Clio - any disadvantages vs Ka

TheBazman · 27-02-2010 3:40pm #1

Hi all

Sister in law changing from her 5th Ka. Had a look at a new one this mng and got a reasonable trade in price. After that we went and test drove a new Clio. Versus the Ka all it's missing really is alloys. It's 750 euro more expensive in terms of cost to change however it has 2 more doors, seems a fair bit bigger and more solid (she does a fair bit of motorway driving) and has a much bigger boot. She is now almost settled on the Clio which I tend to agree with. Are there any advantages to the Ka she should consider? For 750 euro would anyone go for the Ka instead?

Cheers

zilog_jones · 27-02-2010 4:34pm

The Clio is a supermini, the Ka is a city car. If you want to compare like for like look at the Ka vs. Twingo, or the Fiesta vs. Clio. Running costs will probably be slightly higher for the Clio.

TheBazman · 27-02-2010 4:41pm

Cheers yeah I think that's why the Clio makes more sense. It's definitely a step up and given the motorway driving the Clios extra solidity would be a benefit.

Ernest · 27-02-2010 5:36pm

The Clio isn't much of a car but the Ford Ka is more an unfunny joke of a car. Would you seriously bee seen in one???

Anan1 · 27-02-2010 5:41pm

Ernest wrote: »

The Clio isn't much of a car but the Ford Ka is more an unfunny joke of a car. Would you seriously bee seen in one???

Wouldn't bother me in the slightest. But then again, impressing strangers isn't high up the list of things I want my car to do.

TheBazman · 27-02-2010 6:00pm

Ernest wrote: »

The Clio isn't much of a car but the Ford Ka is more an unfunny joke of a car. Would you seriously bee seen in one???

That's really helpful. One - the car isn't for me and two - I'm sure we'd all like to be "seen" in a Ferrari but unfortunately we live in the real world where budgets apply.

alias no.9 · 27-02-2010 6:47pm

Ernest wrote: »

The Clio isn't much of a car but the Ford Ka is more an unfunny joke of a car. Would you seriously bee seen in one???

I'd be delighted to be seen in one and the thing the 'seeers' would notice most would be my smile becase they're a hoot to drive. I still miss my wifes old Ka, the Micra she replaced it with isn't nearly as much fun, even if will go around roundabouts on 3 wheels if you want it to.
Some people of course may not have enough self confidence to enjoy themselves without worrying about what other people think.

Stevie Dakota · 27-02-2010 6:49pm

TheBazman wrote: »

That's really helpful. One - the car isn't for me and two - I'm sure we'd all like to be "seen" in a Ferrari but unfortunately we live in the real world where budgets apply.

Not only unhelpful, but inaccurate. The Clio is held in high regard by owners, the trade and journalists, and that is a rare thing.

27-02-2010 6:58pm

so is the ka ! As mentioned you are not comparing like with like, the fiesta is fords alternative to the clio. Despite the bargain basement renault price scheme ford continue to out sell the french product.

Saab Ed · 27-02-2010 7:52pm

RoverJames wrote: »

so is the ka ! As mentioned you are not comparing like with like, the fiesta is fords alternative to the clio. Despite the bargain basement renault price scheme ford continue to out sell the french product.

The old Ka is held in high regard by its owners but only in a kinda loving cult following sorta way. The same way Old Mini and Bettle owners loved their cars too, lots of character and great fun but ultimatly in the real world, everyday driving way they are crap.

The new Ka is a Fiat 500/Panda in drag, even down to the switch gear and its made side by side with the Panda in the worlds crapiest car factory in Poland. Much as I love 500's and Pandas ,all of their character is lost in the Ka which just looks like a chewed up fruit pastile IMO. As somebody said before you cant compare the Ka with the Clio because the Clio is in a different class......in more ways than one

27-02-2010 7:59pm

The character may be lost but they are still a very good city car. As for old Ka, they don't give trouble so they are well appreciated by their owners. They were bought by learner drivers or as urban shopping trolleys so in the real world they are fairly nifty at doing what is required of them, A to B, cheap, reliable transport

I wouldn't think they have any sort of cult following like the original beetle or Mini.

