1996 Renault Clio Reviews - Page 7 of 9

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1996 Renault Clio Paris 1.2 petrol from UK and Ireland

Year of manufacture1996
First year of ownership2002
Most recent year of ownership2002
Engine and transmission 1.2 petrol Manual
Performance marks 7 / 10
Reliability marks 10 / 10
Comfort marks 8 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper) 10 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)
8.8 / 10
Distance when acquired4000 miles
Most recent distance5900 miles
Previous carRenault 19

Summary:

An excellent first car

Faults:

Nothing!

General Comments:

The engine is pretty fast for its size, although not quite as fast as the new 1.2 16v Extreme, it's a lot better on insurance.

It's an excellent first car, but not really great for the average boy racer. The cars handling is very suspect at high speeds and the turning is pretty bad for a car of its size.

The exterior looks good for a car of its age, although it's apparently out of date; I prefer the Phase 1 styling to the ugly phase 2 styling and even the new styling. I haven't found a single rust spot on this car yet.

The interior on this car is atrocious. Its bland, it doesn't have all the fancy gizmos the RT has. Other than that it's very comfortable.

Overall it's a great car and fun to drive around, but if its speed your after, you'd be better looking at the higher spec models, as this car isn't very great at anything higher than 80mph, which it shouldn't be doing.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th December, 2002

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1996 Renault Clio RT 1.4 from UK and Ireland

Year of manufacture1996
First year of ownership2001
Most recent year of ownership2002
Engine and transmission 1.4 Manual
Performance marks 8 / 10
Reliability marks 10 / 10
Comfort marks 10 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper) 7 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)
8.8 / 10
Distance when acquired27500 miles
Most recent distance38000 miles
Previous carCitroen AX

Summary:

A small car with a HUGE attitude!

Faults:

The drivers' side wheel arch is beginning to rust.

General Comments:

I find the driving of this car very pleasing.

I think it is a 'nippy' wee car, which often surprises the drivers of larger cars!

Perhaps I am biased, but I think the Clio RT, complete with body coloured bumpers, fog lights etc. is one of the nicest looking cars of its generation.

I have never felt so proud whilst driving!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd June, 2002

Comment on this review

23rd May 2003, 07:37

I've had Clio's since 1992, but have stuck to the 1.2 RL type. I've found that servicing them myself, is easy, general upkeep is easy too, and finding parts is very easy.

At present, I've just bought a 1996 1.2 RL, which I'm sort of restoring, by putting in reclaimed (scrap-yard) seats, stereo, and later on I'll put in front fogs. I have also found that the Haynes manuals for these wee cars are quite good - the source of my knowledge...

They're nippy, even those without power-steering, are easy to maneuver at low speeds, and so far, with my experience with Renault, have the best '4th pedal'. I had a Laguna for a while, but I've gone back to the Clio!! Missed them too much.

I hope to be driving this new addition for quite a few years, probably 'til it 'dies'. I love them!

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29th Aug 2006, 11:00

I have wanted a renault clio since I learnt to drive and I finally managed to find the exact one I wanted at a price I could afford, I do love the car for comfort, reliability and its cheap to run on petrol, but since I've had it 9 months, I've had many things go on me, both front wheel barrings needed replacing and the hubs too, then my gearbox went on me and now my cam belt has gone smashing up my engine in lots of places. so I'm having a new engine fitted.

People have said to me why am I bothering, but I can scrap it I love it too much, I'm hoping to get a brand new clio next year I so can't wait, long live the clio.

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

Year of manufacture1996
First year of ownership1999
Most recent year of ownership2001
Engine and transmission 1.8i 16v Manual
Performance marks 7 / 10
Reliability marks 8 / 10
Comfort marks 8 / 10
Dealer Service marks 4 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper) 7 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)
6.8 / 10
Distance when acquired47000 miles
Most recent distance88000 miles
Previous carRenault 5

Summary:

Good, fast, reliable car

Faults:

Renault sold it with a faulty headlight switch, electric window switch, and an odd size tire was on the car when I picked it up.

C.V. boot needed replacing at 50000.

Plastic cover over the rev counter and speedometer started to crack at 53000 and now has about a 4 inch vertical crack.

Failed MOT at 60000 on the flexi brake hoses.

Power steering pump broke at 83000.

Gear knob has fallen apart after 65000.

A knocking noise from underneath when slowly moving off down the road.

General Comments:

Car is reliable, it has never failed to start up.

Styling of the car is fantastic.

It has a few rattles.

Engine sounds like a truck when started from cold.

Back O/S brake sticks on sometimes.

Shame there is a flat spot in the rev range around 3500 - 4500 RPM.

Car gives me about 35MPG on a run

Leather seats are very nice.

Renault dealers charged me £130 to change the brake pads, rip off!!!

This car has been used daily going to and from work, covering about 60 miles a day.

Still miss my 5GT Turbo, far less reliable, but a bit more fun.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 27th November, 2001

Comment on this review

25th Dec 2003, 13:59

My gear knob won't come off - rip off!!!

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Average review marks: 7.0 / 10, based on 32 reviews