I'm besotted with her!
All problems are cosmetic.
Paint peeling from the grille, missing door cards, messy/damaged dash and loose wiring!
However, the reverse lights don't seem to work either...
Fantastic little runabout, get comments, stares and waves all the time! Reliable and adorable, I shall own her for many years.
Just needs a little TLC!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 3rd August, 2014
Great fun
Spares are quite rare.
This car has great acceleration and is very good fun to drive.
I have two GTL's. They have great handling even in bad weather and on slippery road surfaces.
I would recommend this car to anyone.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 6th December, 2004
Simply great fun
Was asked as a favor to move a car by the mother of my wife's friend. She had this old car in the garage that had been there for years and wanted it shifted and dumped to make some room.
Arrived there and found beneath a layer of blankets a 1983 almost mint condition Renault 4.
It appears that she had bought it in 1988 with 35000 on the clock in order to learn to drive. Her father who was giving her lessons died shortly thereafter and the car was simply left in the garage and forgotten for 13 years.
Tires were half flat so I pumped them up and pushed it out of the garage, when I saw the condition was immaculate and not some rotting old wreck I bought a new battery... drained out the old fuel... checked the oil and plugs, turned over the engine and drove it away.
I didn't even bother changing the tires (have since), but put it straight in for an MOT. Passed straight away with just some minor work to a slightly binding rear drum.
Must admit to having fallen in love with this car and have taken it out a few times at the weekend to find the combination of quirky gearstick, rolling ride and quaint looks great fun to drive.
Have read the various comments concerning rust so a good coating of waxoyl to be applied shortly.
With no radio let alone a cigarette lighter, and acres of metal and plastic mat instead of carpet and velor, this car really is a reminder of 60's driving.
There seems to be a sad lack of English language websites giving decent technical/maintenance/repair details, but then you can't have everything.
Ps... with no electronic systems, spares that cost pennies and a design that seems to require just 2 spanners and a hammer to keep maintained it really is great fun as a hobby car.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 9th January, 2003
The Renault 4 featured in the article sounds like a wonderful find. I would like to direct the new owner to a couple of web sites with technical help for English speaking Renault 4 owners.
Clementine the Cat details a Renault 4 restoration on his site (http://www.renault4.co.uk) and the Renault 4-Play site has an excellent technical section (http://www.renault4.plus.com/). Both sites plan to expand their technical sections in the future - we want to help to keep these wonderful cars on the road.
I wish the new owner of this excellent car the very best. He has chosen wisely. If he needs help, he could e-mail any of the Renault 4 sites worldwide - we all talk to each other, and someone is bound to be able to be of some assistance.
One of the best cars ever made
General rust problems in awkward places, such as rear door hinges, gutters, battery trays.
This is an ideal first car, although more attention could have been given to anti-corrosion.
These cars are known not to last very long, and especially in an Atlantic climate.
It feels like a tin can, although it's a charming little car, and its low boot sill, fifth door, and dashboard gearstick make it extremely practical.
Repairs are very cheap, and secondhand parts are readily available.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 27th December, 2000
Stiff clutch cable, inlet manifold leaking.
This car is so easy to work on and the parts are getting very cheap (£30 for a genuine complete exhaust!) Great fun to drive, especially in the corners. Could do with more power to make the most of good, fun road holding.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 7th March, 1999
Worn fanbelt after 2986 miles. Broken clutch cable at 6545 miles.
The car has been totally rebuilt using new parts which are mostly readily available. It has since covered 7800 miles (approx) mainly for interstate trips (over 500 miles) and has been used in a Classic car rally. Apart from the lack of overtaking acceleration the car has proven to be useful and willing in all respects.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 31st August, 1997
9th Feb 2005, 08:26
Very Useful.