The new Renault Latitude - Unmistakeably Japanese...

R9UKE · Unread post by **R9UKE** » 10 Jun 2010, 14:17

I thought this was a Honda, or a Toyota, it even has a hint of Lexus LS about it, but it certainly doesn't look french!

I seriously hope this isn't the new design route Renault is taking - bring back the Avantime and Vel Satis days!!

Let me know what you think...

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 10 Jun 2010, 14:52

Isnt that the new Toyota Avensis?

It looks just like the current Toyota, only slightly better looking, couldnt be much worse!

I hope Renault isnt losing its French-ness!

citroenesque · Unread post by **citroenesque** » 10 Jun 2010, 16:49

Not Renault enough. Shame, along with Citroen and their C5 it seems they've placed originality/individuality very low on the list. At least for this sector of the market.

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 10 Jun 2010, 19:00

i dont know gents, i think that new Passat looks ok, or is it a saab........or avensis, or...........

D

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 10 Jun 2010, 20:19

Studying that picture a little more, it seems to have the grill of a Saab, front wing profile similar to the latest Honda Accord, doors of a Toyota Avensis and the rear bumper profile resembles a BMW 5 series, seems to be a bit of Sinsignia in there too ... in my opinion.

Though i can't see any Renault styling in that at all, what a shame.

Mind, since its looking like a Jap car, i just hope they have pinched some of their reliability (not brakes hopefully) and not just the shapeless mould.

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 10 Jun 2010, 20:37

To be fair though, if you want a reliable car what do you buy? jap! if you want to stand out for average joe money you get a citroen or Renault, i doubt reliability has been improved to honda levels and with bland design who's going to want one.
if your not pleasing your own customer base your going to have to be a damn site better than the manufacturer who's customers your trying to pinch and i dont thin Renualt are!! only hope is the fleet buyers but even that is tight.

D

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 10 Jun 2010, 20:44

Exactly, however i didnt much like what ive heard about recent Renault diesels, far too many issues. Reliability is one thing but having to replace engines, turbos and gearboxes i can imagine gets tiresome.

However, i know what your saying. If people bought Renaults because of the styling and to be different but not for reliability then this car wont appeal to those buyers now. You might as well have a car which looks very similar but goes forever, a Jap car.

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 10 Jun 2010, 20:49

Dont say that Chris, ive just bought a Renault Master van

D

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 10 Jun 2010, 20:57

1.9DCis as seen in the Megane and Laguna are the worst. Id love one as i do like the style of the Laguna II, however id have a deisel and the 1.9 is an awful engine.

Drives really nicely and performs well with good economy but reliability is shocking. Turbos fail quite often, bearings go in the engine quite often, gearboxes fail. These can happen at seemingly random mileages, even low mileage. Some cars get to high mileage, some dont. We had a Scenic II 1.9DCi, bought when it was a year old. At 20K miles the gearbox was getting crunchy and the clutch was making groaning noises. After hearing what else could go wrong with it we sold it when the warranty ran out.

I joined the Renault forum when i was looking at getting a Laguna II DCi, the fact no one on there would recommend one was slightly off putting.

As long as your Master doesnt have the 1.9 im sure it will be very good

If it does try to forget what ive written

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 10 Jun 2010, 21:04

No its a 2.5DCI so fingers crossed its a totaly different engine.
The transit has done me well, its had 2 gearboxes a turbo, steering pump and the prop shaft fell off but apart from that she has been alright, you have to remember it gets proper use and although its done 126,000miles its done 100,000miles with me on the isle of wight running at 2.8tonne just with tools on board so it has a hard life.
Hopefully the Renault will be just as reliable.

D

R9UKE · Unread post by **R9UKE** » 10 Jun 2010, 22:38

1.9DCis as seen in the Megane and Laguna are the worst. Id love one as i do like the style of the Laguna II, however id have a deisel and the 1.9 is an awful engine.

Too right! A friend of mine bought a 1.9 dCi Mégane (2004) three months ago. The other day he was pulling onto the motorway when the engine hesitated. He pulled over only for the engine to rev to 6000 and cover the motorway with smoke. He had to jam it into 6th and stall it. Turbo gone.

Makes me very happy I chose the 2.0 16v petrol!

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 10 Jun 2010, 23:02

Our C15 has 108K miles, owned by us from new, for most of that it was fairly laiden when we used it for a mobile citroen specialist vehicle. It does eat driveshafts but apart from that nothing has ever gone wrong. Its never even had the clutch adjusted! Old school technology is certainly the best in some ways. Though vans do tend to be more basic and hardy than cars.

The garage who i use looks after a 1.9DCi Megane Tourer. One day the owner rang up to say the engine was knocking badly, it had done 108K on a 05reg. So he towed it in and stripped the engine down, one of the main bearings was totally shot. This particular garage didnt want to do the work so it went else where. As my dad deals with many garage in the area he cought up with the car somewhere else. A secondhand engine had been purchased and fitted, one start up it had the exact same problem. It was stripped again and another bearing was away and the engine ruined.

Unlike most cars bearings which have a notch to locate them and stop them spinning, the Renaults doesnt, so the bearing is free to spin. Though they thought the problems were down to oil starvation.

Turbos go on piece, often they ruin the engine at the same time. This again is often due to oil starvation and the turbo over heating.

Gearboxes are very weak, the syncromesh is a main problem.

Not to mention all of the other niggly bits on them which regularily go.

Its more than a little off putting. Owners reviews and forums are full of similar tales. Which is dissapointing as i really like most of the cars in the renault range. I think the 1.9 has been replaced now though? Maybe the new engine is too new to tell how it will fair.

I dont mind the odd niggle and problem, it comes with most cars, but when so many common problems are know, its really best avoided!

XantiaDaveEire · Unread post by **XantiaDaveEire** » 11 Jun 2010, 11:26

A very plain and safe design imo

its not ugly but its certainly not a head turner is it ..

danielsydney · Unread post by **danielsydney** » 15 Jul 2010, 01:38

Yes we need the Avantime and Velsatis back that's for sure. This re badging is silly.