I have a budget of €3,600 and I need a car that can fit three seats in the back.
Hi, I have a budget of €3,600 and I need a car that can fit three seats in the back, two booster and one baby. I don't want to go above a 1.5-litre engine size. Any advice?. I've seen a Renault Scenic, but have been advised against ever buying one; it's tough as it's in my budget and has the room I need!
Help
Grainne Murphy (Dublib)Jul 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Grainne,
Yeah, at that price level I'd avoid a Scenic. They older they get the worse their reliability becomes. How about a Toyota Corolla Verso instead? It's within your price range, has the space and is ultra reliable. The only thing is you'll probably have to break your 1.5-litre boundary and go for a 1.6.
What do you think?
Should I go for the Renault Scenic with €3,000 to spend?
Hi, I am looking to buy a Renault Scenic with around €3k of budget. Getting vehicles of mostly 2005 and 2006 with around 100k to 130k on the odometer for this price range. Please advise if I can go with it.
Aparesh Chatterjee (Dublin)May 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Aparesh,
You know what? I wouldn't. Renaults from that era are not the most reliable things and your budget could be as easily eaten up fixing a catalogue of minor problems. Your budget though should be able to get you into a Toyota Corolla Verso - one of the most reliable cars around and a firm favourite in CompleteCar Towers when it comes to affordable, reliable family transport.
How much is this Renault Grand Scenic TomTom worth?
Hi, I am wondering what would the value of a 2011 Renault Grand Scenic (TomTom edition) be with panoramic roof, automatic gearbox and 53,000 kilometres on the clock.
Thanks,
Bryan from Kildare
Bryan Mooney (Kildare)May 2014 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Bryan,
I'd say about €15,000 on average, perhaps slightly below the €14,000 as a trade-in.
What problems should I look for in used Renault MPVs?
Which seven-seat Renault is most reliable or what problems should I look out for when buying used?
Mark Dempsey (Kildare)May 2014 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
The more recent versions of the Renault Grand Scenic are at least reasonably reliable, and the commonly-seen 1.5-litre diesel engine is a sold enough old lump, and well proven in various Nissans and Renaults. The recurring nightmare is that of electrical problems. Renaults, older ones at any rate, just seem to eat through their cabling and wiring and everything from electric windows to engine management and injection problems can crop up. Buy very, very carefully if you're looking at anything older than 2008.
Why are older Renaults apparently such good value?
Hi,
I'm looking to buy a cheap secondhand (second) family car. Renault Mégane hatchbacks, Scenics and Grand Scenics and even Vel satis from 2003, 2004 and 2005 seem very good value with low mileage NCTed models available from €2k to €3,400 in garages. Much cheaper than similarly specced Japanese or German alternatives. Are they that risky? If the timing belt is done and the electrics seem ok is there anything else I should be wary of or are Renaults that old just not worth the grief?
John McMahon (Dublin)May 2014 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi John,
You know what? Just avoid the lot of them. In the early 2000s Renault was going through a period of very poor build quality that wasn't really resolved until the launch of the current Mégane in 2008. Older Renaults are generally just to be avoided. Electrical problems are commonplace and frustrating, and just because they're working now doesn't mean they'll stay working. These cars are marked down in price for a reason.
Hope we were in time to stop you buying!
Is this Renault good value for money?
Hi, I have come across a 2006 Renault 1.5 Dynamique for sale for €6,745. The car has 45,000 miles on the clock. Do you think that this is a good buy and what would I need to look out for? I am looking for something spacious and reliable in this price range with three good size rear seats.
Thank you,
Mary, Mullingar
Mary Killian (Mullingar)Apr 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
I presume that's either a Laguna or a Scenic you're talking about? In that case, it looks like a very good price for a car with very low mileage. However, with that kind of small miles on a diesel you need to be careful of two things. 1 - make sure that the previous owners have been doing enough long, high-speed runs to generate temperature in the exhaust system to clear out the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and, 2 - carefully check the history of the car to make sure that the mileage is genuine. Renault build quality is generally a little better than you might think, but you still need to be more careful than with other brands. Check carefully that all the electrics are working properly, especially the windows, and make sure the car has a full and complete service history.
