renault 5 gt turbo,
Discussion
come on guys it didnt handle like a 205, but the lightweight, plus all the ainchent pushrod torque, it cant be that bad?? i see it as the lunatic hot hatch! the lack of engineering- the noise - the looks (at the time) the way it can kill you in a light crash - - - does this not appeal to no one? My car gave me so much feedback from the engine - suspension - brakes etc
what was it like for renault garages offerering warranties,when selling cars to divs with no idea. what this car a long headache for renault
what was it like for renault garages offerering warranties,when selling cars to divs with no idea. what this car a long headache for renault
Hey, apologies to the OP for a minor hijack but not sure this question is worth starting a new thread. Can anyone name any cars that are in a similar class to the 5? Looking for ideas for cars less than 1600 cc that are quick but fall into the lower (pre 2001) tax bracket. Got the common ones such as Punto GT Turbo 1.4, Starlet Turbo, Swift GTi, any quick 1.5 civic, RX-7???? But any more would be appreciated.
And to answer your question the looks of the 5 have never grown on me particularly, and the fact that most of them have deteriorated now makes them less desirable. Got to respect manufacturers having the guts to turbocharge such small engines though, sticking two fingers up in the face of reliability
And to answer your question the looks of the 5 have never grown on me particularly, and the fact that most of them have deteriorated now makes them less desirable. Got to respect manufacturers having the guts to turbocharge such small engines though, sticking two fingers up in the face of reliability
I worked on these when they were new at a Renault main dealer in the early '80's.
The basic engineering - like most French cars - was pretty tough, and the 1.4 engine was an ancient design. But they were let down by poor component and build quality, some were much better than others but they were a world apart from what people expect today.
Even when they were new though we had lots of problems - like snapped exhaust bolts, carburettor and electrical failures. All in all they were a PITA.
The driving experience was a bit of a let down too - lots of torque steer, turbo lag and if it came on boost halfway round a wet corner it'd kill you.
The basic engineering - like most French cars - was pretty tough, and the 1.4 engine was an ancient design. But they were let down by poor component and build quality, some were much better than others but they were a world apart from what people expect today.
Even when they were new though we had lots of problems - like snapped exhaust bolts, carburettor and electrical failures. All in all they were a PITA.
The driving experience was a bit of a let down too - lots of torque steer, turbo lag and if it came on boost halfway round a wet corner it'd kill you.
Darkslider said:
Hey, apologies to the OP for a minor hijack but not sure this question is worth starting a new thread. Can anyone name any cars that are in a similar class to the 5? Looking for ideas for cars less than 1600 cc that are quick but fall into the lower (pre 2001) tax bracket. Got the common ones such as Punto GT Turbo 1.4, Starlet Turbo, Swift GTi, any quick 1.5 civic, RX-7???? But any more would be appreciated.
And to answer your question the looks of the 5 have never grown on me particularly, and the fact that most of them have deteriorated now makes them less desirable. Got to respect manufacturers having the guts to turbocharge such small engines though, sticking two fingers up in the face of reliability
RX-7 *may* not be classed as a 1.3, it is sometimes classed as a 2.6 for insurance etc.And to answer your question the looks of the 5 have never grown on me particularly, and the fact that most of them have deteriorated now makes them less desirable. Got to respect manufacturers having the guts to turbocharge such small engines though, sticking two fingers up in the face of reliability
A similar class Metro GTi (don't knock it till you've tried it!)
I have actually very briefly driven a Metro Gti/GTa with a 1.8 VVC engine, I honestly don't think there'd be any other hot hatch with an engine smaller than say a 1.8 that could touch a properly set up one of those through the twisties or even straights. I currently own a Rover 216 among others and the head gasket issues slightly put me off another K series though. Also the Metros aren't the toughest built cars, I think I'd want a bolt in cage and buckets at the least before I started pushing one 
Not sure about the RX 7 insurance, do they fall into lower tax brackets for engine displacement? I have seen them listed on insurance websites as 2.6/7s though which to my mind isn't right, but have fun trying to explain that to a customer advisor on the phone.
Thanks for your suggestions Starting to think of maybe getting a Punto Sporting or some similar 1.2 16v and saving on tax/insurance/fuel but still having something that's nippy.
Not sure about the RX 7 insurance, do they fall into lower tax brackets for engine displacement? I have seen them listed on insurance websites as 2.6/7s though which to my mind isn't right, but have fun trying to explain that to a customer advisor on the phone.
