1999 Renault Clio RN
For decades Europeans have enjoyed a robust segment of the automotive market we here in America never fully embraced. Known as the B-segment, it's populated by tiny cars, superminis as they're known, which are great for navigating the narrow roads of ancient towns and urban centers of Europe, but not imagined for the wide open roads of America. We have very small cars, but not with the same prevalence as you'll find in Europe where today you can still get a Renault Clio, Volkswagen Polo, Mazda 2, Toyota Yaris, and a bevy of other superminis.
For consignment, a 1999 Renault Clio RN with a title verified 132,119 actual kilometers, 82,095 miles in U.S. terms. This was legally imported from the Netherlands by our consignor who states there are likely less than ten Clios in the United States. That said, we're seeing more and more of these diminutive cars from Japan and Europe showing up at Cars and Coffee events and like the microcar set, they always elicit interest, questions, and smiles. Our consignor states the timing belt, head gasket, water pump and other components have been replaced.
Exterior
White, or should we say "Blanc," covers this little commuter cleanly and our consignor wrapped the hood in matte black but tells us the paint underneath is absolutely fine, he just wanted some contrast. That noir is picked up visually by the side body molding, bumper trim, and rear hatch crossbar which houses the third brake light. Flush headlights and lower grille form a happy grin while the vertical rear and short overhang have a slight Citroen vibe, or maybe that's just a French thing. Sacre bleu! Either way, the proportions just work on this super compact passenger car. The 16-inch wheels come from a later model Clio, (the original steel wheels are included), and give the car a surefooted stance while a long rear canted antennae adds a touch of sportiness to this demure runabout. A rock chip in the windshield and some curb rash on the wheels are the only imperfections we find on the exterior.
Interior
Back to the 90's we go with molded plastic door panels with multi colored cloth inserts with geometric designs, material that repeats on the front bucket seats which are tidy and in great shape. Shades of gray and blue fill the rear bench which looks factory fresh and is equipped with shoulder belts. A sporty steering wheel now presents to the driver, which is very cool, but does cause the airbag light to remain illuminated. Meanwhile, a basic instrument cluster has the speedometer flanked by a tach, water and fuel gauges, and a series of graphic idiot lights on each outer edge. A textured vinyl dash pad covers the hard plastics of the dash, where in the center we find an AM/FM/CD radio over vent controls eventually cascading to the center console where a monochromatic gray shifter rises to the driver with perfect positioning. The ash tray has been replaced with an immobilizer bypass needed for the spare key. Low pile black carpet covers the floor and is protected by fitted, carpeted mats and the soft gray headliner is in good condition. Open the rear hatch, and find a storage space for a few grocery bags, lined in gray flannel, and showing some use with a few scuffs but otherwise clean.
Drivetrain
Under the hood is a driver quality 1.4 liter 4-cylinder engine rated at 74 horsepower, fuel injected and mated to a 5-speed manual transmission keeping power in the front with 4.12 gears. Power brakes are supplied as front discs and rear drums.
Undercarriage
Other than some corrosion on the knuckles and rear axle, the underside is clean and mostly made up of flat pans. A single exhaust runs through a heat shield protected tunnel and wears a stock style muffler before exiting behind the rear valance. Suspension consists of Macpherson struts in front and coil springs in the rear.
Drive-Ability
If you have a Mini Cooper, you're familiar with the notion that the car is small on the outside but feels "normal" sized on the inside, and that's the case with this Clio and its comfortable cabin that does not feel cramped from the driver's seat although rear occupants might have a different perspective! The 4 banger starts right up and this peppy little car delivers smooth power, a smooth ride, nimble handling and it's darn fun! All functions onboard work as they should and we spin this buttery croissant back to the mall. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
At just 2,193 pounds, this gen II Clio has more than adequate pick up and over the top charm. You can tell by the window decals on the car it was owned by a true enthusiast and if you're looking for something different to exhibit at shows, it doesn't get much more uncommon than this supermini. Maybe you live in a small town with short commutes, a crowded city with limited parking, or just need to get to the other side of campus, this is the ideal car that fills a niche mostly unavailable in the states. No matter how you use it, be prepared for people exclaiming "Ooh la la!" when they see it. C'est magnifique!
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
