... whereas my 307 would cruise happily at illegal speeds, the Renault feels as though it will fall apart at 70, and instead of 56 mpg we are getting about 35.
There are a lot of clever gadgets but none of them really add anything to the driving experience, instead of a key there is a plastic ... Read review
Advantages: good cruise control, plenty of stowage, it's not a Vauxhall!! Disadvantages: lousy performance, poor fuel consumption, too gadgety
...happily at illegal speeds, the Renault feels as though it will fall apart at 70, and instead of 56 mpg we are getting about 35.
There are a lot of clever gadgets but none of them really add anything to the driving experience, instead of a key there is a plastic card that you shove into a slot, then press a button to start the engine. It's a little thing but I've been happily turning a key for the last 30 years and don't really understand ... ...bulge in my trouser pocket.
There is an on board trip computer but its operation is needlessly complicated, as are the controls for the radio.
I like the cruise control as it allows me to relax my right leg, to give you an idea, i drive about 1000 miles per week and an uncomfortable driving position can be a big disadvantage, that is why I pleaded not to be given a Vauxhall.
I was recently given one of these as a temporary company car when the lease on my Peugeot 307 SW ran out after 3 years and 125,000 miles of completely trouble free driving.
The downsides: It is petrol engined, so it drink fuel like it is going out of fashion and is quite frankly gutless. whereas my 307 would cruise happily at illegal speeds, the Renault feels as though it will fall apart at 70, and instead of 56 mpg we are getting about 35.
There are a lot of clever gadgets but none of them really add anything to the driving experience, instead of a key there is a plastic card that you shove into a slot, then press a button to start the engine. It's a little thing but I've been happily turning a key for the last 30 years and don't really understand what benefit the card has, apart from producing an interesting bulge in my trouser pocket.
There is an on board trip computer but its operation is needlessly complicated, as are the controls for the radio.
I like the cruise control as it allows me to relax my right leg, to give you an idea, i drive about 1000 miles per week and an uncomfortable driving position can be a big disadvantage, that is why I pleaded not to be given a Vauxhall.
Driver comfort is good and there is lots of stowage inside the car. The Air Con works well, as does the electric tilt/slide sunroof.
Sometimes the handling is a little soggy, you can't corner at anything like the speed of the Peugeot, although if you were used to cars like the Fiesta or Corsa you would probably be very impressed by the handling.
Styling, well you either like it or you don't. The one I have came in a nasty beige metallic, like a cross between old ladies' support bandage and blown liver. The bodywork flares out at the sides making the car slightly wider than it needs to be, it also looks, from the inside, to be longer than the Peugeot but is really about the same.
The boot space is fairly good for the class and does not have any awkward corners. There is yet another hidden stowage space under the floor of the boot. There are two further under floor stowage boxes in the front foot wells and a locker in the centre console.
The bodywork is well made, the doors will shut under their own weight. This is something I look out for, it always makes me laugh when I give a lift to someone who is used to Fords or Vauxhalls, you can tell because they always use far too much force to close the doors.
All in all this is a car that could stand some improvement but is basically OK. A good diesel engine, like the Citroen/ Peugeot HDI or the VolksWagen TDI would make it a lot better, and a more conventional radio CD. It sounds OK but is not intuitive to operate. In 30 years of driving I have never needed to look up how anything works in the manual, in 3 days and about 500 miles I have had to stop and look in the book several times.
When I get the list of cars to choose the permanent replacement for the Peugeot this is one I shall be drawing a red line through.
Update 19/08/07
I've been driving this car for a few weeks now, 5,000 miles down the line has my opinion changed? No.
I'm not regarded as tall, yet at 5'6" I still manage to crack my head on the doorway when I get in and out. My back has ached since I got it and I have used over £500 worth of petrol.
The suspension is soggy and feels unsafe at speed. There is plenty of load space, which is a prime consideration in my job but, if anything I am inclined to drop it from three stars to two.
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