What is it about GT Turbos that you like?

[Woznaldo]

A lot of peeps seem to have a strong affection for these cars that a lot of people just don't get. So what is it that has drawn you to (and back again) to these upside down skips?

For me it has been a few things. Firstly, I love the boxy shape because it's purposeful but, more than that, it's different to anything else.

I love the '80s turbo rush, no traction control raining things in. Just the skill of the driver and the reward you get when you get it right!

I also love the burble you get from the exhaust. Somewhere between Subaru Boxer and Massey Ferguson but unique and utterly addictive.

The one that I have always thought needed a 'proper look at' was the handling, while pretty good out of the box, not many have really explored its true potential. The limiting factor being the lack of adjustment at the rear.

What flicks your GTT switch?

[Os8472]

Bbbbboooooooooosssssttttt

[Woznaldo]

Amen bruva!

[Ashy]

The fact that I have enough spares to rebuilt it everytime it brakes!

[dangerous dave]

The retro stying...

[SirSamuelOfBuca]

A lot of peeps seem to have a strong affection for these cars that a lot of people just don't get. So what is it that has drawn you to (and back again) to these upside down skips?

For me it has been a few things. Firstly, I love the boxy shape because it's purposeful but, more than that, it's different to anything else.

I love the '80s turbo rush, no traction control raining things in. Just the skill of the driver and the reward you get when you get it right!

I also love the burble you get from the exhaust. Somewhere between Subaru Boxer and Massey Ferguson but unique and utterly addictive.

The sound reference is spot on. Mad for a 1.4 engine imo.

I love the shape 80's styling. The boooooost and the suprise on 45yr old mid life crisis bloke in his focus st face as he looks at the 5s arse from 300 yards

[Brigsy]

Retro looks and delivery of power, no **** driver aids that take the fun out of modern cars. Also cheap tax and insurance for the performance.

[Mattv6]

Well...... I firstly didn' think a little tin can with a turbo engine would get under my skin this much and turn in to an obsession. After just bored one evening browsing Ebay, as you do I type in Renault 5 turbo and up shot 'nearest first' one 30 minutes away. White one - tick box, 1 lady owner from new - double tick, original condition - I was getting interested now..... Put a deposit on it straight away. Unfortunately few niggles (so be prepared to get the tool kit out) to sort out - head gasket being a major one.

They are ace (full stop) - ability to tinker with the engine. I've learn't loads recently about engines after taking this apart and putting it back together again. It's fab too that you can keep a look out on Ebay for any parts that come, or trying to source ones that are hard to get - like the mats and gear knob I'm after at the moment. Don't get me wrong I love the v6 but its tucked away for nice sunny days, can't do anything to it (apart from cleaning) so it's nice to have an on going project.

Value - that's an additional bonus now. Values are creeping up quickly for standard non modified examples. So least I know the money I'm putting in to it isn't just disappearing.

Driveabiltiy - well, when you first step in to the cabin that smell of the 90s takes you back straight away. The firm bolstered seats, hard plastic steering wheel and dash. Light switches like something out of a toy shop! All adds to the affect of it! Then turning the key and here the carb spluttering before it starts. Tap Tap Tap - when the engines running. Fully warmed up though you see the little orange turbo dial kicking up and down. Little bit of lag then whhhooosh turbo is in and you're pelting along at quite a quick pace for a 22 year old car.

[Woznaldo]

Obviously living in Oz has some of the locals telling me of the glory of the V8 and how the Holden Commodore is all things good but, when I tell them that their 400 pony V8 does sound the nuts but it has to drag 1800kg of lard around, they get a bit upset.

Then I explain that I only have a carb and 1.4 glorious litres to propel me along and the laughter starts again but, when I explain that my little GTT weighs in at 800kg and is a full tonne lighter, it all goes quiet again.....

The speeding laws, and speeds, are so tight over here that the average Commodore driver will never see the top end that 400 ponies can provide, so it's all down to acceleration and with 160-200bhp on a winding road, lard arse doesn't stand a chance!

[Romil Davda]

Superb fun to drive... You get the most "smiles, per miles" with a R5 GTT

Not to mention the great looks/styling. Keep it o.e.? Put on a kit? Tune it up? What ever takes your fancy you can do and not a great expence either (well anymore).

Mind you, its all about the Boost

[markey b]

Bbbbboooooooooosssssttttt

does ur car actually run positive boost? thought it was like 14psi?!?

[scratcher]

The upside-down skip look, and the boxy styling Loved them since I was 10.

[Os8472]

does ur car actually run positive boost? thought it was like 14psi?!?

It's seen more boost than yours this year.

