1995 Renault Clio 16v review from UK and Ireland

Only had it 2 weeks so:

Alternator light is flickering, but the alternator is obviously charging as the other electrical systems work fine. Anybody know what could cause this?

Temperature gauge is temperamental, and sometimes the electric fan doesn't cut in so the car gets a tad hot. Once the engine is turned off and restarted straight away the fan comes on and the heat drops. Must be a connection loose somewhere I think.

This car is amazing. I'm only 18, and previously drove a 1998 Clio 1.2 RN for a year. As I had saved up some money, I decided to get a fast car. The insurance was a joke (over 2 grand) but it's well worth it. It has 96000 miles, with FSH and a massive wad of bills for the parts that have been fitted. It is also in the stunning Monaco Blue colour.

My car has been lowered by 60mm, has Clio 172 wheels fitted and various colour coding done (including the engine). It also has a Pipercross induction kit and Magnex S/S exhaust with de-cat pipe.

I think due to my age many people must think it is a 16v replica, as the number of cars that try racing me is incredible. The list is growing every day, currently including such cars as a F&F style Celica GT-4, Vectra 2.5SRi, and surprisingly a Primera GTi.

The handling is on a par with any car I have come across. With the lowered ride height it tends to skip over some bumps (especially pot holes) but the cornering speeds achieved are verging on the ridiculous. I have still not managed to make the car understeer, due to me chickening out before the car does. The afore mentioned Primer GTi was keeping up on the straights, but when I talked to the owner afterwards (I followed him to where he was going as I couldn't believe a Primera was so fast lol) he told me he had nearly lost it trying to catch me round the bends.

The interior sports the comfiest seats outside of the DFS sale, and they are one of my favourite parts of the car. Been able to chuck the car round bends while held firmly in place is excellent. The trim also seems to have barely worn at all, which I would expect after 94000 miles. My car also has a Williams steering wheel and Sparco gear knob fitted.

To sum up this review, this is definetley THE 90s hot hatch to buy. Stuff you crappy 205 GTi's (couldn't keep up on straights or bends) and Mk2 Golf GTi's (couldn't keep up on bends) and get one of these. You'll not regret it.