Well I've just traded in the Clio for the fiesta ST.
While I wanted a bigger engine - speed didnt drive me into a sportier hatch, its just useful on the motorway to have a 2litre.
I've now driven clio renault sport and ST. and I think the St is so much nicer to drive. To be able to corner hard without believing you are about to completely roll over is nice
The Ford dealers have sales service which is so so so so much better than renault. Renault have always been appalling - whereever I've gone.
The interior is better (its the facelift ST), I've had the older Fiesta - now same age as my old Clio. Oddly enough while my clio begun falling apart there is not one rattle or knock from the Fiesta. I prefer the driving position and the more 'grown up' feel of the car
There is a glorious range of included options and some really well priced extras too. The quickclear windscreen is a godsend when you dont want your AC blowing gale force on winter mornings. I cant fault the styling and am considering getting it modified through Cosworth up to 240 bph. My insurance only increases by 500 (STILL less than it is to get me on a renaultsport!) and the mod itself is pretty well priced. Alternatively I can go for 170 or 200 bhp.
I'm looking forward to the much better Ford service we always have recieved, as opposed to managers from Renault who have sworn at me down the phone in the past and come out with 'go on then, call trading standards, you wont get anywhere with a company like ours'
I still love Clios, always will. But theres been a few hairy moments down to the poor handling lately and I just need more safety. The two big accidents to have affected my life (my boyfriends and my mums friend) both involved Clios (one was mine) rolling when they should not have at all.