1995 Renault Clio RT 1.4 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A good first time car

Faults:

Had a small oil leak from the sump, easy to fix, just changed the washer.

The numbers have worn of the gear knob, admittedly not a serious problem.

Starting to see a few spots of rust in the wheel arches, but nothing a bit of sandpaper and a lick of paint can't fix.

General Comments:

Easy to drive, it's a great first time car, having some power, i.e. beating my mates 1.3 fiesta, but not fast enough to kill myself.

I don't think the tires are quite wide enough, when cornering in the wet it is not unusual to feel them on the verge of slipping. I have not changed them, mainly because of the cost and I think it would also have negative affects on my acceleration.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st December, 2003

1995 Renault Clio OASIS 1.2 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Very economical small car

Faults:

The car has only done 23,000 miles and one of the speakers has gone.

Fuel warning light does not work.

Sunroof judders when its being opened.

General Comments:

The car handles well given the small tyres 155/70 R13.

There is only just enough head room for me and I'm 6ft 1.

Ergonomics could be better.

Very little storage space, but its only a small car.

The engine is quiet when cruising.

The fuel cap is fiddly to put back on.

Spare wheel isn't particularly safe, anyone could yank it off from underneath (someone has already.)

Steering is heavy until on the move (30mph and above).

Decent pulling power and pick up for a 1.2.

Not exactly quick, but above average for a 1.2.

Gets a tad noisy above 70mph.

Extremely economical, £20 of petrol priced at 75.9p round town will do about 230-240 miles!

Pleasant interior and dashboard.

Exterior quality is poor, with plastic trims coming loose and front bumper rubber piece at the bottom also coming loose.

Body shell seems fairly robust.

Little features which are handy, for example the lights in the boot, glovebox, cigar lighter, ashtray (few other small cars have these.) Also, the separate compartments for the jack and screen wash in the engine bay are useful.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th August, 2003

17th Oct 2003, 02:22

Other things that I've noticed about the car:

It doesn't have intermittent windscreen wipers, its either on or off.

When you open the back doors the interior light does not come on unless one of the front doors is open also.

Brake lights only come on when the brake pedal is pushed down a fair way, other cars I have driven come on the moment it is depressed.

It is slow, a 1.0 yaris and micra are quicker, but they do use 16-valve engines I suppose.

Fuel warning light now works, but flickers when on, every time you go over a bump!

Dull exterior styling (but I'm forgetting it is a 1995 car.)

Otherwise it's a good little car. Nice to drive, big car feel.

1995 Renault Clio 16v 1.8 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Superb handling Hot Hatch!

Faults:

Clutch started slipping the sam week I purchased it. Very Expensive.

Exhaust blowing heavily.

Leaking sunroof.

Power steering has become heavy and gritty.

General Comments:

Seriously Quick little Hot hatch which will out perform most other cars.

Very expensive when things go wrong, luckily came with a years warranty when purchased.

Handling is fantastic in the dry, but the rear end can become twitchy when wet.

I would recommend this car to anyone who likes a car which has personality.

0-60 times of 7.7 seconds achievable from standard! Great fun!

I am 19 so insurance is particularly expensive, but its worth it!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 27th June, 2003

5th Jul 2003, 09:44

I also owned one of these, and I agree, I did outrun most similar hot hatches. But I have just purchased a Honda Civic VTi on an L Plate, and it is in fact quicker than the clio, even with the smaller engine (1.6 16V 160bhp standard!!!)

I recommend both cars, but the Honda is quicker, looks better and is a lower insurance group, which is hard to understand.

28th Jun 2004, 10:21

I have raced many a VTI and have seen them fade away in the distance BEHIND ME... Sorry to say your VTEC isn't as quick as you think. They may sound lovely, but its bark is bigger than its bite!!