Major major service

[AcID ZeR0]

Anyone got any idea how much this is likely to cost fully fitted from a garage?

Recon gearbox - Tad extream (I hope) but I've got a oil leak from it so I'll need to budget for worst case.
Clutch
Cambelt
Alternator
All Belts
Head gasket
Water pump

Plus, a through going over of the engine replacing any parts which may need replacing, possibly headwork?

Not in it for perfomance, it's a 1.4. I just want it mint engine wise. Exterior is great, no rust or dents or anything like that so I was considering selling it and buying a mk2 clio but then I thought whats to say the mk2 wont need a lot of work.

[Chris1.4RT]

I'd say clutch would be around £100-150 supplied and fitted, never had it done on my old Clio.

Cambelt, head gasket, and water pump can get done together so I'd say about £300.

Alternator £80 supplied and fitted (exchange your old one)

Gearbox, reconditioned supplied and fitted probably about £200 but that could get done with the clutch too I'd imagine so maybe £300 for the two together.

[dick]

lot more than your cars worth

[Chris1.4RT]

Personally, I'd trade it in. £600 would go some way to a deposit. You then hopefully have a car with some warranty.

I needed £400 of work to my old RT but traded it in against a VTS with two years warranty. I got a generous £700 for the RT. Broke my heart come trade in day. A day in the VTS, never looked back.

The old RT was costing me an arm and a leg and I got rid of the VTS before it went the way the RT did. That's why I have a nice 172 today.

You've gotta get rid at some point. Why let it drag you down financially.

[AcID ZeR0]

Cheers Chris, was est. well over £900.
See the situation here is I'm only 17 so out the window goes anything with any real power.

Was really tempted to just sell my RT and get a mk2 1.4, As this work or new car will be in August when I get £2k something from a Insurance bond my rents set up for me where they pay a certain amount per month and you get it out 18 years after your policy has started.

But, £2k would leave me too far away from a car with warrenty from any stealer, Even with say £600 trade in on my RT.

The only logical route for me is buying another car of ebay, but of course you tread dangerous ground that your buying a shed.

My current RT goes fine, nothing wrong with it engine or any other way (Some may argue the lights..) Only thing being the gearbox.

Done about 10k in it and cost me, £80 which covers gearbox oil x2, 2nd hub & steering gator.

But I'm thinking, spend about 1k on it and build it into a reliable car that should last me a couple of years until the insurance has gone down - rather than gamble on another car?

Really difficult situation.

[Chris1.4RT]

Mate, I'd get a new car if it were me. I just found myself getting hit with bills for my old RT every month.

You can buy warranties for cars. About £300 for a year.

Only you know what's best but I was happier once I got rid of the RT and drove something newer, bit more credability and reliablity. You can get some pretty decent motors for £2k. Some people think Saxos are unreliable but mine was excellent to be honest and though you wouldn't want a VTS, a 1.4 Furio looks the same and would suit your needs.

[Chris1.4RT]

Also, I will say, yeah you're unsure about gambling on a new car, but sometimes in life ye have to gamble.

My VTS was sweet and well looked after but I chose to get rid of it while it was like that and not costing me money.

Yeah you know the history of your car and not that of a new one but do your research, look around for a good car, you've got a little while to do it.

[Final Maxim]

my clios going soon and im getting a xsara w/x plate, 1.4. ive seen them as low as 995, 1200 with aircon!

[GazCB]

But I'm thinking, spend about 1k on it and build it into a reliable car that should last me a couple of years until the insurance has gone down.

You'd be able to get a tidy punto around s-reg with low mileage for £1500. Ford Ka's are dirt cheap. For something REALLY cheap and reliable go for a ford escort. There's so many of all of these cars around you'll be able to get one in tidy condition with full service history.

If you stretch to 2.5k you could get a 1999/2000 mk2 clio with under 40k on the clock. At 10k a year that'd last you a good few years and it's a better car than all the others I've mentioned (and the mk1).

[16v_jon]

get yourself down to the auctions seen loads of mk2 phase 2's going for £2k ish most of them are 1.2's but i saw a few 1.2 16v's for just a touch over most of them in good nick too

[GazCB]

Good idea, as always though, if you can take someone with a good mechanical knowledge. Get there early so you'll have plenty of time for viewing, you don't want to miss something, see what appears like a nice car going through for pennies, buy it on impulse and come home with a dog.