Faults:

Ten ignition coils replaced in 7 years.

General Comments:

Renault Clio 1.4 Dynamic.

A very compact cool little car and for its price and engine size, it’s probably one of the best cars out there even after seven years. It’s not the most dependable car in the world but it was my first car and until I can afford a big German saloon, I'm not going to get rid of it for anything.

When you think about it, the Clio with its cheap running costs is a fantastic little thing.

Performance wise, its 1.4L engine inside such a small car goes fine when you’re driving normally and amazingly fast when you push it hard for such a small engine, very nippy at the lights and handles well round corners.

The bucket seats can get a bit uncomfortable during a long drive but nothing unbearable.

Overall, for being a fast, good handling, good looking car with low running costs, the Renault Clio 1.4 is a very good car and I love it to bits.

Faults:

The rubber thumb-grip on the right side of the steering wheel was peeling.

The hazard light switch was broken (you could turn them on, but not back off).

The engine blew when I had the timing belt done (poorly done job), so I had it replaced.

General Comments:

The car is awesome to drive! At first you think it's small and the pedals are offset, but after about 10 minutes this isn't an issue.

It is unbelievably fast, especially when you consider it only makes 124kW of power. It's easily got enough grunt to stomp any pre-03 WRX, for example.

It is the best handling FWD car in the world in my opinion. Into a corner, on the power, don't lift, keep your foot in it, it lifts the outside rear wheel, and goes round like it's on rails, no under or over steer, just perfect line cornering.

And it can out-brake a 360 Modena 100-0km/h. As Clarkson put it in his review, "Impossible to go faster for less."

Faults:

Hi Clio owners.

We have 2, both 2001 Dynamics. The 1st one has recently had the electronic light/preheat light staying on, which prevents the engine from starting. Had it on the computer; no obvious faults. Having checked the wiring in the black box, put a new relay in and cleaned the jet throttle bodies, for 30 pounds at a local garage. Problem sorted.

2nd Clio is occasionally cutting out at junctions, but it still has the black box on. Best left off again. I need to check the wiring and get the throttle bodies cleaned; will post results.

General Comments:

Great looking car, has a lot of toys, but poor design faults let it down.