I have the use of a brand new 1.2 Dynamique. I drive it a lot at the moment as my Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo is off the road. I love the Clio. I kid you not, the quality of the materials and construction of the cabin are just as good as in an Audi TT (low model) that I also occasionally drive.
The 1.2 isnt a rapid machine, but it keeps up with traffic and gives 50+mpg if youre gentle with it. Its also one of the few 16v petrol engines Ive used that have very good torque at 2-3000rpm, which means that you can drive smoothly but not so that youd be going too slow.
My final observation would be how much kit you get for the money. In 1995 my first car was a 1.2 Clio special edition, which we got for £7k. It had a sunroof and tape deck... woooo!! Today, the 1.2 Dynamique has electrics, ABS, 4x airbags, alloys, fogs, CD player, auto lights/wipers and mine also has aircon/climate and an electric sunroof. It should have cost £10.5k, but a bit of haggling saw keys exchanged at £8,200!!!! (had cash, worked out a canny loop-hole and paid off a finanance deal early - cheated really!).
Go get one!
and i currently drive a 209bhp rover 220 gti turbo...
