2003 Renault Clio Reviews

Carsguide picks the best new and used performance cars for your money right now. As this month draws to a close, the new-car focus is on bargain buying but there are other segments with a quite healthy sales pulse, showing that Australians still like -- no, love -- cars that go.When Volvo decided to get serious about a Polestar performance push it chose Australia as the launching pad. Its Polestar S60 is already winning in V8 Supercar racing and the road-going version, after an early update and a recent price cut for Australia, is about to be rolled out around the world.The local brands are also doing great business, as Holden keeps cranking its SS Commodores, HSV does the top- end thing with the best Holden of all time, and Ford has a sellout success with its final GT 351 Falcon. Holden says its go-faster cars — the SS, SS-V and Redline — currently draw 23 per cent of buyers and a whacking 37 per cent of VF Commodore buyers want a V8 under the bonnet.But European companies such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and even Renault are converting this need for speed, as much as you can in 2014, into driving enjoyment and hot rod hero cars for Australian drivers.There is a waiting list at BMW dealerships for the impressive new M3 and M4 we have just tested in Europe, and Audi has never had more S and RS models, but the showroom support for Renault Sport RS and Mercedes-AMG has made them much more than just spin-off divisions.In fact, RS and AMG cars are more likely to get buyers excited than any of the regular Renault or Benz machines. "Motorsport is at the heart of Renault's DNA and the Renault Sport brand enables us to transfer this racing pedigree to our passenger vehicles." In 2013, Australia was the second highest selling country in the world for the Megane RS 265," says Renault Australia spokeswoman Emilie Fadeyev. "The Renault Sport brand was first seen in Australia with the second-generation Clio RS introduced in 2001," she says. "Today, with the expansion of the Renault Sport range and the growing popularity within the Australian market, Renault Sport represents approximately 14 per cent of our total sales." The story is similar at Mercedes-Benz, where AMG is a sales winner for Australia. "We are consistently in the top five worldwide for penetration and, 2013, Australia-New Zealand was No. 1 worldwide," says Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman David McCarthy. "So far this year, AMG models account for about 9 per cent of sales locally, which is a new high. Total demand continues to outstrip supply." HOLDEN COMMODORE SS - From $42,490 Rating: 4/5 Engine: 6.0-litre V8, 270kW/530Nm Transmission: 6-speed man/auto; RWD Thirst: 12.3L/100km The V8-powered Holden hero is a long-term favourite in Australia and has never been better for quality, comfort or driving enjoyment. It's also a relative bargain and taps everything from links to V8 Supercar racing to Holden's history as the country's favourite brand. MERCEDES-BENZ A45 AMG - From $74,900 Rating: 4/5 Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo, 265kW/450Nm Transmission: 7-speed auto; AWDThirst: 6.9L/100km The only thing against the A45 is the price. It's a genuine pocket rocket that was developed by AMG, one of the world's most sophisticated and experience hot-shops. It runs against the grain with all-wheel drive and turbo engine but is a rorty little funster. RENAULT CLIO RS 200 - From $29,290 Rating: 4/5 Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo, 147kW/240Nm Transmission: 6-speed dual-clutch man; FWD Thirst: 6.3L/100km When people think of Renault Sport they usually think of the Megane, but it's the Clio that sets the new standard for fun. It's a car that's sharply focused, tweaked with the right sort of go-faster gear and is affordable for anyone who craves a car that's more than just an econobox.SECOND HAND: BMW M3 It's not gone yet, but the arrival of a new twin-turbo, six-cylinder M3 means the outgoing V8-powered car is going to become a classic. The new car is set to be an M3 landmark — the same goes for the M4 coupe — but there is still something special about a luxury compact with a thumping V8 in the nose.There are already people snapping up the last of the superseded M5 sedans with a V10, not the new-age turbo V8, and we're expecting the same thing for the M3 V8. It's a car that has incredible charisma and packs the one thing that every homegrown Aussie muscle car since the 1980s has been built around: a V8 with a rumbling exhaust note and a smile-making combination of power and torque.

Ewan Kennedy reviews the first, second, third and fourth generation Renault Clio as a used buy.

