Renault clio 1.4 - opinions?
Discussion
I know this is about the 3rd similar topic I've started, but other car buying options keep popping up. I do appreciate all the advice given so far.
I'm going to look at a 1.4 1998 clio, is there anything model-specific I should look for?
I need something economical for the commute, but not something that I'm going to have to rag the tits off on the motorway. I drive about 13-15k miles a year so a "not horible" interior would be nice too. I also have to accept that while a car may do x mpg if you stick to 60, I won't so thrashing the guts out of a 1l micra/1.1l 106 (other cars I've been considering) at normal motorway speeds may not be a great idea.
It sounds daft, but I also wouldn't mind something a bit better looking than a bubble-micra. Though I accept that they're indestructable.
I'm going to look at a 1.4 1998 clio, is there anything model-specific I should look for?
I need something economical for the commute, but not something that I'm going to have to rag the tits off on the motorway. I drive about 13-15k miles a year so a "not horible" interior would be nice too. I also have to accept that while a car may do x mpg if you stick to 60, I won't so thrashing the guts out of a 1l micra/1.1l 106 (other cars I've been considering) at normal motorway speeds may not be a great idea.
It sounds daft, but I also wouldn't mind something a bit better looking than a bubble-micra. Though I accept that they're indestructable.
I wouldnt touch one im a mechanic and see plenty of them in over the years not a perticulirly bad car but would never touch them nor any other renault for that matter. Much better cars out there vw polo, seat ibiza, citroen saxo/peugeot 106 much better cars. However i own an mg so cant relly judge on how rubbish a car is as supposedly on ph mgs are crap.
skeggysteve said:
Crofty - when I was in a similar position my mate, who runs a garage, said get a Pug.
As I said in the other thread I get very good mpg (c40) and my 306 has half leather, CD etc. etc.
I hate to admit it but it's not a bad car - for a French, FWD, shed!
Good option - I've got a lot of time for the 306 - if you want a much cheaper variant the deeply uncool citroen zx is identical underneath and mega value As I said in the other thread I get very good mpg (c40) and my 306 has half leather, CD etc. etc.
I hate to admit it but it's not a bad car - for a French, FWD, shed!
At least go for an old 172, get a decent example for £2K to £2.5K - http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2498761.htm You'll get bored stupid of a 1.4.
I had one (albeit a 2003 facelift, the facelift came in on an '01 try and get one if you can) and thoroughly enjoyed it.
It was a cracking fun little car to drive, quite a fun engine that was relatively pokey for a lower-end engine choice, when I was using mine for a long commute, I pulled my speed back to 65mph (indicated) on the motorway and the trip computer showed 50MPG+ over my trip from home to work.
With regard to the car, just make sure the cambelt change has been done (I think the interval is 5yrs/60k miles), other than that there's nothing really expensive service wise.
Check out my profile for more details.
It was a cracking fun little car to drive, quite a fun engine that was relatively pokey for a lower-end engine choice, when I was using mine for a long commute, I pulled my speed back to 65mph (indicated) on the motorway and the trip computer showed 50MPG+ over my trip from home to work.
With regard to the car, just make sure the cambelt change has been done (I think the interval is 5yrs/60k miles), other than that there's nothing really expensive service wise.
Check out my profile for more details.
I had a '99 plate 1.2RN as my first car - was completely reliable apart from when i crashed it and did my bimonthly trip from home to Uni; some 90 miles of A road and motorway, without any problems or complaints.
You are right though, small capacity engines will drink fuel on the motorway if your doing over 70mph.
Otherwise a great little car.
You are right though, small capacity engines will drink fuel on the motorway if your doing over 70mph.
Otherwise a great little car.
A very good clio would be better than a neglected toyota... buy on grounds of the cars condition, and you'll be fine.
as for the Micra? NOTHING is indestructible, in fact they do have an Achilles heel in a fairly weak clutch (my Father was a driving examiner at the time these were popular school cars, and the clutch was a constant headache compaired to other cars of the era when faced with this toughest of tests)
as for the Micra? NOTHING is indestructible, in fact they do have an Achilles heel in a fairly weak clutch (my Father was a driving examiner at the time these were popular school cars, and the clutch was a constant headache compaired to other cars of the era when faced with this toughest of tests)
Edited by philoldsmobile on Saturday 19th February 12:41
I had a new 1.2 clio extreme and put 35k on it in 18mths with no issues. nice (for the class) interior and I agree they look better than their peers. pretty nippy thing but geared for town driving so they are revving quite high at motorway speeds.
currently running an x plate 1.6rsi as a daily slag. if the insurance isn't much extra, I'd consider the 1.6 over the 1.4. I commute granny fashion and see 45mpg on motorway cruising and its fairly chuckable on new bushes and set-up it has aircon, half leather etc. and cost 1200 with one owner history, low miles and a stack of paperwork.
I've done 20k miles in it since july with no issues other than a dodgy alternator connector requiring the rac to fix at roadside. it is still revvy (4k at 70 but noisy with it) and I'd have bought a 172 if it wasn't for the prohibitive insurance for the miles I do.
all my other french cars have been typically gallic quality. they must have liked the clio!
currently running an x plate 1.6rsi as a daily slag. if the insurance isn't much extra, I'd consider the 1.6 over the 1.4. I commute granny fashion and see 45mpg on motorway cruising and its fairly chuckable on new bushes and set-up it has aircon, half leather etc. and cost 1200 with one owner history, low miles and a stack of paperwork.
I've done 20k miles in it since july with no issues other than a dodgy alternator connector requiring the rac to fix at roadside. it is still revvy (4k at 70 but noisy with it) and I'd have bought a 172 if it wasn't for the prohibitive insurance for the miles I do.
all my other french cars have been typically gallic quality. they must have liked the clio!
Are we talking the 8v or the 16v? (I think they were both available in 98)... I've owned both - the 8v is adequate to get from a to b but pretty unexciting, the 16v is fairly nippy but can eat ignition coils - I got my first lot replaced under warranty at 26k only to blow another one on 52k - regular as clockwork!
Weve had a 1.4 54 plate Clio as a run about for a few years now and its been great.
Fun to drive in a go kart sort of way and its never given us any mechanical or electrical
problems. Think weve put 40,000 on the clock and apart from the odd interior squeak/rattle
it really is a decent little car.
Fun to drive in a go kart sort of way and its never given us any mechanical or electrical
problems. Think weve put 40,000 on the clock and apart from the odd interior squeak/rattle
it really is a decent little car.
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