French bred

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Sun 30 May 2004 22:55
French bred - El Hacko
however deserved, French cars (particularly Renault, it seems from certain regular postings here) do seem to have a reputation for being unreliable, but a recent visit to northern Spain, well off the tourist trail, found me admiring the high number of older models still going apparently strongly and in daily use in the small town where I stayed. Particularly noticeable, and impressive, were the many Renault 4, 9 and 11s, some well over 20 years old, most battered and bruised but still up to the job (and with their current MoT equivalent certificates on the windscreen). Perhaps Renault made their cars simpler then and, QED, they were more reliable?
Oh (and this hurts) an interesting footnote: was in a Peugeot main dealer with a relative, and noticed the hourly labour rate displayed - 27 Euros (£18ish) an hour.
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Tue 1 Jun 2004 09:11
French bred - P 2501
I have always noticed this on my visits to Portugal.Loads of old Renaults (suppose rust didnt get them out there) and Peugeots.
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Tue 1 Jun 2004 09:15
French bred - No Do$h
But no 19s, 21s, 25s.... in fact anything with electrics.
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Wed 2 Jun 2004 14:53
French bred - Big Cat
But no 19s, 21s, 25s.... in fact anything with electrics.
Exactly, spot on. Renaults (and most french cars) were fine until they attempted electronics. Rot started with the awful Renault 25. If it came with an auto box, you were in for a very expensive time.

I bet in 10 or 15 year's time you won't see a Laguna or Scenic pottering around. They will probably still be patching up their 9's and 18's.
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Wed 2 Jun 2004 15:12
French bred - Garethj
My 1964 Renault 8 was very reliable when I got it a few years ago.

In fact, only the dynamo packed up on it!

Gareth
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Thu 3 Jun 2004 21:42
French bred - spinner
I saw a Renault 4 the other day - being driven!
Haven't seen one in years.
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