Renault Clio, best car i've had yet!!! (Renault Clio (1991-98))

Member Name: evil baz

Product:	Renault Clio (1991-98)
Date:	03/04/01 (528 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Suberb handling, and plenty of additional extras

Disadvantages: Parts can be expensive being of foreign make

Having liked the old style Clios for quite some time now, it seemed inevitable that when my astra was stolen that this was the next obvious choice. To be honest I started by looking at Escorts, thinking they were cheaper and more affordable. But, after searching around a bit, I found that occasionally a Clio came up in the private sales sectors.
Now as most people know you have to travel to find what you are looking for, so I took a day out one weekend, about four weeks ago to go looking at various second hand motors. Most cars that I saw that day were Escorts (which I hasten to add were mostly heaps) but, two out of the eight I had opted for were Clios, the first I saw had a lot wrong with it but for the price of £1100 didn't seem to bad, that was until of course I saw the car I now own.
Okay admittedly I did have to travel about two hours from where I currently live to find it but it was perfect, immaculate condition throughout, this is one thing Renault seem to have mastered, the ability to fight the battle against rust. After test-driving the car, I found it to be surprisingly quick for a 1.4, especially when compared to my astra, also the insurance was cheaper for the Clio (group 4 compared with 6/7), Bonus!!!
The ride is comfortable and the handling is very good. With PAS as standard on the RT models the steering is very responsive, plus with added extras such as electric windows, steering control stereo and central locking, this seemed like a brilliant buy, especially seeing as the guy only wanted £1200 for the car.
Admittedly there were a few things wrong with the car but nothing of great expense a few quid here and there no more than 20-30 pounds, of which I managed to knock off the original price!!
All round this little car is an excellent motor and with a very economic 40 mpg, I am very impressed and will not be going back to an Mk 2 Astra!!!
One bad thing I can think of is that my model being a three door, although adding a s
porty look, it can be a bit of a pain when having passengers, lifting the seats every time to let someone in or out

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