Faults:

I've had the car for a good year now and I haven't had a ounce of trouble with it after the gearbox got replaced at service. I really like the car and it puts those 1 litre Fiesta's back to where they belong.

General Comments:

I'm only 17 and the car got passed over to me by my dad, and at first I thought 137bhp wasn't enough, but I was wrong, I learned that the car goes like a rocket and it doesn't feel like a 137bhp, but more.

I've done some modifications however and its made it nearly the best r19 16v in Crawley, although I'm not the kind of person who goes thrashing my car about, I care a lot about it.

Faults:

Cam belt snapped at 61,000 miles.

Seats are just starting to show some signs of wear.

One of the fog-lamps blew.

General Comments:

This car is very good value for money as you can now pick one up pretty cheap.

The 1.8 litre engine feels quite powerful when it hits 4000 revs and you can really feel a surge of power, but at low revs it is not as impressive.

The interior is well built and you get full electrics including electric sunroof and mirrors, however the seats while comfortable feel too soft with not enough support on your back.

Faults:

To get through the MOT I had to buy new discs all round, now on my third disc on the offside rear, due to them cracking and pads sticking.

I had to buy a new clutch.

Engine cuts out nearly every day when cold.

I have a front wheel bearing on the way out.

Gears are stiff sometimes.

I am concerned at the minute about a rather loud humming noise when braking.

General Comments:

This car sounds awesome due to the cat being removed and a straight through pipe from manifold to sports backbox being added.

I have also added an Induction kit.

17" TSW Imolas have replaced the 15" standard alloys.

This car frustates me a lot, it has lots of little noises and squeaks going on.

I still need to shell out on basics such as a new timing belt being fitted.

After all that has gone wrong, I need to ask why Renault designed things to be so complex and difficult for DIY jobs, I'll wager just to get us mugs to take them to a dealer.

From what I've experienced so far, this car is going to cost me a lot more money before I'm satisfied with it. I probably would have offloaded it by then though.

Faults:

New brake discs and pads all round.

New switchgear for main beam.

New alternator.

New clutch.

4 new tyres.

General Comments:

Quick car, handles great.

Normal car until you hit 4000 revs, then it just feels like a turbo kicks in!

The bucket seats are great.

All a bit noisy inside due to the performance exhaust and air filter.

And noisy inside because of the very hard suspension.

Expensive to fix, £210 for the alternator.

£200 clutch.

Faults:

I noticed a water leak, the water pump had gone.

Driver's electric window stopped working.

Central locking is dodgy.

The car is good, these are the only things that have gone wrong, not bad at 130,000 miles.

General Comments:

Good spec on these cars, virtually the same as the 16v - electric windows and sunroof, remote central locking etc. Boasts the same body kit as the 16v minus the vent. Compared to my friends 16v - it's the better car and half the insurance price, I can afford it at 19. I would recommend this car as a better alternative to the 16v. But the RSI is rare so you'll have to look hard.

High mileage cars aren't a great problem, make sure it has some history. These cars are getting very cheap and well worth considering compared to equivalent Escort and Astra cars which are inferior. Previous car was an Astra GTE and performance wise there is not much difference, the Renault 19 feels more comfortable and refined, and is free from rust.