Buying a Used Renault Spider? Here's What you Need to Know

In the 1990's, the Renault Spider was supposed to be the small sports car. Unfortunately, it was overshadowed quickly by the mk1 Lotus Elise and didn't receive the recognition it deserved. This lightweight sports car was debuted in 1995 and became available to the public a year later. Renault meant to capitalise on the sport car boom of this time period. However, they didn't know that the Lotus would quickly eliminate any need for the Spider. The first would sell 10,000 of their series 1 car and go on to win awards. The second would only be in production for three years, with only 1,685 cars made.

One has to wonder, though, if this car might have stood a chance if the Lotus hadn't been in the spotlight. If you're thinking of purchasing a used Renault Spider of your own for this very reason, however, there are a few things you need to understand before you do. While there is plenty to celebrate about this particular car, there are also some disadvantages to buying it.

Before you Buy a Renault Spider

• It has a Windscreen- While you might have expected air deflectors on your Spider, if it was designed and launched in 1996, a windscreen was normal. This was included in the standard price of £25,950. It's important to note that this price was £7,000 higher than the standard price for the Lotus, which could have been part of the Spider's problem to begin with.

• There's no Roof- Correction, there is a roof of sorts, but it's little more than a piece of camping equipment attached to the car. It's not something that will block out all the cold air on a winter's day. This is unfortunate, as the vehicle doesn't come with a heater. If you're going to purchase a Renault Spider, consider making it a spring, summer or fall vehicle. This way, you can avoid arriving at work with feet so numb you can't walk.

• The Seats are High- Richard "HighTower" Meader drove a Spider in 1996 and claimed that they must have been designed with midgets in mind (his words, not mine.) The seats of this car are built high, and if you're of average height, you'll most likely need to remove the cushions before you actually are able to fit behind the wheel and drive.

• Checking the Speed- When it comes to car parts, the speedometer is one that you want to make sure works, and works correctly. This digital speedometer, located in the middle of the dashboard, is a bit slow with keeping up with your speed. The bit of lag shouldn't be enough to allow you to drive over the maximum speed for the road, but it may be a bit frustrating.

• It's Industrial- As you're test driving the Renault Spider, glance down to the footwells. Unlike the Lotus, which featured a sleek and sharp-edged aluminium tub, the Spider's structure is larger and more industrial. This can be a plus for some drivers, a negative for others.

• The Steering is Sensitive- While the suspension Renault parts are smooth and capable of handling almost any bump or dip in the road, the steering is a bit more sensitive. Move the steering wheel more than a millimeter in any direction, and you might end up in a completely different lane than you intended. It requires extremely slow, forced movements. Fortunately, this means it corners like a dream.

• The Brakes Require a Firm Foot- These Renault parts take a bit of getting used to, but once you do, they offer plenty of feel and are easy to use. It can be a bit of a shock when you first apply pressure to the brakes, however. They require a firm foot. You'll need to shove down on these car parts, then gradually apply more and more pressure to achieve the results you want.

• You'll Scream at the Five-Speed Gearbox- When it comes to frustrating car parts, this one takes the cake. The gearbox makes it difficult to engage third gear or fifth gear, and it occasionally will change gears without your knowledge when you release the clutch. At times it takes a great deal of violence to push it into the right gear and make it stay. Achieving reverse is even harder, and it isn't helped by the diagram sitting in front of the gearbox for you to use. To do this, you basically have to dance with the level, twisting it a certain way before pushing it to the left and then forward a bit. If you're thinking of buying a Renault Spider, this manoeuvre should be practiced well before you actually get on the road and have to use it.

• There Aren't Many Left- With only a few Renault Spiders made during the three years of production, actually buying one isn't as simply as you might think. If you are intent on purchasing one, you may need to look outside the UK for one. This could cost you extra, as you'll have to have the car shipped to your home in the UK. Unfortunately, the car may not be worth that extra cost.

Are you considering buying a Renault Spider? While this car may have been overshadowed by the Lotus Elise in the 90's, it might have been for a good reason. May parts of this car are riddled with problems that could make driving it an experience you'll never forget- and never want to repeat. Make sure you understand exactly what you're getting into before you purchase a Renault Spider and take the time to evaluate what car parts might be a problem for you.