renault 5 gt turbo,
Discussion
Fantastic cars. I can't think of many cars I've had since which were as much fun to drive.
My first was back in the days when they were still making them. It was an 18 month old black E plater (E661HCX). Had it 6 years and 65k, and still on the original clutch and turbo when I sold it.
Only a few years back (around 2002 I think) I managed to track down a lovely 89 model in Pearl White. Just one lady owner from new and still only around 60k on the clock. Had a great number plate too - F555GTU. Wish I'd have kept hold of it as nice ones now are very very hard to find..
My first was back in the days when they were still making them. It was an 18 month old black E plater (E661HCX). Had it 6 years and 65k, and still on the original clutch and turbo when I sold it.
Only a few years back (around 2002 I think) I managed to track down a lovely 89 model in Pearl White. Just one lady owner from new and still only around 60k on the clock. Had a great number plate too - F555GTU. Wish I'd have kept hold of it as nice ones now are very very hard to find..
Oh how I miss my R5 GT Turbo ! Had an H Reg , externally original but mechanically breathed on by BBR. So pushing 175BHP, lowered and stiffened suspension and revised front geometry. The result ? No torque steer and the ability to push hard round corners on turbo without waltzing off into the nearest hedge.
Used to eat big beemers for breakfast up to about 90.
Bought it for £3750, drove it for 3 years, spend about £1k on the mechanical upgrades then sold it for £4750 ! So it only cost fuel and servicing. Mrs made me sell it as we started a family and it was well known that any crash would be pretty much fatal. Now I've slowed down and drive a TVR.....
Only downside was that it only had 3 useable gears, 1st gear was pointless.
Used to eat big beemers for breakfast up to about 90.
Bought it for £3750, drove it for 3 years, spend about £1k on the mechanical upgrades then sold it for £4750 ! So it only cost fuel and servicing. Mrs made me sell it as we started a family and it was well known that any crash would be pretty much fatal. Now I've slowed down and drive a TVR.....
Only downside was that it only had 3 useable gears, 1st gear was pointless.
Several of my mates have these, one has a mint white one thats had an engine re-build and a respray etc, heres a pic with my VTS earlier this year
One mate had one span it into a hedge, ditch type thing while i was in it never been so scared (like a sardine in a can!) then sold it to someone who owns a local tool shop so still see it about.
The other one is a project car.
All pretty cool cars thought about getting one a few times but i'd end up with a mk1 saxo or an Ax GT.
One mate had one span it into a hedge, ditch type thing while i was in it never been so scared (like a sardine in a can!) then sold it to someone who owns a local tool shop so still see it about.
The other one is a project car.
All pretty cool cars thought about getting one a few times but i'd end up with a mk1 saxo or an Ax GT.
PH_Scooby said:
exgtt said:
come on guys it didnt handle like a 205, but the lightweight, plus all the ainchent pushrod torque, it cant be that bad??
Enjoyhttp://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=G_6AyjDIqZA
Some interesting cars there.
exgtt said:
come on guys it didnt handle like a 205, but the lightweight, plus all the ainchent pushrod torque, it cant be that bad??
True, the 205 edged it on handling, but the 5GTT was better made and a more exciting drive (once that turbo kicked in).A colleague had one (back in the day) and over-revved it - It popped a pushrod out of the rocker - Garage replaced it and it was right as rain.
Everyone always said they were dangerous, but it was so lightweight that it always seemed to be manageable. I always felt less safe in the Calibra I replaced it with as once that gathered speed, the sense of momentum was tangible!
I had my Red one for 3 years (88-91) from new - Still one of my favourite cars.
M.
Edited by marcosgt on Friday 6th November 09:15
marcosgt said:
exgtt said:
come on guys it didnt handle like a 205, but the lightweight, plus all the ainchent pushrod torque, it cant be that bad??
True, the 205 edged it on handling, but the 5GTT was better made and a more exciting drive (once that turbo kicked in).Perhaps the 205s have aged better
Shropshiremike said:
marcosgt said:
exgtt said:
come on guys it didnt handle like a 205, but the lightweight, plus all the ainchent pushrod torque, it cant be that bad??
