1978 Renault 12 review from Australia and New Zealand

Most of the problems I have had with the car are due to age related wear rather than poor design or shoddy workmanship. It wasn't very well looked after by the previous owner.

New motor after about 100 000 km's of owning (piston collapse). Replacement motor also eliminated starting problems which were the most annoying thing about the car: refused to start even in comparatively mild Australian winter mornings of +3 to +9 C.

Brake performance fades quite quickly after servicing.

Floor carpet wears out very fast in the front - 20 year old pristine carpet will be destroyed in a matter of months.

Dashboard gauges prone to inaccuracy/blowing/dying completely.

Windscreen wiper pivot rusted completely through (driver's side, of course!)

Acceleration is pretty underwhelming. If you buy one, get the 1.4 L engine.

Desperately needs a 5th gear: 3700 rpm at 100 km/h in top 4th.

Has amazingly comfortable seats for a 70's car - excellent for long drives and sleeping on.

With a bit of proper maintenance these cars are extremely reliable. The motor is absolutely bulletproof. Great long distance car.

Economy is not too bad, somewhere around 8-9 L/100 km if kept tuned and not hammered on the highway.

Oddball body shape and quirky accessories still endear and turn heads 20 years later.

Three nuts per wheel is a tribute to French engineering - tyre changes are very quick.

Door lock design makes these almost theftproof.

Back seat a bit cramped, but heaps of boot space.

This is a car you really have to DRIVE.