1988 Renault 9 Turbo review from Portugal
"A boy-racer, the real racing spirit"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Well, as it is an oldie, I guess it is normal to have some faults...
It has some electrical failures due to poor contacts.
Beware for exhaust pipes near the engine, the engine gets too hot easily due to the turbo, but only when stopped after running a few kilometers.
Changed brake pads.
Now it sometimes does not start, this only happens when the engine is warm, there must be a poor contact...
Some rust to add...
Front axle a bit loose, tends to lose grip on tight bends with full acceleration.
The brake servo is now loosing pressure through the pedal, you can hear an air leak when driving, but the noise disappears once you touch the brake pedal.
General comments?
A very rare car, even tough it has its faults, I still love it, as it was my first car.
A very powerful engine, great acceleration, but the gearbox could be longer (it is a bit noisy at 120km/h-+/-72mph), it reaches 190 km/h easily, tough...
A bit thirsty for my wallet (I'm 18, studying... NO MONEY!!!)
Really nice handling, very communicative steering, and great rear-axle, it slides when you want to, but can also curve like if it was on rails. Just beware when the turbo goes into action in the middle of a curve, it tends to slide the front, then you get scared, de-accelerate too fast, and the rear part of the car tends to slide away... Once you're used to it, you'll love it.
Marvellous gearbox handling.
Heavy clutch, tough.
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Excellent, reliable and inexpensive family car | |
  | Excellent little economy car with remarkable reliability and handling |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| First year of ownership | 2001 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.4 turbo intercooler Manual |
| Performance marks | 9/10 |
| Reliability marks | 8/10 |
| Comfort marks | 7/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 6/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 101700 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 114000 kilometres |
| Date of Entry | 10th January, 2002 |