1979 Renault 18 ts review from Netherlands

Three months after purchase a lot of smoke came from behind the dashboard, repaired under warranty.

Due to vandalism -someone stole petrol from the tank and bashed the plug into the tank- the fuel tank needed to be replaced.

Windscreen spontaneous cracked.

At 100K fuel pump replaced.

At 110K water pump replaced.

At 130K & 170K battery replaced.

At 150K exhoust corroded trough, replaced.

At 150K front bumper spontaneous fell off while parked inside.

At 180K starting the car (warm and cold) became difficult. The dealer told that the starter motor needed replacement, the car was sold with bad starter motor.

Left and Right wings had serious corrosion.

Overall a very reliable car only the faulty wiring behind the dashboard left me stranded next to the road.

The 18 was a very comfortable, spacious and practical car (I drove the break version).

It brought me all over Europa from Spain to north Sweden, packed four people, two tents and all baggage (with the spare wheel in between the front and back seats, why didn't Renault design a proper space for it normally it was just standing in the boot blocking part of last right window).

Build quality was not the best and steering heavy, but still the nicest car to drive I owned so far (I owned 5 Toyota Corolla's since).