USED Renault Clio Hatchback (98 - 05)

My car

This car is fantastic, two-year service intervals, 36-plus mpg combined with cheap insurance, good equipment levels and a dusting of French flair. The car is very surefooted and offers excellent safety features. A bonus for us is the fact that the passenger airbag can be switched off when the baby seat needs to go in the front and is easily switched back on for normal use.

My car

A practical car that doesn't cost a fortune to run, the height-adjustable seat makes it comfortable for shorter drivers and the range of equipment on offer means there's something for everyone.

My car

In short, the car is a little rocket - tops I have had 204kph out of it.

I agree it can be a little loud - this can be reduced somewhat by tyre change.

The cruise-control I have found invaluable as on its regular long journeys, it’s ideal. Alternative choice:

Having looked at a Ford Fusion 1.6 as a second car, we made a test drive the Fusion was basically good, the motor and equipment levels were dire and the 1.6 motor was more like a 1.1 "Good concept – Poor result"

Front seat adjustment is the worst part on the Clio – "seat-angle" adjustment is difficult to fine tune. Much better is as on the Scenic where it's an adjustable wheel.

Turning circle is larger than a Scenic, although the steering ratio is lower!

On a comparison with the Scenic, the Clio is a little too lowly geared, starting off in second is no problem – originally it had 195/15/50s – the Scenic equivalent of the 195/15/65 helps and the diff in the speedo is not too bad.

The only thing working against this Clio in this configuration (small car, larger motor) is out on the road its doesn’t look brisk – thus you get the tailgaters - one press of the resume on the cruise and you're gone – definitely a wolf in sheep's clothing.

All in all an inexpensive fun car – backed up with a good after-deal by Renault and a lot cheaper that the 2.0-litre and V6.

My car

I have had a Fiat Punto a Ford Fiesta a 206 and this is the finest-handling most compliant most comfortable of them all. Yes the boot is small in comparison to the Punto but its tall rear makes the 206 seem silly. It is easy to use and I find very reliable with comfort and style totally missing from Ford, Vauxhall, Fiat etc.