New model laguna diesel?

caze

Anyone on here running one of the 1.5 diesel lagunas III's ?

The brother told me today he's thinking about going for one of these and was asking my opinion.
I've never sat in one and to be honest I don't know much about them but do know that renault was very keen to kill off the image the last model had and invested heavily in quality on the new one.
Has this paid off? Would you stump up your own cash for one?

The brother is not really into cars, just wants a decent sized safe car for expanding family, soon to be 2 kids. He's willing to sacrifice top speed for economy.

I told him to also look at diesel mondeo and octavia, but he thinks he'd get a better deal on a laguna. He's looking at year old cars and would be keeping it for a long time, no trade in and hoping to spend about 17-18K tops.


Your thoughts much appreciated!

Stevie Dakota

I think he could do a lot worse. A 1 year old car will have a 2 year warranty and the quality is a big improvement on the previous Laguna. 1.5DCi is a fine engine, and in Privilage spec he would want for little. They are good value.

My only concern would be the size of the boot for a family, it's not huge. The same money would get his a 2008 Tourer which for a growing family would be a far better bet.

You'll get the usual renault bashers telling him to buy a Mondeo, but the Laguna is a good car, I can't imagine him being disappointed.

BrianD3

No worries when it comes to reliability and has a better warranty than most European cars, 1.5 engine is well proven at this stage etc. I don't know about year old cars but on several occasions this year I've been offered brand new ones for discounts of 7-9k off new list price. So he is probably right in thinking that he'll get one cheap - should get a year old one with good spec. for less than his budget.

As Stevie Dakota says the hatchback is a bit smaller and also lighter than many in this class. Good from the point of view of economy and compactness but bad if you need a huge boot and interior.

Drummerboy08

I have a 09 one outside, and it is awful! Horrible to drive, the 1.5DCi engine has very little poke in it around 5+6 gears for overtaking, horrible plastic interior. Handles like a pig after a bottle of vodka, build quality isnt great either.

If he wants a french car, tell him to buy a Citroen C5.
If he wants a good car, get a Mondeo/Insignia/Passat.

Stevie Dakota

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

I have a 09 one outside, and it is awful! Horrible to drive, the 1.5DCi engine has very little poke in it around 5+6 gears for overtaking, horrible plastic interior. Handles like a pig after a bottle of vodka, build quality isnt great either.
.

Having driven a few a can't agree with the above. 1.5 is not bad for its capacity, no rocket but fine for normal driving. I liked the interior, felt more upmarket (in Privilage spec) than most of the competition. Handling was fine for a family car and everything felt pretty solid in terms of build quality.

Drummerboy08

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

Having driven a few a can't agree with the above. 1.5 is not bad for its capacity, no rocket but fine for normal driving. I liked the interior, felt more upmarket (in Privilage spec) than most of the competition. Handling was fine for a family car and everything felt pretty solid in terms of build quality.

We'll agree to disagree then! My opinion seems to be the general consensue in here. All of us have driven it at some stage, and nobdy liked it. We were trying to think of nice things to say about it!

I think the fact the Renault Ireland are Haemorrhaging these yokes, speaks for itself. Not a great car.

R.O.R

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

I have a 09 one outside

Looks like Renault are pushing them then - we've got one too but it's out with someone for the weekend. I drove one last year and thought the engine was by far the best bit (hate the cabin layout) but I sat in to this one yesterday and the seats were surprisingly firm for a Renault.

Can't comment on reliability of the new model as we don't have a single new model on fleet.

caze

Thanks for the comments guys,
Think the point about maybe looking at an estate version of any car is a very valid point, I still think it's strange that you dont see more on the roads here compared to the UK.

The 2 years warranty left appeals also. He is leaning towards the laguna but hasn't gone to look at one yet, think its the fact they appear good value on carzone. I'll mention the C5 and try and get him to look at a few differant cars in that class, our brother in law has a new mondeo and is always raving about it.

His wife wants to go looking at those nissan quashqi things, they seem to be going for mad money though and dont appear all that spacious.

I'll show this thread to him anyhow, he's on holidays next week and is going to look at some cars.

Drummerboy08

R.O.R wrote: »

Looks like Renault are pushing them then - we've got one too but it's out with someone for the weekend. I drove one last year and thought the engine was by far the best bit (hate the cabin layout) but I sat in to this one yesterday and the seats were surprisingly firm for a Renault.

Can't comment on reliability of the new model as we don't have a single new model on fleet.

Aye, we have ONE Megane out this year. Thats it. There does seem to be a big push on them by Renault, but from our point of view, the residual and maintenance kill it. Saying that, we havent been asked for one either.