R9UKE's French Car Blog...

Unread post by **myglaren** » 27 Feb 2011, 22:05

Just wait until Spyker start churning them out

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 28 Feb 2011, 00:43

Yep, Saabs are just Vectras in a just as square box. Not appealing to me really, they were before GM interfered too much.

I never thought the words Vectra and even better would have been strung so closely together! The Signum is a bit of a poor do in my opinion, why bother with it? Its just a Vectra with an odd back, might as well get the Vectra estate and have a huge boot.

Good luck with the sale of the Volvo, i wish i could sell cars as quick! Flipping autotrader not allowing me to list!

R9UKE · Unread post by **R9UKE** » 28 Feb 2011, 18:23

We had a few Vectra and Signums in work. Elite models with heated black leather and sat nav. Could do much worse, they drive nicely. But I doubt I'd ever spend my money on one... plus I hate the Insignia.

Mégane Auto. arrived at work this morning. I would really love an auto right now, might have to shift this Laguna on quicker than I thought.

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 28 Feb 2011, 20:01

Well its possible that a Vectra estate is being dropped off for us tomorrow, so ill see what they are like! Bit dull and boring but the estate is quite huge! They might be a nice car for all i know.

I dont mind the Insignia too much, i hear people who have had Vectras prefer the Vectra and slate the Insignia though. Id have to give one a try. If i had to go out tomorrow and buy a brand new car in the same size/class as my C5, it would probably be an Insignia!

What engine is in the Megane auto? 2.0?

R9UKE · Unread post by **R9UKE** » 01 Mar 2011, 17:46

What!? Are you mad man!? With the trio of beautiful french family cars available?

I'd buy the Laguna. But that's without having seen or been in this new Peugeot 508, from what I've seen so far it looks a winner.

Did you get driving the Vectra? They're not bad. But not great.

The Mégane is a 1.6. This car has full service history, a years MOT and it's the Dynamique + Spec. Hopefully mum will buy it off me and we'll have an auto around. That's if I even get it.

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 01 Mar 2011, 21:40

Well it wasn't a Vectra that turned up today, it was a Renault!

See my blogs thread for my thoughts on it!

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/p ... ly&t=26685

Mad? Well ive changed my mind a bit on the Laguna III now, the Peugoet 407 is nice but its a saloon and the 'Germanic' C5 is a saloon too, so id have to get the so called 'Tourer@ version of both of those. I do like big French cars though, very little else comes close to having what i like in a car.

I do very much like the look of the 508, im going to have a good nosy/drive when it comes out.

The Megane auto sounds nice, buy it!

R9UKE · Unread post by **R9UKE** » 01 Mar 2011, 23:09

Much better than a Vectra! I'd love a week with a Laguna III. There have been various complaints I've heard about, including lack of "attention to detail" features and resetting of electrical equipment.

If a Laguna is accidently unlocked, after being locked the "hands free" way, and a door not opened, the car will not lock itself again. Even though the Laguna of 2001 did! Also complaints of climate control not remembering the set temperature, and trip computers having a bit of dementia too. This would really pee me off.

The Mégane sold for a little more than I wanted to pay, especially when viewed in light of the Laguna II purchased last week. Speaking of which, I'm taxing and insuring it tomorrow, and using it for at least two weeks. Watch this space.

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 01 Mar 2011, 23:43

It is very nice! Dare i say almost sporty to drive for a big French car!

Ive just been looking at them on autotrader and the more basic cars do look cheaper inside, more cheap looking plastic etc. Though they may well feel the same, this one has a quality feel, maybe because its a Dynamique or just quite a new car. Oddly has the feeling it might just last the test of some time!

The week will tell how it compares to the C5 Estate, as its going to be hauling heavy boxes around which requires a big load area, good suspension and a good engine. We will see how it gets on.

Why does it seem to think it needs to deep at you when you walk away from it and have not pressed the button on the door to activate the locks? It locks anyway but just deeps as your leaving it without pressing the button.

Yes, the trip computer does seem very stupid, no setting for instant mpg that i can see and the average mpg is reset on every journey.

Well id be extremely happy with your Laguna given what you paid for it, an excellent bargain!

R9UKE · Unread post by **R9UKE** » 02 Mar 2011, 00:37

Thanks Chris, lets just hope neither us experience epic Laguna failures that have given it it's reputation!

The beeping is annoying. It's just extra confirmation that it's locked itself. If you choose to click the button on the handle, you've made a conscious decsion to lock it, so it won't beep. Obviously when walking away, the beep means you don't have to watch for the lights flashing to show it has locked.

I know what you're saying about the quality of the cabin, a world away from the Laguna II, and I'm with you on it standing the test of time.

I'm envious of your time with a Laguna III. Enjoy it, I look forward to seeing what you have to say after spending more time with it. (You might forget how to turn an ignition key when you're back in the C5

)

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 02 Mar 2011, 00:52

Well that does make sense in that case, so your Megane beeps at you too? I thought it was just getting lonely!

I say that, but a few months before getting this current C5 i have i did look at a Laguna. A 1.5 DCi expression i think it was. The clutch pedal rubber was missing, the trim on the back of the front seat had fallen off and the glovebox lid was broken. Had quite a low rent feel to it, but it was a basic car and one of the first Laguna IIIs. They seem to have improved.

Do you know much about the 2.0 150 DCi, is it riddled with issues and costly repairs like the other DCis?

