I riecently traded up from an Nreg MGF (see my review there). The soft top was no longer practicle and I wanted a nice looking coupe with a bit more space.
I origionally considered an Astra Coupe, but they were out of my price range and I was also considering depreciation. I wasn't getting anywhere near the price I wanted for the MGF and it was going to cost alot to trade in - I luckly found an MG/Rover garage where I got a realy good deal. My advise when part xing - look for a garage that sells your car and see what they have in stock first.
Anyways - onto the Coupe. Looks Well Renault did a good thing basing the car on the Megane platform but putting the effort into making it a coupe rather a 3 door hatch (unlike Citreon Xara Coupe). Upto the A pillar it's a megane, after that it's a good looking coupe - remenisant of the Mazda MX3. Even the Yellow color works well on this car. Mine is Green, but you cannot choose when you buy second hand unless you shop around.
Inside A few other reviews mention space/headroom. Coming from an MGF - it's massive, but there is the a lack of space for the verticaly challanged. The inside is still based on the Megane 5 door and the seating position is a bit upright and it looks exactly the same from the drivers seat. However it's comfy enough for long trips and has a good sterio/cd sytem and speakers (some I looked at had the boot mounted 6disk changer but I find them inpractical - but if you want one shop around as there are plenty out there). The back seats are realy a token seating space - I have a 2yo niece, so she'll fit OK (untill she's 3 that is). I don't realy drive more than myself about so this wasn't a consideration when buying. If you need back seats -go for a different car. I will mention that the back quater windows are electronically operated and open about an inch - dont know what that's all about - answers on the back of postcard?? Most cars come with AirCon these days - so dont accept one without. It's a bit grey inside - Renault must have saved a fortune buying a job lot of the same plastic and then fitted it to every Megan in the range. Basically I'm trying to say the the coupe doesn't look any different to any other Megan, but if it keeps cost's down and makes the car affordable - who am I to complain.
Safety Still inside - it has airbags all round and Renault are renoundfor building safe cars. This is one area I wont want to gain practical experience in - so I will rely on what I am told. Imobiliser as standard which is activated from the remote locking key. Enough said
Driving Not quite as chuckable as the MGF, but it feels secure on the road. The 1.6 has a good 110bhp (check the engine you are going to buy as there are a few different varients out there) and sporty enough. Gives good milage - a tank cost £35 and I can get nearly 400miles. Bit of roadnoise on the Motorway but not to intrusive. Comfortable driving position with hight adjust on the drivers seat, elec heated mirrors, sterio controls next to the wiper stalk. Suspension soaks up all but the really bad bumps which is the trade between sports and comfort, however Renault have met the fine balance well.
I knew coming from the MGF to a more sensible car was going to be a bit of a dissapointment driving wise, but having been in the Megane Coupe for only a couple of weeks, I have to admit I am glad I made the change. If you read reviews you will have foundsome people have problem's where others might not. Cars etc will go wrong at sometime - it's only to be expected. The fact is what is it like when it works......
The Megane Coupe is an excelent all round package. It has the looks and driving experience a coupe should have. Asmost people belive Renaults to be unreliable and cheaply made they tend to avoid them. Their loss but don't forget this when it comes to trade back in - haggle for the best deal you can get.
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Nov 14th, 2004
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