True, the 205 edged it on handling, but the 5GTT was better made and a more exciting drive (once that turbo kicked in).Perhaps the 205s have aged better
I loved my 5 GT Turbo. I had an '89 model from new and did over 100,000 miles in it, including lots of blasts across France, Spain, the Alps, Pyrennees and 4 laps of a greasy Nurburgring.
It was a very quick car point to point, greatly helped by its small size unlike today's huge and stupidly wide hot hatches. The handling was superb and most road testers of the time felt it handled better than the 205gti. The late Jeff Daniels ran one as a long term test in some magazine (possibly Autocar?) and I particularly remember him praising the brilliant chassis.
Apart from breaking clutch cables it was also very reliable. More fun the 306 Gti6 that replaced it, although I loved that as well!
It was a very quick car point to point, greatly helped by its small size unlike today's huge and stupidly wide hot hatches. The handling was superb and most road testers of the time felt it handled better than the 205gti. The late Jeff Daniels ran one as a long term test in some magazine (possibly Autocar?) and I particularly remember him praising the brilliant chassis.
Apart from breaking clutch cables it was also very reliable. More fun the 306 Gti6 that replaced it, although I loved that as well!
harry miller said:
I loved my 5 GT Turbo. I had an '89 model from new and did over 100,000 miles in it, including lots of blasts across France, Spain, the Alps, Pyrennees and 4 laps of a greasy Nurburgring.
It was a very quick car point to point, greatly helped by its small size unlike today's huge and stupidly wide hot hatches. The handling was superb and most road testers of the time felt it handled better than the 205gti. The late Jeff Daniels ran one as a long term test in some magazine (possibly Autocar?) and I particularly remember him praising the brilliant chassis.
Apart from breaking clutch cables it was also very reliable. More fun the 306 Gti6 that replaced it, although I loved that as well!
It was a very quick car point to point, greatly helped by its small size unlike today's huge and stupidly wide hot hatches. The handling was superb and most road testers of the time felt it handled better than the 205gti. The late Jeff Daniels ran one as a long term test in some magazine (possibly Autocar?) and I particularly remember him praising the brilliant chassis.
Apart from breaking clutch cables it was also very reliable. More fun the 306 Gti6 that replaced it, although I loved that as well!
Totally agree with all that. I did 45,000 miles in ours, didn't do the alps or the 'ring but got to the other places you mention, can't recall if we did 2 or 3 clutch cables in that time. I could change 'em in 10 mins though.
The car was also a f
king pain to start when it was hot due to boiling its fuel, but we didn't suffer the problem anything like as much on French petrol. 
LuS1fer said:
Shropshiremike said:
marcosgt said:
exgtt said:
come on guys it didnt handle like a 205, but the lightweight, plus all the ancient pushrod torque, it cant be that bad??
True, the 205 edged it on handling, but the 5GTT was better made and a more exciting drive (once that turbo kicked in).Perhaps the 205s have aged better
I also recall following a 205 1.9 one evening and the ease with which he could carry a few more mph than me through the bends - Maybe I just wasn't brave enough, but I could tell he wasn't on the edge like I was
I do, though, agree 100% with LuS1fer - I too discounted the Pug and loved the 5.
Oh, and of course it torque steered - This was 20 years ago! On boost torque steer was part of the fun!
M.
I've always had a soft spot for these. When growing up I had an Uno Turbo and a Punto GT. I still look at the classifieds occasionally and think about getting one....
Anyway, I was searching around one day and found this:
http://www.renault5gtturbo.com/forum/viewtopic.php...
What this guy has done is amazing IMO. Love it!
Anyway, I was searching around one day and found this:
http://www.renault5gtturbo.com/forum/viewtopic.php...
What this guy has done is amazing IMO. Love it!
pushthebutton said:
Anyway, I was searching around one day and found this:
http://www.renault5gtturbo.com/forum/viewtopic.php...
What this guy has done is amazing IMO. Love it!
Well worth a look if you're a 5GTT lover http://www.renault5gtturbo.com/forum/viewtopic.php...
What this guy has done is amazing IMO. Love it!
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