1989 Renault 5 GT Turbo 1.4 turbo petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Be warned - If you buy one - they are addictive!!!

Faults:

Original turbo was found to have cracks and chunks taken out of the blades due to previous owner using a Pipercross induction kit so replaced for a Turbo Dynamics MD28 and Green kit. Major improvement!!!

Carb replaced for Group A.

Gearbox replaced with a standard type.

Starter motor replaced.

Flywheel chewed up by the starter motor had to be replaced.

Ignition barrel faulty so replaced.

Radiator replaced due to a leak causing the car to overheat.

Electric window motors only got window half way up, replaced eventually.

Replaced nearly every dashboard bulb.

General Comments:

I always wanted a 5 Turbo, unfortunately I wasn't slightly mechanically minded when I bought it and feel that I bought the typical thrashed 5. Gutted.

I have replaced so much that the car is now as you would like it - after many £££££'s spent.

The cockpit is great, the seats are very comfortable - so comfortable that they definitely put you off fitting bucket seats!!!

Get it running right and you will be whipping bigger and newer cars all day long.

These cars are great in all scenarios - that is if your cooling system is OK!!!

Treat it good and it will be your best friend!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th January, 2001

1989 Renault 5 GT Turbo 1.4 turbo petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A Beast

Faults:

Starter motor.

Head gasket.

Alternator.

Wheel bearings x 8.

Turbos x 4.

General Comments:

Awesome car, I will never sell it.

Very comfortable.

Very fast.

Handles Like a go-kart.

Mine has all GT tuning parts, is well over 220 bhp and still only weighs 800kg! Very similar to an Exocet missile.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th November, 2000

1989 Renault 5 Campus 1.1 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Brill, but a bit small

Faults:

Not much. The accelerator cable snapped on the motorway, usual things which go wrong.

Pretty damn good on the whole, though my right leg hurt after very long distances.

Drove it all over the UK in a year and it only let me down that once. It was easily fixed at the roadside by a very, very, very nice man.

General Comments:

Word of warning: When the fuel gauge says 'empty' it really is empty. Caught me out a time or two.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th November, 2000

1989 Renault 5 Campus 1.1 from Malta

Summary:

A perfect first car

Faults:

Brakes mainly, but that is probably because I rely on them a lot and drive relatively fast.

General Comments:

It is a pretty good all rounder, handles corners well, even at high speeds and is easy to drive once you get used to it. I've reached a top speed of 130 km'h, but I've never really had a chance to try her out. If you try to push her beyond her limits you're pushing your luck.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 19th August, 2000

1989 Renault 5 GT Turbo 1.4 turbo petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

I hate it, I love it

Faults:

Clutch, starter, inlet manifold gasket, turbo, splits in nearly every hose, twisted tread on the sparkplugs, springs, whistling noises of all sorts, electric window motor, seized door lock, brake sensors, no oil pressure reading ever, not even when I rewired the loom.

General Comments:

I will never sell it. Amazing power in such a small car and cheap to buy, however it's not so cheap to run. My advice is don't buy one unless you have a lot of money to chuck into it. Cos it drinks petrol and every mechanical job costs a fortune in labour. If you are a competent auto technican you should have no trouble.

0-60 in 7.5secs for under £1000 isn't too bad. My final piece of advice is get a manual, you will need it at least twice a week.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st July, 2000

25th Aug 2003, 14:01

Yeah so true, I've been helping my mate fix his every day since hes got it on the road, first up boost leak - get new hose to fix, next day petrol leak form tank - bodge with JB Weld for now, then the next day fuel pump relay has gone, fuel pump seizes, oil pressure gauge suddenly dropped to around bar (just hoping its bust)... keeps up with my civic vti at slightly higher boost, feels damn quick!