Clio 1.2 Advice please!

[PeterT]

Hi,
A couple of days ago my 85 year old Aunt rang me up to see if I would like her X reg Clio 1.2 as a gift.
I thought that it would be rude to say no as this could be a timely replacement for our 1988 Nova that is getting a bit long in the tooth!
I do not know which model it is and neither did she. All that she could tell me is that it has a sunroof and has 4 doors and is a 1.2.
It did not seem appropriate to ask about electric windows, central locking etc but what toys is it likely to have. I cannot pop round for a look as she lives 225 miles away and so the day of the pick up is the first proper look I will have.
Is it likely to be fuel injection? Is it going to be nippy?
Is it a DIY proposition to service, I enjoy messing about with the Nova as I can't do much on the GTI 1.8T or the S3 that we also own.
It has done about 29,000 miles, what big things might need changing? It has been serviced regularly including a mini service part way through the year.

This will mean that the Nova has to go. It is a 1.2L saloon (with a boot!)
54000 miles with full service history and excellent body work for it's age. It actually goes very well.
Taxed end of March and MOT until Sept 08. Runs on Shell V power as it was originally designed for 4* petrol. What do you think it is worth and where would be the best place to sell it?

Cheers, PeterT

 

[Duke]

Although I'm sure the Clio will be better than the Nova, a 1.2 will never be 'nippy'

 

[AndrewP]

We've a 99V one so should be similar and just have the basic level of equipment really, should have remote central locking, power steering and a CD player but electric windows will be unlikely and I don't think you get aircon in a 1.2 of any trim level. The engine is fuel injected and can return 50mpg but that's it for good points - it's pretty gutless (60hp) and revving just makes it noisier. It's OK round town but I wouldn't fancy taking it on motorways or anything like that.

Servicing is pretty straightforward I think, enough space in the engine bay, parts are cheap.

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/equipment/Summary.aspx?model=724 has a rundown of the various trim levels and equipment .

 

[russ9898]

i imagine it will be a 1.2 8v edition of the clio. will be fuel injection but yeah servicing yourself should not be a problem, theres a reasonable amount of room under the bonnet for playing and its all very simple

 

[Shimmy]

Depends what you mean by nippy.

I had a 1.2 clio as a first car, and tbh I liked it. Good handling and imo nippy for it's class, think it's fastest in it's class. You just have to rev the nuts off it just like any other 1.2, if you keep the revs up it'll go well till about 80 (Most I ever got out of it was 109 - speedo).

The less electrics it has, the more reliable it will be Mine didn't fail me (even though it had all the bells and whistles) but was starting to play up, hence moving on + I was constantly on about 4k revs.

I'd accept it for sure, you'll have some fun with it, unless you do motorway miles all the time.

 

[PeterT]

Regarding the nippy question, I have the S3 for smiles per mile. I just wondered if the Clio would be very sluggish or just sluggish?

PeterT

PS. Any thoughts on the Nova sale?

 

[Larnica]

Agree with Shimmy, I found mine nippy, aslong as you keep the rev's high Good MPG aswell (Well not if your going to be at the top of the rev meter all the time )

 

[Jez]

Regarding the nippy question, I have the S3 for smiles per mile. I just wondered if the Clio would be very sluggish or just sluggish?

PeterT

PS. Any thoughts on the Nova sale?

It'll be slow when it comes to longer trips, but around town and for short runs it should servce its purpose adequately. It'll be a lot better than that nova.

The sale of the Nova is a tricky one, i would put it on ebay for a £1 no reserve start and see how it does, you might be suprised at what you get for it, but in any event you will be sure to shift it.