We want to move back to an MPV, but which one?!
For years my husband drove Renault Mégane Scenics, and then about six months ago he took a whim and got a Mitsubishi ASX (not the 4WD model). It was a 2013 demo. The good price, the long warranty and the fact that it was diesel all enticed him. It is much cheaper to run and a nice drive, but the interface (is that the word?) is crude compared to the Renault. No 'intelligent' wipers, lights or windows; and the sound system controls are not on the wheel. Plus, the storage space is poor, and the boot is smaller, etc. etc. The main problem, though, is the appearance of the thing. After years of avoiding SUVs, he has somehow acquired a machine that looks like - oops! - an SUV.
We won't dwell on the reasons for not wanting to drive an SUV, or how he managed to actually buy something that looks like the one thing he doesn't want to drive. But, let's just say that he is unhappy enough that he really wants to change it for a (preferably) 2013 or 2014 (demo model) of something less 'assertive'-looking. If we have to pay to change, we will, although obviously we'd prefer not to. We are looking at another Renault Scenic, but are wondering if there might be another MPV-type car that you'd recommend in the same price bracket?
Our requirements are diesel, five doors, a large boot (for work equipment and for dogs), and preferably a highish car (not an ordinary estate).
Thank you!
Desperate in Dublin
J P (Dublin)Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Jane,
Sounds like you want to move back into a proper MPV and the best one around at the moment, for my money, is the Citroen C4 Picasso. Citroen registered a bundle of them last year for press and promotional purposes so there should be plenty of good nearly-new or dealer demo stock knocking around. It's a classy looking thing, comfy to drive and utterly massive on the inside. Other good options are the Ford C-Max (great to drive but the boot is slightly on the small side) and the Toyota Verso (a touch unexciting but with terrific quality and lots of space). Or, of you want something with a warranty to match the Mitsubishi's, track down a nice 2013 Kia Carens - a classy looking car with bundles of space.
Let us know how you get on
How reliable would a 2010 Renault Grand Scenic be?
How reliable would a 2010 Renault Grand Scenic be with only 14,000 miles on the clock?
James Hackett (Dublin)Jan 2014 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi James,
At that low mileage it should be fine. Electrical gremlins are what strike the Scenic, especially the electric windows, but also watch for problems with the cruise control, alarm, electric parking brake and even the indicators. The good news is that the engines are pretty robust and either the 1.5 or more powerful 1.9 dCi diesel engines are good choices.
Oh, do watch for bits of the cabin coming off in your hand too...
Does the 09 Renault Scenic have problems?
Looking at a 2009 Renault Scenic 1.6 petrol with 50,000 miles on the clock. Does the 09 Scenic have electrical problems in general or are they a good buy?
William, Portlaoise
William Kinsella (Portlaoise)Jan 2014 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi William,
In general, Renault has picked its reliability game up over recent years, but we would still advise a little caution. Electrical problems are quite common, especially with the windows and the engine management system, so buy carefully and make sure that it comes with a full service history.
What car will take three children in the back?
Hi, I'm looking to buy a new family car that will take three seats in the back easily. Not looking for a seven seater or so, just something that will take all three kids in the back in comfort - both theirs and also easy to get the seats in - ages 4 1/2, 3 and newborn.
Peter F (Dublin)Jan 2014 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Peter,
OK, you've a couple of good options here. There are five-seat versions of the Citroen C4 Picasso and Renault Scenic that are slightly less bulky than the seven-seat models and which will easily take three car seats across the back. Or you could try one of our very favourite cars of all, the Skoda Yeti, which has just about enough width to fit all three seats in the back. My best advice is to make sure you bring the kids and seats on any test drives you might be doing and make sure that all three fit and that the bigger ones can happily clamber up into their perches.
Let us know how you get on.