1969 Renault 10 R10 1.2 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Best value for money car - ever

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

This car is the most comfortable car I have ever driven - bar none. I was in the military when I owned this car and traveled all over Australia with it. A thousand kilometre day was not unusual and it never let me down once.

The fuel tank filler beside the engine was a worry and a lot of garages in Australia at the time would not let you fill up for fear of fire.

The Michelin X tyres would last for ever, but you prayed for no rain.

The boot up front was enormous.

I actually rallied my R10 and had a ton of fun. The trick was to place a bag of cement in the front to cure the under-steer.

Did I love this car? You bet - I am currently trying to find a restorer in Australia for my retirement.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th May, 2004

23rd Nov 2005, 19:07

I owned this car as my first car in 1967. I bought a new 1967 Renault R10. All my other friends got VW bugs. The Renault was comfortable. However, the rest of the car was junk. Constant problems. The drove the car from upstate New York, the Albany area to Florida. We got down to Florida OK. On the return trip the carburetor fell off in the D.C. area. Terrible. I got rid of this car for a 1968 Mercury Cougar.

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1967 Renault 10 0.7 liter gasoline from North America

Summary:

A scary, gutless little ride

Faults:

Electrical glitches of every description.

Failed alternator and voltage regulator.

Cracked turn signal housings.

Headlights would turn themselves off at any time, then come back on if I was lucky.

Body rusted at the mere suggestion of moisture.

Leaked oil like an uncapped Iraqi well.

General Comments:

This was my first car, given to me by my wife's uncle. After about the second day, I understood why he wanted to get rid of this little beastie. Even when it was running well, this thing felt like it was being pushed uphill by a couple of little old ladies with arthritic knees. This gutless little Gallic car was barely able to keep up with city traffic, on the highway it was downright scary. NO chance of a speeding ticket with this puppy! The tiny engine - I think it was about 750 or 800 cc's - was mounted in the back and only made 45 or so horsepower on a good day, which wasn't often.

Most of the time, the damned thing wouldn't even start, usually because of an electrical short which killed the battery. I had to disconnect the battery and hook it to a charger every night to have any hope of starting the car the next morning. I rolled it one night while trying to clutch-start it down a hill, and that was that. How lucky can you get?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 5th May, 2003

5th Oct 2003, 12:59

I'm sorry you had a bad experience with your Renault 10. I bought one new in 1968 and I loved it. I gave me no problems, leaked no oil and started perfectly every time. But it was brand new. It was a 4 speed model, but previously I owned a Dauphine with the electric automatic. That car started in below zero weather and I had to jump start my father's Chevy Impala.

I just came across the original brochure from when I bought that car and it brought back good memories. I wish I had another one, but not as my first car. You are right about the acceleration, but mine had an 1100 cc engline and wasn't all that bad. Top speed was about 68 mph unless you had a good tailwind.

Regards --- Frank Smith.

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