This 1984 Renault R5 Turbo II has been in California since new and is sold with all necessary registration paperwork, a California BAR label, and extensive records detailing, among other things, a significant engine refresh. The Turbo II was the second run of Renault’s hot hatch, built after the initial run of homologation models were built to satisfy requirements for competing on international rally stages. Find it here on craigslist with a $100,000 asking price.
Prices for these rarely seen hot hatches have jumped dramatically in recent years as the appeal of 1980s supercars and sportscars has ticked upwards with the changing demographics of the collector car market, and also the arrival of shows that pay tribute to the styling and excesses of the era, like Radwood. The excessive box flares, “Turbo” graphics splashed liberally on the body, and a mid-engined, turbocharged mill are all recipes for building a fan favorite following at local shows.
The Renault features a Plastia drivers seat and Recaro passenger seat, but the stock seats are available for an additional cost. The interior presents incredibly well, with unmarred tan carpets and door panels, and a rare Matter roll cage installed by the factory. The seller notes he is a long-time R5 enthusiast that has personally owned 12 of these rarely-seen mid-engined sports cars, and that he helps other owners keep theirs on the road. That helps put your mind at ease that the extensive mechanical upgrades and repairs were carried out at a high level.
This work includes new pistons/rings, bearings, liners, a rebuild cylinder head, new water pump, rebuilt radiator, new water hoses, clutch master cylinder, slave cylinder, braided clutch hose and more. The seller says there was no particular reason for the rebuild, such as a catastrophic mis-shift or over-rev, but rather simply a case of mission creep – otherwise known as, may as well do it while you’re in there. The good news is, this should give the next owner a turnkey example, but at the penalty of incurring a hefty purchase price.
A LeCar on steroids. A hu, hu, hundred grand? Good heavens, people in California sure live in a different universe. In this day and age, who would pay a HUNDRED GRAND for this? I’m sorry, it’s really cool, and any relation to a stock LeCar is strictly coincidental, but has to be a pretty limited market, a hundred grand, just like that, IDK, pretty crazy. Is there really that much money in California, that someone feels justified asking this? I mean, a little more might get you a Pantera. What do you think, folks?
Having driven both a Pantera and these both on and off the track – I’ll take this.
The R5 is really good at getting through corners quick and has amazing balance. Not to mention for how small it is, incredibly comfortable.
A Pantera does nothing good. They corner horrible, are sluggish on shifts (the linkage is like a pretzel), and nothing makes sense from the drivers seat. Where an R5 has great visibility, the Pantera is like piloting a submarine, you point and shoot – hoping theres not anything in the way.
I like these, Howard A! Drove several back when they were new, and they’re a real hoot, especially on a good mountain road. Despite relatively low power by today’s standards — IIRC, with a factory “kit” you could get 200 bhp — they are speedy, yet pretty refined in around-town use.
The original version had a very special interior, with unique instrument board, steering wheel and seats. With two exterior colors offered (red and blue), you had a choice between a red/blue interior and a blue/red. Cars like this one, called “Turbo 2” by the factory, had a more-or-less standard European R5 Alpine interior and more trim choices. This one also has aftermarket Gotti wheels, which are more practical than the standard TRX-size rims.
They were pricey even when new. I don’t remember exactly, but when I talked to my company credit union about a loan — yes, I considered buying one — I believe the total for a “Federalized” car was around $28K, which was a fair chunk o’ change in 1984. Personally, I don’t see $100K of fun in one now, but it only takes one person with the desire (and the coin) to make it work out.
If I were going to go that route, I’d look for one in France, thanks to the “25 year” rule. The task list for “Federalizing” one was extensive, covering not only the engine (added catalysts and other tweaks) but door beams, bumpers, lights, and a whole lot more. Some Turbos that came to the U.S. didn’t get everything, or the work was not well done. At least one importer I knew of offered a propane conversion to get around the engine work. In short, a prospective buyer had to do their homework and pick a reputable importer.
I’ll admit I’d prefer the R5 Turbo to a Pantera on the grounds of comfort, not much less performance and reliability, but in my case that’s idle speculation, as I don’t have that kind of money floating around loose for a toy. I hope whoever buys this really racks up the miles. They’ll have a good time doing it.
One hundred grand is the new norm. I’m what you call a classic car bottom feeder. Buying high mileage 911’s on the cheap back in the 90’s and cars like a e28 535i that in today’s market are bringing 30-50K in the same form. Renault R5 is a legend and a limited production one at that. Same for the Lancia Delta Integrale, Audi SWB Quattro. Group B cars rule!
Yes they are.
I purchased a Lancia integrale several years back for 40k, and sold it for 60, the car was recently sold for 150k.
It was fun and I enjoyed it but not 150k worth of fun
My favorite French car. EVER. These have been expensive for a while. Rare, and special. The price doesn’t bother or surprise me. Love them. Compare to the $ for a clapped out Mopar… (love Mopars too, just sayin’…)
I have lived in California my whole life and yes we do have all the money and all the great cars. You are welcome to come visit and THEN GO HOME.