14psi is enough for around 300bhp when ive got my new tubby so why use more

[markey b]

It's seen more boost than yours this year.

14psi is enough for around 300bhp when ive got my new tubby so why use more

Off the 30psi boost gauge on the way back from mot.... Lol

When is yours finished anyways oli, 3 weeks till FCS or u'll be in the 9!

[Os8472]

Off the 30psi boost gauge on the way back from mot.... Lol

When is yours finished anyways oli, 3 weeks till FCS or u'll be in the 9!

And how long after that before it blew?

Hopefully in 2 weeks, might need a pair of hands with getting the engine back in and adjusting the bulkhead to clear the turbo, hammer style

[Jonny5]

The fact that I have enough spares to rebuilt it everytime it brakes!

[Nottswoody]

The fact that I can drive for miles and not spot the same car in the same color with the same spec...

[Tony Walker]

The fact that I can drive for miles and not spot the same car in the same color with the same spec...

The fact that when you do spot one.... you stop and have a chat

[SCHWARTZ]

I love the fact that modern turbo cars try it on and still get blown away buy a 20 something year old skip

[J$£5GTT]

I love the fact that modern turbo cars try it on and still get blown away buy a 20 something year old skip

[michael tierney]

all of the above!!thats why i've been driving them since '94

[DaveL485]

Rust.

Crap wiring.

Panels made of tinfoil.

Plastic clips *guaranteed* to break.

Snappy snappy bolts and studs.



It all adds character, you see. Now, where's my valium.....

[royz]

all of the above and the fact that when you brake it and get it out again you still get that feeling you did when you first got one and took it for a good blast out

[Tony Walker]

Still shout woooooooooooooohoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo sometimes at the end of 3rd lol.

[Alastair]

Bbbbboooooooooosssssttttt

And shouting Boooooooooooooooooooooost as you cross the finish line at full chat

[cook1981]

to be honest I love the car but being standard I'm not getting the boost woosh everyone is talking
about I need help here!

[GTphil]

For me it's all about the raw drivability that a gtt offers you and once over the 200hp mark they really are fantastic fun!

In standard form with only 8/10psi I have to be honest and say they are far to slow, I'm all for an o.e example and keeping the car alive but they just don't do it for me unless you need to fight to keep going in a straight line when the power comes in

Love the fact that for practically peanuts you can have so much fun, even fixing them is fun!

The engine note when a c1j flys past on full chat is just something else.......

[GT Josh]

I love my car loads. To be honest, the boost is like a drug. The look people give once lifting off throttle and compressor surge screams out is one I will never tire of. It's like 'wtf is under that things bonnet' makes me have a big silly cheesy grin every time.

I'm 21 years old and i feel like the coolest dude on the planet when driving my car.

1. Retro
2. Boost
3. Fixing
4. Simplistic but amazing fun!

I will have my 5 for a long time! Good thread Woz.

[Hoolio]

All this is making me as I'm not sure I can justify getting mine on the road this year and I'm feeling the need..........................

[Woznaldo]

I did forget one important point. Lots of like minded people coming together and helping each other out in the RTOC!

[The new Bill J]

This is a great thread to read a couple of days after selling my last gtt

[Woznaldo]

This is a great thread to read a couple of days after selling my last gtt

There's a legend of a GTT for sale right now.........

[The new Bill J]

There's a legend of a GTT for sale right now.........

I'd kill myself in that

No, I've got a replacement, and I'm very happy with it so far

[Flight666]

For me its just the quirky looks the allround package the way the deep bolsters hold you in and the feedback you feel whilst driving the car sure a lot of the 80s/90s hot hatches were great I went through most of them when I was a lad but the 5 felt different to all of them its just a one off that will never be repeated,you just cant help loving them.It almost makes you giggle to yourself when the boost kicks in and I just love the way the back end the way it tapers down to a nice wide backside with the little badge that tells it all on the bottom of the tailgate plus the fact you never see any around the barry boy ones have long gone so its nice to have something different that makes people scratch their heads and other peeps saying how long its been since they last saw a GT that makes them still special 20 years after they last made them...Even right now whilst I`m crawling around underneath her with a wire brush a tin of hammerite and covered in crap still love the little beast

[Nottswoody]

I don't think you should be left alone with your five mate.. Get a room

[Flight666]

Suppose it does sound a bit funny reading it back but what the hell you know what I mean..I`m just chuffed to have bagged a good one 12 years after my last..

[philr5t]

my wife wont come in it

[bod 182]

my wife wont come in it

mine has

[James5]

mine has

What in Phils 5

[philr5t]

What in Phils 5

[modfather]

because there are easy to work on

[Muzza]

Because its takes me two years to build mine and still not sure why I'm doin it lol