Owned a K reg clio 1.8 16v for about a year, excellant handling and very quick point to point car...Gearboxes are fookin gay though...done 2 and even the last one was leaking oil Same box apparently as the 1.2 version lol..according to the local gearbox firm anyway.
But I must say a very cheap and good buy, try and go for the william blue colour looks the best imo.

Had mine chipped, zorst (inc decat), filter'd and rolling road set-up (144bhp), and was well happy for it as a first car