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The Renault Clio has established itself as one of the most stylish small cars around, certainly boasting a bit more high street chic than a Ford Fiesta or a Vauxhall Corsa. Many used buyers are confused by the seemingly impenetrable range of trim levels, but the basic formula is a better built supermini than its predecessor with a focus on interior space. As a used buy it's a fair bet for all but the most enthusiastic driver, who would only really be advised to opt for the range topping Renaultsport Clio 172. Otherwise, an above average performance from Renault.
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What you get
If you haven't tried a Clio for some time, you should be favourably impressed by the Mk2 car. Inside, the large glass area gives the cabin a light, airy feel. Outside, the big car theme continues, with a false impression of extra width courtesy of the curvy front wings, large headlamps and that unique upright tailgate with its domed glass.
Inside, the interior is better than anything the company's design team has previously produced in a supermini. Basically, it's the same layout as the Megane - though the driving position is much better. There's a useful eye-level display showing radio and clock information and (on top-spec models) novel top-hinged head restraints. Rear seat legroom still isn't great - but then few superminis excel in this department.
So the Clio has grown up in the showroom. But is it really more mature out on the road ? Most will think so. A wider front track has enabled the latest car to use a much more sophisticated suspension system, first featured in the larger Megane. The result is a huge improvement in ride, though the springing is still soft enough for it to be obvious that you're in a French car.
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What to look for
Not too much goes wrong with the Mk2 Clio, although the quality of some off the plastics could be better. The bumpers scuff very easily and plastic exterior parts tend to fade very easily in the sun. Likewise, the interior, though more substantial than the early cars, still doesn't feel as well built as a SEAT Ibiza or even a Ford Fiesta. Check the wheel alignment, as the Clio is quite sensitive to small misalignments, resulting in uneven tyre wear.
It wasn't until the introduction of the Renaultsport Clio 172 that there had been a model that would really appeal to the keen driver, and this model is beyond the budgets of most boy racers, so you'll be hard pressed to find an abused Mk2 Clio. Truth is, until the 172 appeared the Mk2 Clio never really had the enthusiast appeal that was engendered by the Mk1 Clio 16v and Williams models. That has certainly changed now, although the only tired looking cars will be high-mileage, low-spec company hacks. Avoid these if at all possible.
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Replacement parts
(approx based on a 1998 Clio 1.4 RT) Day to day consumables for the Clio are in line with what you'd expect. An air filter is around £7, spark plugs are £9, whilst an oil filter is around £7 and a fuel filter £18. Nothing too terrifying here.
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On the road
Pretty much standard fare for most models, with safe, if rather spongy, handling characteristics. Engines tend to be good value for their respective capacities, with even the 1.4-litre 16v cars able to hit 60mph in a respectable 10.5 seconds, with 1.6-litre 16v models a second quicker again. The 1.9dTi is a far better bet than the stodgy 1.9d, with a top speed of109mph and sixty miles an hour flashing (small exaggeration) by in 12.8 seconds. Drive everywhere like this and you'll never approach the 54mpg average fuel consumption figure, but it's good to know that you've got that in reserve.
The real news regarding road manners is the Renaultsport Clio 172. On the road, this engine powers to sixty in under 7 seconds on the way to 136mph - and the front wheel drive chassis is good enough to allow you to enjoy every minute, even if the whole handling-throttle-steering feeling is not quite as fluid as was the case with the old Clio Williams. Never mind. Whilst the Williams was as sharp as a surgical scalpel, the 172 is more of a lump hammer, its blunt implement approach to getting the job done is less subtle but no less enjoyable.
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Overall
The Renault Clio stacks up a great deal of pluses and remarkably few minuses. The picks of the range are probably the 1.9dTi and the Renaultsport Clio 172, but if you ignore the slightly underpowered 1.2-litre models, you can't really go wrong. And if you can understand Renault's almost impenetrable trim levels, chances are you're too sharp to get hoodwinked into buying a lemon. If you want safety and style in a package with minimum risk, a used Clio is a good place to start.
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