R9UKE's French Car Blog...

[R9UKE]

Why would you want another Avantime? Surely one is enough and you already have the best one!

There are many many cars out there, surely something else must suit you? When im looking for another car I go through a few car mags, older and newer, and make a list of what I might like. Might help!

Perhaps I am just missing my Avantime. I really like the idea of being able to drive one every day though. They're right in the price range too:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180825028720? ... 996wt_1185" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290676281360? ... 500wt_1202" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Yeh, I see what you're saying about the Meg. But it's one of those cars that I'll always want. Even if I do find something as good (not likely), it won't be Mégane II. I have been seriously thinking about an Alfa Romeo 147. But no, I know it has to be a Meg

Chris, on your usual car searches please look out for nicely spec'd 2.0 VVTs

[R9UKE]

Sorry - I have to give this a mention. Spotted it on ebay, what a gorgeous car. Never really liked them but this is a mighty WANT

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270923354791? ... 500wt_1202" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Citroenmad]

If you want to use an Avantime every day, what is wrong with your V6? Surely the MPG difference between a 2.0T and a V6 is not enough to warrant having another car?

Its why I don't have a V6 C5 as a toy, because as nice as it would be I would never drive it, as its the same as my HDi but more thirsty. Ok a tiny bit more go but then its an auto so that wont feel as fast.

Im sticking with my theory, own just one type of the same car. Ive been to look at some Mini Cooper-S's today, they are not well built!

A R19 Cab, the right colour and with some half decent Renault wheels that could work. Nice!

Ill keep an eye out for a top spec Meg Luke

[R9UKE]

Ok a tiny bit more go but then its an auto so that wont feel as fast.

You obviously haven't driven a C5 V6! Sport mode for gearbox and suspension, let the car know you're in ASBO mode and you couldn't be more wrong!

It's not the fuel consumption - it's insurance. Having a V6 as my main car doubles the price. A 2.0T Avi is just £200 more than the Meggy was.

But yes, I see what you're saying. Where's the point in buying another when I have the ultimate Avantime?

Find me a fully spec'd Meg II quick!!!

[KP]

Not a bad R19 can and in very large decline I have to say.

Being the RSI the insurance will be a bit cheaper and suspension a bit softer but maybe worth getting and keepin for a few months and selling on in summer??

Why not get a clio cup Luke as a fun car??

[Citroenmad]

I have been in a V6 C5 and my Activa would totally wipe the floor with it! Its also got a manual gearbox The Turbo is very punchy in mine too, which I like muchly.

What is your ideal spec Meg then Luke? As the Privilege spec has that nasty interior ...

Ah I see, its an insurance thing. Why not get a 2.0T Vel and then you have the best of both worlds? That would be my aim

A Clio 182 Cup, now that is a car I would have. It would drive me round the twist as an every day car though, too noisey and bumpy and most likely lose me my licence But as a toy, I would LOVE one

Something like this would do me very nicely:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Stunning!

In fact, I might have to own one at some point. So much better than a Cooper-S!

[R9UKE]

Hmm, Clio Cup isn't really my cup of tea, no pun intended.

I'm more about the wolf in sheep's clothing than a car that shouts about what it has. I would love a RenaultSport Twingo though, as contradictory as that is!

Chris, I'm glad you asked that. I fancy a Privilege, but with full leather option as shown above. Plus every option including the glass roof, sat nav and xenon headlights. I prefer the black leather and scheme of my own car, but thinking ahead to when mine is repaired - I'll have the cool black leather'd 3 door beside the elegant beige leather'd 5 door

[robert_e_smart]

Get a 2 litre Avantime Luke, and sell Pat the V6 Avantime.

You are never going to be happy with a replacement Meggy. Keep the one you have until you can get it repaired. There is still nothing to stop you from using it the way it is if you need a Megane hit. Did you get the vehicle assessors report yet?

[Citroenmad]

I see, so you quite like the beige interior, it doesn't seem to wear too well though. I had a sit in a 1.9DCi Privilege recently, 2003 car, it was worn inside but had only 80K.

So your after a bit of a Megane fleet then! Id concentrate on repairing your own and get something else in the meantime

Just get a nice Volvo S80 Luke, you know you want to

[robert_e_smart]

Don't forget the V6 605 Luke!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280833208630? ... 500wt_1415" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[R9UKE]

Ah yes, thinking practically as always, Robert! Gorgeous car, too far south and too expensive once home.

Well my own Avantime is being MOTd at 14:30 tomorrow then it's all mine again. Can't wait, it's like the days before first getting it home all over again! As said before, I think it'll be stupid to get a lesser Avantime - plus it's nice to keep the driving experience as special as possible; something that may wear a bit thin if I'm driving a 2.0 Manual every day. Watch this space for how it drives with no wheel bearing rumble

Chris - Did this Privilege have full leather? It's the standard part leather in the Privilege that doesn't seem to wear that well. In saying that, mum's car has 75k and it looks like new. Depends on the owner I suppose. Plus, it was a 1.9 dCi, which will have warranted a lot of hate from the driver towards their Mégane

Just get a nice Volvo S80 Luke, you know you want to

Saw a really early one yesterday. A 1999 model. 2.9 Petrol as well, looked brilliant!

[robert_e_smart]

The S80, I have went on about how good these are before. But I am going off them slightly. The more I have driven them, the less I am enamoured towards them. I don't like the steering. It is very wooly and unresponsive. Plus the ride just isn't comfortable enough. I love the space and the look of them, and the D5 is a nice engine.

[addo]

If you're going to get a Volly, it needs to be either an 850 turbo wagon (retro-box coolism) or an XC70. Volvo paint is beautiful; a perfect blend of durability and softness that shines to a deep gloss time after time. By contrast, the paint Heuliez used is thin and brittle.

PSA did try harder on the 605 paint; it is a level of gloss that is unsurpassed (seems even better than equivalent XMs). That blue car is almost a twin of mine and one thing they teach you is how to slow the **** down! You cannot hurry through thre twisties in one as it will either bite back or make you look a right 'nana.

[Citroenmad]

No, the Piriviege had the normal half leather interior, it was the steering wheel which looked most effected by wear. Quite right, no doubt on to its 10th turbo and 5th engine by 80K miles

No other cars take your interest then Luke? Why not get a high spec LagunaII petrol ... must be easier to find? Cheap too.

[KP]

Luke why not go really wild and get a cheap as nails Fiat Coupe 20vt and run it for a bit before moving it on?

I can give you plenty of advice on what to watch out for with them and prices are still low with them and won't be long before they go the way of the R5 GTT and start climbing... Gone are the days of a half decent running R5 GTT for £400 with T&T

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FIAT-COUPE-20 ... 2ebb9a0a8b" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1997-FIAT-COU ... 1c23fa6b40" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That ones there is in the best color and being still std will be very good mechanically just needs battle scars sorting and a good engine clean and repaint and be worth a lot more than the asking price, although a cambelt job is circa £500 as the engine needs hoisting a bit to get at it, still very very quick for the money...

The 605 shouldnt be too bad luke, cheap flight over, pootle back up the M5, M6, A75.....
You wont get much chance to own, drive and sell one these days so if you got the cash and won't make too much of a loss i'd take the hit