15160655/?Cr=3

a couple of years older, and twice as many km.

 

As I've only just started seriously looking I'm struggling to find "real" values.

Any clues?

thanks,

 

 

[lachlan8]

Meg 3 RS. Well that was easy 😁

[lachlan8]

But seriously though the Meg 3 is shaping up right now as surely almost the best bang for you buck car going (yes biassed). I'd grab one with recaros because if you ever want to sell it seems to make a huge difference. Also they're awesome and if you aren't commuting you hardly need the extra comfort

Look at what tyres it has and condition, check major servicing is up to date and enjoy! 

If you're patient you'll be able to get a superb example for $20k right now. Worth considering pre facelift too depending on your needs (with the xenons).

Edited 28, November 2023 by lachlan8

[lachlan8]

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2013-renault-megane-r-s-265-red-bull-rb8-manual/SSE-AD-16164107/?pageSource=details

Would be worth a look due to spec but aware not everyone's cup of tea!

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2014-renault-megane-r-s-275-trophy-manual/SSE-AD-15005294/?pageSource=details

Or this but with some wiggle. I paid $4k less when car prices were higher for mine so might be a case of helping the vendor realise lol.

Not a lot of good ones for sale in VIC right now it seems

[dn2blue]

Meg 3 obviously. Did you expect any less from this forum? 😂

I've owned a Focus ST and the Clio 3. Meg 3 is far superior handling than the Focus but less refined and less practical. Clio 3 is a very very well handling car and arguably more fun, but most require some work (namely gearbox), also is a tin can compared to the Meg 3.

[lachlan8]

FYI if it were to be a Clio 3 this guy seems motivated and what a spec

[speedfiend41]

The Meganes are brilliant. The Clio’s likewise, but they are crudely suspended. Smooth roads are awesome, crappy roads not so much. How about an Astra VXR? They are heavier than a Megane but quite nice inside. And I have to mention my current favourite - an 86/BRZ. Absolutely brilliant drivers car and RWD, if that’s your thing..

[RodC]

2 hours ago, lachlan8 said:

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2013-renault-megane-r-s-265-red-bull-rb8-manual/SSE-AD-16164107/?pageSource=details

Would be worth a look due to spec but aware not everyone's cup of tea!

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2014-renault-megane-r-s-275-trophy-manual/SSE-AD-15005294/?pageSource=details

Or this but with some wiggle. I paid $4k less when car prices were higher for mine so might be a case of helping the vendor realise lol.

Not a lot of good ones for sale in VIC right now it seems

thanks,

yes after driving the GT220 for the last 5 years I’m very comfortable with the Meg 3. 
 

I like everything about the RB8’s except the Red Bull stickers. Spec and colour is awesome. 
 

That Trophy does look interesting, I’d seen the ad but thought the price was too far away. But maybe it is worth the question. 
 

[SimonH]

I've owned a Meg, a Roc and Clio 3 x2. Went back to a Clio 3 for what it's worth.

Roc is great, refined, fast, well put together but a little meh, needed a DSG remap to get over the appalling mapping and didn't handle as well as a Meg or Clio but not a lot really does. Long doors were a pain at times too

Meg is relatively refined, suspension was ok for me  (inner Melb so tram tracks, shit surfaces etc.), nice engine, not much go wrong with them, poor 3/4 visibility and immensely capable but need a lot of speed to really come alive

Clio 3 is more fun, more of the time and still quick enough. Stock suspension is too firm for inner city - mine has AST5100 on their softer springs and it rides very decently and handles brilliantly. Synchros can be a problem, have rebuilt my box and added a Quaife so it's good for a long time now. As Speedfiend said, the interiors are bit low rent, i have soundproofed mine and it's a different place to be, definitely worth a little time to do it.

RB8 and 8:08 are great specs in the older Meg, newer a 275 cup premium is the pick but might be above your budget

You probably need to drive a clio to see if it floats your boat, if it does, it will be clear pretty quickly.

good luck!

[SimonH]

or stretch a bit for this....

