1992 Renault Clio RT from UK and Ireland - Comments

I bought this car second hand and got it when I was 17. For the first couple of months it was fine, then the gearbox just completely went on me. I had to therefore replace the gearbox which cost me a lot of money. Poor drive in the mornings when cold. Brakes are also shockingly bad on this car, you will need to keep a close eye on them!

Nice car for the first few thousand miles but my advice is if the car has done more than 50,000 stay well clear!

I also bought a Clio CRT as my first car at age 18, granted the car had 77k miles but after only a couple of months the heater went. Then another month or two latter the radiator started leaking.

The most expensive repair to date was replacing the automatic gear box which cost a third the price of the car. So I definitely agree that an older one is going to be too much hassle, however when it is working fine then it is fun to drive and very smooth so make sure if you buy one it is in good condition.

I bought my Renault Clio 1.4 RT earlier this year. Back in March I had just passed my test and wanted something little and that looked a bit sporty.

Since I bought this car I've had a gear box mount fitted, new brushes on my alternator, new back light clusters, new fog lights and now I need the head gaskets done! The mileage now is getting on for 92,000.

After driving various other cars I've come to realise how slow it is, especially when overtaking. I love my little car, I just wish it wasn't money, money, money all the time!!

I bought my Clio from a friend who had just had it put through it's MOT with around 80,000 on the clock. Within a day or two of buying it the alternator packed in almost completely, and it proved practically impossible to gain access to without ramps. It's neatly tucked away just in front of the drivers footwell and behind the sump, making it impossible to work on while at the same time exposing it to all the road grime and salt water you could wish for.

After spending £80 on a replacement unit I had to spend a further £15 on a new belt as the old one broke within a few hours of fitting the new alternator. I then proceeded to drive down the motorway secure in the knowledge I had cured the car, only to have the offside driveshaft bearings fail after 100 miles. One tow home from the AA and £130 later that problem was cured. Then the brakes went.

You get the picture now I think, not the most reliable of second hand cars to buy. I knew the previous owner, his wife had hardly driven the thing over the 2 years he'd owned it, and I bought it thinking it would be so much cheaper to run than my old Passat 1.8i saloon. It's half the cost in fuel and insurance, but it just crumbles to the touch. AS I can rule out driver abuse I can only assume old age has set in and is making the car an economic drain to keep running. Time for a change I feel, I won't be buying another Clio second hand of this age anyway.

I bought my Clio 16V a month ago with 50,000 miles on the clock. All was fine for a week 'till the engine mounts went. Had them replaced. Back on the road? Yeah, for another week. Then the clutch kit gave in and at the same time minced the gear box completely. I then had the gear box re-built and a new clutch kit installed at a very high cost and was advised to change the timing belt. Got the car back a few days ago and low and behold, the alternators just packed in. Now I'm broke, in debt and bussing it to work. NIGHTMARE!! I wish I listened to my wife who tried so hard to talk me into buying something cheaper at the time. I agree with others comments. Stay well clear from a Clio 16v after 50,000 miles.

I recently bought a renault clio 1995 with 42000 on the clock. The gearbox has totally packed in. I live in one of the Channel islands and now have to pay for a new gear box to be sent over to me

it is a nice car to drive when working, but it appears to me that the gear box is a major default with these cars

will not be buying another one.