What's your favourite French car manufacturer?
Discussion
I was just thinking today that over the last 20 years my preference has switched from Peugeot to Renault to Citroen (although I have never owned a Citroen or Renault).
Twenty years ago, Peugeots were pretty and good to drive, Citroen was all about comfort and the most idiosyncratic "French" choice and Renaults were cheap and a bit bland.
Go back 10 years, Peugeot had lost its edge in terms of driver appeal and styling (the 307 was a backward step in both areas after the 306 IMHO), Citroens were bland, rather conventional and cheap and Renaults had the most interesting styling (I'm thinking Megane II and Laguna II), were the most "French" choice and offered the best drive (certainly the RenaultSport models).
Now, I would say that Peugeot don't really offer anything unless you like ugly (with the exception of the RCZ) and they have never really been the budget choice, Citroen seem to have got their styling mojo back and seem to be aiming "upmarket" but unfortunately seem to be aiming for sportiness rather than comfort and idiosyncratic engineering (although you would have to be a bit mad to spend £30k plus on a top-spec Citroen) and Renault have gone back to being the cheap, bland option (although I have to admit that the 3dr Megane is a nice-looking car and the RenaultSport version holds some appeal but not at that price)!
In my opinion, the USP of a mainstream French car should be style or cost. The Koreans (Hyundai and Kia) and to a lesser extend the cheaper VW group brands (Skoda/Seat) seem to be more competetive on cost now, so Citroen would have to be my current favourite in terms of style, although, I am disappointed that they have lost their mechanical eccentricity and focus on comfort. Not much to choose between Renault and Peugeot in my opinion, but I would probably give the nod to Renault for driving, although the normal models are nothing special in my expereience and the range is going to be dramatically reduced in the next few months.
Such a shame that Peugeot seem to have lost their knack for making great great driver's cars and Renault have lost their unique styling though!
So what's your favourite French car manufacturer and why?
Twenty years ago, Peugeots were pretty and good to drive, Citroen was all about comfort and the most idiosyncratic "French" choice and Renaults were cheap and a bit bland.
Go back 10 years, Peugeot had lost its edge in terms of driver appeal and styling (the 307 was a backward step in both areas after the 306 IMHO), Citroens were bland, rather conventional and cheap and Renaults had the most interesting styling (I'm thinking Megane II and Laguna II), were the most "French" choice and offered the best drive (certainly the RenaultSport models).
Now, I would say that Peugeot don't really offer anything unless you like ugly (with the exception of the RCZ) and they have never really been the budget choice, Citroen seem to have got their styling mojo back and seem to be aiming "upmarket" but unfortunately seem to be aiming for sportiness rather than comfort and idiosyncratic engineering (although you would have to be a bit mad to spend £30k plus on a top-spec Citroen) and Renault have gone back to being the cheap, bland option (although I have to admit that the 3dr Megane is a nice-looking car and the RenaultSport version holds some appeal but not at that price)!
In my opinion, the USP of a mainstream French car should be style or cost. The Koreans (Hyundai and Kia) and to a lesser extend the cheaper VW group brands (Skoda/Seat) seem to be more competetive on cost now, so Citroen would have to be my current favourite in terms of style, although, I am disappointed that they have lost their mechanical eccentricity and focus on comfort. Not much to choose between Renault and Peugeot in my opinion, but I would probably give the nod to Renault for driving, although the normal models are nothing special in my expereience and the range is going to be dramatically reduced in the next few months.
Such a shame that Peugeot seem to have lost their knack for making great great driver's cars and Renault have lost their unique styling though!
So what's your favourite French car manufacturer and why?
Some people ought to have a look at some reliability scores, you might want to sit down when you look. Also consider how much other cars (like Audi which are on the arse end of reliable) cost to repair when they go wrong.
And to answer the question, mine is of course Renaultsport - a different brand to Renault, it says so on my V5
And to answer the question, mine is of course Renaultsport - a different brand to Renault, it says so on my V5
Edited by MSTRBKR on Thursday 23 February 22:15
MSTRBKR said:
Some people ought to have a look at some reliability scores, you might want to sit down when you look. Also consider how much other cars (like Audi which are on the arse end of reliable) cost to repair when they go wrong.
Innovation doesn't necessarily mean reliable. Citroen tried new things, some didn't work very well. If it wasn't for trying it would be cart springs, wooden wheels and horses still.
Renault for me. Though losing their styling edge in recent years (and now their actual model range). Plenty of innovation over the years (e.g. direct drive gearbox), impressive motorsport heritage. Just a shame that they're no longer a company that would produce a bustled Megane, an Avantime or a Vel Satis. Citroen seem to be making remarkable inroads with their DS models at the moment; whilst Renault shoot themselves in the foot by killing off their range instead of letting the recent quality drive speak for itself.
Fortunately, they still produce cars like RS Meganes and keep their hand in in F1 with championship winning engines (albeit under somewhat playing-field levelling regulations).
Also, it may just be me, but I'm frequently shocked by the low rate interiors in many cars compared to Renault's I've been in and not just in the equivalent price range.
Fortunately, they still produce cars like RS Meganes and keep their hand in in F1 with championship winning engines (albeit under somewhat playing-field levelling regulations).
Also, it may just be me, but I'm frequently shocked by the low rate interiors in many cars compared to Renault's I've been in and not just in the equivalent price range.
-Pete- said:
I love France, but I think French cars are all rubbish. You only need to look at the hard shoulder of any motorway to see...
I think a lot of people say this but only register the French ones because it's the stereotype. I see all sorts of cars and shockingly it's a lot of new cars that are not all French.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff