Discussion
I know somebody with one. Although it's based on the Espace Renault cleverly managed to remove all the space from the inside so it's not as big as it should be. The rear footwell is raised for reasons I can't figure out, so while there's plenty of legroom you still sit with your knees in the air.
I don't think there's another car like it and it really feels that way when you're in it. Basically, it's as eccentric as it looks and I applaud that
Because it's so unusual some of the running costs are barmy. If somebody put a couple of windows through you could easily be looking at a four figure bill
I don't think there's another car like it and it really feels that way when you're in it. Basically, it's as eccentric as it looks and I applaud that
Because it's so unusual some of the running costs are barmy. If somebody put a couple of windows through you could easily be looking at a four figure bill
There's a PH'er who brings his to a regular Midlands Classic car meet, with a great reg number on it, M4TRA. He tells me that each one cost over £100K to build and they were sold at a huge loss, but the loss was less than bowing out of a contractual agreement they had with Matra for something else, so they built the Avantime.
The door hinges are amazing, and there are many really interesting aspects to the cars wiring too.
There's one lives around the corner from me, and it has very discreet TGV stickers in a subtle font on the 'D' posts and SNCF on the rear tailgate. It's kind of nice the way he's done it, a tribute, but not like a tacky stickered up mess.
The door hinges are amazing, and there are many really interesting aspects to the cars wiring too.
There's one lives around the corner from me, and it has very discreet TGV stickers in a subtle font on the 'D' posts and SNCF on the rear tailgate. It's kind of nice the way he's done it, a tribute, but not like a tacky stickered up mess.
Edited by Balmoral Green on Saturday 18th September 15:59
vit4 said:
twizellb said:
RosscoPCole said:
Amazing looking car. Nearly bought one as the family wagon. Just a shame they didn't put a diesel in the front.
I think they do come with a diesel, and i'd crtainly have one My neighbour's Avantime is definitely petrol.
Bargain.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
There is one for less, but it's been to the moon and back.
Only 3 for sale on Auto Trader though, nice and rare!
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
There is one for less, but it's been to the moon and back.
Only 3 for sale on Auto Trader though, nice and rare!
I've had an Avantime for a year now, a V6 Auto. It's a fun car, but not a sports car. Nevertheless, I did enter it in this year's Brighton Speed Trials. 1/4 mile in 17.00.
Parts can be very pricey, and often there's no alternative to main dealer for them. The diesel Avantimes were only available on the continent, so they're all LHD and I think with a 2.2 Diesel engine rather than the V6 from the Vel Satis. Some people think the Vel Satis is a 5 door Avantime, but they are very different under the skin. The Avantime is basically an Espace Coupe built by Matra with plastic & aluminium bodywork, whereas the Vel Satis is an all steel construction by Renault themselves.
Parts can be very pricey, and often there's no alternative to main dealer for them. The diesel Avantimes were only available on the continent, so they're all LHD and I think with a 2.2 Diesel engine rather than the V6 from the Vel Satis. Some people think the Vel Satis is a 5 door Avantime, but they are very different under the skin. The Avantime is basically an Espace Coupe built by Matra with plastic & aluminium bodywork, whereas the Vel Satis is an all steel construction by Renault themselves.
Caruso said:
I've had an Avantime for a year now, a V6 Auto. It's a fun car, but not a sports car. Nevertheless, I did enter it in this year's Brighton Speed Trials. 1/4 mile in 17.00.
Parts can be very pricey, and often there's no alternative to main dealer for them. The diesel Avantimes were only available on the continent, so they're all LHD and I think with a 2.2 Diesel engine rather than the V6 from the Vel Satis. Some people think the Vel Satis is a 5 door Avantime, but they are very different under the skin. The Avantime is basically an Espace Coupe built by Matra with plastic & aluminium bodywork, whereas the Vel Satis is an all steel construction by Renault themselves.
is it best to go for a 2.0 for runinng costs and cambelt ? (p.s. i dont care one jot about acceleration)Parts can be very pricey, and often there's no alternative to main dealer for them. The diesel Avantimes were only available on the continent, so they're all LHD and I think with a 2.2 Diesel engine rather than the V6 from the Vel Satis. Some people think the Vel Satis is a 5 door Avantime, but they are very different under the skin. The Avantime is basically an Espace Coupe built by Matra with plastic & aluminium bodywork, whereas the Vel Satis is an all steel construction by Renault themselves.
do you knwo when the cambelt service is ?
jackal said:
is it best to go for a 2.0 for runinng costs and cambelt ? (p.s. i dont care one jot about acceleration)
do you knwo when the cambelt service is ?
Cambelt is at 70k on the V6. The 2.0 (Turbo) are cheaper to buy, not much cheaper to run, and harder to sell on. V6 Auto is most popular from a buyer's perspective. The owners website is here http://www.avantime-owners.com/forum and a good place to start if you're looking for info or to buy one.do you knwo when the cambelt service is ?
Edited by Caruso on Saturday 18th September 22:07
Caruso said:
jackal said:
is it best to go for a 2.0 for runinng costs and cambelt ? (p.s. i dont care one jot about acceleration)
do you knwo when the cambelt service is ?
Cambelt is at 70k on the V6. The 2.0 (Turbo) are cheaper to buy, not much cheaper to run, and harder to sell on. V6 Auto is most popular from a buyer's perspective.do you knwo when the cambelt service is ?
I gather the cambelt service is about twice the price on the V6 and the 2.0 will do 30mpg combined so lord knows why the V6 is most popular from a buyers perspective. " grand dearer to buy as well.
Edited by jackal on Saturday 18th September 22:09
jackal said:
Caruso said:
jackal said:
is it best to go for a 2.0 for runinng costs and cambelt ? (p.s. i dont care one jot about acceleration)
do you knwo when the cambelt service is ?
Cambelt is at 70k on the V6. The 2.0 (Turbo) are cheaper to buy, not much cheaper to run, and harder to sell on. V6 Auto is most popular from a buyer's perspective.do you knwo when the cambelt service is ?
what about econ ? like 14mpg or something ?
I work in service for Renault and have only ever seen one, it was the 3.0 v6 model. I had to drop it off for the customer which gave me the chance for a little drive. I am still unsure what to make of them but the sound from the v6 is amazing but the servicing prices are crazy especially for a cambelt change.
Johnnytheboy said:
A Renault salesman once told me that almost all the UK registered ones started out as demos, or in some other way were pre-registered by Renault, i.e. virtually nobody walked in to a Renault garage and ordered one from new.
Many were pre registered and then leased at very attractive rates.A colleague and I leased a pair of top spec 3ltr auto's at a ridiculously cheap monthly rental over two years.
Comfy, quiet, long distance cruisers and ironically, for Renaults, two of the most reliable cars we have ever run.
I still regret not buying mine at the end of the lease.
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