Renault Megane Scenic (1997 - 1999) 1.6e RT Alize 5d (1999/T) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

No pokey, little hatchbacks please!

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

I get teased for having a 'soccer mom' car and not having any kids. I love the extra room and comfort.

Would you buy this car again and why?

I would not buy a new megan scenic because I don't like the new styling enough to spend that sort of money.

What are you likely to buy next?

Looking at the Mercedes A class range.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Didn't buy from a dealer

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£500

When did you buy the car?

January 2012

Did you get a good deal and why?

I felt that I got a reasonable deal, but could have pushed the guy a bit further. I knew the major pitfalls to look out for - mileage for cam belt, electrics in later models, etc - but the overall good condition and distance from home made me rush in. I worked out after registering it in my name that he had made a very quick few bucks on the deal. C'est la vie.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

I was drawn to the Scenic as it is a spacious vehicle, without being too big. I play golf and rugby, so am constantly ferrying people with their equipment. I needed something that would serve a variety of purposes. Other owner reviews showed this to be a reliable and cheap car to run, so my mind was very quickly made up.

What was the dealer like?

It was bought privately, but I think he was developing a car dealing business and I was one of his first customers. He allowed me to do quite a thorough inspection and answered my questions well. This was my first private purchase, so I was able to learn a thing or two as well.

What's it like to drive?

Being an older car (an unruly teenager), I accept that the car doesn't handle as when it was new. Gear changes can be difficult and the front suspension is hard on speed bumps. Otherwise, the steering is light and responsive, plus the transmission puts it down on the road when I want it.

What's it like to park?

The parking visibility is not the best, but the front and rear fall away very quickly and gives a lot of room for manoeuvre. Age may have affected the speed of the power steering, but I have learnt to live with that.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Since buying the car I have replaced the exhaust, brakes and 2 tyres. If you shop around then this can be done quite cheaply. I recommend ringing an auto factor to source parts for you and then pass them along to a trusted local mechanic. All in all my experience has been very good with the scenic.

What's most practical about your car?

The car is really economical for a larger car and a 1.6 at that. It cost me £80 to drive from London to Cornwall along the south coast and back through north Devon and Wiltshire. I feel that I have all the power that I need for motorway or city driving and I don't find myself emptying my wallet at the pump every 5 mins!

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

The twin electric sunroofs are an excellent addition and it is just a very comfortable place to be in on long journeys.