For the sake of €750 I'd buy a Clio over a Ka if I had to chose between the two.

bazz26 · 27-02-2010 9:51pm

Apparently there are long waiting lists for the Clio, demand is that strong under the Scrappage Scheme.

TheBazman · 27-02-2010 10:29pm

Yeah both Ka and Clio selling very well according to the sales guys we met, altho they would say that. The waiting time for the Ka was quite long given they are changing the specs and supply is thin, for the Clio Royale you can get one straight away.

Guy:Incognito · 28-02-2010 2:23am

OT. But I really dont know why the old ka sold at all. The were as many alternatives as you like it was a hatefull little yoke. The interior wasnt nice. It was'nt comfortable compared to anything else in it's class and it looked like the whole car was about to drop of the back axle.

Havent been in a new one but the view from the outside isnt any better.

I certanly wouldnt be picking it over a Twingo/Aygo/C1 etc never mind a car a segment above like a Clio . Especially if the difference is only €700.

TheBazman · 28-02-2010 11:27am

Interestingly as I said she has had 5 Kas but last year got an Aygo from a Toyota garage for a weekend - she said she has never been so scared in a car. She thought it was going to blow away on the motorway.

The Pontiac · 28-02-2010 12:09pm

bazz26 wrote: »

Apparently there are long waiting lists for the Clio, demand is that strong under the Scrappage Scheme.

Only a long waiting list for the 3-Door (few months). No problem getting the 5-Door pretty much straight away.

J_Wholesale · 28-02-2010 2:58pm

I test drove a new Ka last week. My left knee kept knocking against the new panel where they've elevated the gear stick. I'm only 5' 10", and it was a little off putting. Settled on a 3 door Hyundai i20 instead. Way roomier, if not quite so slick inside.

bazz26 · 28-02-2010 9:39pm

<Ollie> wrote: »

Only a long waiting list for the 3-Door (few months). No problem getting the 5-Door pretty much straight away.

The 3 door is substantially cheaper than the 5 door under the scrappage scheme and more comparable with the KA which is 3 door only and similarly priced.

ninty9er · 28-02-2010 10:09pm

If she's doing a lot of motorway driving I'd suggest she'd rethink the size of car altogether. Fair enough once in a while in a Clio or Ka, but a lot, no way!!!

The only real supermini I'd consider solid enough and well enough centred for motorway is the Punto, but then again, even at that it's be a pain to do regularly.

Of the 2, Ka vs Clio, probably Ka on resale potential.

Leonard Hofstadter · 01-03-2010 9:34am

Would the OP's sis in law not consider a Fiesta?

01-03-2010 9:37am

captainspeed wrote: »

Would the OP's sis in law not consider a Fiesta?

Bit pricier than the Clio 3 door.

bazz26 · 01-03-2010 10:24am

About €3k of a difference under the scrappage scheme. Renault misjudged demand for the 3 door Clio under the scrappage scheme and cannot get them out of the factory quick enough.

The Pontiac · 01-03-2010 9:07pm

bazz26 wrote: »

The 3 door is substantially cheaper than the 5 door under the scrappage scheme and more comparable with the KA which is 3 door only and similarly priced.

The 5-Door Clio can be bought for €10,700 (inc. del and met paint) under the scrappage scheme. The 3-Door advertised for €8,990 didn't include metallic paint or delivery, so I would say it's substantially cheaper.

bazz26 wrote: »

About €3k of a difference under the scrappage scheme. Renault misjudged demand for the 3 door Clio under the scrappage scheme and cannot get them out of the factory quick enough.

I know someone that got prices for both a 5-Door Fiesta and a 5-Door Clio, and the difference was exactly €2K.

Clio - any disadvantages vs Ka

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