In February 1997 I turned 17 and since I was being forged into a capitalist at a top Scottish boarding school I saw little need for a driving licence. In fact it was not until 2004 that I actually managed to gain my freedom (I had failed twice for speeding and once for not considering other road users). So, at the age of 24 with exactly zero miles of real driving experience I decided the best decision was a little Peugeot 106 1.1 Zest 3. It was fantastic for about four or five minutes and then I realised that 0-60mph in two days was not good enough for a man who as a boy had a recurring dream of one day owning a fast, fun and frantic car.

So two years later it was time to replace my economical, cheap and slow little 106 and in July 2006 I walked into a Renault showroom. There it was, a Clio 182 in Artic Blue with the Cup suspension pack and Recaro leather and alcantara bucket seats. By the next heart beat I was on my knees placing my deposit.

Buying this car proved to be better than my recurring dream. The Clio 182 is hugely fast, hugely fun and hugely frantic. I am blown away by its ability to enter any corner at any speed and go round with guile and poise. Best of all though is that at 5,000 rpm the engine confuses itself with a planet and pulls me forward with ferocious torque.

Soon after I purchased the car my friend and I went on a road trip to North Wales, exploring the roads of Snowdonia and Denbighshire. These are quite simply some of the best roads to be found in Britain. They offer swooping fast corners, long straights and tight narrow roads, all of which my Clio 182 is perfectly suited to. The B4407 is a particular favourite, closely followed by the Llanberis Pass.

At every corner the Clio digs itself in then blasts itself out. It’s an absolute riot. In the rear view mirror I’m told its stance is aggressive and purposeful. From behind it is determined not to be overtaken. This car, without doubt is a living breathing machine. It may not have the power or the electronic wizardry of an Evo or a Skyline, but it constantly provokes me and begs to be driven harder and faster.

And yet it is as much an everyday car as my old Peugeot 106. It readily returns 30 mpg on urban roads and as much as 45 mpg on a motorway cruise. Even when I am scorching through the rolling hills and deep valleys of North Wales it can still return 20 mpg.

More importantly this car has forged a stronger bond between me and my best friend. With him strapped into his Peugeot 106 GTI and myself at the helm of the Clio 182, we have a common purpose: to seek out the most challenging and entertaining roads in the UK.

This car has good visibility, great looks that wouldn’t look out of place outside Blenheim Palace and the power to put a huge smile on your face. It can carry my weekly shop, take the strain out of the daily commute and tickles my girlfriend every time I reach 5000rpm. As far as I’m concerned this car really is all things to all people.

The Clio has set the standard for every car I will buy from now on.