Alright, so PH has featured quite a few 80s hot hatches in the past couple of months, but since when can you have enough of those? Not only are they popular, the market is moving so quickly that they're worth re-evaluating on a regular basis. Plus there are rumours now going around that the RS16 will not be made, which would make this the last great small Renault turbo.
We all know why the 5 GT Turbo remains in demand, but here's the
PH Hero story
just in case you don't. Perhaps more than any other hatch of the era too, finding an unmolested and standard 5 GT Turbo is becoming very difficult. Don't expect this one to be around for long then.
In fact it goes to show the rarity of this particular model at present that there are only a couple fewer mid-engined, rear-wheel drive Turbos for sale than - by comparison - pretty ordinary front-wheel drive 5s. Goes to show how many were scrapped or crashed!
Therefore when a 5 GT Turbo as nice as this French Electric Blue car comes up it's a genuinely exciting find. Unlike the car we wrote about a couple of years ago, there isn't a single modification to this one. Not even just an exhaust. Everything mechanically and cosmetically is untouched; it's even on Michelin MXV tyres, which might be one area where modernisation is acceptable. But for collectors, or for those keen to experience exactly how the 5 Turbo was 30 years ago, this must be one of the best cars around.
Leading us on to how much you will pay for a 5 Turbo exactly how it was 30 years ago. When a 5 GT Turbo last featured in 2014, just under £5K seemed strong for a lightly modified car with 74,000 miles - it looks a wise investment now! This blue car has 88,000 miles and is being sold at £11,995. Rather a lot, no?
Amazingly standard here too
Still, as has been discussed recently, certain small hot hatches are now selling for big, big money. It comes down more to what you prefer rather than seeking out something that's still affordable. For reference the 205 appears to have mellowed out, albeit at a very high level. Certainly £12,000 gets you
a similar GTI
as GT Turbo. Same goes for
a fast Golf
as well. And don't think opting for something newer immediately makes much difference either; look how much this
Clio Williams
So affordable classic hot hatches would appear to be a distant memory now. But unspoilt ones are still around if you look hard enough. More positively, it wouldn't seem that you're going to lose much money on one in the current market. Now's the time to remind yourself just what a hot hatch can be!
RENAULT 5 GT TURBO
Engine: 1,397cc 4-cyl turbo
Transmission: Five-speed manual, FWD
Power (hp): 122@5,750rpm
Torque (lb ft): 121@3,000rpm
MPG: 28
CO2: It was the 80s
Year registered: 1988
Recorded mileage: 88,000
Price new: £7,360 (1986)
Yours for: £10,995
See the original advert here.