1982 Renault 9 TL 1.3 from UK and Ireland
Summary:
It got me from A to B at least, even if it had no image whatsoever
Faults:
Not that many in the three years I owned it funnily enough.
Developed an odd phenomena where if I started up, then switched the lights on, the engine stopped: garage traced it to a cracked circuit board. Replaced then fine.
Slight rust around the top of both rear wheel arches (they all went in this area apparently)
Other than the above, only the usual brake pads, bulbs etc.
General Comments:
Mine was one of the first Renault 9's. Interestingly, they were awarded Car of the Year for 1982. I can't understand why. Very plasticky squarish interior, typical of the period.
Overall, it proved to be pretty reliable. Even though it had never been converted, it would run perfectly happily on unleaded.
An interesting car in cross winds, due to Renault deciding to make the body work out of light steel alloy (tin!).
I traded it in 1994 for a Renault 19...apparently, it's still out there somewhere going strong.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 4th November, 2006
23rd Jun 2007, 04:52
I drove an R-9 for years, cheaply made small car, bud very good on fuel.
Head gaskets are always a problem, because the 1.4 engine has the water pump on top, and if the rad gets a little low, it will stop circulating water and overheat.
Unleaded fuel is BAD BAD BAD! Some engines can handle it better than others... I destroyed my R-9 engine when I moved, and unleaded was all that was available. I had done some engine modifications for more power, shaved the head down to get more compression, etc... I was getting almost 40 MPG with it.
Unfortunately, with the bad gas, it started detonating, which, eventually, cracked a piston. That was the end of the engine.
As long as you leave the 1.4 alone, it is a reliable, but underpowered engine. If you build it up, it is a very fun car to drive, but don't use cheap (bad, low octane) unleaded gas.