1996 Renault Clio Paris 1.2 petrol
Summary:
An excellent first car
Faults:
Nothing!
General Comments:
The engine is pretty fast for its size, although not quite as fast as the new 1.2 16v Extreme, it's a lot better on insurance.
It's an excellent first car, but not really great for the average boy racer. The cars handling is very suspect at high speeds and the turning is pretty bad for a car of its size.
The exterior looks good for a car of its age, although it's apparently out of date; I prefer the Phase 1 styling to the ugly phase 2 styling and even the new styling. I haven't found a single rust spot on this car yet.
The interior on this car is atrocious. Its bland, it doesn't have all the fancy gizmos the RT has. Other than that it's very comfortable.
Overall it's a great car and fun to drive around, but if its speed your after, you'd be better looking at the higher spec models, as this car isn't very great at anything higher than 80mph, which it shouldn't be doing.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 13th December, 2002
23rd May 2003, 07:37
I've had Clio's since 1992, but have stuck to the 1.2 RL type. I've found that servicing them myself, is easy, general upkeep is easy too, and finding parts is very easy.
At present, I've just bought a 1996 1.2 RL, which I'm sort of restoring, by putting in reclaimed (scrap-yard) seats, stereo, and later on I'll put in front fogs. I have also found that the Haynes manuals for these wee cars are quite good - the source of my knowledge...
They're nippy, even those without power-steering, are easy to maneuver at low speeds, and so far, with my experience with Renault, have the best '4th pedal'. I had a Laguna for a while, but I've gone back to the Clio!! Missed them too much.
I hope to be driving this new addition for quite a few years, probably 'til it 'dies'. I love them!