1996 Renault Clio RSI 1.8L RSI from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Absolutely Brilliant

Faults:

None, car seemed perfect even though I haven't had it that long.

General Comments:

Car extremely quick for such a small car, said to be 8.5 second, but seems much quicker when you floor it in third.

Very reliable and handles well with power steering with hardly any effort required.

Cabin is bright, roomy with plenty of room for passengers.

Leather seats are the most comfortable of any car ever so are good for long journeys.

Cheap running costs, if it eventually breaks down the parts are usually quite cheap except if the whole engine went or something.

Check out the entire car throughly and test drive before buying, these cars can hide minor problems which are never seen, for example in my last car (reno Clio RT) there was rust in the boot which ended up letting water in.

This car costs £2750 from a private dealer with 56000 miles (very rare) and in new condition. Price various depending usually on condition and mileage, these versions are around £1600+ with higher mileage (e.g. 95000).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd January, 2004

1996 Renault Clio 16v 1.8 16v from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Serious fun for your money!!

Faults:

My lambda sensor went at about 82,000 miles which meant I was failing on my emissions test, I was glad it was the sensor and not the cat though as it only cost me £65 instead of £200!

Alternator went at about 90,000 miles.

Exhaust replaced when I brought it, middle and rear.

General Comments:

I have never had so much fun flying off the lights before this car is seriously quick I've raced a mitsi FTO at the lights and beat it with ease!

If you can find one with leather seats then your gonna be a happy chappy, very plush, and sports like with rouged door panels.

The extra gauge's give the dash a sporty feel too and allow you to keep an eye on what your engine is doing.

If I were to compare the handling with anything it would be a go cart! and due to the one piece rear suspension you can get the back end drifting round corners!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd September, 2003

19th Mar 2007, 11:43

I can only say the Mitsi FTO must have been either a GR and a GS... as I have a Mitsi FTO GPX that pumps out 215 bhp and have raced a clio sport cup at the lights and beat it... with ease...

1996 Renault Clio RL Oasis 1.2 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Honest and hard working, a real gem

Faults:

Nothing ever "went wrong" as such.

Normal wear and tear meant windscreen wipers needed replacing as soon as I got the car.

Rear Washer never worked, not that I'd use it anyway.

Had two tyres replaced in quick succession. When I bought the car there was considerable underside damage between the front wheels, which didn't affect handling or performance, but meant tracking was a bit off for both front wheels, and they wore through more rapidly.

The local Renault garage overcharged for services and tried to exaggerate problems. The car will just keep on going no matter how roughly you treat it.

General Comments:

I loved this car. It never let me down, and was appealing enough inside and out.

My only quarrels with it where in design - the gearbox has no synchromesh. However once you've got used to clutch control for second gear at low speeds it is perfectly controllable in traffic.

The absence of a rev counter and engine temperature displays on the dashboard was cheap on Renault's part.

The speakers were a very cheap affair, replacements are required if you are serious about your music.

The seats weren't as comfortable as on on the RT & RN versions.

Acceleration didn't seem that great from a drivers perspective, but it would beat most other cars in its class, and overtaking was never a problem.

This is the second Clio I've written off in a head on collision, and I know of three other such incidents. The car is easy to control and relaxing to drive - perhaps these combine to induce drowsiness at the wheel? Or maybe we always hurt the ones we love (!)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th April, 2003

9th Aug 2007, 05:39

They are not that great.