I have had a 1.2 since January last year and have found it a top little car. You need to lower it because it handles a little erratic on the limit in standard form. The standard alloys are pants and the tyres are plain crap so may aswell change them asap. 17s fit with no problems at all but acceleration is effected quite a bit (mine ran a 19.8 quarter mile with subs and amps and camping gear in the boot on 17s at Crail)
Have had the customary stalling faults on mine (as it sounds like have all Clios of this age) and has had the ecu remapped and a new throttle body. There was a problem with the wiring harness as the ecu anti-tamper box rubbed on it and caused the car to short (at 95 in the fast lane I might add!).
The bumpers and all plastic parts of the car are also slightly off colour under sodium light, which, while being more noticeable on a gold car, I have noticed on pretty much all Clios.
MPG wise the best I have seen on a long run is 53.9mpg which was from Newcastle to Crail in Scotland, this included 6 runs up the strip! As an average it gets mid to high 30s, but the missus drives 4 miles to work and back up some seriously steep hills and in heavy traffic, average speed is normally about 15mph over a full tank! Average driving for me sees about 40-45mpg as I do more free running journeys.
The 17s did make a difference to mpg, of about 5 mpg, which suprised me quite a bit.
For ICE the cars are pretty good with a good acoustic sound very easy to attain with very little work. Dynamat will become your best friend though if you want it not to rattle too much. Saying that I appear to be lucky and still ahve a rattle free car 14 months later.
If you want it to go quick I would advise you to buy a 1.4, cos the money it costs to make it faster in the real world equates to the same as buying a 1.4 in the first place (ie. full system, manifold, de-cat, induction kit and chip as a starter).
If its lowered though you will be suprised what you can race in 2nd - 3rd gear roads. Corsas of the same engine size are no problem, have seen a few 1.4 Corsas dwindle into the rear view a few times. Saxos are good to race as they appear to be fairly lively but a bit skitish ono the bends, where they are easy prey, no matter hwo hard I try I cant beat a Vts though, and can only just say i kept up with a Vtr, and that was cos he couldnt corner very well.
I test drove all the cars in the Clios class when I went out for mine and I have to say that I am still happy with my choice, just wish I got a 1.4 or 1.6 instead, but thats just my opinion.
Sure you will love it as all of us learn to, dont think a better new car for the money can be bought.........
Check out the link to see mine:
http://www.ne-stylin.com/members/renault_clio_karl/karl_clio.htmhttp://www.ne-stylin.com/members/renault_clio_karl/karl_clio.htm
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