Twingo TCE, any good?
Discussion
Ever since that Top Gear episode with the renaultsport twingo review I've become quite a fan of them, but the 133 version isn't cheap and even the earliest used ones are still fairly expensive. Just noticed today they do a 1.2 turbo version, with around 100bhp. Is it any good? With that level of power and weight it has the ingredients to be quite a fun little car, and cheap-ish to insure and run, not to mention costing a lot less to buy than the renaultsport version. Opinions?
We've got the Twingo GT. 1.2 Turbo, 100bhp.
We test drove the RS Cup but although I loved it the other half (who's car it is) wanted a few more toys like aircon and bluetooth which was standard on the GT.
In terms of driving it's a good laugh, quicker than expected and the engine is loosening off nicely now it's got nearly 5000 miles on it. I would't get one for motorway work because it revs high at 70mph and the ride isn't great, although it's a lot better than a Panda 100bhp and the RS was a bit harder. It grips extremely well, especially in lower speed corners.
The seating is a little high for some people and they don't hold you as tight as proper sports seats when cornering, but they are very comfy. The rear seats are 2 seats only, they are individual seats rather than a bench type but they slide back and forth depending on your needs for leg room or boot space and because they are separate you can slide one if you have only 1 person in the back.
The aircon is a little weak but does it's job. The stereo is pretty good sound wise but it's amazing in terms of the bluetooth, it connects easily and works well streaming music from my iPhone even when using spotify. There are lots of other nice touches that make it a good place to spend time and it's incredibly easy to park because you can virtually reach all the extremes. It's the closest modern car in terms of the original mini in my mind.
Fuel economy is high 30's but then it always gets driven very hard, partly because it's one of those cars that seems to encorage you to push harder all the time. I also think it looks quite cute, even with the other halfs choice of stripes that she just had to have.
Test drive one though, not everyone gets used to the way it feels. A work colleague ended up getting a Yaris instead because it was more comfortable. I have big feet and my left foot is always rubbing on the steering column when using the clutch and you can feel it turning with the wheel as you turn which seems either cheap or quaint depending on mood.
Good little car and the other half loves it, it's by far her favourite possession and by a long measure her favourite car. She's already deciding what colour her next Twingo is going to be and wants the RS if they do it with the same stereo and air con.
We test drove the RS Cup but although I loved it the other half (who's car it is) wanted a few more toys like aircon and bluetooth which was standard on the GT.
In terms of driving it's a good laugh, quicker than expected and the engine is loosening off nicely now it's got nearly 5000 miles on it. I would't get one for motorway work because it revs high at 70mph and the ride isn't great, although it's a lot better than a Panda 100bhp and the RS was a bit harder. It grips extremely well, especially in lower speed corners.
The seating is a little high for some people and they don't hold you as tight as proper sports seats when cornering, but they are very comfy. The rear seats are 2 seats only, they are individual seats rather than a bench type but they slide back and forth depending on your needs for leg room or boot space and because they are separate you can slide one if you have only 1 person in the back.
The aircon is a little weak but does it's job. The stereo is pretty good sound wise but it's amazing in terms of the bluetooth, it connects easily and works well streaming music from my iPhone even when using spotify. There are lots of other nice touches that make it a good place to spend time and it's incredibly easy to park because you can virtually reach all the extremes. It's the closest modern car in terms of the original mini in my mind.
Fuel economy is high 30's but then it always gets driven very hard, partly because it's one of those cars that seems to encorage you to push harder all the time. I also think it looks quite cute, even with the other halfs choice of stripes that she just had to have.
Test drive one though, not everyone gets used to the way it feels. A work colleague ended up getting a Yaris instead because it was more comfortable. I have big feet and my left foot is always rubbing on the steering column when using the clutch and you can feel it turning with the wheel as you turn which seems either cheap or quaint depending on mood.
Good little car and the other half loves it, it's by far her favourite possession and by a long measure her favourite car. She's already deciding what colour her next Twingo is going to be and wants the RS if they do it with the same stereo and air con.
As Poing says, don't get one for motorway work.
I bought a Clio 1.2 Dynamique a few years back (when I was more sensible than I am now, apparently) and purposely didn't get the TCE because I knew I'd be doing motoway miles. With such a little engine, if you're travelling anywhere north of 55-60, you'll be revving high enough that the turbo will kill any semblance of fuel economy.
And let's be honest, with a little engine you may as well get decent fuel economy
I bought a Clio 1.2 Dynamique a few years back (when I was more sensible than I am now, apparently) and purposely didn't get the TCE because I knew I'd be doing motoway miles. With such a little engine, if you're travelling anywhere north of 55-60, you'll be revving high enough that the turbo will kill any semblance of fuel economy.
And let's be honest, with a little engine you may as well get decent fuel economy
Just adding that if you are thinking of buying a used one then I'd be looking at a Yaris 1.8 SR. Similar size, probably better on fuel and 133bhp. They will no doubt hold their value quite well and given the French car makers reliability reputation the Yaris is almost certainly a safer bet.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2926835.htm
We haven't had a single problem with the Twingo yet but it's not a year old and has under 5000 miles on it so I'd hope not. I don't get the feeling it will last forever though like you do in some cars, can't exactly say why because it's just a gut feeling.
Can't say how much the Yaris will cost to insure etc.
Just googled the fuel tank capacity of the Twingo and it's 40l and we've only once got more than 300 miles from a tank so that gives an idea about fuel economy.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2926835.htm
We haven't had a single problem with the Twingo yet but it's not a year old and has under 5000 miles on it so I'd hope not. I don't get the feeling it will last forever though like you do in some cars, can't exactly say why because it's just a gut feeling.
Can't say how much the Yaris will cost to insure etc.
Just googled the fuel tank capacity of the Twingo and it's 40l and we've only once got more than 300 miles from a tank so that gives an idea about fuel economy.
My second car was a Twingo GT 100 1.2 TCE... I can sum it up in a few words... Fun, tyre shredding, chuckable, fiesty, doesn't take things too seriously, cheap, quirky looking. I really miss mine - I upgraded to a 133 RS afterwards which was quicker and more poised, but just not quite the 'fun' factor of the GT. Great little engines!
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff