2002 Renault Twingo Privilege 1.2 16v
Faults:
Ignition coil fail at 60.000 km.
Spark plugs were changed together with the ignition coil.
Timing belt was changed as a part of the deal when I bought it at 54.000km (just in case).
General Comments:
Normally I only drive Citroën and I have not driven anything else in the last 10 years.
Due to job change, I had to have a smaller and more economical car.
I has always liked the Twingo and I have rented them many times during holidays in Gran Canaria.
Since I could not find a small suitable Citroen, the choice fell on a 2001 Twingo 1.2 16v imported from France.
My Twingo has the 75 HP engine and front seats from the R Clio.
I ride 123 km on highways every day. Yes it is not as comfy and silent as my XM, but it is fast and nippy in heavy traffic, and the mileage of a liter of gasoline, is very good.
Then driven gently, it runs 17km pr. liter and driven hard, you only get 14km pr. liter.
The build quality is very good and being used to French cars, I would even say high!
The body is galvanized with a 12 year warranty, and being 7 years old, there is no sign of rust yet.
One can with ease find room for 4 adults and a little luggage.
If you have had a Twingo Series 1 between your hands for a while, you would very well understand why it has become a cult car. It grows on you!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 16th November, 2009
26th Nov 2010, 15:25
A update on my Twingo.
It has now driven 100.802 km, and is still doing fine with minimum costs. At 97.000 km, I had to change the original, fitted from factory, front discs, pads and shoes in the rear brake drums. The drums themselves were fine, so could be reused, so with a lifespan of 97.000 km, I think they have done the job fine. To keep costs down, I did the job myself, and it was very easy. Beside that, I bought a set of new summer and winter tires.
I commute a long distance every day. The driving position is not the best, and it is a little noisy at highway speed.
But again, the car is built as a city car for local run abouts, and not as a commuters car, even if is can do the job. We have a Fiat Punto (type 188), and it does the job much better, as it is more quiet and bigger.
But the Twingo has charm, and I haven't regretted buying it.