I thought it was about time I gave you all a review of my Laguna, which I have now had for a few weeks. Particularly for the benefit of d’Bout Senior, who has expressed an interest in the vehicle. ;-)
To recap on the model in question, it’s a Laguna 2.0dCI 150 Dynamique Sport Tourer. Dark metallic blue, 2008 (58) reg. Price paid, £5800. Miles at purchase 44,000. Full service history.
In the cabin: Firm seats, but comfortably so if that makes sense. I get the feeling that I sit in them, rather than on them, and they wrap around thigh and back nicely. Trimmed in my favourite combo of cloth with leather edging. Very supportive on longer drives.
The driving position is nice also, not too low, but agreeably so. Pedals are in exactly the right place for me, but it’s let down here by having no resting place for the right foot when on cruise. Not too much of a problem for me, as I don’t use it much. But annoying all the same. Small, chunky steering wheel - leather, with the flat bit at the bottom which annoys some. I quite like it though, in terms of aesthetics. I don’t mind how it feels either, but I’m sure it wouldn’t suit some folks.
Leg room in the back isn’t as good as it could be, but it’s fine for my children. They like the centre arm rest with cup holders built in and the two accessible 12v sockets for their Nintendos (there’s another one in the boot and two up front). Just discovered yesterday that there’s a fold down holder for sunglasses, just above the driver’s door. Nice touch. Also, four hidden coat hangers in the cabin, two for the rear seats and two in the boot. The front centre console has a large storage container under the arm rest, which houses one of the 12v sockets. To my surprise, the car didn’t have an aux in for the stereo, apparently Renault rectified this in 2009 when they updated the head unit. However, the cabin has speakers of all sizes seemingly everywhere, and the quality of sound is easily the best I’ve had in a car. I’ve had a local specialist fit an aux in socket (in a tray under the stereo) and iPod connectivity (in the glove box), in case I ever come over all camp and get an iSomething. ;-) In the meantime, this allows me to listen to DAB channels from my Nokia N8 phone. Hurrah.
Doors feel nicely heavy to close, no hint of tininess, a proper clunky job. If I’m critical of anything, they’re a bit too willing to close on their own, which concerns me a bit regarding the children and the rear doors.
Cabin materials are high quality, everything fits well, nothing squeaks. Instruments are clear and well placed. One switchgear irritant: the rear wiper switch is a barrel affair on the wiper stalk, and a bit fiddly. I prefer the “push back” to operate type. One other annoyance of the rear wiper is the wash part – the water does come out at the top, but spreads across the glass very slowly and very horizontally, meaning the lower half of the window gets no water whatsoever. So it smears and this is quite tiresome. The trip computer does not provide a “current” mpg reading, only and average. I like to have a current reading, but that’s just my OCD.
The boot is what I would call adequate in terms of size. Not huge, but ample for my needs these days. In it you will also find that holy grail of modern motoring: the full sized spare wheel. Also, a few nice storage bins at the side of the boot for the usual odd and ends, spare bulbs, 1l of oil and the like.
On the road: Luvverly. Smooth, quiet, firm but comfortable ride, does not crash and bang over surface imperfections. Probably ranks on the earlier stages of the French “Waftometer” – not in the class of a C6 or somesuch, but certainly has that je ne sais quoi of the large French wafter when compared to a German or other nationality of motor. The car has sensible 205/60 R16 wheels and tyres. Goes round corners better than I’ve experienced in a largeish estate car, although perhaps that’s being a bit unfair on my old Mk2 Mondeo estate, which was probably its equal. Power delivery is a bit on/off, anything below 2k rpm and it’s a bit on the asthmatic side, but squeeze it a bit and the car tales off like the proverbial heated cat/excrement from shiny gardening implement, whichever simile you prefer. Goes with the diesel territory, and it’s less noticeable then other diesels I’ve tried. Motorway cruising is relaxed and quiet, a revelation after years in a diesel Ford Galaxy. The car is also easy to creep through urban traffic – light clutch and light gear change (6 speed trad manual).
Under the bonnet, everything you need to access is easily accessible and in an obvious place. Haven’t located the pollen filter yet, will need to source a workshop manual from France for that I imagine, as there don’t seem to be any available here. But there is one thing which lets it down in my book – the dipstick is integrated with the oil filler cap, and it is not the easiest to get out/back in again and close the cap. Bit of a fiddle, but I expect I’ll get the hang.
I’ve commented on its economy in other threads, and in my mind it’s staggering. I can get near 60mpg on an A road run, over 60 on the motorway, and an average of 50 in mixed driving. 48 seems to be the figure when I’m almost exclusively driving around town, which is phenomenal to my mind. 700 miles between fill ups is a revelation to me. Nothing I have ever owned has bettered 400 miles on a tank.
So, in summary, I am delighted with it. I think it represents fantastic value for money, although of course the downside is that it’ll be worth tuppence ha’penny and a blood orange in a few years time. But then, so is pretty much everything else in this class.
I will, of course, update this thread with any reliability issues which crop up in the future. Any questions? Fire away.
|
