Renault 16 - The Motion Picture - Remake (p7)

[wuvvum]

I've had two 4s.  I had a V-reg 1108cc GTL as my daily for a while about 12 years ago.  Bought for 80 quid with T&T, being an older GTL it still had drums all round, plus the old-type dash and fly-off handbrake.  I loved it, despite it being rough as a bear's arse.  It never let me down, and could fit my mountain bike in the back with the seats down.  It did have rot - in fact the nearside rear trailing arm mount had snapped clean off, and the wheel was held on solely by the torsion bar, but I drove it for months without realising anything was amiss until I overcooked it into a right-hand bend and got OMGLIFTOFFOVERSTEER.  (Strangely, when the Renner Six suffered the same problem, it would start to shake itself to bits at anything over 30.)

 

The other one was a 1967 car with 6-volt electrics, an 845cc engine and 3-speed box with crash first on a dogleg.  Having driven that, I would suggest that early 4s, pretty though they are, are really curiosity value only these days - a bit like an MM Minor.  I didn't have it long.

[trigger]

I do like Renault 4's but my Civic would tick all your boxes, I'm in no rush to sell it as I like it but if you wanted it I'd let it go for £2800 as it's just sitting here in the garage, it needs for nothing now and drives perfect. Only thing is that it really needs to live indoors.

[barefoot]

Maxis are hideously thirsty for what they are.

[Skizzer]

This evening's entertainment chez Skizzeur is perusing Leboncoin for Ranchos with a glass of vin rouge and a 1989 Michelin map of France. There are several, some of them looking very, very tempting.

 

Mrs S was unaware of these, they having been scarce in her native Germany, but they have zoomed straight into the all time top 5 all time blah blah blah, right up with R4s and coil sprung Landies. (Ahead of Peugeot 304s, I'm afraid, which are maybe top 10 or so, and Ami Breaks, which aren't.)

 

I can maybe see a road trip happening in a few weeks. May need to enlist the services telephonique du Monsieur Bolleaux, if available.

 

So, anyone want to buy a 2010 Yeti 2.0 TDI 170 manual, beige, 73k, new DMF at 60k, tax and MOT until March?

 

Didn't think so. This place etc

[Skizzer]

I do like Renault 4's but my Civic would tick all your boxes, I'm in no rush to sell it as I like it but if you wanted it I'd let it go for £2800 as it's just sitting here in the garage, it needs for nothing now and drives perfect. Only thing is that it really needs to live indoors.

Trig, your Civic is gorgeous and that's a very very decent price - but it's definitely not right for a life of taking Keith the Dog to the beach/hills or garden stuff to the tip. You'd kill me if you ever found out. Hell, I'd kill myself.

 

In R4 terms, I'm definitely thinking a late-ish one, and probably a GTL with the 1108.

[trigger]

That's no problem mate, I thought I'd just give you the option, I'm not really in any rush to sell it at the moment anyway.

[Skizzer]

And it's much appreciated, bearing in mind I was thinking of buying your Acclaim the other week (for no practical purpose, just pure lust).

[AnthonyG]

If a Maxi doesn't float your boat, how about a Renault 16?

 

I realise a Maxi will be be lot easier to find on this side of the channel, and a 1750 one should have a good turn of speed. I have never driven one for more than about half a mile, so have no idea if the gear change is as bad as was reputed back in the day.

[Mr Lobster]

Righto then...

 

For maximum useability then you want a late GTL. That has the 1108 engine and decent carb and will happily cruise at the legal limit or thereabouts. 

 

Rear seat folds, fronts are just normal recline etc on late ones - doesn't fold flat. 

 

Mechanically they are pretty much unbreakable if they are maintained reasonably well. Its all simple stuff and there are a few bits you can do to make them (a little bit) quicker. 

 

Parts supply is generally very good. Melun Retro Passion in France supply most stuff and some is still available from Renault. They do like to rust though - front floorpan, rear suspension where suspension meets chassis are favourites. As mentioned, new chassis' are available and aren't daft money at all. Theres not much that is difficult or expensive to source in them.

 

Pricewise, over the last few years the only way is up. Cheap R4s are a thing of the past and projects seem to start at £500+. £3k should get you a decent, late GTL. 

 

Have a look at www.renault4.co.uk and its probably worth getting in touch with Derek at www.renospeed.co.uk too. There aren't loads about but it isn't hard to find one either. Do it, they are ace

[wuvvum]

I'll just leave this here...

 

[Skizzer]

Good idea, and I did look seriously at a 16 a few months back - a 1967 green one that's still for sale. I think I even started a 'tell me about R16s' thread. I like them a lot. Kirsten's father had one, which turned out to be the trouble: he died suddenly when she was six, and if her mother ever saw it she'd apparently be extremely upset. So that does for R16s.

