Spotted Xantias! (and other French stuff)

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CitroJim
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Post by CitroJim »

Whilst I'm not overly keen on the looks of the Vel, there is one Renault that really takes my fancy.

I've seen one, once, and my jaw dropped. I fell for it a bit, especially when I found out it had the PR V6 in it..

The car?

The Avantime. Sadly underrated. It dared to be different... I like that.
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Post by andmcit »

Citroenmad wrote:You do seem to judge cars on styling over a lot else Andrew...
Yes Chris, yes I do, it's what I've spent a large part of my life getting my head
around and why I trained and worked as a car designer / stylist in a 'past
lifetime' before economic realities and recessions bit. Glad I'm not still working
in that business as it sounds very frustrating these days and I now love my
graphic design work more.

Again, it's all about the appearance, purity of elements and 'line' and
in car terms, the down-the-road-graphic. The brave new world in-your-face
Renault styling has been shown as a failure and hurt sales. In cases such as
the Meganne the inefficient packaging in the envelope of the car was
criminal for its footprint occupied on the road and a MPV-with-one-side-door
Avantime? That's why concept cars don't get built!

The C6 has some clumsiness about it but frankly, nothing else new floats
my boat. I'm happy staring at the GS and CX and ocassionally lust over an
Sm or late D. For me older is better and more honest. Pure and BS FREE

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Post by Citroenmad »

I see Andrew, i thought you might be from a style orientated background.

Maybe they should have remained concept cars, but Renault having the bottle to actually build them, despite them knowing they would never be big sellers. That deserves some credit, as i bet the people who did buy them new and have them now, love their cars.

The Megane was a disappointment in terms of space, style over function really and that did hurt its sales. However so many cars now are tying too hard with their styling and sacrificing space and comfort as a result. I dont like that idea, not at all. Which is why im a bit off put buy the new C5, it doesnt compare well to the last one. A lot of cars are similar, i often think as new cars are launched, I start to like the predecessor more. Such as the C4, the new one is trying too hard, it just looks hideous, but at least its quite bulbous, which might give it room inside.

As for not seeing any Vels, i see a fair few, they do seem very popular around here. C6s are not that uncommon either, again quite a few I see around in this area. I love the C6s lines, one of Citroens better styling ideas, not as perfect as an XMs styling in my opinion, but for a modern its one of my favourite cars.
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Post by Trainman »

In a lot of ways your both right, I recall going to look at my old C5 and there was a C6 at the garage in Manchester. To be honest it did absolutely nothing for me. I thought the front end to long, and like Chris has said in other posts the fact it's got a boot and it wasn't a hatch was a no brainer. :roll:

So why did I buy one :?: Strangely they grow on you! other things are the rarity of them, sure I see a few about, but, you know what, given the choice of a Merc, a Beemer or even a Jag, I just kept coming back to the C6. :wink:

The more I drive this 'Big Old Girl' the more I like her, Even the kids want to know about her, I was sat at some lights the other week, and a gang of lads (probably about 14/15 years old) all stopped and wanted to talk about her. What was more surprising was that a couple of them knew it was a C6 :shock:

Andrew, you said about car's being old and honest, given time I think this one will be too. (I hope). :wink:
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Post by R9UKE »

Chris, everything I wanted to say, you said it for me :)

The Vel Satis and the Avantime create plenty of debate. I echo what Chris said in that I really admire Renault having the balls to put them into production. I love quirky cars and unlike Citroen (with the exception of the C6), Renault managed to drag them into the 21st century.

I've never driven an Avantime, but the Vel Satis is a driving experience that you're unlikely to forget quickly. First of all, the thing is so wide, and you sit in a raised driving position giving the car loads of presence. It wafts along smooth roads and moves gracefully. But then show it a speed bump or a pot hole and it'll wallow over them like a fat woman on a trampoline. It has so much character and frenchness about it.

My aunt gets comments all the time. She's had people stop her in car parks and ask what that beautiful car she drives is. They are instantly recognizable on the road and mistaken for nothing else. I also had a good chat with a fellow owner the other day when I parked mine beside his, and he said he's having trouble finding a replacement car, as they're like nothing else on the road, but he's had it since new and ready to move on.

So I'm sorry, but I'll keep expressing my love for Renault as long as it takes!

Oh and another thing. The Vel Satis interior is very unique and different to other Renaults. Whereas the C6 is just like any other car in the PSA range...
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Post by andmcit »

Sure thing, Renault really got into the 21st Century but got their fingers
burnt and had their Chris Bangle shakin' his ass moment but look where
it got them today. The current line up is conservative with a small 'c' and
they're even producing uninspiring unconvincing concept cars.

It's accepted fact in the car design fraternity that Renault have lost their
mojo at the same level of magnitude as Citroen seem to have found theirs
again - that was right up until that offence to car styling, the new C4
stumbled out into the daylight blinking it's plain Jane eyes with all it's
trying too hard make-up...

Before you start on me, I don't dislike Renault. I very nearly swayed into
purchasing an '84 5 1.4 Monaco with the most gorgeous interior and style
that eclipsed the comparable competition from Citroen in the shape of the
plastic box Ax. Problem is the free rust that riddled the bodyshell. In the
past, in weaker moments, I may even have suggested a R25 v6 Monaco
could be fun but then thankfully I snapped out of it and stayed faithful
to the cause of Citroen!

