Williams anybody?

[philg]

My mini was sold about 3 months ago, not practical with only the two seats. I have been pondering over a replacement since then. I dont want anything to thirsty and most of all dont want the car to depreciate to much.

It would be my daily so has to be reliable.

I have been looking at the 197s and today the williams clios. The 197s look nice but they are going to deprecate i guess a grand a year till there about £4000.

I just had a williams in at work and thought it may be a good option for me, good cars seem to be up for £3-4k

Does anyone have a good one on here or know of a car that could be up for sale?

Is it worth looking for a good williams 1, or do the later models still fair well?

[Scoff]

I ran a williams one daily for a couple of years, and even by modern standards it was incredibly comfortable to drive and good fun at the same time. Much better than the 1.8, you didn't have to flog it to get anywhere. They hold their money so you can't really loose. :)

The 197 doesn't go half as well as it sounds. Over weight, lacking in mid range and almost never making book power either.

[philg]

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/renault-clio-williams-2-170bhp-fully-rebuilt/113007720

looks nice

[Matt Cole]

Agree with the scoff. Also the 197 gear ratios are just plain wrong. pretty much screams in every gear. Not sure if Reno changed them in the 200 or late 197

[philr5t]

Could ask my dad if he wants to part with his one mate 2nd owner from new bought from a Renault dealer with 6,000 miles on it now done about 80,000 miles its a willys 2 and has just sat for 3 years doing nothing so not tax or mot completely oe standard everything from new I replaced the shocks for brand new ones about a year ago and again it's just sat there :cry: the only thing I know that needs doing is 4 alloys refurb ing maybe 4 new tyres and it has rusted around the rear wiper on the tailgate mate which could be fixed or just replaced with another tailgate

Cheers
Phil

[Mr Raider]

They are a good car, looked at buying one before I got my 172 Cup, in the end went for the Cup, Williams hold value well, saw a tired looking Williams 3 in the auction about 6 months ago, had full ticket but you could tell it just scraped through, 115k had some rust on sills, arches, tyres all on limit, lacquer peel etc I was so tempted however it would definitely have been yet another project that needed welding, painting, new parts tlc.

If you can find a good standard one could be a bit of an investment you never know... ;)

[chris]

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/renault-clio-williams-2-170bhp-fully-rebuilt/113007720

looks nice

That does look really tidy

[Bass]

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/renault-clio-williams-2-170bhp-fully-rebuilt/113007720

looks nice

Looks like a clean example, but really wish he hadn't debadged the bonnet and tailgate, doesn't look 'original'.

[Bass]

Personally I'd go for an original Williams 1 as it's just a bit more special.

I have one at the moment, and apart from a cat back exhaust it's standard. They are so fun to drive and very comfortable. As mentioned, good examples hold their money well.

[philg]

Looks like a clean example, but really wish he hadn't debadged the bonnet and tailgate, doesn't look 'original'.

Agree, what was he thinking.

[Ricardo]

2 things i always read about the 197s are poor mpg and not the greatest gearboxes

[LeeR5GTT]

are they classed as a classic car now with regards to insurance?

[Bass]

Yep but only some companies will do the Wiliams 2 and 3 as classic as far as I'm aware.

I'm currently with Peter Best insurance for my Williams 1