Renault Laguna Hatchback (1994 - 2001) 2.2 RT D 5d (1996/N) Owner Review
Want to know everything there is to know about this car?
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Summary
What does this car say about you?
A pauper who does not care about street cred. It gets from A to B and thats all.
What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?
A shed on wheels.
Would you buy this car again and why?
I love old Lagunas, its the second one I have had, the ride is so smooth and they are so cheap to buy. I would like the 3.0 V6 but could not face the fuel bill! Renaults are so well built that although I have listed a fair few niggles earlier, I have to pay Renault a tribute that this car is still going at the dizzy mileage of 258,000, and aside the accelerator cable breaking, it has always started and never again broken down on me in the last 6000 miles. Great for an old banger!
What are you likely to buy next?
Would love another Laguna pre Y-reg but this time a DCi with a few less miles on the clock. Lagunas are great value - like any other car, they go wrong, but I will keep running mine till MOT time then scrap it and buy another one.
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Buying experience
Type of dealer you bought from?
Didn't buy from a dealer
Did you buy this car new?
No
What price did you pay?
£250
When did you buy the car?
March 2008
Did you get a good deal and why?
Bought car off auction website Ebay with a few faults that needed sorting but seller was honest about these beforehand. Cheap price for a diesel but mileage very high at 252,000.
Is there any special reason why you bought this car?
Cheap and economical diesel
What was the dealer like?
n/a
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Driving it
What's it like to drive?
Its a normal aspirated diesel with no frills - Slow. But its saving grace is that for a full tank of diesel at £80, it will return 650 - 700 miles, thats at least 45mpg. Its still very comfy and relatively quiet to drive good gearbox and will cruise on the motorway very nicely. I drive it 65 miles a day to work and back on country roads and its a real pleasure. A bit sloppy on sharp bends, but still has enough power to overtake should the need arise. Its economy over perfomance with this engine.
What's it like to park?
Easy for me but its a large car so women might find it a bit cumbersome. Has power steering which is very light.
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Living with it
Have you had any problems with the car?
Suspension strut top mountings knackered, needed new exhaust (excluding cat), brake discs and pads replaced, Problem with cooling system airlocking the radiator requiring regular bleeding, Camshaft / valve lifters worn resulting in light tapping and slight misfiring on an intermittent basis, Leaks in rainwater through the back doors and this soaks the back carpets. Severe corrosion on crossmember under radiator and also bad around wheel arches and lower sills, Gear lever very sloppy and linkage worn. Accelerator cable linkage to fuel distributor snapped. Temperature guage works when it feels like it. Heater matrix gives out poor heat output.
What's most practical about your car?
Cheap to run on fuel for a large car, has a huge boot and very roomy interior. Also has good visibility and driving position.
Favourite gadget, option or accessory?
Radio controls on the steering column useful, but was only bought as a cheap second car for commuting to work so gadgets not an issue. No air con though was an option back in 1995.
