1969 Renault 16 TS petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Great car, wish there were more about

Faults:

Head gasket blew at about 100,000 miles.

Problems with electrical wiring, possibly previous owner?

General Comments:

This was my first car I bought after 5 previous owners.

After motorcycles, it felt like driving a tank.

The Renault 16 was a 'poor man's Rolls Royce.

Comfort was out of this world, beat all other cars.

My TS was very reliable, clocking up about 80,000 miles.

I've had seven 16's in all over the years, last 1994, TX.

She's been 'off road' for 27 odd years.

Now undergoing full, detailed re-build, 3 years so far.

Welding 90% done, still lots to do, 2011 finish maybe?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 12th December, 2010

1966 Renault 16 GLS 1.5 from Netherlands

Summary:

Charming french comfort

Faults:

Very little.

Starting engine went down, some cooling problems.

General Comments:

True French comfort. Especially with the TX 5-gear box I've built in it. My children prefer the R16 very much above the Volvo 740 or the Mercedes W123 230 TE.

The R16 brings a smile on the face.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd August, 2008

1970 Renault 16 TL 1.6 petrol from Croatia

Summary:

Comfortable. Very comfortable

Faults:

There was a constant leak somewhere in the coolant system... found that it was an O-ring in the heating valve.

Handbrake wire stuck. Installed another one (used) and the problem came back after few months.

Rear brakes leak.

General Comments:

Most comfortable car I ever drove.

Nice engine sound.

Constant problems with handbrake lever.

The car still sits in my grandma's garage (she is the first owner) and is in original (driving) condition. Rust showed at front left wing (upper front corner). All chrome parts are still shining. It will be a nice oldtimer... :-) ) )

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd March, 2005

1972 Renault 16 ts petrol from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

The best car I've ever owned

Faults:

Not a lot really, replaced front tyres. rear ones will go on forever.

General Comments:

The 16 is has to be one of the most comfy cars on the road.

I did the trip Melbourne to Perth twice and it was brilliant.

I got around 30mpg overall which is not bad for an auto car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th December, 2004

22nd Dec 2004, 14:22

So in 27 years nothing you've owned since measures up to the Renault 16TS?

That doesn't say much for the cars you had since then.

I owned a US-market '71 R16 for a while back in the early '80's and while it was in the vanguard of fwd cars in the US, it was hardly a stellar example of construction quality. It did have a lot of features that were unusual for the time. It was hard to find anyone who wanted to work on it, and even back then, parts were hard to find, too. I think the few actually sold here have long since vanished from the roads.

In reply to 22nd Dec 2004, 14:22

18th May 2015, 12:57

This is an irrational comment. The person posting doesn't say that he had owned the car from new. One hardly suspects that cars that are 30+ years old may be without fault.

In reply to 18th May 2015, 12:57

18th May 2015, 20:07

Well that was a 2004 comment, didn't even have mileage information on the original review of a car bought at 3 years old and owned for two years. I guess if the owner was genuinely happy with the car for whatever reason - seat comfort, suspension, whatever, then that's how they feel, regardless of whatever car they've had since. Reliability isn't the only measure of satisfaction, though it certainly does help. The car was in AU/NZ - not America, and one of the previous commenters said something about owning a R16 in America, but we all know that all cars during that era had to get smog control equipment, which made cars far more unreliable.

In reply to 18th May 2015, 12:57

18th May 2015, 21:54

Try reading the review and comment again, and this time, pay attention to the dates and when they were written.

Neither one is referring to a "30+ years old" vehicle.

The reviewer's car was purchased at three years old.

What is "irrational" about it?

1971 Renault 16 TX 1.6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Comfortable, spacious, reliable: a really good car

Faults:

The engine cut out several times, but my local garage fixed it for a pittance and gave excellent service.

The brake cable snapped after 107,000 miles and was replaced by my local dealer, again at a low price and with excellent service.

Body parts started to show their age after more than 20 years, especially the bumpers.

General Comments:

In 1990 paid £75 for a 19-year-old Renault 19TX 1.6 litre petrol. It was an extremely spacious and comfortable car. Very good to drive too.

A few body parts started to show their age, but even after 25 years the car ran as smooth as silk.

Finally sold it to a neighbour for £25.

They did a few D.I.Y modifications on it and then sold it on to a workmate for £40.

The Renault 16 lasted 30 years, covering 156,000 miles, before it was finally written off by joyriders in the summer of 2001. The owner's insurers paid them £20 for it!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th November, 2004