saints_forever

My mate is going to view an 02 plate Clio v6 and has asked what I think. My last car was a Clio 182 (which was very reliable) so I have some idea of clios however the v6 is completely different. Has any one ever driven one? Opinions please?

And no 'its French' opinions please

Wagon_Si

iTrader: (2)

go onto the cliov6.net forum. a few mates have them, i think important to check for accident damage as they are prone to being a bit of a handful on the limit, especially the phase 1's like you mention, phase 2's had a longer wheelbase to try and calm them down a bit.

some parts can be expensive to replace, check that cam belt servivenhas been dobe, as it is quite a big job.

i can recommend sg motorsport in chippenham, wiltshire for any servicing needs as scott is very knowledgable with these.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

I remember seeing a twin test between one of these and a 182 Cup.

The tester said that, although the V6 was faster off the mark and in a straight line, the 182 held it's own round a track, and was more fun and easier to drive.

Ash170990

iTrader: (1)

i love the look of the V6 clios! if he buys one, make sure its a phase 2, as the phase ones were a bit of ahandfull on the roads (suspension set up for track and just put road tyres on them!) it is a very had car to drive on its limits beging RWD and such a short wheel base its very easy to spin them!

More of a cruisers car but look and sound the ****!

leeds_182

iTrader: (2)

It would have to be the ph2 v6 for me. I just can't get on with the ph1 front end.

Blue and Gold

iTrader: (1)

I've never been in one or driven one but I love the way they look, especially in acid yellow

saints_forever

Thanks for the info all.

I agree the ph2 looks better, though was unaware of handling differences etc, not too sure if his budget stretches quite that far. I shall try and convince him to reconsider and save a bit more!

ScoobyJawa

mk1 had ropey handling IIRC, tamed a bit in the mk2

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

I had one years ago, what a smart little car! Very warm in there though!

My advice, don't listen to anyone who says get a 172/182 as they're just as quick. The whole ownership experience of the v6 is great.

Littleted

mate had a blue 1 at work, agree with James above.

They are fast and noticeably faster than a 182, but get very warm inside due to the MASSIVE engine behind you. Even when it was raining we had windows down hehe

bad thing about them was the turning circle, or lack of

EddScott

Friend had one for a while and enjoyed it. Oddly he managed a number of trackdays and a trip to the 'ring without incident yet managed the crash an Impreza within a week!

SRSport

£1000 for a cambelt service?


Clio V6 ad

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

If he keeps the miles sensible, it'll be depreciation free motoring.

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

i dont get it, a 2 seat clio that handles bad.

scooblet

iTrader: (5)

I would rather have the 106 rallye!

billythekid

I was doing a lot of track days in 2002/3/4 and there were a lot of these on track. Not that quick TBH over a lap. BUT as a thing to look at, they are special - which is what counts TBH. I would get a 100% OE car with FSH and keep it like that - get one in a nice colour. I would have one in a heart beat.

chrispy200+

iTrader: (2)

Look very nice but expensive for stuff like can belts, coil packs if I remember right and also not that quick. My 330bmw with 230 bhp was only just slower than my mates old one

Not the best drive either, the 182 would be a better car if imagine but not have the same road presence or sound track

saints_forever

I think he's looking more at the styling over performance (only slightly though). He's had plenty journeys in my old 182 so knows them well. I've passed on all the info, especially regarding the handling, and he's now uumm'ing and aaarrrr'ing! The servicing cost etc doesn't bother him too much as he's a lazy git and still lives at home with the parents (no ambitions to move out....don't even get me started on that one). He viewed a ph1 and really liked it, but walked away as I told him not to buy one until he has looked at a ph2 properly in the flesh. Only trouble is he hasn't seen a ph2 to view, so I can see him doing his usual impatient thing and buying the one he's seen!

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

I love 'em...very nearly bought one but the Frenchness worried me so I went all sensible and boring and bought a R32

Sod the reviews and what the journalists say.
Who cares if its 'not that quick'. It is quick, just in a different way
Its RWD
Its mid engined
Its got a proper engine and soundtrack, not some wheezy 4pot.
And...well, just look at it. There is nothing out there on the road like it.

I suppose the only requirments is to make sure you're a good driver as it has very typical handling of a mid/rear engined car (plenty of VX220s, Elises, MR2 turbos, NSXs etc have seen similar fates). And of course accepting of typical French car electrics and impossible to access mechanicals (182 ain't much better to work on...ever done a dephaser on one?..I have, its a PITA )

brendy76

iTrader: (6)

Heard that myself.

Rob669

Like the Reanult Turbo 2 before it, the V6 Clio will still be special in another 10 or 20 years time. I have been driven on track in four of these over the years (I used to track my 172 Clio) and they have a little extra power at the top end, but as has someone said, it's power in a different way. Fantastic cars.

Peedee

iTrader: (4)

Used to have a mate that had a phase 1. I never went in it, but it did seem pretty nippy watching it from a spectators point of view. Sounded awesome aswell. Massive road presence too...people would constantly look at, go check it out when it was parked up etc (could be good or bad depending on how you look at it!!).

Also, IIRC, cambelt replacement is so costly because its a total sod of a job and you need special tools to do it. Practicality isn't the V6's strong point either, although i don't think practicality comes into it if you're even considering buying a v6. The interior is far better on the mk2 aswell.

scoobydreamer11

Mate who is a renault nut has a phase one and is a very good driver on the limit - had to substantially slow down initially and reckoned his 172 and 182 was quicker a to b.

Coilovers (bc iirc) and a four wheel alingnment totally transformed the car and he is back 'on it' again.

I have to say a stunning looking car but why didn't Renault sort it out to start with....

He still says the quickest car he has driven is the spec d he had but the best was his turbo 2 - now that had a soundtrack and a half...

Mart

adam knight

iTrader: (3)

I owned one a couple of years back, looks amazing and get a lot of attention, not the quickest thing in the world if your comparing it to a 350 bhp subaru, turning circle is crap, and they feel unstable at high speed as the steering becomes very sensitive.engine parts ain't too expensive if you shop around. And as for review most of them are very good.. Apart from the handling issue on the ph1 If I remember Right Evo mag rated of one of the best cars ever for under 10k

Truss

iTrader: (2)

My mate has a 182, and the chap that looks after it has a ph2 V6. Its a great car, but he as a RS specialist admits that they are a bit fragile. He's rebuilt the gearbox twice in recent years.

thenewgalaxy

Recently owned a Clio 200 Cup. Was a terrific car down back roads I was very fond of it. Would even say it was the perfect car for a young driver keen on a junior performance car.

Unfortunately compared to a lot of cars it lacked pace and after being blasted by a few relatively rapid cars such as S3s and Boxsters I never recovered mentally from being eaten alive by a Mondeo diesel estate on the motorway.

Drove a Phase 2 Clio V6 in anger a few years ago when I was out on the track a lot more often. I found it to be nervous toward the limit and nowhere near as quick point to point as I thought it should have been, in fact I was surprised how disproportionately (un)quickly these things go compared to the effort put in. Driving one like a nutter on the limit does not necessarily make you go much faster than if you are half trying. It is also very easy to swap ends in one of these and I found that it was best to use the car for driving smoothly at five tenths (to choose a good line) and then ragging on straights. For all the meaty steering feel and slick gearbox (and an incredible sound in the cabin) it just wasn't the monster I wanted it to be.

However, it looks the dog's and I can certainly see the appeal as it is quite a special car to be in, provided you can accept the very obvious shortcomings. I reckon it guaranteed future classic status for its "specialness".