Renault Clio Hatchback (2001 - 2008) 1.2 16V Dynamique 3d (2002/02) Owner Review
Want to know everything there is to know about this car?
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Summary
What does this car say about you?
That I can't afford to buy a better car yet.
What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?
Basically most of my friends and family are alarmed by the noise generated by the sunroof, I personally find the rattling and clunking quite jolly and since it becomes deafening if you go above 60mph it does encourage me to keep my speed down ( which since it seems inevitable that at some point the speedo will give out may prove useful) Mostly it's handy to ensure that I never have to be the designated driver because friends and family would rather sacrifice the vino themselves than have to be drive in my car.
Would you buy this car again and why?
Nope - never buying French again, have had the misfortune to own a Citroen and a Renault and to be frank neither felt or drove like a quality car.
What are you likely to buy next?
Going German next time VW or Audi.
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Buying experience
Type of dealer you bought from?
Franchised
Did you buy this car new?
No
What price did you pay?
£6,900
When did you buy the car?
June 2003
Did you get a good deal and why?
About average.
Is there any special reason why you bought this car?
Looking for a decently priced smallish hatchback.
What was the dealer like?
Friendly although I was slightly insulted when he offered to take £150 off the price of the Clio in return for me NOT trading in my ancient Astra.
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Driving it
What's it like to drive?
Most of the time I feel it handles reasonably well, it's not great in high winds as the cheap French build makes it feel quite unstable.
What's it like to park?
Very easy to park, power steering makes it easy to squeeze into spaces.
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Living with it
Have you had any problems with the car?
Loads!! The electrics have been a nightmare from about 3 months after we bought it and despite repeated returns to the dealer for the mechanics to tweak stuff it has continued to randomly flash warning lights. In 2005 the bonnet catch gave out as I was doing approx. 50 down the dual carriageway, apparently this is a known fault with the Clio but Renault insist it is because the owners don't maintain the bonnet catch properly, this led to the front windscreen and bonnet having to be replaced..
What's most practical about your car?
It's fairly economic with petrol and not too expensive to tax and insure.
Favourite gadget, option or accessory?
The electric windows, due to the car's dodgy electrics there's always a little tingle of anticipation...will the windows open?? and if they do will they shut again??? Many happy minutes spent in car-parks teasing the windows shut.