Well its my dads hire car for his mushed C5 estate, so he will have to see what he thinks to it. At the moment he doesnt like it, not his type of car, sporty, hard ride, hard seats, smaller boot, no levelling suspension and far too many gizmos! I think he has the auto wipers sussed on the C5, but thats as 'techy' as he gets

In my mind all of its features make a car easier to live with on a daily basis, key less entry, parking sensors, sat nav, folding mirrors. Its nice.

Ill be having a good few drives in it before its gone though, get a feeling for what its like. But at the moment i do like it more than i thought i would.

At this rate i might even consider owning a Renault. If only for the key less go!

Edit: I wish they would design out this credit card style key though, its big, clunky and cheaply made. No need for it to be such a size, especially when its deigned to stay in a pocket!

R9UKE · Unread post by **R9UKE** » 02 Mar 2011, 20:26

Haha, if it gets lonely it will sound it's alarm at 3am to wake all the neighbours up, like my Mégane does! No, my Meg has the older system, where you have to press the button on the handle, you can't just walk away. But the new Mégane beeps like the Laguna!

As far as I know, the 2.0 dCi is rock solid. Heard of none of the issues that plague the 1.9 and 2.2, but then again, this unit isn't very old yet, only time will tell!

I really look forward to owning a Laguna III once they've depreciated nicely. I have a funny feeling they may hold their value longer than I'd like though, due to the rarity and better quality. I'd like a 2.0 140 Petrol Auto. Initiale model. Perfection

Your dad sounds a bit like my Grandmother. She's terrified of all the tech in her C4 VTR+. She has no idea how to work the climate control, and refuses to take my advice and leave it at 21 and AUTO!

You can't really criticize Renault's key card size when the C5 has the BIGGEST key I've ever seen in my life. They are ridiculously and unnecessarily huge!

But that brings me nicely on to what you say about the quality of the key card. I've started driving this Laguna of mine, and key cards are completely fecked (as they were with my other Laguna). With this one, one key card refuses to work, it will only start the car. The other is cracked in many places, and needs to bent at a very particular angle to lock or unlock which is really annoying. My last Laguna used to go through one key card battery every two days. They are awful quality, an excellent idea that has completely fallen apart as the miles pile on the car.

Other than the Key Card issues, this Laguna seems like a great car for the money. It's got the typical vague gearbox and lifeless steering of all Lagunas, but the driving position, seat comfort and tech all make up for it.

I've scared myself a few times today when pulling out of junctions or on to roundabouts thinking I'm in the 2.0 Meg. The oomph just isn't there. But for me, it would be tolerable on the longterm if it was an automatic.

Cost me £82 to fill today, and £99 for six months tax.

robert_e_smart · Unread post by **robert_e_smart** » 02 Mar 2011, 21:20

and £99 for six months tax

What have I been preaching at you to do this past while!!!!???

R9UKE · Unread post by **R9UKE** » 02 Mar 2011, 21:41

robert_e_smart wrote:
and £99 for six months tax
What have I been preaching at you to do this past while!!!!???

Hahaha! I know, your words were ringing through my ears, but I'll be selling it with the tax, I won't be refunding it. So many Lagunas on the market, the tax should help make it more attractive to buyers!

robert_e_smart · Unread post by **robert_e_smart** » 02 Mar 2011, 21:52

A tax on the poor!

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 03 Mar 2011, 17:31

I bet the neighbours are impressed with your Megane in that case

New Megane

not a nice looking car, its ruined. I did quite like the 3 door version, but the more i see them the worse they look. And the wheels sit too far in the arches on most models too. Not a patch on the previous shape.

With Laguna IIIs such good value used, it would make more sense over the current shape Megane.

Good to know Renault has at least got the possibility of a decent diesel engine in some of its cars then. The 2.0 DCi was around in the later Laguna IIs and so its been out a few years. Certainly drives ok and its refined. My dad got 62MPG with it yesterday!! Its more economical than the C5 138 HDi if that trip computer reading is to be believed.

I dont know, i think they will depreciate in the usual big French car way, they do appear to be doing so already. Sure to make used car bargains in a few years to come, providing they don't get a reputation like the Laguna II has.

The C5 key isnt the best key ever, granted, its bigger than it needs to be im sure and the buttons always wear. Though its easy to hold and not as big as a Renault Keycard, which i find is an awkward shape to have in your pocket. How much are they to replace on your Lag II?

Ive only ever had a small drive in a 2.2DCi Laguna II and that was years ago. Id like a drive of another Lag II, as you know ive considered getting one a fair few times when buying C5s but i can't buy one! For diesel reasons.

This Lag III has a nice gearbox actually, very smooth to use and the steering, while it does not comminucate very well (does any new car?!) its very accurate and precise, arguably the best part of the cars drive.

Whats better on fuel, your 2.0 Megane or the 1.6 LagunaII? You think its a bit slow but it would be a better car if it was an auto? Its would be even slower!

Not sure what this thing you have with auto gearboxes is all about, you do seem to get people who love or hate them. It had been ages since i last drove a proper automatic, since our white Xm was sold, but driving that S1 Xm the other day remineded me how nice it was to drive an auto. The 1007 is a semi-auto, which isnt the same.

Im surprised at th elack of auto features on the Lag Dynamique, I thought that was something standard on the better spec Lagunas since they were launched. They are things i can live without, but i do very much like having auto lights and wipers.