1990 Renault 25 V6i Monaco review from Australia and New Zealand

Transmission leak when purchased.

Battery replaced at116,000km.

CV boots replaced at 125,000km.

Accelerator cable replaced 125,000km.

Front brake rotors and hoses replaced at 132,000km.

Steering rack boots replaced at 138,000km.

Alternator belt replaced at 143,000km.

When new this car cost more than a reasonably priced house here in New Zealand, so it must have been a special car to the doctor who bought it.

Its second owner had to pay $4,000 for a transmission rebuild a month after buying it.

It is my second 25 and they really reflect how well they have been looked after. The first one was a succession of niggly problems with the car never being quite right, but this one has been a joy to own and drive.

The V6 is a wonderfully smooth engine and the 4 speed gearbox a real improvement over the old 3 speed unit, however I often muse over the possibility of converting it to a manual.

I put Bi-Tron in everything 4 years ago and it made the gearbox very smooth and improved the economy which is great for a car of this size. 8.2l/100km on trips is easily attained.

Having the consumption showing on the trip computer certainly changed my driving style.

I hope the next 5 years are as good as the last.