So after posting the above about 3 weeks ago, im now the owner of:
(phone pics)
Its hard to explain the differences after 150 miles, i wouldnt go so far as to say "its better than the Clio" i think both have good/bad points. My observations so far:
Good:
+ Torque. Pulls alot more freely in every gear low down.
+ Design/Style a more modern feeling place to be. The Mk3 Clio design i think is showing its 6yrs+ of age now.
+ MPG. Trip computer is reading 31mpg compared with the Clios 26mpg.
Bad:
- Gearbox. Doesnt feel as precise as the Clios. The travel between gears seems vague until you find the notch.
- Clutch. The biting point seems very low down and is an "all or nothing" theres no gradual bite and alot of un-used pedal travel.
- Rear visibility. So bad! Its almost like you're looking out of a periscope, even the rear wiper is an obstruction to your line of sight.
As i mentioned above about fuel, owning this now makes me realise how bad the mk3 Clio really is for fuel economy. I did 100 miles of dual carriageway back from the dealer, then took it out around the Peak District this morning during the nice weather for 50 miles of twisty B-road, 3rd gear fun with the bikers and im still going to get nearly 32mpg!
But yeah deffinately in honeymoon period at the moment, cant stop looking at it even if it is a swirl bus thanks to the dealers "valet" :cloud9:
