1991 Renault 19 16v 1.8

Summary:

Fun fast hot hatch but very unreliable and expensive to fix

Faults:

New calipers on rear.

New disks on front.

Clutch cable snapped.

Bonnet scoop rusted.

Starter motor failed.

ECU failed.

Clutch failed.

The list is endless!

General Comments:

Fantastic fun car, but things were always going wrong!

Was sad to get rid of it, but it was costing me on average about £100 a month on repairs.

Service history is worthless. Mine had full service history, but everything still failed.

Expensive parts and labour to work on them.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 13th January, 2004

1991 Renault 19 GTS-X 1.4 petrol

Summary:

An above average car with huge potential if you want to spend a little money

Faults:

Rubber seal on sunroof rotted causing water to leak.

Clutch gave up.

General Comments:

For a 1.4 and a 12 year old, she really pulls on acceleration in 2nd and 3rd gears and has a nice speed top end too.

Unlike other Renault 19 models, the GTS-X has the color coded bumpers and wing mirrors making it a good choice of car to do up. With a spoiler, some side skirts, alloy wheels and a few other tweaks, the GTS-X can easily look like a 5 door 16V, or better if you want it too. Yet half the price on insurance.

As it's a French car and now quite old (phase 1) it is quite hard to pick up parts from scrap yards, but to order from a Renault dealer isn't cheap.

My GTS-X has done nearly 200,000 miles and has no signs of wear and is still going strong. A reliable car, looks good anyway, but has great potential if you want to do it up and been a 1.4 is great and cheap for new drivers (cheap on insurance) and offers a nice size engine for more experienced drivers too.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st December, 2002

1991 Renault 19 Chamade 1.8 16v

Summary:

Vvvvrrrooooooooommmmm

Faults:

Started off with getting the cam belt changed and a full service, then the front wheel bearing went, then a weird noise started coming from the engine. I didn't have a clue what it was, but the Automobile association kindly told me on New Year's Eve when I got to my destination 13 miles from home, that my crankshaft has gone and I needed a new engine. Had a new engine fitted, but it's back in the garage again with more unknown problems.

General Comments:

This car, when going properly, is fast, superb on the mid range acceleration and a few mods will give it a welcome boost when needed.

You can pick one up for about £1200, but I would get it checked out before you hand any money over.

Maintenance for this car is high, but they are real babe magnets when driving through town and I would personally recommend them to anyone.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th January, 2002

1991 Renault 19 Chamade 1.8 16valve

Summary:

Cheap, fast, sexy and unreliable

Faults:

Bonnet vent leaks water over the plug wells causing it to run on two cylinders. Had the vent sealed, but turned out to be leaking on the inside of the seal. Had to remove the vent and seal it, and replace the vent cover.

New rear exhaust.

LCD display needs replacing.

Passenger electric window not working (as with every French car I have owned).

Tailgate leaks water which runs into the rear passenger footwells.

General Comments:

My Renault trained mechanic says these cars are rubbish and give continuous bother. I think I might hold on to mine a little longer and see if these are just teething problems.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th January, 2001

1991 Renault 19 16V 1.8 petrol

Summary:

Great, would love to have it all over again!!

Faults:

Water hydrostatic lock (low air intake, high flood water!!).

Fuel pump.

Tailgate lock.

Cam belt (expensive).

Discs, front and rear.

Alternator.

Starter motor contacts.

Anti percolation relay (??)

Clutch cable (before mod embodied).

General Comments:

Even with all the problems it still is the only car I have driven that excites me, and everyone who rides in it says just how comfortable the seats are.

Owned it from new and no intention of getting rid of it, will require a respray soon.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th December, 2000