1988 Renault 9 Turbo 1.4 turbo intercooler from Portugal

Summary:

A boy-racer, the real racing spirit

Faults:

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.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th January, 2002

15th Apr 2005, 04:30

I agree with you. I have one Renault 9 Turbo from 1988 Phase II and for me it is the best car in the world.

2nd Jul 2006, 20:02

I have a 1987 9 turbo, davidjohnson21@btinternet.com.

6th Aug 2007, 08:06

I love this Renault 9 but the only problem is that it is continually damaging the camshaft gears and the lower distributor timing gear. Please advise on the cause of this. EMangoti@nwpg.gov.za.