Va Va Voom (Renault Clio 1.6 16V 3-door)

Member Name: johnnyho

Product:	Renault Clio 1.6 16V 3-door
Date:	01/05/03 (1096 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots of features, Safe, Very quick for a first car!

Disadvantages: Not too much space in the rear

Firstly, the version I have is the 1.6 16v Dynamique. I have had the car for just over 2 weeks now, and I am extremely pleased with it! (The picture shown is the old model)

I have started learning to drive a few months ago, and I needed a car so I could practise in and use when I pass my test! I looked around many cars, but the ones that stuck out the most were the VW Golf and the Peugeot 206/307 models. However, I chose the Clio because of the great spec. As standard, the Dynamique has sooooo many features, some you don't even find in luxury cars, such as automatic lights when it gets dark, and auto wipers etc. The car comes with ABS, air con, 15" alloys (which are big enough on a car this size), single cd player (4x22w if this helps any one) with 6 speakers, trip computer, manual sunroof, sports front seats etc the list goes on. When I ordered the car the only 2 options I added were metalic paint and the 'Cool Pack', which is Automatic climate control and electric sunroof. I did'nt get the Golf because for this kind of money, all I could have got was a 1.4E, which is the most basic model, with no alloys, no air con and is one of the slowest cars I have seen for the 0-60mph run (14secs for the Golf, 9.6secs for the Clio). I also didn't get any of the peugeot models because I went to 2 showrooms, and the salesmen were just rude! In one, no one even asked me if I wanted help (I was in there for 35 minutes looking around). The Pug 307 was a bit like the Golf, too pricey. The 206 however, I just didn't like the interior.

The car is very nice to drive, even though I haven't passed my test yet :-( I learn to drive in a Ford Focus, and even though nearly everyone says it is ery nice to drive, I don't think it is. The one I learn in also is a 1.6, but it seems like the engine doesn't want to be pushed, whereas the Clio wants to be!, the interior is just, well, ugly, the gearbox is rough and the steeri
ng wheel feels like it will fall off if you pull or push on it! The car is extremely good to sit in, the seats seem to hug you around the side. It seems very economic with fuel, I have had the car 2 weeks, driven it everyday for at least an hour, and the tank is just under half full! The computer is also very useful, it tells you your average consumption, miles done, amount of miles before your next refill, if the engine oil level is ok etc

There are driver, passenger and side airbags as standard (other safety things include ABS, rear centre 3 pt seatbelt and seat belt warning. The car got 4/5 stars in the euro nCAP tests, another reason I chose this car), the CD player is a very high quality one for a standard fit, and the volume also increases with the speed you are going, the climate control in mie seems to work very well, especially needed on very hot days, it also tells you the outside temperature.

I think this car deserves much more credit than most people give it, some people say it is a 'womens' car, but for me, I don't think it is. The car drives perfectly (although I am still running it in) and has so many 'extras for the price, I think it should be high up on anyones list if they are looking for a similar car.

Summary: