1995 Renault Clio 16v from UK and Ireland - Comments

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.

The alternator light is telling you the alternator is dying. My 1.4 had it and it died a few months later. its not expensive to buy, but was difficult enough to do on a 1.4 so you are not going to enjoy it if you do it yourself!

The main problem with my car was the starter went at the same time so I had to pay out for two parts. The starter is even more difficult to change so if you hear any strange noises when starting your in trouble!

I totally sympathise with you on the insurance. I'm after buying one at the moment myself (Just waiting for the right example to come along!). I'm only 19 so they wanted about £2,300 for insurance fully comp. In the end I was talking into going for TPFT. It will only cost £1,100 and the excess has halved. If I were to crash it I could just take it apart and sell the spares!

The "crappy" 205 GTI has been voted best hot hatch ever more times than I can remember.

I've driven a Clio Williams 2 and a 205 GTI 1.9 and I'd take the Pug any day. Not quite as quick, but the Clio wouldn't get near it on a twisty road.

205 GTI = crap.

Rubbish interior I whould sooner have my old gturbo instead.

I mean look were they (or did) put the window switchs.

I have a mint 16v in the Williams blue colour, un-touched by nasty modifications and I would be hard pressed to choose between a 205 1.9gti and the 16v if they were both in similar condition. I prefer the pug's colour coded carpets and seats etc... And the pug would be well up my backside on a bendy road, although I have swallowed several up the M1. (the straight line speed is significant due to the clio's 16 valves!)

In summary, I'd like to have one of each.

205 certainly is not a crap car.

The Clio in the review sounds like it's been ruined!

Totally agree with the comment above!! The 205 Gti is a legend of a car and should be treated with respect! The clio is a fantastic car to own, drive and enjoy, but I have to agree with the guy above and state you have probably destroyed the car with mods!! I have kept my 1988 205GTi 1.9,completely standard as I believe Peugeot knew best when they made it, and Renault too with the Clio.

Shame really that now both of these classic cars are being destroyed by the boy-racer squad.

As they say once they go that way, they never come back!! Shame!

The clio 16v is a AWESOME car, so good I designed and created a website for it.

www.clio16valver.co.uk.

You can't beat them!! :D.

Was just wondering on which car to buy on performance between the clio 16v and a starlet gt turbo (plus as of the reliability of japanese engines)

I have a primera 2.0 sri and you're right, they are quicker than you would expect. The insurance is on high side, top end speed and acceleration are very good, but its outclassed by smaller hot hatches on the bends!!!

Clio 16v and a Starlet GT Turbo.

The Clio is more fun, but the Starlet GT Turbo is going to keep its value, but the Clio cheap on car insurance, so it's up two you what you want; fun or money, and I tell you I don't know what I would do.