RE: Shed of the Week: Renault Laguna GT
Discussion
Limpet said:
...I cannot even begin to comprehend how you'd keep an old one going....
point taken, and shared by many of my colleagues! my view is that my own car is beyond any worth nor value, doesn't have any fixed payments; it just needs to be kept going for its working week. if and when a big bill appears, then it'll be moved on and replaced, rinse and repeat.Edited by Limpet on Friday 20th April 09:32
had I bought this car new in 2007, for, say, £22k - and some minor follibles had surfaced during the first few years, then YES, I would be unhappy and views would be tainted. but this car was purchased at 8yrs old for £1500, and now 10yrs old, if things wear out, c'est la vie!
As a big fan of large French cars, I like this a lot. What a cracking shed! Looks very tidy from the photos, the MOT history doesn't show up anything worrying and I reckon this would make a great Q car cruiser.
Always thought this gen Laguna was a very handsome car, just let down by the tech on the early cars I understand.
A nice change from the usual VAG/BMW type offerings in Shed.
Always thought this gen Laguna was a very handsome car, just let down by the tech on the early cars I understand.
A nice change from the usual VAG/BMW type offerings in Shed.
Gareth1974 said:
Likewise, I had a 2005 Megane and it was a total nightmare. I’d have more faith in the reliability of last week’s Range Rover.
Back in 2003, something possessed us to buy one of the first Megane II (my brother in law at the time worked for a Renault dealership, and we got a large discount).It was comfy thing (leather seats, nice sunroof etc.) - but the 1.6 petrol engine felt slower than slow, our current 2.5L petrol BMW is better on fuel, and even when brand new it was plagued with problems. Had many rides on the back of a recovery truck, having stranded the Mrs on the way to work, and spent a fair amount of time sat in the dealership workshop. I also recall the brakes being very "snatchy", almost to the point of dangerous.
As soon as it was 3 years old and out of warranty, we got shot of the thing. Strangely enough, I did a check, and its just passed its MOT - so despite what we thought of it some 12 years ago - it's still soldiering on today.
I think I read that the facelift Lagunas (like this one?) were meant to have a lot of the older model's issues straightened out?
Gareth1974 said:
Limpet said:
No thanks. I had a 2005 Scenic II. I wouldn't have another Renault from this era as a gift.
Likewise, I had a 2005 Megane and it was a total nightmare. I’d have more faith in the reliability of last week’s Range Rover.This Laguna is a facelift and is nothing like when they were first launched, in terms of build and reliability, this is when Renault started to get a grip on their issues.
Contrary to Shed's post I found, and find today, the styling of these Lagunas to be quite nice - low, sleek, some distinctive details. Certainly better looking than the contemporary mainstream competition from Ford, Vauxhall and the Japanese. I'd go so far to say that the Frenchies had the best looking average saloon cars of the era with this and the Pug 407.
I understand these suffered some horrific electric problems when new, let alone now. On the other hand if its got to this age without being scrapped, perhaps its fine. Interesting shed anyway, classic example of "I like it but not sure I'd buy it".
I understand these suffered some horrific electric problems when new, let alone now. On the other hand if its got to this age without being scrapped, perhaps its fine. Interesting shed anyway, classic example of "I like it but not sure I'd buy it".
Lovely shed! The engine should be pretty solid, being the well known and unfortunately named F4Rt. The facelift of the second generation Laguna had the electrical gremlins sorted, and is a much underestimated car that even Renault enthusiasts ignore. I've been on the lookout for a large piece of Frenchness, and this looks to fit the bill perfectly.
Mr-B said:
IThe casino reference reminded me of a Rich Hall gag about a sign outside a gambling establishment, "liquor in the front, poker in the rear" 
What a superb shed - never knew about these, I had a Laguna as a company car in 2006 (a diesel) and it was actually quite a decent motor. Top shedding!
J4CKO said:
Knew two people with these and they both failed expensively, gearboxes and turbos.
Can you still buy full size French cars now ? isnt there a fairly big DS, other than that, cant think of one ?
Hmm, will that engine fit in a Clio ?
The 172/182 and the 197/200 had the same base engine. The turbo packaging would be difficult though, as the NA version barely fits as it is!Can you still buy full size French cars now ? isnt there a fairly big DS, other than that, cant think of one ?
Hmm, will that engine fit in a Clio ?
