Renault Clio 16V: PH Carpool
The fast old Clio that isn't a Williams has been with its owner for 15 years - here's why
Car: Renault Clio 16V
Owned since: 2000
Previously owned: "I'm being selective here... Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9, Peugeot 306 Rallye, '93 Mini Cooper, '65 Mini Cooper S, '77 Land Rover 88in, '99 Mazda MX-5, VW Mk2 Golf GTI (x2)."
John went after a 205 GTI...
"I ended up with the Clio by complete accident. Back in the late 90s my younger self was on the search for a nice 205 GTI, or was it an R5 Turbo, or perhaps even a Charade GTti? I can't remember, in any case it wasn't the Clio but when a penniless mate's Clio 16V missed its service and snapped its cambelt in disgust my dad and I stepped in to save it. The plan was to repair it and sell it on for a quick profit. New head fitted we discovered it needed a new gearbox. New gearbox in we discovered it needed brakes and dampers and the profit margin went out the window, but as soon as I drove it I knew it had to be mine."
What I wish I'd known:
"How difficult it would be to part with. I have owned at least 10 cars since the Clio 16V arrived but somehow, miraculously, it has survived the cull time and time again. Thing is, despite making a career out of writing about cars I'm not at all sentimental about the little Renault. It's just that, in the decade and a half we've been together, I've spent so much on it that parting with the Clio seems impossible. Oh, and I probably owe it my life."
What was just a new head became a lot more!
"I love the fact it didn't kill me in those early days of our relationship. Whereas an old 205 GTI on part-worn tyres would have had me spinning into the next postcode if I ever dared to drive it quickly the Clio has always been as faithful as the family Labrador. Like the hound it loves to cock a leg (OK, wheel) and play all day long and only bites you when you do something really stupid. But that said, even when you were optimistic about levels of adhesion served up by its four Michelin MXTs the breakaway is always progressive and catchable - crucial for the brave 20 year-old fool that I was.
"The looks have also grown on me. Where once I preferred an R5 Turbo (Raider in blue please) I've come to prefer the Clio's flared front (plastic) and rear arches, offset NACA duct and simple turbine alloys that, today, have banished memories of pining for a Williams."
The basics and not a lot more inside
"Truth be told I've never enjoyed the weight of its clutch. I've driven Lamborghinis with lighter clutches. After owning one, I also dislike the fact you miss out on a 205 1.9's sheer energy low down with the Clio 16V. In the little Renault it's the case of working that 137hp 1.8-litre hard before you unleash the performance. Think of that lump as a Gallic VTEC and you'll understand its frenetic character.
"Sadly, when that performance does arrive it's also mild by today's hot hatch standards. Taking 7.8 seconds to hit 60mph it's well off the pace but at least it sounds interesting on the way and the gearchange is great by Renault's standard of the time (only average by any one else's.)
"The Clio's short ratios make it exceedingly busy on the motorway and at 80mph I've frequently found myself reaching for another (non-existent) gear. Oh, and the lack of ABS can be a concern too, although it's less of an issue nowadays when I'm more focused on building up apex speed than heroic late braking."
John says the Clio is going this year...
"Biggest bill following the head and gearbox being reconditioned has been the complete respray that included fitting two rear wings that could only be sourced from Renault. Earlier I said I wasn't sentimental about my Clio but that's clearly rubbish - at the time the two wings alone were worth more than the value of my car - and that's before the paint and labour were thrown in. The final bill broke my heart and bank account, but with the world's nicest non-Clio Williams I then had to keep it for a few more years."
Where I've been:
"The most significant journey ever was probably to my first ever paid freelance gig at Autocar where I proudly parked the Clio 16V between a 911 GT3 and a BMW M5 in the old Haymarket car park. Both Harris and Sutcliffe (whatever happened to them?) showed genuine interest before telling me to clear off and go and find a spot on the road."
What next?
"At some stage in 2015 my Clio and I will finally part company. Despite being my only automotive constant in a lifetime of flings with numerous other hot hatches I've bought, plus a long line of exotic test cars, it's time for someone else to appreciate my sizeable investment in an old Clio without gold wheels."
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