The Japanese and the Koreans hold sway in the small car segment, they have done for years, but there are now also a number of European brands, like Renault, fighting for a share of the highly competitive market.Renault returned to the market in its own right in 2001, but prior to that it had a somewhat chequered history under the control of independent importers.If you were to turn the clock back 30 years ago you’d find Renault was a well respected brand with a loyal following, but that was eroded through the ’80s and ’90s when it stuttered and stumbled along and lost the confidence of the market. Buyers could never be really sure their dealer would be there when they next took their car in for service.With that background Renault had plenty of ground to make up when it stepped in and took over the distribution of the brand itself in 2001.It hasn’t set the world on fire since it did take back control; instead it has gone along quietly without much fuss as it has worked to rebuild the brand in the eyes of the market.MODEL WATCH The Clio was a small hatch that was given a tough task when Renault launched it against the heavyweights of the small car market in a category that was traditionally price driven.To succeed Renault had to convince buyers that it was worth paying a little more for the features and refinement of a European brand.The problem for Renault was that the mostly Japanese competition had lifted their game considerably and brands like Mazda and Honda were selling some pretty hot little cars.But the Clio had plenty to offer anyone who cared to take a closer look. It was an attractive looking little car with a dash of French flair that made it stand out from the Japanese crowd; it was packed with plenty of features and was a fun little car to drive.The company first hit the market in 2001 with a handful of hot 2.0-litre Clio Sport three-door models to help kick-start the brand with a sporting image.They were followed a few months later by a facelifted model, and with that came the full range.There were three and five-door hatches, with three levels of equipment, and a number of limited edition models that came with a few extra features.Engine choices were 1.4, 1.6 and 2.0-litre, but the 1.4-litre was the only one available with an automatic transmission.The engines were all double overhead camshaft units and willing little things if you were prepared to rev them.At the entry end of the range the 1.4-litre engine put out 72 kW at 6000 revs along with 127 Nm at 3750 revs.The 1.6-litre delivered a little more power and torque, with 79 kW and 148 Nm respectively, but it was the 2.0-litre that really provided the thrills with 124 kW and 200 Nm.The 1.4-litre auto Expression five-door hatch kicked off the range in style by winning the trophy for the best small car in the 2002 ‘Australia’s Best Cars’ award.When stacked up against other small cars it was well equipped with standard features like air, adjustable steering wheel, power front windows, six-speaker sound system with cassette player, remote central locking and an engine immobiliser.Step up to the five-door Privilege or three-door Dynamique and you got the 1.6-litre engine and a five-speed manual gearbox. You also got the extra comfort of climate control air, a trip computer, lumbar adjustment for the driver’s seat, and a CD player.At the top of the range was the fun-filled Sport three-door hatch that boasted the 2.0-litre engine. Light and powerful the Sport delivered high performance with go-kart like handling and powerful braking power courtesy of its disc brakes on all four wheels.The lesser models were more biased towards ride and quiet comfort, but still handled well if not quite as direct and precise as the Sport.Being small there isn’t heaps of room inside the Clio. It was fine for those sitting in the front that enjoyed a comfortable time in supportive seats, but those in the rear found themselves a little cramped.IN THE SHOP The Clio is mostly reliable without any major problems.Those problems it does have tend to be fairly minor ones, like electrical faults, warning lights staying on, and sometimes difficult starting.Other than those there can be the odd oil leak around the engine.The engines have a cam timing belt that requires changing at 100,000 km and it’s important that it is changed. A breakage can lead to major internal damage to the engine that’s expensive to repair.It’s also worth checking where you will get your Renault serviced as there aren’t as many dealers around as there are for other makes. The big cities are pretty well covered, but the country isn’t.IN A CRASH The Clio is pretty well equipped to handle a crash. All models had dual front airbags, along with the dynamic safety of ABS antiskid brakes and emergency brake assist.ESP was added to the Sport in 2003.AT THE PUMP Premium is the recommended fuel for all Clio models.The 1.4-litre models should return 6-8 L/100 km, the 1.6-litre 7-9 L/100 km, and the 2.0-litre Sport should get 8.5-10 L/100 km depending on how hard it’s driven.OWNERS SAY Tony Muir replaced his 2002 VW Polo, which he describes as a disaster, with a 2003 Renault Clio Expression Verve 1.4. He reckons the Clio was a great little car. The upsides, he says were the road holding and braking, which made him feel safe, the French style, the interior, firm supportive seats, and good-sized boot, and the fuel economy. The downsides were the noise through the gears, the sluggish acceleration, the lack of rear seat room and low roofline that cramped the rear seat passengers. Tony also had the expensive misfortune to break a timing belt at four years and six months when the car had done 67,000 km. It did considerable internal damage to the engine and he says owners should be aware of the potential consequences of not changing the belt.THE BOTTOM LINE Sweet driving hatch with French flair, but lacks interior room and comprehensive dealer network.RATING 70/100