 

Edit: yes, that R16! Looks stunning. Shame.

 

Mini Clubman estate: cute, hoseable, but a tad too small. Fiat Panda likewise. Minis probably also a bit pricey for what they are, I'd have thought? Though maybe no worse than R4s.

[Mr Lobster]

Also, that one in Cork might be alright but personally I'd be wanting to have a good look at it before handing over any money.  

 

Also also.... rear seat removal is a nice quick job if needed. 

[Junkman]

http://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/685993283.htm?ca=1_s

[philibusmo]

I can tell you with full confidence that Maxis are superb motor cars. They are just quite slow, have a rubbish gear change (although you get used to it quite quickly) and they are very thirsty. About 26mpg on a run was what I was getting with my 1750, whether I gunned it or nursed it.

[Skizzer]

Thanks Mr L. Wise words about the Cork one - come to think of it I've sworn off buying anything without a proper inspection and test drive after the Lancia HPE incident: I've been lucky before but luck runs out. This will also be a challenge if buying in France.

[Junkman]

http://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/632855155.htm?ca=1_s

 

 

Carburant : Diesel

 

Il a column change, aussi!

[Skizzer]

Can't help feeling that I have the rest of my life to fit in a cheap Maxi, but Renault 4s could soon soar away out of budget.

 

I thought the Maxi gearchange was a bit better after they ditched the cable change the early 1500s had? Better but still rubbish, then?

[Inspector Morose]

A bit left field but mk1 bx estate? Quirky, rarer than a maxi, low sill for dogs, loadspace liners can be found and diesels would last forever. Usual rust and citroen plastics issues but I'm sure a nice one could be found in frenchland for not a lot.

[mercrocker]

Not many left now but what about an R6?   Nearly as utilitarian-useful as a 4, same 1108cc as the GTL and still one of the most comfortable cars I have ever driven.   Wasn't there one flashed about on here a while back?

[Vince70]

These are cheap load carriers all with shite appeal apart from the truimph.

[Skizzer]

Mmm, BX estate is an idea.  I like BXs, had a hatch a long time ago which was very unreliable but that doesn't mean they all are.  Probably a bit long though.

 

R6 could work, too.  If I was going to France for it I'd probably prefer a Rancho, but if there's an R6 in the UK it's on the list.

 

Junkman, those are definitely projects.  Projects I have already, in abundance.  No more projects.

[AnthonyG]

I thought the Maxi gearchange was a bit better after they ditched the cable change the early 1500s had? Better but still rubbish, then?

I think it was a case of the later rod change was pretty bad but the gears were findable, the cable set-up broached the Trades Description Act if the words 'gear change' were used to describe it.

[Skizzer]

Can't type fast enough...

 

Allegro estate: maybe.  Do prefer the saloons though (which obviously don't fill this particular hole) and quite fancy a Vanden Plas 1500 at some point.  Actually, what would be even better is an ADO16 estate.  There's an idea.

 

Ambassador, Marina, Triumph - all too big.  Ambo also not boxy enough.

 

Thanks for the suggestions.  All these and more are welcome.

[AnthonyG]

Allegro estate + Vanden Plas 1500 front panel, grille and bonnet, dashboard and front seats = A unique Skizzer Special, a sort of DIY cut-price Lynx Eventer.

[theorganist]

If a Maxi doesn't float your boat, how about a Renault 16?

 

I realise a Maxi will be be lot easier to find on this side of the channel, and a 1750 one should have a good turn of speed. I have never driven one for more than about half a mile, so have no idea if the gear change is as bad as was reputed back in the day.

The gearchange is no-where near as bad as people would have you believe. They can keep up with modern traffic and are surprisingly fun to drive. And they are of course extremely practical!

[Vince70]

I don't know if these are in your price range but it can turn on a sixpence and looks like it's about the same size as an allegro.

[Vince70]

[Junkman]

Junkman, those are definitely projects.  Projects I have already, in abundance.  No more projects.

 

They were just for illustration purposes. Non project versions available for less than your budget.

[Skizzer]

Allegro estate + Vanden Plas 1500 front panel, grille and bonnet, dashboard and front seats = A unique Skizzer Special, a sort of DIY cut-price Lynx Eventer.

Allegrynx Non-Eventer? That's genius. Love it.

 

Herald idea also interesting, hadn't thought of that. Quite low roofed though.

[Vince70]

I was thinking the avenger might be to big..

 

But the Hunter range of cars may have shite potential.