Va Va Voom (Renault Clio 1.5 dCi Expression)

Member Name: helencb

Product:	Renault Clio 1.5 dCi Expression
Date:	14/12/01 (1480 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Economy, Nippy

Disadvantages: None

We recently had a need to hire a car, and we ended up with the new Renault Clio 1.5 Dci. We didn’t ask for a diesel in particular, we were just allocated one. However in the past, I have owned a Rover metro diesel and an Audi A3 1.9 turbodiesel, and in particular I miss the economy, as I tend to drive a lot of miles each year.

We had never driven a Clio before, although we do own a 1997 Renault Laguna, and Mr B would quite like one of the new ones, only we don’t have £15000 to spare so he will need to dream on. I on the other hand am currently driving an 11 year old Honda Accord 2.0 i, which costs me a fortune to insure, so I wouldn’t mind getting something small and nippy again.

Right I will get to the point of the op. We really loved the little Clio. The new shape, out in September this year, is pretty good looking, in particular the new headlights. The car felt roomy, we had plenty of headroom in the front. We did not use the back of the car at all, however I believe it would be adequate for children, but perhaps not designed for six-footers! We had a metallic grey silver version, and the inside of the car was tasteful, and felt solid, not cheap. The doors closed with a solid thud, not the tinny rattle of some small cars I won't mention.

The model we hired was the Clio Expression + which came with air conditioning. We had the three-door version, but it is available in 5 door also. All Clio’s come with ABS brakes, driver, and front passenger airbags, Renault anti Intruder device and an immobiliser. If you pay attention to car advertising and motoring magazine, you will doubtless know that the Renault Laguna was awarded five Stars in the Euro-NCAP tests, the only car to have achieved this. The Clio on the other hand has been awarded four stars, a pretty good result regardless.

The car was extremely economical, we barely used a half-tank in the few days we had the car. Official tests p
ut the Clio’s fuel consumption at 67.3 mpg (combined), which is pretty good. It also has low CO2 emissions at 113g/km. In fact the car is the most efficient in Britain, on sale today. The engine comes in 65bhp and soon an 80-bhp version.

The car comes as insurance group 4E, which should mean cheap insurance in the future.

For a diesel, the car was surprisingly nippy, given that it was not turbo-charged, like my last diesel. Technology is always advancing and the Clio uses Common Rail technology, which is a more efficient way of using fuel. Official Renault literature also claims that there are reduced noise levels, and increased pulling power, both of which were noticeable to us.

As well as the Expression there is a model called Dynamique, which has the diesel variant for £9195. This model has a sporty feel, with sports seats, steering wheel and sports suspension. This version is available in three-door only.

Optional extras include a navigation system, cruise control, and car telephone equipment.

I fell in love with the little car for the period we had it, and so I have now been to my local Renault dealer to take a look at prices and so on. The Clio range starts at £7995 for the 1.2 Expression. The car we drove costs £9195, and the five door version an additional £500. Free insurance is also available and Renault is advertising these cars for £200 customer deposit, and between £175 to £200 per month/36 months, with a final payment. Mr B. says I have to get a job before I can have one though, dang it, so I am off for an interview this afternoon! I have seen cars advertised for as little as £7995, usually ex demonstrators, so there might be a bargain out there for me yet. The diesels though are quite hard to get a hold of, and having driven one for a few days, I can understand why.

If you have one of the diesels, please let me know how happy you are with it by commenting on this opinion, Many t
hanks.

Summary: