Renault Clio Hatchback (2001 - 2008) 1.2 16V Dynamique 3d (2003/52) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Not much - everyone seems to own a black Clio...

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

The family like it. Friends like the styling and interior and my Dad (who's been driving for thirty years) enjoys driving it. My friend has a MINI and prefers the interior of mine...

Would you buy this car again and why?

No, but only because I will keep this about five years and will then be looking for something newer and bigger (Focus sized). Highly recommended though, especially for the young.

What are you likely to buy next?

A Focus or new Civic I hope.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchise

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£0

When did you buy the car?

September 2006

Did you get a good deal and why?

The deal was OK. A little under book price for a dealer because it's a few thousand miles above average. However the car came with a warranty, free MoT and full service, full valet and polish, England plates, 6 months tax...I was pleased. The warranty even covers the clutch.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

This is my second car and my criteria was something cheap to run and insure which was fun to drive and punchier than my old 8v 1.2 Clio. Having driven a nearly new Clio MKII and poked around a Fiesta (I'd narrowed it down to these two choices from research), I found my Dynamique which was newer, better equipped, better looking (in my view), and came with a better deal than the equivalently priced Fiesta. The fact it was black made it even sweeter.

What was the dealer like?

Superb. I recommend them. I bought the car from KAP in Folkestone and the dealer was polite, friendly and accomodating. I wasn't under any pressure to buy the car and they let me have a drive and left me alone to poke around it. The car was beautifuly prepared. It looked like new when I collected it. They wanted a week for preparation, but it was worth it for the excellent job they did. My parents were so impressed they've just bought a C-Max from them! Prices can be a little high, but the back up and service justify it.

What's it like to drive?

Compared to my old MKI Clio, it's a revelation. It stays flat through corners and round rounabouts and is a boon on country roads. I learnt in a 206GTi, have driven a C4 and new Civic and an old Fiesta, and although it doesn't match the Civic or the GTi, it feels better than the rest. It relishes corners (and the well-bolstered sports seats help hold you in place), but the sports suspension no doubt helps this. Ride comfort suffers though and it's crashy over bumps. Steering is light, although there is a dead space around the centre with no feel. Otherwise, it is light enough to park and has decent feedback. Engine is good for a 1.2. It has the power of 1.4 Fiestas and Puntos and is a lot lighter, and to me it seems pretty quick. Acceleration is excellent. Takes hills fairly easily.

What's it like to park?

Easy. No real blind spots that I can see, although the curvature of the rear screen makes distance difficult to judge.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Not so far, touchwood. Ask me in three years... Just bear in mind first is a little notchy when cold and reverse can crunch if not double declutched or given time before selection. An update; I've now managed to lop a wing mirror off. It broke off after i hit a branch in reverse at 2 or 3mph on a dark, unmade lane. To say the least I was unhappy. The repair was not cheap - £117 for the motor and housing (not including the mirror or backpiece), fitted. Expensive parts and if I'd gone to Renault it would have been about £200...

What's most practical about your car?

Well the boot is OK for me and the car is compact without looking too tiny. The rear seats are only good for occasional use due to the thick front sports seats. For me it's fine; for a family it'd be useless.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Well, I don't need them but it has automatic lights (very good), automatic wipers (waste of time), CD (probably the most important for me) and the most useful gadget is the heated mirrors. Until they get broken, then they cost a mint. The alloys and metallic paint make it look good.