Aaahh...my old 1.2. Now those were the days!!
Its always said that you remember your first car - and mine was a 1995 Clio 1.2 "Les Routiers" in xerus met grey. It was my mums (before she graduated to a 1.8 RSi). I used to be a keen driver well before I started moding the 1.2. And, to be fair, it was a real blast to drive. I think if youve only ever driven one car then you tend to think its fantastic, until you drive another. But my trusty 1.2 survied that hurdle (I doubt many Fiestas or Corsas have).
Id call the performance adequate and no more, though it would out-drag a Vectra 1.6 (that aint saying much though ). The handling was spot on actually, as far as it could be for a car wearing 155/80/13 tyres (jeeeez!).
You definitely couldnt overtake much safely though, and the brakes were crap. That was particularly frustrating when I changed the wheels and suspension. Id be blasting down a favourite road, then get stuck behind something that I couldnt overtake - hence wasting all the time/money improving the handling. Hills and motorways were comedy too - 4th gear as soon as a slight incline appeared.
On the 13s, the speedo read a dubious maximum of 115 - something I failed to recreate with 15" then 16" wheels fitted. Its pretty difficult to motivate my Valver beyond those sorts of speeds, so Im always cautious when people say they get 120 out of their 1.2s and RTs.
The 1.2 was a cracking motor overall though, and I guess with its extra 15bhp blunted by the additional weight, that the new 1.2 16v Clio isnt far off. I really like the look of the Dynamiques too.
I really thought that my 1.2 was the nads at the time - and it was good - but not Williams or 16v good! I "raced" a Williams early on in my driving career and he made me look as if Id travelled back in time! I think TooFast should take note
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