The first Renault 5 Turbo proved the concept. The Turbo 2 put it into the hands of people who actually drove it. By the early 1980s, Renault had a problem most manufacturers would envy: far more people wanted its mid-engine rally special than the homologation run could satisfy, and the original was expensive to build. The solution, unveiled in 1982, was clever. Keep everything that made the car extraordinary to drive, including the turbocharged engine behind the seats, the rear-wheel drive, the wide track, and those unmistakable flares, and remove the costly specialist parts that buyers barely noticed from behind the wheel. The price fell substantially, and the Turbo 2 went on to outsell its predecessor by a wide margin through 1986.

That history explains why the Turbo 2 is the R5 Turbo most often seen at hillclimbs, rally reunions, and enthusiast gatherings, and why it’s the version most American owners hold. It also explains how the market values these cars today. A Turbo 2’s worth is shaped less by which version it is and more by how it has lived: how it was used, how it was maintained, what was changed, and what survived.

Beverly Hills Car Club buys Turbo 2s directly, whether they’re preserved, driven, rallied, or mid-restoration. If an offer is made and agreed to, we pay immediately and handle the logistics. You’re evaluating options; for most sellers, this is the best one, and we’ll show you the reasoning instead of just asserting it.

What Renault Kept, and What It Quietly Changed

Unchanged where it counted. The 1,397cc turbocharged engine retained its 160-horsepower rating. The mid-engine layout, Alpine-derived rear suspension, five-speed transaxle, and four-wheel disc brakes carried over. From the driver’s seat, a well-sorted Turbo 2 delivers the same essential experience as the original: quick, loud, compact, and demanding of respect when lifting off mid-corner.

Changed to control cost. The aluminum roof, doors, and tailgate gave way to standard steel pressings. The dramatic Bertone cabin was replaced by an interior largely shared with the front-drive 5 Alpine Turbo, usually trimmed in subdued grey or beige tones. Period specifications show a slight drop in torque, and the steel panels added some weight.

What that means today. For most Turbo 2 buyers, the trade is entirely acceptable. The driving experience is the reason they want the car, and the Turbo 2 delivers it. This is a desirable collector car in its own right, not a lesser version waiting for someone to settle for it.

The 8221: When a Turbo 2 Is Something More

Within the Turbo 2 production run sits a small and highly prized group: the Type 8221, often called the Turbo 2 Evolution. Built in a limited series of around 200 cars in support of Renault’s Group B program, these cars wear an aluminum roof and carry a distinct type designation in their identification.

If you believe your car is an 8221, documentation becomes the entire discussion. Chassis records, original registration papers, and confirmation from a recognized marque specialist separate a genuine Evolution from a standard Turbo 2 that has been fitted with an aluminum roof. We assess these cars carefully, and a properly verified 8221 is valued accordingly.

Selling a Renault 5 Turbo 1? Questions? Call: 888-848-4771

Mileage Is a Story, Not Just a Number

More than almost any other collector car, a Turbo 2’s history shapes its value. Broadly, these cars fall into three groups.

The preserved car. These Turbo 2s were bought as investments or weekend cars, stored with care, and rarely pushed hard. They have low mileage, original paint and interior, and documented maintenance. These cars set the top of the market, and originality is their entire value proposition.

The driven car. These cars were used the way Renault intended: on mountain roads, at track days, and on long continental trips. Mileage is higher and wear is honest, but these cars are often mechanically well sorted precisely because they were used and maintained. A driven Turbo 2 with a thick folder of receipts frequently earns more buyer confidence than a low-mileage car that sat neglected.

The competition car. Many Turbo 2s spent time in club rallies, hillclimbs, or historic racing. Some carry documented results and period team history, while others were simply modified by enthusiastic owners. Value depends on what the record shows and how much original road-car specification remains.

None of these categories is better than another. They describe different cars for different buyers, and we price each one on its own merits.

Who’s on the Other Side of the Offer

Beverly Hills Car Club was founded by Alex Manos in Los Angeles in 2004, and it has grown on a reputation for doing what it says. Our team buys nationwide across the 48 continental states and Hawaii, with a track record spanning thousands of makes, models, and conditions, including cars tangled in estates, divorces, storage liens, and paperwork from other countries.

One Car, Three Outcomes

Picture the same well-kept Turbo 2 sold three different ways.

Through a major auction, it receives professional photography and international exposure, and a strong day can produce an excellent hammer price. The seller then gives up a seller’s premium of around 10%, sometimes more for high-value cars, along with transport, storage, insurance, and preparation costs. The process usually takes months. If bidding stops short of the reserve, those costs have already been paid and the car comes home unsold.

Through a private listing, the seller controls the asking price and keeps the full amount. The trade-off is time. Inquiries arrive from enthusiasts who love the idea but have never owned a mid-engine car, from buyers who want specialist inspections arranged across several states, and from overseas buyers with shipping and payment questions. The right buyer may appear quickly or may take a season or longer to find.

Through a direct sale to us, the seller receives one specific offer based on current market data and the car’s documented condition, with no fees deducted and no reserve risk. If an offer is made and agreed to, payment is immediate and pickup is scheduled around the seller’s calendar. Top dollar paid and immediate transactions are the core of what we do.

When you’re ready

When you’re ready to move forward, send clear photos of the exterior, interior, engine bay, and underside, along with any damage or rust, the chassis number, and whatever history you have: ownership, storage, how the car came into the U.S., and any work completed.

We respond within 24–48 hours, often sooner, with either a specific number and the reasoning behind it, or a straightforward explanation of why the car isn’t a fit for us. No pressure, no deadlines.

Call Now 888-848-4771

Email [email protected]