1994 Renault Clio RT review from UK and Ireland

Suspension Strut snapped at the top at 76,000 miles.

I do drive the car quite hard, but the exhaust seems to be prone to blowing extremely often (every 4,000 miles)

Heater Matrix is worn resulting in hardly any warmth being produced.

I have had the right hand side wing mirror knocked off by a Lorry while the car was parked up and it has taken months to find a replacement because they are electric and extremely hard to find.

The car is quite quick for its low insurance group (5), retaining around 10-11 seconds to 60 and easy overtaking. However, some of the reviews I have read have been a little too kind to the performance of the car and I have even read "Hot Hatch" in one review of an RT on this web page. I would like to point out that although this car is quite nippy it is no hot hatch, its performance is good for its small engine capacity, but by no means does it compare to any of the hot hatches on the market from 94' to today. The best bet for an affordable second hand "Hot Hatch" Clio would be a 94'/95' RSI with a stage 1 conversion. The standard RSI itself is not "Hot" but the conversion to stage 1 makes it worthy of the title in my eyes. Giving around 145bhp (with stage 1), which is more power than the 16 valve. RSI's also have more torque because of their 8v engine configuration so it becomes quicker and easier to drive.

It is also quite well stocked with equipment although it would have been well finished off with a good set of alloy wheels as I fell this it lacks, anyone looking at this for buying tips for an RT specification Clio around 94'/95' I would advise they buy the "Champs Elysee" model, this has 14" alloys with wider tyres amongst the usually high RT spec, this model also has a drivers airbag which some RT's don't have.

The main downfall of this car is its wet road handling ability, basically, it hasn't got a lot of ability on wet roads, with the car only having skinny 13" steel wheels on it the cars soon under steers and pitches over from one side to the other in wet conditions. In fact I have scared myself a few times in the wet when I have had to press on, the grip levels from the standard wheels are poor! I am pleased to admit that I will soon be investing in a set of 15" Speed line Alloys for the car and lowering it onto them, lets just hope that helps!

Overall, I would say that the 1994 (M) Clio RT is a strong all-round car. With enough power to satisfy most people and generously high specification levels, it is also extremely easy to drive whether round town, country roads or motorway. Obviously bigger cars are better on the motorway, but of the fiesta, 106, 205, Saxo and other lesser spec Clios I have ridden in the RT has the most comfy ride at high speeds.