Renault Clio Sport 172 2002 (52) (Renault Clio Sport 2.0 16V)

Member Name: m4tth3w

Product:	Renault Clio Sport 2.0 16V
Date:	07/01/06 (6523 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fast, good handling, reasonably practical, economical

Disadvantages: French build quality, rattles, squeaks

I purchased my 2002 clio sport from Camden renault in Milton Keynes. I was the second owner having bought it with 6000 miles on the clock. I didn't bother test driving the thing - I just coughed up and drove it away. I certainly wan't disappointed!

Driving the clio is a fairly frantic affair with the engine needing to be worked hard to keep it sailing along at pace. The acceleration through the gears is good. First gear takes you to about 35, 2nd to about 55 and the all important 60mph being made in third (0-60 is quoted as 7.1 secs I believe). The VVT timing shift is really noticeable and akin to mild turbocharged engine sensation.

This car really performs its best on the A and B roads where you can drift the car easily and with some confidence. It regularly cocks its inside rear wheel when your giving it gravy! In truth you can keep up with most things on the backroads, but you have to know the car and its limits and take it there!

Motorway driving is good fun too, with 80mph in Fifth indicating about 4500rpm. Drop it into 4th and your into the VVT switching point and it really shifts along.

I had this car for 3yrs and it gave 32-34mpg on commute to work (15miles). If you do short journeys you'll get about 28-30mpg. This with a typical driving style of the odd blasts to overtake and fairly swift acceleration.

Cost of ownership isn't too bad either. A tank of petrol is about 40 litres and it will do 250miles or so. Tyres are reasonably priced at about £85 a corner and servicing at Renault every 12k miles works out about £300.

The only downside to the car is the Renault build quality. As my car aged it got a few creaks, rattles and groans. Other than that its a well specced car with a good stereo, air con, leather/alacantara seats etc. Its a great fun car and I'm glad I owned one.

Summary: Quick, economical, french, good handling, fairly practical

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