Faults:

Dashboard rattles.

Sunroof rattles.

Replaced steering rack.

Windscreen washer failure.

General Comments:

Extremely fun car to drive hard and a compromise between performance and practicality.

Like the old Alfa Romeos; you have to put up with questionable build quality for the sake of the driving experience. However in this day and age this shouldn't be necessary - and not at the price in South Africa.

Very much a "Q" car which surprises a lot of other machinery. Wish it had more "road presence" so that BMW's and others would let it through on motorway fast lanes.

Very willing to please dealership in Sandton Johannesburg - but lacks the skills or experience on the Clio Sport 172 to be able to diagnose and fix faults the first time. Car has been in 6 times for rattles - patience is a requisite since getting angry and annoyed doesn't help.

At first service, oil was under filled - serious enough to warranty an additional 1.5 liters, owners should double check after a service on their own.

South African imports don't come with traction control or e.s.p. (despite the sales literature) which can be a hand full if you're reliant on electronics to get you out of trouble. Also wheel sizes are different - 15" rims here, but on Michelin Pilots rather than Continentals.

Generally, a great drivers car, but not a tribute to quality control in the Renault production system, or in the dealer network.

And, enthusiastic drivers should consider getting a radar / laser speed trap detector to keep "running costs" down.

Would I buy another one? Probably.

Faults:

When I bought the car one of the spot bulbs had blown.

The rear seats rattle a bit.

Slight rattle from the dash.

General Comments:

All my teenage life I wanted a VW Golf GTi, and my first car was close, being a 1.8 8v Citi Golf. Since those days the Golf has grown up into a mature cruiser, while my desire for hot hatches hasn't died. My first Clio was a 1.4 16V RXE and that was a really nippy little car so when I got the opportunity to buy a low mileage 2.0 16V Clio I jumped ad the chance and haven't looked back.

The Clio is a true hot hatch with blistering power, super handling, and great comfort.

I now have the car I'd always dreamed of owning. Viva la Renault Power.

Faults:

I haven't had the car for long enough to really comment on the reliability.

I can say however that the car is running extremely well.

The only irritation I've had is that there is a very slight rattle in the drivers door, but this is not normally noticeable.

General Comments:

When I climbed into the Demo unit at the dealer, I knew that I was going to buy one. The car is comfortable, the handling is superb, and the ride perfect. The car is well priced and has all the extras, including air conditioning, power steering, driver airbag, and a decent sound system.

Faults:

The windscreen cracked at 1250 km.

The passenger air bag deployed while parked in the garage.

The engine management unit failed at 3400km.

General Comments:

The car runs well and grips like glue in the rain.

The price is a bit steep in South Africa, but this is no fault of Renault.

The local agents fall over themselves to be of help, and the three I have gone to try and out do the other.

It has a good sound system which helps to hide the wind noise through the window.

Faults:

Nothing so far.

General Comments:

Very nice sturdy car. Ideal for my wife as a runabout. I must admit I drive it as often as I can as well, cause it is very quick and nimble to drive.