RE: SOTW: Renault Vel Satis
Discussion
Thanks for the concept pic - never see it before.
Now... if THAT was the production version, it would be on my driveway right now.
As for the sad-sack reality, it's the ill-judged c-pillar that's the real spoiler for me.
Now... if THAT was the production version, it would be on my driveway right now.
As for the sad-sack reality, it's the ill-judged c-pillar that's the real spoiler for me.
Twincam16 said:
I have a massive soft spot for the Vel Satis and Avantime, simply because I was there, at the 2000 British Motor Show, when the covers were whipped off this:
It was a complete, running car that Quentin Willson tested on Top Gear and absolutely raved about.
Given the compromises of productionising a concept car and making it a saloon rather than a coupe, I don't think Renault did too bad a job:
IIRC at the same show Citroën released the C5, and were absolutely determined to suggest that it was some kind of successor to the DS. Pretty much every journalist at the show suggested the 'Avant-garde French luxury' crown had migrated to Renault.
I like them, but it would only ever be a daily runabout, and as such I'm not sure I could stomach the running costs.
It was a complete, running car that Quentin Willson tested on Top Gear and absolutely raved about.
Given the compromises of productionising a concept car and making it a saloon rather than a coupe, I don't think Renault did too bad a job:
IIRC at the same show Citroën released the C5, and were absolutely determined to suggest that it was some kind of successor to the DS. Pretty much every journalist at the show suggested the 'Avant-garde French luxury' crown had migrated to Renault.
I like them, but it would only ever be a daily runabout, and as such I'm not sure I could stomach the running costs.
Something about those seats is making me feel queasy... look a little like they could be made of human skin 
Interesting car though. Wouldn't have expected them to have a harsh ride somehow, can any owners comment?
Looks that only a particularly sympathetic and short-sighted mother could love, but I do hope a few survive :-)
Interesting car though. Wouldn't have expected them to have a harsh ride somehow, can any owners comment?
Looks that only a particularly sympathetic and short-sighted mother could love, but I do hope a few survive :-)
Edited by mrtwisty on Friday 15th March 09:14
nicely written articleMysteryLemon said:
Of course I understand shed but the way people go on about these as if they are the holy grail of motoring just doesn't agree with me.
I must have missed all the Vel Satis recommendations on the What Car threads. I think most are saying they are ugly, flawed, generally rubbish but still have a certain charm for some. I haven't seen anyone seriously suggest they are actually objectively good cars.I can't remember whether it was this or the Smart which won a late 2003 or early 2004 Top Gear magazine's award for Most Inept Handling Car by "understeering straight on with alarming ease" on their staged Understeer Challenge.
Whether one or the other came first is not that important I suppose. What is important is that the Vel Satis and Smart both drive as bad as they look!
I don't remember why, but I read that mag on a ferry to France and the Vel Satis stuck in my mind. Interesting shed, right enough, but I'm not sure I'd have paid the current asking price for a new one!
Whether one or the other came first is not that important I suppose. What is important is that the Vel Satis and Smart both drive as bad as they look!
I don't remember why, but I read that mag on a ferry to France and the Vel Satis stuck in my mind. Interesting shed, right enough, but I'm not sure I'd have paid the current asking price for a new one!
Ah, a Shed to counter the "too much AMG", "too much Porsche brigade." Wonderfully bonkers, a mate of mine actually looked at one of these as they have a big towing capacity apparently. Love the little squares painted or inlaid on the dash wood trim. So much to go wrong but so much to love. Wonder how many parts are north of the asking price all on their own!
MysteryLemon said:
ewenm said:
You do know that SOTW is just a bit of fun, yes? If it featured high-mileage 3/5-series every week it would be very very boring. The pick of eclectic, objectively rubbish cars makes the article better.
Of course I understand shed but the way people go on about these as if they are the holy grail of motoring just doesn't agree with me.
t.Ha ha - I worked on the UK launch of the 'Velvet Settee' and will never forget phoning the Event Manager one morning to say he might need to source another one for my session, as this one was on fire!!!
The 'Millenium Falcon' (as it also got nick-named) won a couple of awards that I recall with some delight: Tow-Car of the year, by the Caravan Club (I think) and 'Worst Handling Car' by Top Gear... There was some test where they drove at 50 mph towards a sharp bend and turned the wheel at a set point and measured the deviation from the steered angle... The Vel Satis just kept going straight... LOL
Really funky seats in the front, though - brilliant view ahead from the centre rear seat.
The 'Millenium Falcon' (as it also got nick-named) won a couple of awards that I recall with some delight: Tow-Car of the year, by the Caravan Club (I think) and 'Worst Handling Car' by Top Gear... There was some test where they drove at 50 mph towards a sharp bend and turned the wheel at a set point and measured the deviation from the steered angle... The Vel Satis just kept going straight... LOL
Really funky seats in the front, though - brilliant view ahead from the centre rear seat.
I would rather have an Avantime that the Vel Satis and not shocked they have tumbled to this price point
but ... after owning double digits worth of Renaults, 10yrs old 137+k on the clock, chances are it wont run for too much longer, as most seem to die by 150k (and i know, i know that some run and run but I have known well looked after examples die a whole lot sooner)
but ... after owning double digits worth of Renaults, 10yrs old 137+k on the clock, chances are it wont run for too much longer, as most seem to die by 150k (and i know, i know that some run and run but I have known well looked after examples die a whole lot sooner)
MysteryLemon said:
I don't get the ph obsession with these. In obviously missing something. To me it looks like an ugly, unreliable pile of st. It's not cool or exciting.
Why on earth would anyone on a website like this even consider the thought of owning one or think it a good idea to suggest someone own one?
Because PH is a website for car enthusiasts. t. It's not cool or exciting.Why on earth would anyone on a website like this even consider the thought of owning one or think it a good idea to suggest someone own one?
Within that group of people there are many different tastes, good and bad are generally subjective and based on individual choices and experiences.
So just because to you the car is an 'ugly, unreliable heap of s
t that isn't cool or exciting' to the next man it could be the pinnacle of motoring excellence if the only other cars he has driven have been crashy sports cars or total wrecks. What annoys me is that people who use a website like this feel the need to get really annoyed that not everyone likes what they like instead of just ignoring it, and that there are so many people in the world who are seriously narrow minded and unable to simply accept that we don't all need a consensus on every topic.
The day we all listen to what one person says about something and blindly follow their lead without allowing our own choices to be influenced by our individuality is the day I'll voluntary terminate my membership of the human race.
I actually know someone with one of these who runs it daily. Her other half is a french car nut though, with several DSs in his past catalogue. No idea about running costs though. Whilst this or the Avantime have never really been my cup of tea, I can see the 'wafting though Provence' appeal I suppose. Just.
This was from a period when Renault were designing interesting cars with the VS, Avantime and the Sport Spider remember. Peugeot had stopped making sporty cars and went for the granny market and Citroen decided each of their new cars should be in the Woolies bargain bin a week after launch.
Lot of quirk for a grand however. Like quirk.
This was from a period when Renault were designing interesting cars with the VS, Avantime and the Sport Spider remember. Peugeot had stopped making sporty cars and went for the granny market and Citroen decided each of their new cars should be in the Woolies bargain bin a week after launch.
Lot of quirk for a grand however. Like quirk.
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