Right, first thing first. Your wife and kids will not thank you for making the move from a Scenic (or scenic type vehicle). They enjoy the good views, the large glass areas, the ease of gently tippng an ankle out in a long dress. So steal yourself for many vocal protests.
Laguna Bad points.
It a mare to reverse, the good looks means thick c pillars, restricted view out of the back, and not knowing where the rear bumper is. The door mirrors are really good for driving leaving NO blind gaps sneaking up on you, but mean you cant see the back. And, well thats it really, the warning lights for the heated rear window, recirc, and aircon are too dim and badly placed (in the dials) and the indicator warning bleep is too soft and the card, tho good fun is not always as handy as a key to keep about your person, but thats just minor niggles. Dont miss the cubby holes, they just gobble things up and you loose them.
1.9DCi vs 2.2 Dci. No contest. The 1.9 has it hands down. There is nothing the 2.2 offers over the 1.9 that justifies any increase in cost. Both have the 6 speed box, and the feel of the gear change is lovely. The performance in the 1.9 has never left me wanting more, pulls really well in every gear, and is averaging 51 - 54 mpg.
The boot space is quite large, tho not as high as the scenic. The scenic is a lot more versatile. The rear seat backs fold down, but the seat cusions do not flip up so the folded back seat is not flat. Managed to cart enough for a weeks self catering in devon, three suitcases, coolbox, boxes of food, the dogs box of toys, tuggies, blankets, bowl, and food. The dog had to lie on the back seat.
As you know I have had no problems with mine, and there are now several other owners in our fleet all reporting much the same (some piling on high milages) with the basics (engine, gearbox, brakes etc) Those that do have problems are on the higher spec models. Saying that the build quality is MUCH better than the scenic, the interior trimm is much higher quality.
Now models. Those that have had problems in our fleet run the high spec models. Climate control, sat nav, and fancy electronic sunroof have all caused niggles. The standard manual aircon control on mine (and others) has been fine. I have the Dynamique, with part leather sports seats, leather wheel, and fancy alloys with low profile tyres. Wheel feels fabulous in the hands, seats are superb, but the low profile tyres spoil the ride.
Driving one is a mile away from the Scenic. Very quiet, the ride is better, and you can hustle along much faster in comfort, no thinking ahead about the best lines to sail the scenic thro with minimum body roll
So I would go for a 1.9dci without climate, sunroof, or low profile tyres ie NOT a privelage. Renault have just swopped all the model designations around so takes some looking thro the website to find the right model if buying new, if buying second user I still have all last years models and specs to hand if you need to ask.
And yes I wanted the sports tourer, ok its no huge estate but looks loverly. (tho one of our guys here had the rear tailgate window smashed, the sliding cover slashed, and stuff nicked from the boot.
Do I regret the change? As a driver no. Very satisfying beast to drive even after a year, I still get ear ache from her indoors and the brat tho. The dog dont care as long as she is going somewhere exciting.
|
About 7 years ago we had a few Lagunas as company cars. Actually the garage had them most of the time, we used to borrow them occasionaly when they worked.
They almost made the Rover 800 look reliable. Was our fleet manager a busy guy.... I think that gearbox failures were the most common fault, but also brake parts wearing out quickly.
Gareth
|
|
My neighbour's wife works in a Renault dealership with generous staff discounts on offer, they drive a Toyota Celica!
|
|
|
|
RF, lots to ponder there, many thanks. I will digest it over the next few days. As I said before, I like the Scenic, I like the Dynamique + trim, just don't like the engine.
Wonder if I should look into just getting it chipped? Will be 3 years old in October so manufacturers warranty to then worry about.
Having said that, really like the look of the Laguna, and saw a couple of Sports Tourers today, very nice. However, SWMBO would be driving it occasionally so not sure if the blindspots etc would go down well with her, esp reversing.
Think I am going through a mid life crisis, Scenic was recently in to get its paintwork fixed and I got a 1.6 Civic courtesy car and it was great fun, handled like a go-cart! I am fed up trundling about trying to get more than 43 mpg trying to chase after cyclists away from the lights!
Thanks again RF.
|
|
Dont get put off by the rear visibility Bobby. Nicolle who is 5'4" happily drove the car to Hereford for a long w/e. Junior had to tell her to slow down on the motorways, bit more poke than a 1.2 clio you see!
|
Bobby - have you seen the Scénic prices on www.motorprovider.co.uk ? The Sport Tourer and Scénic, with the 1.9 dCi 120 and Dynamique trim are within £50 of each other at £13,295 and £13,250 respectively.
