Renaultsport Twingo 133
Discussion
Juanco20 said:
Anyone any experience of these? Tempted as they look like a lot of fun, if a little firm (especially in Cup form) and can be had for reasonable prices now
Not saying these are bad cars at all. But surely if hot hatch fun is what you are after you'd get more thrills for your money and better residuals by buying a tidy MK1 Golf GTI or Pug 205 GTI?I too ran one, for 6 months, black with a Cup Pack, it's the sort of car that proves you don't need power to have fun.
Immense fun however awful on a motorway, mpg I would say late twenties to early thirties, however only because you have to rag it around everywhere, only because you should, not because you have or need to.
Drivers seat is set a bit too high on its lowest setting but the seats themselves are supportive enough, try and get one with climate control as the standard A/C rotary controls are crap, it's useless on anything less than no.3 fan speed.
Ignore the comment about residuals on a 205GTi or Golf GTi, hardly they same sort of car really, well they are but twenty years apart, a 20 year old Peugeot or Golf vs a modern equivalent, you'll forever be fixing it or replacing worn out parts, yes you can buy either for a couple of grand and flog them a year later for the same but they are almost Classic status now and finding decent ones will be hard.
If I was after a car for myself, didn't have to commute too far or only used it weekends and had the money a Twingo 133 wih Cup Pack would be at the top of my list.
Oh and ignore anyone who may say, "oh it's a Renault so it's crap and will fall part or leave you stranded" they haven't a clue.
Go for it, you won't be disappointed.
Immense fun however awful on a motorway, mpg I would say late twenties to early thirties, however only because you have to rag it around everywhere, only because you should, not because you have or need to.
Drivers seat is set a bit too high on its lowest setting but the seats themselves are supportive enough, try and get one with climate control as the standard A/C rotary controls are crap, it's useless on anything less than no.3 fan speed.
Ignore the comment about residuals on a 205GTi or Golf GTi, hardly they same sort of car really, well they are but twenty years apart, a 20 year old Peugeot or Golf vs a modern equivalent, you'll forever be fixing it or replacing worn out parts, yes you can buy either for a couple of grand and flog them a year later for the same but they are almost Classic status now and finding decent ones will be hard.
If I was after a car for myself, didn't have to commute too far or only used it weekends and had the money a Twingo 133 wih Cup Pack would be at the top of my list.
Oh and ignore anyone who may say, "oh it's a Renault so it's crap and will fall part or leave you stranded" they haven't a clue.
Go for it, you won't be disappointed.
HTP99 said:
Ignore the comment about residuals on a 205GTi or Golf GTi, hardly they same sort of car really, well they are but twenty years apart, a 20 year old Peugeot or Golf vs a modern equivalent, you'll forever be fixing it or replacing worn out parts, yes you can buy either for a couple of grand and flog them a year later for the same but they are almost Classic status now and finding decent ones will be hard.
The older cars will be a better drive. And I don't believe they are any less reliable. Unless you are buying a newish car with full warranty, then the risk is the same. The difference is a Twingo will continue to bleed money at an alarming rate, while a solid 205 or Mk1 GTI won't. And they'll still be a better drive 
HTP99 said:
Oh and ignore anyone who may say, "oh it's a Renault so it's crap and will fall part or leave you stranded" they haven't a clue.
Except they do...Edit:
Bit unfair. They don't all do it. But its not outside the realms of possibility.
Edited by Robb F on Thursday 29th November 17:42
Robb F said:
Except they do...
My OHs run her 133 for a year now and all it's needed is tyres. Sure, it rattles.. But what else so you expect from a cheap interior?Hers sees 35mpg, cheap insurance and cheap tax.
She loves it and it always gets positive remarks when out on PH runs and whatnot.
I like them. For a cheap, small hatchback it's very fun on B roads and they're still very rare!
300bhp/ton said:
HTP99 said:
Ignore the comment about residuals on a 205GTi or Golf GTi, hardly they same sort of car really, well they are but twenty years apart, a 20 year old Peugeot or Golf vs a modern equivalent, you'll forever be fixing it or replacing worn out parts, yes you can buy either for a couple of grand and flog them a year later for the same but they are almost Classic status now and finding decent ones will be hard.
The older cars will be a better drive. And I don't believe they are any less reliable. Unless you are buying a newish car with full warranty, then the risk is the same. The difference is a Twingo will continue to bleed money at an alarming rate, while a solid 205 or Mk1 GTI won't. And they'll still be a better drive Lowest bidder manufacturing is one thing, but even decent build quality can't hold back time. At best a Golf GTi is 20 years old. That's a very very long time for anything to have lived on British roads.
300bhp/ton said:
The older cars will be a better drive. And I don't believe they are any less reliable. Unless you are buying a newish car with full warranty, then the risk is the same. The difference is a Twingo will continue to bleed money at an alarming rate, while a solid 205 or Mk1 GTI won't. And they'll still be a better drive
Do you run an old Golf or 205 as a daily then?I run an old 205 as a track toy but I do drive it about too and there is always a niggle that needs sorting, saying that I run a garage and specialise in French cars, we look after a 59 plate twingo sport and that's cost the owner a fair few quid since its been out of warranty.
Bloody thing.
Carl
Bloody thing.
Carl
C. Grimsley said:
I run an old 205 as a track toy but I do drive it about too and there is always a niggle that needs sorting, saying that I run a garage and specialise in French cars, we look after a 59 plate twingo sport and that's cost the owner a fair few quid since its been out of warranty.
Bloody thing.
Carl
If you specialise in French cars you will always be busy! Good business plan (shame they are crap to work on). Bloody thing.
Carl
Juanco20 said:
Anyone any experience of these? Tempted as they look like a lot of fun, if a little firm (especially in Cup form) and can be had for reasonable prices now
Have you considered a Suzuki Swift Sport? More refined than the Twingo but just as much fun. And has a better reputation for reliability.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff