Independent Renault Forums banner

Clio Buying guide

16K views 12 replies 9 participants last post by  amigaholic 
#1 ·
Hi guys

I'm looking to sell my Nissan 200sx (S14a) and get something a little more senible :)

I'm gonna start looking at the Renault Clio's 2002 on. So i'm wondering if anybody has done a buying guide, or has some pointers for me?

I'm also not sure what engine to go for? I like what i hear about the 1.5 dci diesel's, so i'm prob gonna look for a 80 brake version? What about the 1.2 16v petrol version, they seem very readly available but will it have enough poke to cope with a bit of motorway driving too?

Thanks for all your help in advance ;)

Ad.
 
#2 ·
Bit of a change!

Until recently I owned a 1.2 16v and I think it's perfectly suited to the car. Great away from the lights and the gearing gives it reasonable acceleration at 70.
Quiet enough at 80 and still feels responsive at 90.

Really don't know anything about the dci.

Ian
 
#3 ·
Thanks Ian, So the 1.2 is a capable car then. I'm going to look around my local garages today and try a few. Trouble is there isn't really any diesel's around me atm.

Yeah it's going to be a bit of a change, but i've had 3 good years with my 200, i've done a fair few track days with her and had my fun! So now i'm looking for a cheaper more pratical car for a while :)

Now something a bit more technical, who knows the differences between the 65, 80 and 100 brake dci's? Do they limit the power via the throttle body and boost? or could you increase a 65 to 80 by a re-map?? I say this because 65bhp versions are alot easier to find ;)

Ad.
 
#5 ·
More or less seconding what Eeeps has already said, but here's my 2p worth anyway.

Diesel Clios are pretty rare on the second-hand market. Those who actually bought them seem to be hanging onto them.

The most common variants are the 3 door 1.2 8v (just badged '1.2') and 1.2 16v. I hired an 8v once and was very disappointed, but the 16v will easily provide adequate performance under just about any driving conditions. Acceleration is actually very good from a standing start, thanks to the reasonably high power to weight ratio, but once you get up to speed and factor in drag, you'll find the car 'competent' as opposed to 'quick.' For normal motorway driving, you won't have to drop out of 5th gear and you won't have to hold the pedal to the floor. What more do you want from a 1.2 litre engine?

But adequate performance will always be subjective, so go to a dealer and take one for a test drive. Try driving it normally, but also try flooring it most of the way to the red-line through the gears to get a feel of what the engine is actually capable of. If you're seriously considering a car with a 1.2 litre engine then you're hardly in boy-racer territory anyway. I doubt the 75bhp 1.2 16v will disappoint.
 
#6 ·
Thanks for your views Horatio, i'll def stay away from the 8 valver then :)

I'll been round a few garages today, i've looked at 2 1.2's and a 1.6. I took a 1.2 billabong out and yeah it wasn't bad at all. It felt nippy rather than quick, but hey if i wanted a quick car i wouldn't be looking at a 1.2. I couldn't take the 1.6 out which was a dyna + and very will spec'd too, Sat nav climate etc

So what are the 1.6's like this one was the same price as newer 1.2 expression with the same miles but a little bit older. I am tempted by the 1.6, but is the mpg alot worse? After all i'm suppoesed to be buying a cheaper car to run :rolleyes:

Ad.
 
#7 ·
Clio Diesels

Hi All

Just joined the forum so this is my first post ( hopefully). With regards to the 65bhp and 80bhp diesels the 80bhp has an intercooler fitted to the turbo which the 65bhp does not, so not just a matter of a remap. My wife used to have the 65bhp version and I have still got the 80bhp one. If you get the choice go for the 80bhp as they are alot more lively to drive and still return the same mpg.
Don't know the difference between the 80bhp and 100bhp.

Regards

Mr A
 
#9 ·
Personaly I would'nt bother buying a clio at all! We have one in our house and since the summer its cost me £1000 + to keep on the road, Its getting past a joke now! The cars only done 41000 miles and full service history. The build quality and reliability is not that good. Sorry to be a bit negative but just speaking from experience.
 
#10 ·
If working correctly (no misfiring!) then the 1.2 16v is a good car - I personally feel it is at its best on the motorway, and have taken mine all over the country and even had a bit of fun! I've done trips from Cumbria to Cambridge, and it really does go! At 80 you just floor it and she responds immediately. It aint a sportscar but it does entertain, as long as you remember it is a 1.2 and don't expect miracles!

But once it starts misfiring....:steam:
 
#13 ·
I have a 97 Clio Mk.I 1.2 "Panache" 5-door. It's a lovely little car, got her for £800 and she'd done 51,000 miles, with full service history. The only glitch I've had was a snapped exhaust, but the chap I bought her from was only too happy to fix her for me (this happened a month after I bought her).

Perfect little car for a new driver, very economical, comfortable (even for a taller guy like me), and just plain fun to drive. No power steering, no electric windows, but other than that I have no complaints at all.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a Clio based on my experience so far. I think I'd prefer one with a slightly more powerful engine - a 1.4 would be perfect - but until I get some more experience, or this little beast starts showing signs of dying, I'll stick with her.

Incidentally: When I need to replace one of my light bulbs for the Clio, what do I need to buy? I don't know what kind of bulbs to get to fit my car.

Cheers
Graeme
 
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top