Testing the water for sale/swap Renault 14

[theorganist]

Have barely been on here over the last few months it has not been a happy year so far with family illnesses and me stressing over trying to get the Maxi on the road and getting nowhere, especially as everytime I think I am making some progress the Renault needs some attention. Plus I am having to suffer the ignomy of having the Megane Scenic as the only car available to drive at present!!

 

I am considering selling or swapping my Renault 14. The MOT ran out in early August a pre-mot check revealed the need for a door locking mechanism to be fixed, three tyres (they are bulging), a new brake servo (it is leaking) and two bits of welding. The welding required is on both sides on the rear suspension both quite hard to get too I believe.

 

The problem is that I am still trying to get my Maxi on the road, still have a few parts to get, I hope to get it done by the end of November but there is no way I am going to have the funds to get the Renault MOT'd this side of Christmas or even Lent!!

 

The 14 is in what could be described as tatty condition, the interior particularly is a bit of a mess, although is perfectly comfortable, the body is reasonably sound although all three doors are dented and my efforts at respraying them have not been entirely successful. The drivers door could do with being replaced as I have attempted to fill it but it looks a bit of a mess. The RH door mirror needs some glass.

 

It is quite good mechanically, the engine sounds quite smooth although I think the carbourettor needs looking at, I do have a kit for it. Last time out it was a bit hesitant and it is due an oil change. The gearchange bush is missing but to be honest it has been for two years and it is quite easy to cope with.

 

One sill is holed but not in a structural area but I would imagine would need looking at within the next twelve months.

 

It has had two new shock absorbers and a rear wheel cylinder.

 

I don't really want to sell it as I have a great love for Renault 14's but I feel that I cannot keep up with the bodywork or spare the time to get it looking really nice and it may end up rotting away in my stewarship.

 

The options as I see them are:

 

1) Keep it on the drive until some time next year

2) Sell it as is, not sure what it is worth but probably not much

3) Sell it with the LHD lamps to someone whose MOT station will pass it with the stickers on (mine wont) and save the RHD lamps and maybe get a less bodywork needy example next year

4) Swap it straight or swap plus cash for something interesting, preferably pre 1990 which needs less attention to the bodywork.

5) Sell the Maxi as is and keep the 14. However the Maxi is my first car love (the 14 my second) and I really want one in my life, I also promised the previous owner of the Maxi I would get it on the road as he practically gave it to me!!

 

I would be grateful for any thoughts or opinion, or if anyone is interested let me know.

 

Peter.

[Wilko220]

I'm afraid I'm not in the market for it myself but I'd say that passing the 14 on to someone who has the capacity to get it on the road has to be better than it languishing on a driveway for months and months more. They may be rare but there'll always be the opportunity to pick one up further down the line when circumstances are different.

 

How's the Maxi coming on?

[theorganist]

Hi,

 

Its getting close now thanks, hopefully by the end of October, still a handful of parts to get and a few minor jobs for me to do, then the garage can MOT it and do the couple of jobs I don't have the space, equipment or expertise to do!

 

Re: The 14, I would like it to go to a good home, if there is no interest I will see how I feel about it once the Maxi is up and running!

 

Have thought about getting something else from across the channel next year, maybe a Mark 1 Renault 5 or even better a Renault 6.

 

Peter.

[Lord Sterling]

Yah! Its a shame you looking to sell, I'd say keep it for a bit if you can, they really are rare. I havent been able to come up and take a butchers as I havent seen a Renault 14 in the metal for 10+ years.

[Morgan84]

There is nothing which says headlamp masks fitted at time of test is a reason for rejection

[wuvvum]

/\ Wot he said. My Innocenti has gone through three MoT's in a row now with headlamp beam deflectors fitted, I think I once got an advisory for it but it's never been a fail.

 

I'd love a 14, but I already have one rusty old Renault and that's been waiting for me to get round to getting the welding finished for nearly a year now.

[Morgan84]

I always advise headlamp masks fitted,be it to LHD or RHD headlamps;anyone who fails 'correctly masked' headlamps isn't doing the job correctly

[panhard65]

Hi how much are you looking for the 14 ? I could do with some spares for mine. Unfortunatly there are a lot of people who want 14's but it seems none of them have any money. I have had mine for sale for a few weeks after seeing one make a grand on ebay and haven't had a single serious enquiry. It turned out the one that made a grand didn't sell so the bidding was probably false. They are a cracking car but the welding on the rear axle mounts is very tricky.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

My argenta passed the test with beam deflectors fitted too.

[theorganist]

Thanks guys for your replies.

 

Re the headlamps: Maybe my garage are strict or I interpreted what they said incorrectly, they definately seemed to be of the opinion that I would need RHD headlamps! They have been very good and enthusiastic with my old cars, one of the mechanics has two Landcrabs and two ADO16's so he knows his old cars. I could look elsewhere for future MOT's however or have another word with them.

 

Re selling the 14: I would rather not sell it for spares I am afraid, that would have to be the absolute last resort. I suppose if it was less rare I would consider it. I have never actually scrapped a car directly yet and I have had some right wrecks in the past!

 

@panhard65: Your 14 is a beauty and I can honestly say I would love it, I wish I had spent a bit longer and looked for a tidier one, although I do love mine! I may have a few spares in the shed if you tell me what you need. I have found a surprising amount of spares for the 14 on ebay although I am struggling a bit with the brake servo at the moment.

 

Pete.