Renault Vel Satis (2002 - 2004) 3.0 V6 dCi Initiale 5d Auto (2004/53) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Owning my Vel Satis says I'm an individual who is willing to think differently and not be a sheep, following the group. It says I've got style, but also that I'm committed to maintaining the running of this rare French luxury car.

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

Most friends think I'm mad, but the majority of them are not into cars at all. The ones who do know about cars, really appreciate the Vel Satis for its exclusivity and charm. My family love it, so much so that a relative bought a Vel Satis too!

Would you buy this car again and why?

Despite its flaws, I would buy another Vel Satis, yes! They are very rare, individual and charming. I would especially like a petrol V6 Vel Satis, as young one as possible, so perhaps a 55 plate, when they stopped them in the UK - shame!

What are you likely to buy next?

Really not sure. Maybe another rare, quirky luxury French car like a C6 or an Avantime?

Type of dealer you bought from?

Independent

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£3,750

When did you buy the car?

October 2008

Did you get a good deal and why?

The Vel Satis I bought had quite low mileage for a big engined diesel, it came with all the toys (being Initiale spec) and was in excellent condition. I should have asked for a discount relating to the tyres, though, as replacing all 4 tyres was a costly exercise!

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

As soon as I saw and sat in the Vel Satis, I was smitten. It looks so unique, has so much power, space and luxury, and cost under £4k to buy, with relatively low miles.

What was the dealer like?

The independent dealer was friendly, amenable, flexible and generally very good.

What's it like to drive?

On motorways and A-roads the Vel Satis is excellent, especially in the 3 litre diesel engine form, coupled to the smooth (apart from an initial jerk when setting off!) automatic gearbox. Kickdown is a nice feeling, even if there is some turbo lag (normal for most diesels) and the whole experience of driving fast or driving slow feels good in the Vel Satis. It's a different story when it comes to B-roads and country lanes, though, as the suspension is awful and the Vel Satis hates speed bumps and crashes over potholes. It's nice to drive in terms of giving you a grin, knowing you're one of a very small number of Vel Satis owners on the roads.

What's it like to park?

Fairly reasonable, thanks to the rear parking sensors and good visibility. But the Vel Satis is a large car, no mistake about it, so squeezing it into tight spaces is a no-no. You can retract/fold the electric wing mirrors when you've parked up, which is handy.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Yes, but I still love my Vel Satis! For a start, it needed 4 new tyres. Then it required a steering and brakes overhaul for its MoT, and various niggley electrical things have gone wrong. I won't deny that they're not the most reliable cars to own, but ownership still feels so worth it for all the other reasons!

What's most practical about your car?

The boot on the Vel Satis is enormous and can hold 2 or 3 large suitcases, or about 12 bags of supermarket shopping. The interior is equally huge, very roomy, spacious and comfortable. The automatic gearbox makes it practical too, especially in slow traffic.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

The Cabasse Auditorium 6-CD changer and stereo system are nothing to write home about, so I think my favourite gadgets are the tyre pressure monitor system (TPMS), the cruise control, the automatic tiptronic gearbox and the clever design of the cup holders!