Renault Clio 1995 1.4 RT (Renault Clio (1991-98))

Member Name: hert1137

Product:	Renault Clio (1991-98)
Date:	15/02/07 (5515 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Reliable, efficient, relatively nippy

Disadvantages: small and old

The L-reg clio 1.4 RT was purchased from a friend of friend who I trusted for £500. Averaged size hatchback, 1.4 so nippy unless laden with 3+ passengers/luggage. Good fuel consumption, up to 350miles per fuel tank. Generally a good little car.


Background
I brought this car as a cheap replacement for my first run-around. The clio is comfortable car for short/medium journeys, seat suck u in (with their funky patterns) and create a good driving position. However on long (3+ hours) journeys seat become hot and car interior heating is below satisfactory.

Comfort
The space is a compromise between front and back seats, unless a v short-legged family (or children), either the driver or passenger behind the driver has limited legroom. Would not recommend having 5 people in the car, as performance is limited and space is non-existent. Having more than 3 grown up people in the car will lead to discomfort and some loss of acceleration etc. But that is to be expected with small to medium sized hatchback cars.

The drive
Steering is assisted and helps the handling, although being a small car this is not too much of a problem. Handling is good, tho it is not built for anything like high speed cornering - surprising for an old small hatchback... not.

Running costs
The fuel consumption is pretty good, doing 330-350 miles per tank of unleaded petrol, averaging over 35-40 miles per gallon. I end up doing 15000 miles a year, although most of that is in small 20 mile chunks, but the consumption is good. I do a lot of the mileage with a roof rack (Thule) on top of the car and this visibly reduces MPG, especially when further laden with equipment on top. Road tax and insurance is pretty cheap with this size car. I've just managed to get fully comp insurance at £280 with 2 years no claims with Admiral. Road tax is.... £120 a year?? Something like that.

Safety
Usual safety features such as central locking, immobiliser (lock located in glove box). Safety belt are adequate although the central back seat passenger is only a lap belt and not really adequate in this model. In addition the far side back seat belt is malfunctioning with a button in belt being on the wrong side of the buckle and hence not functional and hence a safety issue when carrying more than 3 passengers.

Reliability
Regarding reliability this little car has been good to me. There have been some minor problems picked up in MoT's but nothing to require additional work. Tyres replaced, starter motor changed, wipers etc etc in the last 18 months. Usual wear and tear, but nothing serious. I think I was lucky to find such a reliable version, prob due to me knowing the previous owner who had had the car since new (full service history from 1 garage), with low mileage (72k when brought) for such a car.

Features
The RT version is a better looking model than the RN, however newer models have a better, stylist look. Despite this, the look of this older version are pretty good, stylist interior (but not comfortable for long journeys). Especially with my car are the ever-popular British racing green (although it doesn’t do much of the racing and isn't very British, it is definitely green!). RT also has controls for radio on column stick, which makes it much safer than RN version. Electric windows still working fine (only on front windows) after ... 12 years, so good news. Sunroof is good, tho it does rattle a bit which is annoying.


Conclusion
Good little hatchback with no big problems- small, efficient, not very powerful. Well-equipped little car (electric windows, central locking, immobiliser) that for its age is dependable. I recommend this car if history is know and u are not expecting too much.

Summary: Great little car if u can get a bargain with known service history

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