RE: Renault 19 16v: Catch It While You Can

RE: Renault 19 16v: Catch It While You Can

Wednesday 22nd March 2017

Renault 19 16v: Catch It While You Can

With values of 5s and Clios climbing, the 19 has rather been forgotten - here's why it shouldn't be!



Fancy an early 1990s hot hatch, with a 16v engine, for banger money? Such things were all ten-a-penny just a few years ago. You couldn't move for two-grand Golf GTI 16vs and Escort RS2000s.

Award for most 1990s press shot ever...
Award for most 1990s press shot ever...
But times have changed, and cars like these are starting to fetch collectors' money. A good, clean Mk2 Golf 16v with reasonable mileage is now well north of £5,000, while - somewhat unbelievably - a Mk5 Escort RS2000 in similar nick is approaching that figure, a thread we'll pick up on another day.

But believe it or not, there is still a hot hatch of this era, complete with a rorty naturally-aspirated 16-valve engine and a fine chassis, that can still be had for not-so-ridiculous money. Any guesses? Well, you've probably spotted the headline and the pics, so that question is rather moot. Yes, it's the Renault 19 16v.

While Renault is best-known for turning out pocket rockets like the fast 5s and the Clios that succeeded it, the 19 has somewhat faded in the collective memory. And it's hard to work out why. It was repeatedly praised for its fine ride and handling balance - indeed, it won What Car?'s Hot Hatch of the Year award in 1990 - and came with the same responsive, 142hp 1.8-litre motor as the Clio 16v. That was enough to propel it to 60mph in 7.7 seconds - in other words, very competitive, as 1990s hot hatches go.

It's not just Clios that were good!
It's not just Clios that were good!
Yet today, its obscurity has held prices down. Well, that is to say, we think it has. Finding a 19 16v is your first challenge, so badly have they rotted away. Clean ones are almost non-existent now; strangely though, they frequently come up for sale mid-way through restoration, which leads us to wonder whether parts supply is an issue, or simply whether their value isn't such that they warrant large amounts of time and/or cash.

So, what are those values like then? The caveat here, of course, is that we're struggling to find a clean, solid example that's sold recently to back up the theory. However, based on the prices of the fixer-uppers, it looks like you'll struggle to pay more than £3,000 for a tidy example. That seems like a bit of a bargain, and given the 16v's rarity, it's hard to imagine those prices staying where they are for long.

What's the catch? Well, as you can imagine, the 19 wasn't built to the highest possible standards of quality; interiors are chock-full of squeaky plastic that snaps, scratches and buckles like nobody's business. And while the bucket seats are exceptionally comfy, they also have a tendency to fray at the seams.

Does anyone own one? Or know of one?
Does anyone own one? Or know of one?
Electrics are another common gripe - come on, it's an old Renault; what did you expect? - with niggling maladies left, right and centre. The core oily bits, though, are pretty robust, and should take a reasonable amount of punishment.

The only problem, then, is finding one. Easier said than done. But if you really want one of these much-underrated cars, keep your eye on owners' forums and classic car sites - consider the possibility of taking on a project as well - and it's still possible to end up with a real slice of excellent early-1990s hot hatchery for bargain basement cash.

 

 

 

 

Author
Discussion

Sid123

Original Poster:

255 posts

176 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
It was a great car when it came out (late '90 early / '91 in the UK) and pretty much went to the top of the medium-sized hot hatch pile according to most reviewers.
The hatch looked great, especially in blue, without being too shouty and the spec was great for the money.
Renault sport models were always a cut above the cooking ones as the author alludes to....
The 19 16V flew out of the showroom in 1991 and I probably sold 10 x 19 16Vs to every the Clio 16V.
Never really got this as I always preferred the Clio 16V!!

Butter Face

30,191 posts

159 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
I took one of these in PX against a brand new 1.2 Clio in 2008, I picked it up from Sennen (near lands end) and drove it back to the dealership. It was ace.

