Which if these two Renault Clios would suit me better?

Hi, I'm looking at buying a Renault Clio and I'm split between two options: a 2008 1.2 petrol with 70,000 kilometres (€6,495) or a 2003 1.5 diesel with 170,000 kilometres (€2,750). I'm going to be doing around 90 kilometres a day on the M50 so I'm looking for something fuel efficient and cheap to run but obviously I want reliability too.

Would there be a big difference between the cost of running these two cars? I know the 1.5 diesel engine is more efficient but would the car's age mean that its performance (and economy mainly) would have dropped off significantly over the years? Also, do you think the 2003 Clio might be likely to start costing money from an upkeep and maintenance point of view?

I understand that you don't know this specific car's history but in general would a Renault Clio of this age have a good or bad reputation when it comes to upkeep and mechanical issues etc?

Thanks

Eamon Coughlan (Portmarnock)

Jul 2012 Filed under: choosing used car

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Expert answer

Hi Eamon,

To us that seems like an unfair comparison given the price gap between the two, as the newer car will be far fresher in every way - but so it should be at that price. We'd be slow to recommend the older diesel Clio purely because of the mileage it has accrued already - and you plan on doing above average annual mileage on top of that. It would definitely start costing you money and, worse, could be out of action while being repaired - which would be a massive inconvenience.

In pure overall cost terms it might win out (taking into consideration the purchase price as well), but even so our advice would be to go with the petrol model - or look at alternative diesel options. There's a lot of choice out there.

Let us know if you want help finding something suitable.

Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Adviser
@Shane_O_D