Depending on what you've been offered as a part exchange for your old car, and what finance figures you've been quoted, the overall cost to change (irrespective of any savings on depreciation at the other end) could be very similar if you were to sell your current car privately.
Personally, being free of children and liking to drive quickly, I would go for the Laguna over the Scénic, but that's a completely irrelevant consideration.
I personally think that £8k would be a realistic price for a quick sale on the old car; there are others in AutoTrader up for far more, but they look expensive compared to a new one. www.linksviewgarages.co.uk/ has a Liverpool phone number and a 53 plate Scénic 1.9 Dynamique for £12k as well.
|
Thanks for that David, certainly great prices from them compared to list.
Think I am going to have a good think about this for a week or so, problem is I really like the Scenic just now, part of me feels that my Scenic will depreciate less over the next 6 months than new ones, if you know what I mean, so I might get a better deal in 6 months time when they are not as new.
Incidentally, had a look in the Grand Scenic, with the middle seats pushed back to give the same legroom as the current Scenic, it looked like you would have been lucky to get a matchstick in the legroom for the third row of seats!
I currently have twin sunroofs, climate control, all round electrics, alloys, fogs, 6 cd changer, half leather and to find that on a new Scenic means moving up a step and maybe having to get additional "Comfort" packs etc.
Current spec Laguna Privelige would give me the sunroofs but also a tyre pressure sensor that I don't really need!!
I am going to try and find a previous thread on engine chipping that ND had, might be the direction I should go in.
Thanks for your input and I will keep you updated!
|
|
|
|
RF:
51 - 54 mpg... Better than I can manage; but is it the fig from the TC or actual?
Had a few days in Scotland last week & over 700mls got a true 46.
Considering some of that was hard driven, I reckon it's brill!
|
|
Thats actual. the TC is about 10% optomistic. Given a tank used round town it drops to 47 TC 42 actual, A tank of motorway use at 75 will display 60 but is 55 in real terms. Mix a tank of the two and its about 50-51. Maybe my average was a bit high, so say 50
|
I'll never buy a Renault until they can be bothered to engineer the windscreen wipers for RHD aka Clio,Megane,Scenic also to actually design a speedometer that is reasonably easy to read, without red blobs all over the place for km/h markings which i'll never use, the lazy way that they put 20,40,60 instead of 10,20,30 mph increments and a needle without a slot down the middle of it (Megane) not forgetting having some straight pedals (Scenic)
To be so besotted by one brand and not being on their payroll i find a bit sad really.. (sorry mr RF)
BTW drove a diesel Megane hire car for one week a month ago or so for 700 miles and averaged 55mpg according to trip computer which i suppose is impressive, not sure which variant it was.
|
Right If I paint out the red blobs I have the perfect car for you. Reads 10,20,30,40 - no slot down the middle, easy to read, wipers set for r/h drive, straight pedals - What car is it? why its a Laguna - shock horror. When can I deliver it to you?
As for besotted? I have had 5 fords, 2 vauxhalls, 1 Fiat, and 1 abomination from British Leyland. Oh yes and 2 Renaults.
|
- What car is it? why its a Mondeo, got one already but to be fair this is a Renault knocking thread so thats what i did, with levity of course. Yes i generally do dislike Renaults but if you don't then fair enough. Just adding my pennies worth.
|
|
|
|
Cheers 4 that RF.
But, fuel for the anti Renault brigade - one of my cards packed up when I got home from work 2nite...
The locking button doesn't and there's bits rattling about inside.
Sorry...
Think I'll rename myself WoodBurner...
|
HERETIC! (throws holy water at the devil called woodburner)
To be honest tho, the card itself is a crappy piece of engineering.
|
RF;
Car booked in for replacement card. The chap on the blower said they also need to look at something on the cooling system. Can't be owt 2 serious though otherwise they'd have contacted me b4 now I presume.
I'll pass on your comments about the plipper shall I?
NB
|
oooo let me know about the cooling thingy, mine is due in for service in 1,5k miles, If anything needs doing I can ensure they do it.
Yes by all means pass on my comments, tho I respectfully suggest you do it after the work is carried out, they might get the hump and.........
|
RF - Sorted now. Renault supplied me with a new card today.
The coolant problem was only the replacement of a clip on one of the hoses. Nowt to worry about they said.
All warrany work.
Happy again...
|
Nitro
Just had my Laguna serviced. The mod is called "blue OTS 0ACT" and as you say involves a new support clip.
|
|
Mine will be due it's 36k service about next may I reckon. £300+ I suppose? There'll be 4 mnths of the warranty left. Wondering whether to have it done or not...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RF, can you shed any light on my thread over in Technical? Hope none of the Renault bashers see this!!
|
|
|
|
|