It was one owner from new, 30k on the clock and I think we have the guy £500. I wish I'd bought the damn thing myself now but hindsight is 20/20!!

Agent XXX

1,248 posts

105 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
My Aunt had the cabriolet version.

Got nicked from outside my grandparents house in a quiet village in Sussex.

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
Didn't these have a recall because of collapsing front suspension early on?

foggy1974

44 posts

147 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
Loved my 1992 red 3 door, bought in 2000 for £2000. It was immaculate, and I always preferred the pre facelift version.
Quickly learned all about lift off oversteer - Yikes!
I did change the restrictive airbox which gave a gain of 14bhp and a noise to die for.

W00DY

15,467 posts

225 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
I hate these articles.


I want everyone else to continue to forget that there are awesome cars available for buttons.


Although I can't remember the last time I saw a nice Phase 1 hatch for sale.

Sid123

Original Poster:

255 posts

176 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
Yes absolutely the series 1 was infintely better looking than the series 2 with it's horrid wheels and much less attractive front and rear end.
It also lost the red-faced dials which were always a bit more racey and made do with plain white ones from the cooking versions which was a setp backwards in my mind.

Agent XXX

1,248 posts

105 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
Didn't they also do a Williams version?

I'm almost sure they did and if so they must be like rocking horse poo.

richinlondon

591 posts

121 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
16 left and dropping at 4 a year from howmanyleft!

jeremyc

23,335 posts

283 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
I loved my silvery greeny metallic grey phase 1 hatchback with the black 'Executive Pack' leather interior. cloud9

As the article says, surprisingly quick, and very comfortable. Happy memories of driving it to Austria for a skiing holiday.

Alas H508HLF has long since gone to the Gallic graveyard du voiture.


Sid123

Original Poster:

255 posts

176 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
Agent XXX said:
Didn't they also do a Williams version?

I'm almost sure they did and if so they must be like rocking horse poo.
Not in the UK but not sure if they ever did LHD ones

PurpleAki

1,601 posts

86 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
My first car! A dark blue chamade for the mini touring car look. Full leather interior. K&N cold air intake. DTM back box. Absolutely adored it.

AndySheff

6,630 posts

206 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
I remember these from back in the day. I got to borrow one as a Co. car and thought 'fk ! not the Renault !" Anyhow, being suitably impressed I wangled one for myself. 19 16v 4 door saloon.

Agent XXX

1,248 posts

105 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
AndySheff said:
I remember these from back in the day. I got to borrow one as a Co. car and thought 'fk ! not the Renault !" Anyhow, being suitably impressed I wangled one for myself. 19 16v 4 door saloon.
Chamade.

anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
Rust was a biggie in killing them off.

As much as I loved the one we had the reliability of the engine was fking horrendous. And I mean seriously fking horrendous.

At one point it felt like every month something major went wrong.

When a transit eventually T-boned it, not a single tear was "shed".

Personally, at this age I'd stay well away but I do still have a soft spot.

AC43

11,435 posts

207 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
I really really really really really really wanted one of them in the early 90's. A three door in blue.

The fleet manager game me a five door Cav. In red.

He got drive a Subaru SVX.

  • *t.

Evilex

512 posts

103 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
If these are scarce, there must be NO R21 Turbos left at all, then frown

Edit- found one.... £4k, but looks... tired.

Edited by Evilex on Wednesday 22 March 11:53

AnneTeak

167 posts

108 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
Brings back memories of the Citroen ZX Volcane (1.9 + 2.0 petrol as well as a 2.0 diesel - one of the first diesel "hot" hatches). Good luck trying to find one now though!

Rob996

84 posts

101 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
I also fell in love with the ZX, mine in red. 1.9 ltrs of fun, many a golf and xr disappeared in the rear view mirror.

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
THE HOT HATCH of that time in that class was the Tipo 16v

Try finding one of those!