Thanks for your suggestions
Starting to think of maybe getting a Punto Sporting or some similar 1.2 16v and saving on tax/insurance/fuel but still having something that's nippy. My first car after i passed my test a 1985 R5GTT, in blue, ended up with about 175bhp i think, with a straight through side exit exhaust, it went and sounded fantastic. I loved that car to bits and wouldnt sell it so ended up breaking it. Although in the two years or so i owned it i did the head gasket myself three times as i upped the power and abused it! a real pita to work on but great fun.
I'd love a Raider if there was a standard and unmolested version left.
The 205 was loved and covetted for its standard perfection. Turbo hatchs like the R5 and RST were loved for their potential. Very few standard cars exist .... except for quite a few S1 RSTs that have been restored to standard.
Many many abominations out there for modifed R5s
I'd love this one, but would have to "tweek" a little poke from the engine.
The 205 was loved and covetted for its standard perfection. Turbo hatchs like the R5 and RST were loved for their potential. Very few standard cars exist .... except for quite a few S1 RSTs that have been restored to standard.
Many many abominations out there for modifed R5s
I'd love this one, but would have to "tweek" a little poke from the engine.
chuntington101 said:
might be woirth finding an old Volvo 480 turbo as its a Renault lump that was tuned by porsche!
Cheers
Chris.
Cheers
Chris.
Tuned by Porsche, I bet they kept quiet about that one, it was only blessed 119bhp, 4 more than the GTT!A couple of my friends have had GTT's , both of them spent more time off the road than on and unfortuantely both were subject to barry modifications!!
Now one of these with a set clio williams alloys would look great!
I use to race against them with my Honda CRX in a saloon car cup. Great little cars, more go than the Honda in a straight line and out of corners but their three wheeling antics in corners cost them some time.
During my first race the guy behind put a wheel on the dirt around Coram at Snetterton and pitched his 5 into a dozen and maybe more barrel rolls. Despite being fully caged it was a right mess with the pedals/wheels moving and causing him a lot of injury. That put me off buying a road car but ten years later I wouldn't mind one.
There are a couple of nice race 5's in the race classifieds.
During my first race the guy behind put a wheel on the dirt around Coram at Snetterton and pitched his 5 into a dozen and maybe more barrel rolls. Despite being fully caged it was a right mess with the pedals/wheels moving and causing him a lot of injury. That put me off buying a road car but ten years later I wouldn't mind one.
There are a couple of nice race 5's in the race classifieds.
I had one of these as a courtesy car when my 350i was at Tower View Racing in London. It was Daves (on of the owners/mechanic) car and was highly modified. And it was a HOOT to drive. The torque steer was hilarious and made driving a FWD car a real joy and a challenge. It was also hugely quick and would have trounced my 350 
Greatest hot hatch of its time IMO.
Greatest hot hatch of its time IMO.
minimatt1967 said:
Tuned by Porsche, I bet they kept quiet about that one, it was only blessed 119bhp, 4 more than the GTT!Atleast 4 of my friends owned one from one time to another.. One had had a bit of a home tune-up job and was a bit of a PITA... Onother had a Pace Intercooler, Decent Stainless Exhaust etc and never missed a beat in 2 years..
Was running 15 second 1/4 miles on mild boost upgrades with a heavily pregnant lady at the wheel..
Bit of a Marmite car IMO but i thought they were ace...
Darkslider said:
Hey, apologies to the OP for a minor hijack but not sure this question is worth starting a new thread. Can anyone name any cars that are in a similar class to the 5? Looking for ideas for cars less than 1600 cc that are quick but fall into the lower (pre 2001) tax bracket. Got the common ones such as Punto GT Turbo 1.4, Starlet Turbo, Swift GTi, any quick 1.5 civic, RX-7???? But any more would be appreciated.
Most of these are hard to find now, but:Daihatsu Charade GTti 993cc I3 Turbo 99bhp
Suzuki Swift GTi 1298cc I4 NA 101bhp
Nissan March SuperTurbo 930cc I4 108bhp
Nissan Cherry Turbo 1.5 1488cc I4 Turbo 114bhp
First Gen Honda City Turbo 1237cc I4 Turbo 108bhp
Second Generation Honda City CZi 1.3 1296cc I4 NA 100bhp
Toyota Starlet GT 1331cc I4 Turbo 130bhp
minimatt1967 said:
chuntington101 said:
might be woirth finding an old Volvo 480 turbo as its a Renault lump that was tuned by porsche!
Cheers
Chris.
Cheers
Chris.
Tuned by Porsche, I bet they kept quiet about that one, it was only blessed 119bhp, 4 more than the GTT!i have heard the Renault version dioing pretty well to!
Chris.
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