Saw one the other day and thought it looked quite smart.

Since it's the only automatic 5 door rival outside of the other VAG products, I wondered how it compared?

Go drive one. I did.

Fun, and about 4-5 grand more.

A bit heavy and not as fast as a Mk2 vRS Fabia, handles OK. 

Settings to be played about with for handling, so thats just more to go wrong IMO.

 

I would not buy one used even when they become much cheaper.

 

george

The interior seems to have a lot going on too, but doesn't seem to be of the highest quality.

 

How did you find the gearbox?

It was OK, but i do not use paddles on a vRS and did not really have interest on the Clio, it just does not act quick like a DSG.. 

 

The car just was not that fast, but it might when run in , it only had about 800 miles on it.

It will not get lighter though, it is lardy.

It does sit the road well, and turns well, but then its weight and tyres are all part of that, not just suspension which 

is very different from a vRS.

 

You can choice the noise it makes, but that is just odd IMO.

The leather was nice, but the rest was just a bit trashy, but just probably that i like cars to be simple and boring inside.

 

george

most press reports have said the gearbox isn't a patch on the VAG units..... VAG have been developing and refining them for many years now, this is new from renault designed in-house....

 

they say it doesn't react to paddle inputs... my vRS does... very quickly, if not instantly!

My paddle inputs are awesome, and although they are stuck on with double sided tape, I cannot enthuse enough about my paddle extenders, they just make the shifts so much more accessible and leaves my hands just where I want them on the wheels.

On the Renault, been in the previous model and it was no joy to live with, if the next one has continued this then cabin refinement creaks ET al will abound.

Steering mighty enjoyable, engine only warm when off the boil.

Have seen one and admired it disappearing in my rear views a week or so ago. Driver looked dumbfounded, bloody badge snob.

the VAG DSG is tried and tested now.  When it first came out there were masses of issues.  Id expect Renault will go through the same problems now they are mass producing a double clutch gearbox.

the VAG DSG is tried and tested now.  When it first came out there were masses of issues.  Id expect Renault will go through the same problems now they are mass producing a double clutch gearbox.

exactly what i thought, there will be LOTS of updates as the next few months/years go by to improve it....

 

I like buying cars at the "end" of their life as a model, as most things are sorted

 

renault may have shot themselves in the foot with the new RS, people are likening it more to the focus ST , as an "everyday car" that you can take to the track, where the old RS was the "king" of the track.... the new RS is actually SLOWER round a trackthan the previous model , now, I dont think thats such a bad thing, but the RS enthusiasts and press WILL!

 

edit: and how cheap is the fiesta ST in comparison?!?!?!?

We have quite a few new ones around this way.

They obviously need driving and with a knowledge of gears, power band, and are not just point boot it and go.

 

I have met a few Fiesta ST now out and about.

Usually after having had the cheek to go passed them. Coming out of a roundabout or up a dual carriageway type thing.

The drivers must be taking it easy with new cars or need to get the extra Tuning done,

because they seem to lack enough pickup at around 60-70.

 

Maybe the drivers are taking it easy, or just not dropping a gear or 2.

But then why bother trying to get up somebodies jacksy unless you actually can keep on going.

 

Has anyone seen a Fiesta ST up a strip yet.?

 

These are not ones that have been playing, i was just checking out how they are fugly from behind in Red.

But i do like Fugly cars, and ones that are trying to look like Aston Martins from the Front.