RE: Shed Of The Week: Renault Vel Satis

[Barchettaman]

[loose cannon]

Ah the vel shattis or flying sofa, it's so ugly it's beautiful, I do have a soft spot for them
3.5 v6 petrol is the pick of the range

[RacingBlue]

If it worked - great shed. Individual, different, not a German barge.

As it doesn't - next!

[only1ian]

Buy it throw 2 bottles of Redex at it! If problem not cured start a furniture shop with the interior leather and wood. Set the rest on fire or paint in the tricolour and sell a modern art tribute to recent events in Paris. Job done

[Martin 480 Turbo]

Since I have a soft spot for all cars (or brands) that try to discover somthing new I was really interested on this french foray into the luxury sedan segment when it first came out.

Not so much after having seen (probably) every single one of the few they sold in Germany on the hard shoulder of the Autobahn. You rarely see a car break down in traffic these days. Those and the Laguna II were amazing in this regard.

I had Alfas, Lancias, 480ies, but that one was too much even for me.

True shed.

But as SOTW a true fail!

Martin

[teacake]

This sort of car is why Mrs Teacake no longer allows me to carry a cheque book. I'd definitely buy something like that in haste, then repent at leisure.

[sunsurfer]

I like the interior - it makes a refreshing change from the black leather, black plastic and fake chrome endemic in modern executive cars.

The exterior is...horrible. A shame because I'm sure there is a market for soft riding unashamed comfort barges.
This is not it.

[Geoffcapes]

I remember sitting in one as a kid when they first came out.
I thought they were awesome.

However, since then, the only thing awesome about them is the interior. And only because it's different.

The exterior. Well. The less said the better!

[marshall100]

I'm about to dip my toe into the waters of shed with a Toyota yaris t sport, I hope it's better than this offering....

[BFleming]

In principal good shed. In reality it's already borked, so you're paying shed money for something that might not get you the mythical 'years' worth of motoring for under a grand'. Having thought about it, is this not the same 3.0 V6 D as found in the Saab 9-5 (the one you should avoid at all costs as they drop their cylinder liners when they invariably overheat) and the Vectra? A high-maintenance money-pit of an engine in any car - just the Saab was the worst of the bunch because it was constrained with the 9-5's cooling system.
At least it's not one of the usual Shed suspects I guess, but it's not for me. Or many others...

Edited by BFleming on Friday 20th November 10:41

[LittleEnus]

It's a great looking car and nicely different to the quagmire of tacky, chromed, white Mercedes that seem to be everywhere.

[V8 FOU]

Oooh, so much PH hate as usual.

Well worth a punt. Make a silly offer, fix said injector, and super comfort barge.

ps not for me as I don't have any family to cart around...... thankfully.

[dbdb]

I do quite like these, they're interesting to look at and very luxurious. It is a bit disappointing to see they ride little better than its German equivalents though - I hoped it would be smooth as well as plush in the mould of a Peugeot 604. I wouldn't want a diesel either. Its Avantine cousin is a genuinely desirable car in my eyes.

[Quhet]

only1ian said:

Buy it throw 2 bottles of Redex at it! If problem not cured start a furniture shop with the interior leather and wood. Set the rest on fire or paint in the tricolour and sell a modern art tribute to recent events in Paris. Job done

[ewenm]

Avantime - yes. Vel Satis - no thanks.

[anonymous-user]

I thought this was another new Bentley

[sinbaddio]

Those seats though, they look so comfy!

[The Don of Croy]

Don't think I've ever see 'needs tracking' in an advert before.

Presumably it veers off-centre quite wildly?

Love the design quirks - the slope of the front seats - but it does seem to be fraught with expensive danger. Still tempting though!

[swisstoni]

I had one for 7 years until a few weeks ago! I enjoy quirky stuff so this performed well as a family shed, being vast inside and incredibly comfortable. It just didn't rust due to a lot of aluminium and plastic panels.

I got decent use out of ours but in truth, especially at the age they are now, only a Renault trainspotter should go anywhere near.

[peteratsylvan]

Always loved the Avantime, but hated the Vel Satis. Anyone fancy an Avantime Spider..