1989 Renault 5 GTX Prima 1.7

Summary:

If you buy one, wash and service it regularly and it will last and last

Faults:

The only real problem I have had is that the clutch cable has snapped 3 times, this has happened on other Renault (not just 5's) I have owned and it is apparently caused because the clutch cable is re-routed from left hand to right hand drive and causes it to weaken on English models. I have also had two reconditioned alternators. A hole in the manifold caused it to faulter badly but after it was welded it was fine.

General Comments:

I love this car, quite cheap to insure considering the engine size and it is 105bhp from standard. I haven't modified the engine at all and it is very fast considering. Handles quite well although the suspension is quite soft. If you are into modding you can get about 15bhp extra with simple mods. Extremely comfortable interior, like armchairs! All in all it is my the best of all the cars I have owned.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th May, 2004

1989 Renault 5 GTX 1.7

Summary:

Hot hatch with out the boy racer stigma

Faults:

The radiator died a death about two months after buying the car despite it having had a full service and diagnostic at my local garage before I took delivery. This was fairly cheap to fix just awkward and time consuming owing to a lack of space in the engine bay.

The Carburettor required a full service which was a lovely sunny afternoon under the bonnet. Very cheap to sort out and cured all the other niggles such as cold starting and running problems.

The head gasket blew a at 110000 miles. This one's not so cheap as the parts are rare. Managed to sort it relatively inexpensively, but it was touch and go as to whether it was a financially viable repair. It's an old car, only my love of this vehicle is keeping it alive.

General Comments:

The GTX is a serious piece of kit not quite a match for the GT Turbo, but it'll give it a good run for it's money, and it cost about half the amount to insure.

It's very forgiving if you hit a bend a little too quick, handles beautifully and accelerates so quickly.

Can be driven very economically as long as you keep the second choke on the Carburettor closed, but as soon as you need it the power is there.

The cabin is typically French, full of rattles and squeaks, but that's nothing that a good sound system doesn't cure.

It's a very comfortable drive and very easy on long motorway journeys.

Overall it's a fantastic car and getting less common by the day. If you buy one, try not to get red, the paint fade is ridiculous, just one day in the sun makes a noticeable difference.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th November, 2003

27th May 2004, 13:28

I think review is very accurate about the GTX. In it's standard state it doesn't really match the GT Turbo this is true, however, when the the standard GT Turbo turbo system is transplanted into the GTX, OMG the result is, a car that will dominate the Standard GT Turbo and when the turbo was upgraded, were talking a 3 - 4 seconds to 60 mph car!!!

9th Jun 2007, 08:14

The GTX = GT turbo minus the engine. A GT Turbo transplant will be exactly the same!

I got a GTX for a cheap run around (GTX ~£400, GT Turbo ~£1200...) and found it easy to live with as long as you don't expect a lot of it.

The 1.7 engine can be improved on slightly with the carb, at which point its very close to the GTT without costing the earth.

12th Aug 2007, 05:01

I've got 1 too.. few mods in the engine bay makes it superb. I just love it!

20th Mar 2010, 17:37

I had an F reg GTX in the early '90's, absolutely lush, it taught me how to drive cars with a good bit of power to weight ratio.

The only problem I ever remember was the clutch cable breaking in Aberdeen on a Sunday morning taking some bird home.

Did umpteen problem less happy (young) miles on that car. Lush.

In reply to 9th Jun 2007, 08:14

11th Jan 2016, 06:09

Hi, how did you improve the the carb? Mine is a nightmare.