Renault 19 16v | Spotted
Craving a retro hot hatch on a budget? Don't forget there was a Renault other than the Clio...
That’s right, the fascination with all things fast and French hasn’t abated yet. And here’s something potentially just as rare as a Citroen CX Turbo: the Renault 19 16v. Credit where it’s due to the French, they do love to make a hot hatch out of an unlikely base: all manner of plain family cars over the decades, from Visa to Xsara, have been given racy makeovers. The 19 was certainly one of those, a very ordinary base that became something of a cult hero - yet one often forgotten in the Renault back catalogue.
There are several reasons for that. The first is its fairly staid appearance, even by the standards of '90s hatches (and four-door saloons); the Clio 16v that existed alongside was a much prettier, sportier, more modern-looking thing. With similar amounts of power from the 1.8, too, you’d have really had to want the 19’s extra space to go for it over the smaller car. That Renault abandoned the Golf-sized hot hatch for a while after the 19 can’t have helped the reputation, either: while the Megane arrived in the mid-'90s, it wasn’t until the 21st century that a Renaultsport launched.
That said, there was plenty to like about the 19. That 16-valve engine was gutsy, the handling deft and the seats were supportive - you can always rely on French pocket rockets for excellent chairs. But electrics were problematic, the build quality not amazing even by the standards of the era, and rust became an issue as well. It’s little wonder that few made it far into the 21st century, even with sturdy mechanicals. Car Magazine said 35 years ago: ‘Quality is not a word you’d readily associate with the Renault’s interior. Many of the plastics are low grade, it rattles like a creche, and the fabric used to upholster the seats looks like the cheap covers sold in car accessory shops.’ Yikes.
This one, then, is a real find. It must be one of the last, a 1995 five-door kitted out with a leather interior. While most tend to prefer the look of a pre-facelift 19, we’re very much at the beggars and choosers stage of this old Renault’s life - you take what you can get. Any of the 16-valves left are going to offer an authentic retro hatch experience.
There are fewer than 70,000 miles on this one, which would explain why it presents so nicely inside and out. But even this one had been plagued by rot, with wings and sills requiring recent attention. The ad mentions some additional new parts, too, including alternator, starter motor and cambelt. It looks good to go, though plenty of used cars have flattered to deceive. See what a new MOT throws up and proceed from there.
Let’s be optimistic and assume it passes with flying colours: what a cool way to spend £7,995 this would be. As 5s, Clios and Meganes of all eras soar in value - and are fairly common sights by modern classic standards - so the seemingly spotless 19 at less than £10k looks all the more appealing. Not being a hero car of the era has never been such a selling point. Get some yellow film for the foglights and away you go…
SPECIFICATION | RENAULT 19 16V
Engine: 1,764cc four-cylinder
Transmission: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 137@6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 117@4,250rpm
MPG: 36.7
CO2: na
Year registered: 1995
Recorded mileage: 67,800
Price new: c. £13k
Yours for: £7,995
. I recall a boss of mine had a new red / burgundy one, and I was totally jealous! 
The second was in the early 00's. Williams blue. Only engine mods were a filter and exhaust. It was low, body kit, big wheels. Only reason I got rid of it was I changed to a job where I needed a newer car as it came with a car allowance. Swapped out for a MG ZS 180.
Loved both the 19's and have always hankered after another but scared that the rose tinted glasses of time are playing too big a part in it. That said, I wonder if they would do me a good deal on my old Vectra GSI that's hidden away in the garage.
In case you hadn't worked it out I have a thing for performance saloons! Never owned a 2 seater, always had bigger fun things. Even now in my, erm, older years I still shy away from them. Nothing against a sports car/2 seater, I just always preferred something I can have fun with and also use for mates/house moves/tip runs/dogs/kids etc etc. Currently daily is no different and carries that on.
It died in the petrol station on the way home, it spent the next 6 months on his drive where he threw about £2k in bits at it and ended up getting rid having never driven it further than a couple of miles!
How do I know? I sold Renaults just as the Megane was replacing the 19, so we had a lot in as part exchanges. When I left the dealership I bought a 1993 19 RT 1.9td that had come in. One owner, 73,000 miles and a full history. I put 20,000 miles on it in 12 months before selling it to my brother-in-law. He subsequently put another 100,000 miles on it before it was written off when some numpty drove into him. It never let either of us down once.
This one is the whizz fandango Executive model, which had the leather as standard. The number plate is entirely appropriate, although nobody will get it.
I can neither confirm nor deny that a Renault 19 will take your girlfriend and 3 uni housemates, plus all their baggage, on a two week holiday to the south of France in 1998 in moderate comfort while you're claiming to be doing an early version of "working from home".
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