A bunch of questions..

[Aerilon]

Firstly, I wont pretend to know much about cars; I don't. As long as they can get me from A to B and look nice, I'm not so bothered about how fast they are or what not; though sometimes it is nice to have a big of power behind the wheel. I do however (as with everyone else) want to get the most for my money.

As some of you guys may know, early this month, I wrote off my car. It was a 8v, 1.2 Renault Clio Grande. My first question, is out of a 16v 1.2, and a 8v 1.4, which is the better car in terms of engine performance?

Also, there are a few choices for my next car (which I am hoping to purchase for under £3000). The five choices are as follows: Another Renault Clio (the later generation II model), a Peugeot 206, a Peugeot 306, a Volkswagen Golf (Mk 4), or a Vaxhaul Corsa (C type). Whatever I get will probably be a 1.4.

The Clio III, Volkswagen Golf (Mk 5), and the Vaxhaul Corsa (D type) all look like nice cars too, but I can't afford them. On a side note too, I took a 206 for a test drive the other week, though there were a few things I didn't quite like about it, one such thing was the clutch. A friend of mine told me today that you can adjust the bite point of the clutch in any car, though this is the first I ever heard of it. Anyone care to expand upon that?

My thanks in advance.

[Huffardo]

Out of those I'd recommend either the Clio or the 206 since you aim for a 1,4 litre engine, sharing most things with the Citroën ZX (I'm driving my sisters 1,8 litre ZX Break right now and actually like it even though the suspension is pretty useless) the 306 is a pretty nice car, but I would certainly not want it with anything smaller than the 1,6, the same goes for the Golf. The Corsa is not only ugly, but also an Opel. Out of those five the 206 looks the best, but AFAIK the Clio is supposed to be a bit better made (as an example the drivers seat in my grandparents old 206 broke in half only after a few years).

Reliability should be of no concern with any of those options, but the smaller cars will obviously be slightly more economical than the larger ones even if they share the same engine (as IIRC is the case with the 306 and 206). If comfort is a factor, go big and French, but remember to consider a larger engine.


As for the question of a 16 v 1,2 vs an 8 v 1,4, it all depends on the engines you compare. Generally speaking the 8 v 1,4 litre will however be more pleasant to drive and have better everyday performance, but loose in fuel economy to the smaller engine (provided the 1,2 is not too small for the car), which is also supposed to compensate for its lack of size by power high up the rev range.
Given those two engine choices with the same peak power figure I'd take the 1,4 any day of the week as you don't have to change gears and rev the hell out of quite it as much as would be the case with the 16 v 1,2. Not that I don't like changing gears and revving almost to the limiter, I just don't want to have to.


Clutch pedal movement can indeed easily be adjusted from the engine bay, but I'd worry about the clutch being close to the end of its life if it didn't feel like it should in that car (unfortunately I can't really remember how the clutch should feel in a 206 as I've only driven one once, but you can test drive another one). Obviously different car models have different feels to their clutches, but if that's all there is to it you'll easily get used to it.

[EO Violation]

Screw cars.
Get a bike.

I did. There's no going back now. I <3 meh Ducati.

[Aerilon]

Originally Posted by Huffardo

Out of those I'd recommend either the Clio or the 206 since you aim for a 1,4 litre engine, sharing most things with the Citroën ZX (I'm driving my sisters 1,8 litre ZX Break right now and actually like it even though the suspension is pretty useless) the 306 is a pretty nice car, but I would certainly not want it with anything smaller than the 1,6, the same goes for the Golf.

So, to sum up. If I go for a Clio or 206, then I'm ok for a 1.4, If I go for a 306 or Golf, get a 1.6?

Originally Posted by Huffardo

Clutch pedal movement can indeed easily be adjusted from the engine bay, but I'd worry about the clutch being close to the end of its life if it didn't feel like it should in that car (unfortunately I can't really remember how the clutch should feel in a 206 as I've only driven one once, but you can test drive another one). Obviously different car models have different feels to their clutches, but if that's all there is to it you'll easily get used to it.

Thats just the thing, I don't know how a clutch is like when its near death. I'll have to take another 206 out, along with a Clio at some point. Try to get a comparison of the two.

I thank you for all the info anyway.

Originally Posted by EO Violation

Screw cars. Get a bike.

Real Helpful. I have a bike, aMountainn Bike. I've no interest (yet) in Motorbikes.

[EO Violation]

I try.

You should too.

[Ihaterednecks]

I was wondering where you'd been.

[Huffardo]

Originally Posted by Aerilon

So, to sum up. If I go for a Clio or 206, then I'm ok for a 1.4, If I go for a 306 or Golf, get a 1.6?

Exactly. You might however be just fine with the 1,4 in the heavier cars too, if you don't plan on entering a motorway or overtaking anything faster than a tractor, in other words the smallest engines available are quite alright if you intend to stay in urban areas.

Originally Posted by Aerilon

Thats just the thing, I don't know how a clutch is like when its near death.

Me neither actually, never had the misfortune to come along a worn clutch yet.

Having trouble changing gears and the engine building up revs without the car accelerating should be signs of it though.

Originally Posted by Aerilon

I'll have to take another 206 out, along with a Clio at some point. Try to get a comparison of the two.

Yup, that's always a good idea, it would be foolish to buy a car purely based on the opinions of someone else.

[AmorOfExDreams]

Originally Posted by EO Violation

Screw cars.
Get a bike.

I did. There's no going back now. I <3 meh Ducati.

Spoiler:

Like this



Or like this?

[Warborg]

Originally Posted by EO Violation

Screw cars.
Get a bike.

I did. There's no going back now. I <3 meh Ducati.

You got rid of your Mustang?

[Anlushac11]

I like the looks of the Peugot 206 the best but VW has been making great strides to improve reliability, a reputation they used to be well known for.