Faults:

Intermittent electrical failure; got stranded a couple of times, but car started again hours later. Remained a mystery.

Got harder to start in the cold as it got older.

General Comments:

Very, very comfortable car.

Not fast (max I got was 143km/h - 90mph) but fine around town.

Sedan still good looking after all these years.

Engine reached 150,000 miles (240.000 km) and felt like stronger than new.

Faults:

1) The wiper motor gave up in December 1999 (when the car had covered 135,430 miles).

2) One night (during July 2001) me and three friends were out for a drive in the car. We were going along a narrow country road with thick hedges (and some stone walls). A cow suddenly appeared out of a hole in a hedge. I slammed on the brakes and pulled up the handbrake. The car slid on all four wheels before veering off to the left and crashing though a hedge. I quickly selected reverse gear and slowly reversed the car out. I got out to look at the car and could see that I'd broken the nearside headlight and indicator, cracked the front bumper, and shattered part of the front grille. Fortunately I didn't burst the radiator.

General Comments:

All in all, it's a very reliable car.

The handling is precise, although the car might swap ends when braking heavily from speed in the wet.

Faults:

Well as you can see, I've had it a while!!

Apart from routine maintenance and wear and tear stuff, very little has gone wrong with the car, although the alternator has given up (at the end of its useful life) twice.

The rear wiper has never worked properly.

The tail gate and driver's door are showing signs of rust.

The clutch operating mechanism collapsed last year.

The driver's door window seized recently, now fixed shut.

General Comments:

This is not car ownership - it is a long-term relationship! Although the old girl is showing her age I still love her to bits. I have used bits from higher spec 18's to try and brighten up the interior a bit, but the seats have always been truly comfortable.

It is always a very relaxing car to drive.

Faults:

Starter Motor *6!

Radiator.

Rear Suspension Springs.

Battery.

General Comments:

I had my 18 for six years. With the exception of having to bump start, which I could actually do on my own, this car only ever stopped and wouldn't start once! Considerately only 100 yards from my mechanic by coincidence!

Truly the most comfortable car I've ever owned or sat in. Driving position was great, albeit a bit like driving a bus because of the angle of the large steering wheel.

Performance was very good. Very fast pull offs are not an option with the 18 though. As with all Renaults it seems, the front end was light and wheels spin very easily.

Fuel economy was excellent, even when my economy lights died after two years. Probably for the best, as watching the little blighter's may have killed me.

I've never seen a rusty 18. Tatty through neglect and prangs, but never rusty. Mine was white and I was sad to see it go. But the call for a brand new 5 was to strong.

I now move from old car to old car though. If I ever see another old 18 in my banger budget, I wouldn't hesitate to purchase it.

Faults:

Heater unit failed to produce warm air.

No other faults.

General Comments:

This must be one of the most under-rated cars of all time. Sure, without upkeep, the bodywork suffered from some perforation; but then no worse than anything else I'd owned.

It has provided completely reliable, ultimately comfortable and stylish transport for my family as they grew. Peformance of my car is not very impressive, but with unbelievable fuel economy I prefer the latter. After all who wants to burn-up in an 18!

Those armchair seats must be the envy of every other manufacturer in 1982; and still are. Driving position is fine with simple ergonomics. the engine is accessible though parts are a bit 'pricey'.