Do you have one of those apps that warns you what streets have the most people crapping on them? Unless you are 60 years old, you have no idea how nice California used to be.
I think I’ll pass on visiting California. Between the west coast mind set (in general, I know there are exceptions) and haw generally shallow the place appears to be, I don’t forsee myself ever setting foot in that state.
The whole THEN GO HOME thing reinforces my thoughts on that messed up state. Wow! What an attitude, and on Christmas even lol. Ho Ho Ho!
HowardA pointed out to me that my comment is rude. It wasn’t meant to be rude, it was a reaction to dirty harry’s comment that yes, they do have all the money and yes, they do have all of the nice cars. It struck me as condescending.
Maybe next time I need to go back to my old rule where I shouldn’t say anything if I don’t have anything nice to say. Holidays stress me out. I apologize to anyone I may have offended.
With that thought in mind, I also expect others on this site to not be so condescending to those of us not “fortunate” enough to live in any particular place.
HowardA, I absolutely apologize to you too. I don’t want to offend anyone, but especially anyone from my home state & city, and anyone whom I respect.
Hold on, Stevie, I meant this dirtyharry comment was rude. BTW, my comment didn’t make the cut, I’m surprised you got that and we’re way off base anyway. This is, I think, more of a forum, not a blog, and therefore not moderated as much. Your comment is as valid as the next persons, as long as it doesn’t trip their filter. In the future, we’ll stick to the cars, California is on borrowed time and they know it. I hope my daughter gets out before it folds. Have a safe New Years, all.
Funny, because us up in Oregon have been saying the same to Californians who move up here for as long as I’ve lived here (my entire life and pretty much my entire family going back to 1854)
..but hey – it is what it is. Right?
Wow…what a douchebag thing to say. 🙄
I always wanted to visit Cali once in my life but if you’re all rude like this, I’ll stick with visiting other states.
Dear RX-7 Turboll, come visit us in SOCAL. It is absolutely beautiful and there is an awesome car culture here – similar to other places around the world. We live in a town called San Clemente, and I must say the people are very nice – again similar to other people around the world. If you do come here check out the Saturday Cars and Coffee in San Clemente – you will see every car imaginable and you will meet a lot of nice people. Happy New Year everyone!
Hi Greg, thanks. My daughter is in the movie biz in L.A. and I met some really cool people she works with.
2019 Corvette ZR1, $125,000 755 HP. And I am still curious why sellers put $100,000 cars on C-List. Have the local “Pennysaver” papers gone out of business?
A 2019 Corvette ZR-1 is not a Group B homologation car… No comparison.
Agree. Absolutely NO comparision between an over-priced French tin can and an American supercar. Thanks for noticing.
Bon nuit!
$100,000. and you put her on Craigslist?? Is the Matter cage aluminum or steel?? They were know for there alum ones for German cars.
I’ll have the dog instead – and the change
Last time I saw one of these for sale (not that long ago) I thought it was less than half as much. Time flies, and so do $ I guess.
BTW, Jay Leno’s has a Nitrous bottle in the back. When I commented on it, he said something about having steeper hills where he drives, LOL.
Terrific car… but… 100k???… and this- “but the stock seats are available for an additional cost”. Yeah, ok…lol.
Another thread where people shoot from the lip before engaging the brain.
Thankfully, not being from the US, I’m not US-centric. There is a worldwide market for the R5 and other group B classics, and the international market for these is around 80-100k Euro, so up to $120k USD. Good documentation and receipts for work add value for a future owner, so the car is on the money. May not sell in the US, and I wouldn’t have listed it on Craigslist. I suspect overseas prestige car agents will be chasing seller to have sole rights to advertise worldwide.
Group B-am I mistaken to believe these were one of the prime reasons Audi put the Quattro with its 5 cylinder inline motor and suspension on performance enhancing steroids to compete? I remember some of these won a number of Rallyes including the Monte Carlo one year..
It’s a shame this doesn’t still have the original seats. They are some of the most comfy seats I have ever sat in – like your own personal sofa…
A buddy of mine has two of these now, and they are a whoot to drive! We were swapping cars on the drive out to Long Beach last year, he in my Alpina and I driving the turbo LeCar (I like giving him a hard time about it) and it’s weird how you don’t hear the turbo from inside it, but following behind it, that’s all you hear!
There’s actually quite a few of these around the PNW, and my buddy has worked on more than a few (including a red one that was sold on BAT a while back) . Until you get to spend some time in one (or any Group B based car) it’s hard to describe what it’s like to throw one around in the twisties.
For those who don’t know, this is a mid-engine rally homologation special. It is nothing like a Le Car which has 3 lug wheels and not enough hp. These R5 turbos won many rallies in Europe.
There was a later R5 Turbo Maxi that was said to put out 380 hp in factory race spec. In a 2,200 lb car, it was quite the weapon on dry asphalt rallies.