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2015-renault-megane-r-s-275-trophy-r-manual/SSE-AD-13681134/?Cr=1

[RodC]

1 hour ago, speedfiend41 said:

The Meganes are brilliant. The Clio’s likewise, but they are crudely suspended. Smooth roads are awesome, crappy roads not so much. How about an Astra VXR? They are heavier than a Megane but quite nice inside. And I have to mention my current favourite - an 86/BRZ. Absolutely brilliant drivers car and RWD, if that’s your thing..

I hadn’t thought of the VXR, just read some reviews. They do look interesting. 
86/BRZ’s were a consideration but seem to be another where the ones in the price range seem to be high km.  Also seem to be a lot which have been modded by the boy racer brigade. 
 

[rob 240]

18 hours ago, speedfiend41 said:

The Meganes are brilliant. The Clio’s likewise, but they are crudely suspended. Smooth roads are awesome, crappy roads not so much. ✅

How about an Astra VXR? ✅ They are heavier than a Megane but quite nice inside.

And I have to mention my current favourite - an 86/BRZ.  ❌Absolutely brilliant drivers car and RWD, if that’s your thing..

don't listen to Speedy ! 😇

the ride in Clio and Megane are both fine and much better than an Abarth or a Ute based 4WD. Trust me on that.

VRX IS a Holden and that has huge cachet around here, the Fiesta is a Ford so zero cachet at all anywhere.

the GT86 is a Toy+ta, so that totally rules it out - what will the neighbours think ?

This is an RS forum so the only choice is what colour is your Clio3 or Meg3 going to be ? they are both fabulous and I have one of each, they are that good

 

[lachlan8]

57 minutes ago, rob 240 said:

don't listen to Speedy ! 😇

the ride in Clio and Megane are both fine and much better than an Abarth or a Ute based 4WD. Trust me on that.

VRX IS a Holden and that has huge cachet around here, the Fiesta is a Ford so zero cachet at all anywhere.

the GT86 is a Toy+ta, so that totally rules it out - what will the neighbours think ?

This is an RS forum so the only choice is what colour is your Clio3 or Meg3 going to be ? they are both fabulous and I have one of each, they are that good

 

Only one of each? How good can they really be then ... 🤔

[rob 240]

2 hours ago, lachlan8 said:

Only one of each? How good can they really be then ... 🤔

but the Clio 2 .... got 5 of those..... that says it ALL

[RodC]

8 hours ago, rob 240 said:

don't listen to Speedy ! 😇

the ride in Clio and Megane are both fine and much better than an Abarth or a Ute based 4WD. Trust me on that.

VRX IS a Holden and that has huge cachet around here, the Fiesta is a Ford so zero cachet at all anywhere.

the GT86 is a Toy+ta, so that totally rules it out - what will the neighbours think ?

This is an RS forum so the only choice is what colour is your Clio3 or Meg3 going to be ? they are both fabulous and I have one of each, they are that good

 

Love it!

Ok, I’ve never been in a Clio, but I know the Megane. The ride is fine with me. Ute based 4wd’s aren’t my thing. 

I’m more a Ford person than Holden. Still regret selling my ‘71 Twin Cam Escort.  (you want harsh ride?)

Our GT220 is Malta Blue and my partners son’s RS265 is Liquid Yellow , so I’m forbidden from those colours  

Still torn as whether to pay more for something like an RS275 Trophy or go “budget” for something like this

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2011-renault-megane-r-s-250-cup-manual/SSE-AD-15470140

 

 

 

 

 

[rob 240]

A Trophy is fabulous. But that red meggy in the advert is looking good too

son has Liquid Yellow?  / that's the best colour ever put on a car 

you had a Twink ? Awesome car and bet you wish you still had it !! 

Edited 29, November 2023 by rob 240

[RodC]

On 29/11/2023 at 10:21 PM, rob 240 said:

A Trophy is fabulous. But that red meggy in the advert is looking good too

son has Liquid Yellow?  / that's the best colour ever put on a car 

you had a Twink ? Awesome car and bet you wish you still had it !! 

Yes, wish I’d never sold the twink. 
 

Plans have evolved. I’m going to take over the GT220 and we’re getting a T-Roc R for everyday. Just didn’t make sense to have 2 8-10 year old Meganes.