Renault Symbol test drive since 2008 sedan
Filted small
What kind of tricks are the marketers of foreign car concerns for the sake of creating a cheap machine for developing countries! Nevertheless, the most popular move of simplification of an existing model. The result of the efforts of designers often become extremely unaesthetic products like Renault Symbol. However, despite external absurdity, they gain popularity. The Renault Clio Symbol appeared in 2000 (two years later the car was restored, and at the same time reduced the name to just Symbol) was adjusted to the requests of a typical consumer from the country of the so -called third world. Do local buyers love sedans? Get it: the trunk was literally stuck to the hatchback (moreover, from an aesthetic point of view). Well -groomed consumers prefer that the prices of cars are low? We will do it, we will only deploy production in some country with inexpensive labor. And the French chose Turkey, and later Russia. The result was a relatively cheap and rather modern four -door sedan. But is it really the car that Russians need?
Enterly Symbol will not call either Ethiopus, nor Hungarian, nor Russian: the trunk looks just ridiculous, as if a lover of artisanal tuning made a dummy from cardboard and glued it to the fifth door! But this foreign body has an unrealistic capacity: you can push the luggage of 510 liters there! For sedans of this class, this is almost a record. But the salon is hardly pleased with the expanse: inside it is a Clio class B, no more and no less. As for the design, it is quite pleasant (of course, it should be noted that it was updated from time to time, and the machines of the year of production are very simple: some have no glove compartment!) The materials of the finish are quite acceptable: of course, that If they appeared even in Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse, it would look frankly mocked over the brand, but in a budget class car they are in their place
(It would be incorrect to call the materials cheap, if only because the car itself is also, in fact, cheap). There is nothing to complain about in terms of ergonomics: the car is simple, not burdened with various lotions, and yet the existing buttons are easily available. However, the equipment is poor: you can only count on the front electric windows and on a simple radio. There are quite few cars equipped, for example, air conditioners. But there is no and no problems with the corps, since he is not afraid of corrosion, and the electrician is quite reliable, although rare failures are still possible. For example, an immobilizer sometimes broke in the first cars produced, and in later sometimes a disease that is still familiar with Renault 19 is felt, the license plate illumination is burned out.
On the Symbol go, quite a pleasant machine: a low weight promotes good dynamics, which provokes owners to a rather energetic riding. At the same time, the car is prayer, maneuverable (it would, because it was created on the basis of Clio, and he was considered a groovy from the moment of birth). Plus, the suspension is quite soft and energy -intensive. But it is especially good that on our broken roads on Symbol you can travel confidently: the bottom is completely closed by steel sheets that protect brake tubes and the gang of the crankcase, and the baby’s road lumen is quite worthy of 165 mm! This is how the car was prepared for operation in Russia, and it pleases. On the Russian market there are Symbol with 1.4-liter engines of two types: with 8- and 16-valve GBC
(The first develops a capacity of 75 hp, the second as much as 98). Both power units have established themselves well in our country: they have decent traction properties and are quite unpretentious. Planned maintenance (oil and oil filter replacement, as well as spark plugs), it is advisable to carry out every 15 thousand km (however, the oil change interval is permissible and reduced worse), while every 60 thousand km should change the timing belt with rollers, and to a heap and a drive belt of auxiliary units. By the way, an 8-valve engine may require a pump replacement. A less powerful motor suffers from the quality of our fuel: the nozzles are quickly clogged, and every year they do not interfere with washing. At the same time, it should be noted that, unlike a 16-valve engine in a simpler unit, it is necessary to periodically (once by 80-100 thousand km) 
thermal gaps of valves. Those who preferred a more powerful motor are not worthwhile about the operation of injection and gas distribution systems, but some features of operation should be taken into account. As in the case of the senior Megane model, due to the lack of tags, it is difficult to set the phases when replacing the timing belt (therefore, this procedure can only be entrusted to Renault specialists) plus often outsistent ignition coils. Boxes in most of the machines are mechanical (Symbol automatic machines appeared relatively recently). They do not deliver special troubles: there is no need in the periodic replacement of the oil, although if you wish or with the appropriate state of lubrication, this operation can still be carried out. Clutch also lives for quite some time (120 thousand km with normal operation, it leaves without problems). The only remark: you need to monitor the condition of the oil seals, since the gearboxes in Renault traditionally do not like poor quality oil or its too low level.
The suspension (for the envy of the owners of other Renault) has a durable and hardy, it was not without reason that the car was finalized with the expectation of operation in difficult conditions. If you move more or less neatly, then for several years you will not have to buy any parts for suspension! For example, the bushings of the reptile stability stabilizer, ball supports, as well as steering rods, go up to 100 thousand km without any signs of malaise. Shock absorbers serve about the same. Rubber -metal hinges in the suspension sometimes withstand 150 thousand km. There are no complaints about the brakes: the front pads will most likely pass thirty thousand (despite the fact that the discs are two times more durable), and the rear ones may not require replacement and kilometers of one hundred thousand (since drum mechanisms are installed here). 
Sometimes, for the sake of the desired result, I do not want to overcome my own. The sedan built on the basis of the Clio compact hatchback clearly demonstrates that for the sake of practicality, reliability, feelings of confidence on bad roads and comfort (especially when all this is offered at such a pleasant price), it is worth closing your eyes to a non -aesthetic appearance, and on the lack of prestige . If, when choosing a car, a show -off role does not play a decisive role, then a used Symbol can be safely considered one of the best solutions to the transport problem for the representative of the Russian middle class. Some characteristics
Type of body sedan
The number of doors 4
Sum of places 5
Length 4171 mm
Width 1639 mm
Height 1437 mm
Wheel base 2470 mm
Road clearance 165 mm
Acceleration to 100 km/h* 11.2 s
Maximum speed* 186 km/h
* Data of machines with a 1.4 16V motor and manual transmission.
The advantages and disadvantages of the model
Advantages
Huge trunk
Strong suspension
Affordable price
disadvantages
An unattractive appearance
A tight salon
Outdated design
