Faults:

- Clutch cable snapped (had the 'new style' pedal fitted and a new cable).

- Electrical problem - when you wind down the driver's window the lights come on (dodgy earth I think).

- Coolant was leaking and cost loads to fix.

- Core plug went and coolant was gushing into the plug wells.

- Bonnet vent, boot and aerial leaked - put silicone around the ignition leads, aerial and boot surround and it has cured the problem.

- New discs and pads on the front and two new tyres.

- Now it seems a wheel bearing has gone :(

General Comments:

I love this car, although it costs so much to maintain... it is worth every penny...

The car has the following modifications:

- Lowered about 25mm.

- Chipped (limiter increased to 7600rpm).

- Pipercross induction kit.

- Full Stainless (Mongoose) exhaust system fitted (with de-cat pipe).

It goes like a rocket, looks nice, has all electrics and the favourable leather seats...

If you are going to buy one, make sure you get it HPi checked and checked by the AA/RAC first.

Faults:

Not a lot really. Little bit of suspension work for an MOT, one of the coolant hoses split.

The bonnet vent leaks, allowing water onto the plugs, which is a real pain. Is it just my car that does this??.

Fitted a K&N 57i filter, sounds great, but makes cold starting a pain.

New clutch is due, best remorgage the house cos it's an engine out job!!!

General Comments:

Looks a bit bland when standard, but in the right colour, with a nice set of wheels it can still turn heads and is a much better car than the XR, GTE, GTi etc etc.

Every mechanical job seems to be a nightmare though, so find a decent mechanic and open that cheque book!! Insurance can be a nightmare as well.

Faults:

Wheel bearings, clutch, bushes.

General Comments:

Very nice car that drives well at speed. Standard brakes are crap. Expensive to fix.

Faults:

Head gasket, wheel bearing, clutch cable (very expensive job), new HT leads (£86 trade), Plip key dodgy (£100 Renault), new drive shaft. All after 6 months on a 90,000 mile car.

A bit of bubbling around bonnet intake and on rear arches, otherwise perfect bodywork. Having said the above, I don't ever want to get rid of her.

Quick as you like, By all means modify the engine but the bodywork looks perfect as standard.

General Comments:

Look at the interior and bodywork to judge how it's been treated. Shop around for definite. Be prepared before you buy, for if you break your new toy, you may not make it down the pub for a few months.

Hell of a car !!!

Faults:

Had the car about 2 years. Exhaust and lhs front suspension replaced under warranty. Usual service items - brake pads etc. Absolutely no problems otherwise.

General Comments:

Very quick - hammers GTI's etc - but very comfortable. More of a luxury car than a sports car, especially with leather. Absolute bird magnet - buy one and you'll never sleep alone again!

Faults:

Head gasket blown after 70,000m, apparently fairly common.

Rear brake adjusters fail on nearly ALL '91 19s. This causes severe braking impairment and costs about £180 to fix at a main dealer.

Wing mirror surrounds crack and is not fixable - bloody nuisance!

Steering rack falls out of alignment and needs regular checking.

General Comments:

Fairly nice to drive, if a little noisy and rattly. Handling is moderate, as is power and speed.

Fairly decent car but nothing really special.

Faults:

Very little (Touch Wood !). The front side lights come on when the electric windows are put up but no faults mechanically.

General Comments:

The car has done 131,000 and not a hint of rust. Performance is surprisingly good for a larger car with a 1.4 engine.

Fuel economy is 40 mpg without hanging about! Colour coded bumpers and mirrors make it a great looker too.

The only down side is the price of parts.

Faults:

Engine twice (At IRP1000 a pop). My girlfriend drives it so it's not my driving!!

4 gearboxes.1 powersteering rack.

Both drive shafts.

All shocks and 1 spring.

Rebuilt starter.

Rebuilt alternator.

Dozens of fog light bulbs.

Relay for dims @ 50 pounds off Renault!

Dozens of anti roll bar bushings.

Collapsed release bearing in gearbox.

Input oil seal in gearbox @ 50 pounds off Renault!!

Had to replace clutch because of aforementioned oil leak.

Rear engine mount @ 55 pounds off Renault.

One front fog lamp @ 89 pounds off Renault!!

General Comments:

I've had this van for over a year. It gets a full service (The usual stuff) once a month. Out of that time it's spent about 70% of that time in the pit's. I thought it was just me until I met a few guys in the same boat. My advice is don't even consider looking in the direction of one of these vans.

Faults:

Sunroof clasp snapped, fuel filter faulty, wiper blades scraped windscreen.

General wear and tear for a 7 year old car.

General Comments:

An absolutely brilliant car, if they were still in production I would replace my car, but nothing beats it on the new car market at the moment. Interior is incredibly attractive, and the seats are immensely comfortable. We also have a 1996 Vauxhall Astra 1.7TD but the 19 is the better of the two in every way. It is also in better condition, surprising, as it is 5 years older than the Astra, and both receive the same wear and tear.