1988 Renault 19 TXE Injection 1.7 gas from Spain

Summary:

A great and cheap car to run fast

Faults:

The car needs a lot of gasoline to run if you accelerate a lot.

The suspension of the car is weak in curves.

General Comments:

This car can run very fast if you know to drive.

The repairs are cheap.

It is comfortable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th January, 2008

1988 Renault 19 GTS 1.4 Energy from Greece

Summary:

A multi-talented family car

Faults:

Difficulty in starting the engine in several occasions at summer 1996. I don't remember how, but the problem was solved and the car is perfect now.

Front washers' motor having sometimes trouble in moving them. As the situation isn't intolerable, I haven't replaced it yet.

Driver's lock not always working perfectly. Also not being replaced.

Exhaust pipe being changed at 40.000 km.

Tachometer giving up after 35.000 km. As it was really annoying, the whole control panel was replaced by a used one.

General Comments:

Roughly speaking, a reliable car (especially compared with other cars from manufacturers boasting about their models' reliability - you know, Volskwagen, Opel etc., as well as the rest of the French firms, Peugeot and Citroen) and of adequate quality.

Road grip is very satisfactory and competent even having in mind the newest cars of its category. (Note that tyres are now 185/65/14 instead of the primary 165/70/13 - all Michelin).

Powerful (80hp), impressive torque, relatively economic and reliable engine, making a little noise, but not annoying.

The most spacious interior in its class, big boot, comfortable running over bad surfaces.

Exterior and interior design too conservative and out of date, but I am compromised with that.

Unfortunately, front brakes lock easily when braking hard - and that can prove to be serious in some cases.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th July, 2001

1988 Renault 19 TS 1.4 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Leak from cooling system 45k miles.

Clutch cable broke 50k miles - should have been repaired under recall but was finally repaired foc by dealer.

Door locks a problem throughout owning car.

Choke linkage fell off 70k.

Oil leak from head gasket 95k miles.

General Comments:

Owned from 30k miles to 105k miles.

Very comfortable car, but too many mechanical build standard problems. Became a bit of a rattler during later years, although body work remained immaculate.

Excellent dealer service but pricey.

Basic car but good work - horse over the years. Solid feel on the road.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th December, 1997