Cx's just do rapid stylish french luxobarge so much better!! :D

Andrew
Last edited by andmcit on 10 Jan 2011, 21:32, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by R9UKE »

Sure thing, Renault really got into the 21st Century but got their fingers
burnt and had their Chris Bangle shakin' his ass moment but look where
it got them today. The current line up is conservative with a small 'c' and
is producing uninspiring concept cars. It's accepted fact in the car design
fraternity that Renault have lost their mojo at the same magnitude as
Citroën seem to have found theirs again - that was right up until that offence
to car styling, the new C4 stumbled out into the daylight blinking it's
plain Jane eyes...
I can't argue with that. The only current Renault I like is the Laguna.

And that DS3 more than makes up for the vile C4 - they look excellent, even if not a typically french design
French is best.
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Post by andmcit »

Goddammit, you're faster on the draw than my delayed typocheck and edit!!
:oops: :lol:
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Post by R9UKE »

haha, I'm ebaying and the iPhone bings when I get an email telling me theres been a reply :D
French is best.
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Post by andmcit »

R9UKE wrote:haha, I'm ebaying and the iPhone bings when I get an email telling me theres been a reply :D
You want to watch that, it can have detrimental effects to your bank balance
and sanity. You're not using an iPhone app then? I'd guess it's an email
notification [set up in FCF] being received bong?

Andrew
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Post by Citroenmad »

I will agree, the interior of the C6 is a bit of a let down compared to the dramatic exterior.

I remember the episode of Topgear when Clarkson drove the C6, he said you should be able to change gear by a stick of celery coming from the sun visor and start the engine by licking a little tab on the dash. I see floors in that theory, im sure the celery would need changing before a service for example, but still, a nice quirky interior would have been nice! :lol:

Something like a S2 CX, im not a CX person but I do love their interiors, even today it looks futuristic, thats how it should be.

Problem is i dont like Renaults diesels and the petrols dont appeal, unless it was a second car, so another car ill never own, but I do like them.

I dont like the direction Citroen is heading now, aside from the C1, C3 and C6 i dont like any of Citroens other current cars, and two of those designs are over 5 years old now. Mind, i dont like new Renaults either, the ones from the Vel Satis era were much nicer cars.

If i was forced to buy a brand new car, a family sized hatchback to replace my C5, id possibly end up with an Insignia! Thats a little scary, but so many large cars are saloons. So this C5 is going to have to last long enough for a new breed of cars to come out and for Citroen to become Citroen again ...

Where are the huge estate cars ... Citroen dont offer one now its a 'tourer', where is the large hatch .... its gone, now a saloon. Even masses of space is lacking, despite the cars getting now smaller.

People said when the C4 and new C5 came out that Citroen had found their style again, thats debatable now, but it certainly doesn't offer the cars that it used to.
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Post by R9UKE »

andmcit wrote:
R9UKE wrote:haha, I'm ebaying and the iPhone bings when I get an email telling me theres been a reply :D
You want to watch that, it can have detrimental effects to your bank balance
and sanity. You're not using an iPhone app then? I'd guess it's an email
notification [set up in FCF] being received bong?

Andrew
Yep it's the email from FCF. Speaking of which, I really need to clear out my inbox.
Where are the huge estate cars ... Citroën dont offer one now its a 'tourer'
Ah but the Exclusive comes with an electric tailgate. That's me sold already :D
French is best.
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Post by Citroenmad »

R9UKE wrote:
Ah but the Exclusive comes with an electric tailgate. That's me sold already :D
Your young, you can close the boot yourself! Does that mean if your house was equipped with a stair lift you would use it? :lol:

Plus it only works when the car is still 'live' when its gone into economy mode, the boot wont shut itself. And im pretty sure the button to close the boot is on the tailgate, so you still have to reach up to press the button. Unless its on the key too? If I get past the point of being able to close the boot, ill give up driving!

The boot is much smaller than previous estates, disappointing.
Last edited by Citroenmad on 10 Jan 2011, 22:13, edited 1 time in total.
Chris
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Post by R9UKE »

If I get past the point of being able to close the boot, ill give up driving!


:lol:

The more gadgets the better - I'm off to get tyre pressure sensors fitted to the Meg tomorrow, despite their horrific reputation, it's a toy that I don't have and won't be happy until I do!

Yes, remember the Laguna II Sport Tourer? Renault went for rakish looks as opposed to a huge boot and the result was a great looking estate, but the Mégane Sport Tourer had more load space!
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Post by Citroenmad »

I was joking, as it might be very useful to people who would usually struggle to close a tailgate.

Tyre pressure sensors! Ive never had them and nor do i want them. My weekly car checks sees to me having the correct tyre pressures, simples.

Mind, with 42 tyres to pressure check, I do go through pressure testers regularly :lol:

Yes, im not impressed with 'tourers' 'Sport tourers' 'SWs' etc, all they mean to me is why bother with an estate. People who really need a large estate will have to look elsewhere, like we will have to when our C5 estate needs replacing, not for a good while yet though.
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