Test Drive Review - Renault Clio 172

-westy-

-westy-

-westy-

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Had a test drive of a Clio 172, on an 03 plate. Here's my thoughts:

Interior

Well put together, nice solid, chunky interior. However, the dial surround felt a bit flimsy and plastic, not something you'd expect from a £7k car (this one was advertised at £6995 - overpriced I thought?). The heater controls felt very cheap too,very "clicky".

The seats were nice and supportive, and comfortable enough for me not to give them a second thought really. The driver's seat was easily adjustable, allowing a nice driving position.


Exterior

This particular Clio was in blue, one of the more common colours. It had an aftermarket cat-back exhaust fitted, which had a nice burble, and not too loud. Bar that, it was standard, the nice sporty look of a 172/182.


The Drive

To be honest, I didn't drive it for very long, about half an hour at most. From what I did do though, it did impress. Coming from a 205 GTi, i was used to no PAS, no ABS, no nothing. This particular Clio had PAS, which was strange to me, but it was very good, suprisingly weighty, which can't be a bad thing!

I took the car down a couple of A roads, Couldn't give it any right foot because I was stuck in traffic. Finally got to a dual carriageway, and booted it. All I can say is NIIIIIIIIIIICE :D Up to illegal speeds pretty quickly, then settled into an 80mph (ish :o) cruise. One thing thing I can say is that it needs a longer 5th gear, or a 6th, as I think that long journeys could get tiring.

Did about 5 miles on a dual carriageway, then whipped it around a roundabout (handled very nicely, didn't feel as if it was working too hard, probably down to the PAS) and booted it back the other way. The car seemed to spring to life as soon as I came off the roundabout, before I knew it i was into 3rd gear, flying along.


So, my thoughts? A very capable car, but IMO it takes a longer drive to get a better idea of what it's all about. I'm hoping to go back soon to get a longer (hopefully non-accompanied) drive.

Ben :)
 
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-westy- said:
Well put together, nice solid, chunky interior. However, the dial surround felt a bit flimsy and plastic, not something you'd expect from a £7k car (this one was advertised at £6995 - overpriced I thought?). The heater controls felt very cheap too,very "clicky".
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TBH dude thats exactly what i'd expect from a car only worth £7k at just 3 years old :o
 
I have not long sold my 53 plate one because once the shine worn off it was a horrible car to live with. It was loud, had a harsh ride and didnt like slow speeds when moving in traffic plus the inside was a simply horrid place to be. But tbh it may just be me becuase i know the lad i sold it to and he loves it.
 
People really do either love the Clio and not the Civic or vice versa.

Personally I didn't like the Civic so bought a Clio, but I know others who didn't like how the Clio drove and got a Civic instead :) What I always say when these two are compared is drive them both, then make your mind up.

I do 60 miles a day in mine and can't fault it too much really, and it's pretty cheap to run considering the performance you get for the money, just some of the services can be pricey unless you go to a specialist.

And yes it's orverpriced, 03 plater, albeit with 70k, but fully serviced, belts just changed and in the same colour is up for a grand less at a garage round here.
 
I dont get how you can like one and not the other, they are both 'proper' screaming hot hatches.

How did you find the steering feel and general balance between the clio and your pug, i always preferred the non pas gti compared to the pas gti, i felt more connected, and i felt the clio wasnt bad but it didnt quite feel right.
 
wohoo said:
I dont get how you can like one and not the other, they are both 'proper' screaming hot hatches.
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I actually wasn't a fan the first time round of the gearbox on the type R, and hated the steering :(
 
Ev0 said:
I actually wasn't a fan the first time round of the gearbox on the type R, and hated the steering :(
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Oh i absolutely love the gearbox, its like a switch, the steering was improved on the later models, but it still wasnt quite right.
 
wohoo said:
Oh i absolutely love the gearbox, its like a switch, the steering was improved on the later models, but it still wasnt quite right.
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I'm guessing the one I had was just knackered, the rest of the car wasn't in brilliant condition either. It was way too notchy, position was nice though. But I am particular about 'boxes for some reason, if I don't liek it then the car is pretty rubbish for me :( I was so disappointed when taking an Astra GSi on a test drive, yet my other halfs old micra has a lovely gear change!
 
Dont mean to have a pop, but sorry if it comes out as that way.... But you say about needing a longer 5th gear or possibly a 6th gear. The car isnt really designed for top speeds, hence the reason for it not havign a longer 5th gear. Its designed for twisty roads etc. :)
 
So you drove a 172 up a dual carriageway and back, sat in traffic for a bit, and reckon thats a review? Go back, take it again, do it properly.

2/10 for effort, must try harder :p
 
[TW]Fox said:
So you drove a 172 up a dual carriageway and back, sat in traffic for a bit, and reckon thats a review? Go back, take it again, do it properly.

2/10 for effort, must try harder :p
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Going to go back tomorrow and ask for a longer drive, preferably on my own :)

and tbh I really wasn't used to it, I've only ever owned 1 car with PAS, I was scared i was going to oversteer into a hedge :o:p
 
I went from a 1.9 Gti to a Clio 182 (with cup pack). Overall nice car etc.. good handling. Have to give it some booting to get anywhere (compare to the 205, had a lot more talk in the lower rev range) The Clio dont like slow moving traffic, clutch peddle sometimes makes sqeeky noise when engine is hot :confused: Dashboard rattles somtimes :confused:
Mine had 8k on the clock when i bought it in sept (54 plate, Jan 05)

Overall quick car, nice handling (imo not as good as the 205 however).
 
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