Otherwise, there's the Talisman (which is not sold in the UK), the 508, the DS5. But nothing quite as big as the VelSatis, C6, and 607 from the past. Shame.
I absolutely loved mine, it always felt strong and in comparison to a standard 225 megane it walked away from it so I suspect it had been remapped but never it had dyno'd, certainly had 225 injectors and pulled like a train.
02-DSC_0015 by john.holligan, on Flickr
Had more than its fair share of niggles but nothing that stopped a journey, still regret selling it for a pittance but a saab aero estate took its place but was never as fun
02-DSC_0015 by john.holligan, on FlickrHad more than its fair share of niggles but nothing that stopped a journey, still regret selling it for a pittance but a saab aero estate took its place but was never as fun
hungry horace said:
ha, was wondering when one of these would pop up...I've ran 3 of these, albeit in 2.0dCi form, which knock out 175ish as standard. (allegedly the highest powered 4pot diesel at the time).
for those myths about all Renaults are unreliable etc,
first one - sold at 115k.
second one - scrapped just shy of 270k due to turbo failure and car generally getting tatty.
current one - bought at 100k, now on 216k, did 800 miles yesterday and going (back home) to france next month for a fortnights tour.
mine takes me all over the UK and relatively speaking, have never had anything major fail. I had a gearbox, clutch and flywheel overhaul last year bit this was planned and, although an expensive, still resulted in a years cheap "budget" motoring. other jobs are tyres, brakes and a 12-16wk service, but genuinely with a 10yr old Renault on 50k/year, this is about the lot.
yes theyre a laguna, yes they're boring and yes theyre a poor drive compared to the blue oval. BUT! paid £1500 for my latest 2yrs ago, a car loaded with kit compared to the equivalent; elec/heated leather, Bluetooth, keyless entry, and on some - not this one - the "idrive" style satnav is quite good for its age, even integrating addresses and phone numbers of thousands of POIs, including all of the Renault dealers....
the electric handbrake can be problematic and costly to fix (touches some faux wood). keycards at 10yrs could be susceptible to failure, and as such, would advise any cars come with 2pcs as a backup. (new are £300plus from Renault). back bushes can fail and wear, particularly on the estates.
i've over wondered if the masses would be curious or baulk at these cars. mine can quite genuinely fit in the shed / modified car / budget motoring / cars you didnt know existed / high mileage car / crap plate / good plate thread. I might park it over the lines at asda one weekend and try and fit all threads!
oh, and shed, youre right about them being fitted with an aluminium gearknob - theyre a nightmare on winter mornings!
Nice write up! Enjoyed reading that, I like a story about someone who keeps a car beyond economic repair, always good to hear, had a soft spot for the big french Lagunas, don't know why, don't see many on the roads at all these days. Good shed!for those myths about all Renaults are unreliable etc,
first one - sold at 115k.
second one - scrapped just shy of 270k due to turbo failure and car generally getting tatty.
current one - bought at 100k, now on 216k, did 800 miles yesterday and going (back home) to france next month for a fortnights tour.
mine takes me all over the UK and relatively speaking, have never had anything major fail. I had a gearbox, clutch and flywheel overhaul last year bit this was planned and, although an expensive, still resulted in a years cheap "budget" motoring. other jobs are tyres, brakes and a 12-16wk service, but genuinely with a 10yr old Renault on 50k/year, this is about the lot.
yes theyre a laguna, yes they're boring and yes theyre a poor drive compared to the blue oval. BUT! paid £1500 for my latest 2yrs ago, a car loaded with kit compared to the equivalent; elec/heated leather, Bluetooth, keyless entry, and on some - not this one - the "idrive" style satnav is quite good for its age, even integrating addresses and phone numbers of thousands of POIs, including all of the Renault dealers....
the electric handbrake can be problematic and costly to fix (touches some faux wood). keycards at 10yrs could be susceptible to failure, and as such, would advise any cars come with 2pcs as a backup. (new are £300plus from Renault). back bushes can fail and wear, particularly on the estates.
i've over wondered if the masses would be curious or baulk at these cars. mine can quite genuinely fit in the shed / modified car / budget motoring / cars you didnt know existed / high mileage car / crap plate / good plate thread. I might park it over the lines at asda one weekend and try and fit all threads!
oh, and shed, youre right about them being fitted with an aluminium gearknob - theyre a nightmare on winter mornings!
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