So i want to buy a renault clio as my first car. give me your opinion.?

Question

i have been driving my friends clio over the cardrome ( a place you can go drive when you are under 17 on private land) and really enjoyed it. i have driven a fiesta before but much prefered the clio. i felt really comfortable in it. have you had a clio before, what did you think? i am going to view a 1999 t reg. the second edition/bubble shape. thanks if you answer. best gets 10 points

Answer 1

Don't bother with French cars. Go with a Ford fiesta, they are brilliant for first cars and hardly ever go wrong.

Answer 2

I had a fiesta as my first car, to be honest if its comfotable and you can afford to insure it etc then its a great idea.  My little brother has a Suzuki swift (2001) as his first car and he likes it and others say suzuki cars a c**p so its up to you really.  Im looking for a used car at the moment and im considering a clio.

Answer 3

Buy a Ford Fiesta had mine 4 years nothing went wrong, started first time every time spot on, French cars well don't bother everyone is a friday afternoon special.

Answer 4

I had a 1998 s reg 1.2 clio, one of the first bubble shape ones.  The car was quite enjoyable to drive although I had a few problems with the brakes, leaking brake fluid and quite a few niggly little problems such as the boot lock packing in and the car having a very healthy appetite for light bulbs all round!  I would only buy one if it has been well maintained, not missing any services or anything like that.  I would also make sure that any recalls have been done on the car.  The main one is regarding the bonnet catch/release which can stop working, it was a big issue a few years ago as there were a few cases of the bonnet flying open when people were driving.  In January this year I was just checking the oil and then couldn't shut the bonnet because of this problem, Renault sorted it free of charge though as it was a recall and the previous owner hadn't bothered to get it sorted.  Overall then I would say that if you want one, buy with caution!  Make sure it's got full maintenance record and all recalls have been done and you should be ok, and parts aren't too expensive either.

Answer 5

Yes, a really nice little car that makes a Fiesta of the same age look & feel like a skip. And as for Fiats, you must be joking unless you want to spend your life waiting around garages for it to be fixed every other day.

French cars don't have the best reputation for reliability, but it tends to be minor problems, Fords are just altogether cheap & nasty. The Renault has better performance, looks, economy, equipment, etc., but look at tehe Peugeot 206: I'm looking at What Car? reliability ratings & it outdoes the Renault by quite a margin, although the Clio problems seem to be mainly with cooling system & other niggles on the petrol versions - diesels come recommended.

The Fiat Punto falls into the category of 'avoid like the plague!'

Buy one - you won't be disappointed.

Answer 6

Simple their known for good reliable engines, but the interior quality, unfortunately does not follow suit, I've heard of numerous reports of k***s falling off the dash etc

Answer 7

It is quite a good choice I think - I got a Fiesta as my first car but it's a matter of preference I think.  They are cheap, reasonably well built  vehicles that will be in your price range - you can see a lot of decent looking ones in www.autotrader.co.uk - they seem to be plentiful which is good for spares at your scrapyard and pretty low mileage for the prices.

Answer 8

Avoid them like the plague. They're absolutely awful cars.

Go for a small fiat, or ford.