Getting new little runabout tomorrow.... what are they like?
Discussion
As some of you may know, I sold my Focus Zetec 1.8 when I went to uni, on the understanding that my parents would get a smaller second car as a runabout for them, that I could use during my uni holidays. Unfortunately they went for a knackered old 1.2 P-reg Corsa with no PAS, air con or anything going for it at all. Even came with a crappy Peco exhaust backbox which was soon replaced after dropping off on the motorway. Sister has just passed her driving test this month, and refuses to drive the corsa, so we're off to look at a replacement tomorrow.
Its nothing special, but sounds like a bargain for the price. Its a 2000-reg, 1.4l 16v Renault Clio Alize, 3 door with air con, sunroof, PAS etc... mature lady owner, 60k miles, service history, mint paintwork, for £800 at a local garage owned by a family friend. Not bad, not bad. Anything is luxury compared to the corsa, looking forward to driving something a little nippier again (yes, a year of driving the corsa has made me that desperate!)
What are they generally like, as far as a boring hatchback goes? I've heard mixed reviews, good fuel economy and reasonably quick for a small engined standard hatchback. Some say they are dreadful... unreliable, french etc etc. Never driven a Renault before, so not sure what to expect, especially in terms of improvement over the old corsa.
Its nothing special, but sounds like a bargain for the price. Its a 2000-reg, 1.4l 16v Renault Clio Alize, 3 door with air con, sunroof, PAS etc... mature lady owner, 60k miles, service history, mint paintwork, for £800 at a local garage owned by a family friend. Not bad, not bad. Anything is luxury compared to the corsa, looking forward to driving something a little nippier again (yes, a year of driving the corsa has made me that desperate!)
What are they generally like, as far as a boring hatchback goes? I've heard mixed reviews, good fuel economy and reasonably quick for a small engined standard hatchback. Some say they are dreadful... unreliable, french etc etc. Never driven a Renault before, so not sure what to expect, especially in terms of improvement over the old corsa.
Edited by Louisa911 on Monday 7th June 23:10
Louisa911 said:
Back on topic, anyone had any experiences driving the 1.4 16v engined clio? What are they like, performance wise and handling? Good or bad overall? Thanks
My mate had the dci 80. It didn't handle bad to be fair, took some country roads at good speeds but didn't have any poke and took forever to get back upto speed once you'd lost it... Can't imagine the 1.4 has much power but I'm sure it'll be a good run about...Back on topic, pics?
I've got a 1.2 clio, it's quite nice to drive, hasn't caused me alot of problems, and is generally cheap to run. The 1.4 would be better though as you'll have the extra power which will help of course.
Although my clio is my first car so i cant really comment with much expertise unfortunetly.
Although my clio is my first car so i cant really comment with much expertise unfortunetly.
Louisa911 said:
Back on topic, anyone had any experiences driving the 1.4 16v engined clio? What are they like, performance wise and handling? Good or bad overall? Thanks
My second car was a W-reg 1.4 Alize and I was really happy with it; contrary to popular belief it didn't fall to pieces and was still going strong at 75k when I sold it in 2007. BHP on the 16v is ~95 IIRC and was nippy around town, did absolutely fine on the country roads out to the folks and it coped well with motorway driving. The driving position is a bit weird (if you've never had a Clio before) but you get used to it. The Alize was the mid-range spec, so you should get electric windows, remote central locking, CD player and a few other bits and pieces.All in all I really liked my Alize and if I had a choice of say a Corsa, Fiesta or 207, I'd take the Clio again.
I've had a 1.4 Clio (although a later '03 one, so the facelift and it was a Dynamique) see my profile for a full write-up. 
Not sure if the '00 has the same 98bhp engine?
Fantastic little car and I really miss it. Pretty quick for what is a shopping trolley and handled like a go-kart. Could be hustled along a back road far quicker than you'd imagine.
Make sure you use every last rev, the engine deserves it! I thrashed mine pretty hard and it lapped it up!
Not sure if the '00 has the same 98bhp engine?Fantastic little car and I really miss it. Pretty quick for what is a shopping trolley and handled like a go-kart. Could be hustled along a back road far quicker than you'd imagine.
Make sure you use every last rev, the engine deserves it! I thrashed mine pretty hard and it lapped it up!
LukeBird said:
I've had a 1.4 Clio (although a later '03 one, so the facelift and it was a Dynamique) see my profile for a full write-up. Not sure if the '00 has the same 98bhp engine?
Fantastic little car and I really miss it. Pretty quick for what is a shopping trolley and handled like a go-kart. Could be hustled along a back road far quicker than you'd imagine.
Make sure you use every last rev, the engine deserves it! I thrashed mine pretty hard and it lapped it up!
The 1.4 engine is so much better than the 1.6 we had which refused to rev at all and despite being more powerful always felt slower. We were lured in by the extra toys that came with the 1.6 (privilege maybe, I can't remember) but few of them worked after 40,000 miles or so. It did handle well though. My advice would be to go for a 1.4 16v with as few toys as possible. Not sure if the '00 has the same 98bhp engine?Fantastic little car and I really miss it. Pretty quick for what is a shopping trolley and handled like a go-kart. Could be hustled along a back road far quicker than you'd imagine.
Make sure you use every last rev, the engine deserves it! I thrashed mine pretty hard and it lapped it up!
LukeBird said:
I've had a 1.4 Clio (although a later '03 one, so the facelift and it was a Dynamique) see my profile for a full write-up. Not sure if the '00 has the same 98bhp engine?
Fantastic little car and I really miss it. Pretty quick for what is a shopping trolley and handled like a go-kart. Could be hustled along a back road far quicker than you'd imagine.
Make sure you use every last rev, the engine deserves it! I thrashed mine pretty hard and it lapped it up!
I can vouch for how pokey this little thing was, Luke showed no mercy and the Fezzas struggled to pass Not sure if the '00 has the same 98bhp engine?Fantastic little car and I really miss it. Pretty quick for what is a shopping trolley and handled like a go-kart. Could be hustled along a back road far quicker than you'd imagine.
Make sure you use every last rev, the engine deserves it! I thrashed mine pretty hard and it lapped it up!
Edited by minimatt1967 on Tuesday 8th June 11:32
t, but they are at least cars, which is more than I can say for a Corsa.Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff