SeanDezart
Well-Known Forum User
Look, blow your tranny, what do you all run about in with the family (except DJ who obviously carries 'em around in cardboard boxes) ?
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Renault Vel Satis - my family runaround !
- Thread starter SeanDezart
- Start date
SeanDezart
Well-Known Forum User
Tempting, the estate even more so - there is a taxi 300 break at Pouzauges !
Expensive at the moment, flashy grill and some interior build quality issues.......rear leg-room compromised by being rear-wheel drive.....?
Expensive at the moment, flashy grill and some interior build quality issues.......rear leg-room compromised by being rear-wheel drive.....?
ZHead
Well-Known Forum User
SeanDezart said:
Indeed Sean, the cost was astronomically high so I got rid of the car once it was sorted and bought a new "family car".
Like you I wanted to seat 5 adults in comfort, take lots of luggage, get good fuel economy and have all of the creature comforts like climate, cruise, cd, etc etc etc. However.................. As I spend so much time in the car (40K miles plus per annum) I wanted something extra ..........fun.
So..... I bought a 535d M-Sport with 19" AC Schnitzer wheels.
0 - 60 in 6.5
limited to 155
37 to the gallon on a run
272BHP
413ft/lb torque.
It is big family autobahn cruiser but can still be driven like a sports car-ish. It is a 3.0 straight six diesel with twin sequential turbos.
Once DMS remapped it will be :
0 - 60 in 5.5
0 - 100 in 13.4
175 MPH
STILL 37 to the gallon on a run
334 BHP
507 ft/lb torque.
Granted there is a price difference, but there are many many options to the VS. ANY 5 series, E class, Vauxhall Omega, Ford Mondeo, VW Passat, big Peugeot, Audi A6 etc would do the job we ask of a big family car. Most, if not all of them will do it very well.
The issue I guess is value, some depreciate faster than others, for example, I would not buy a NEW car at all, mine was 20 months old and 18 grand cheaper than the £48K it would ne new with all the options.
I just bought my wife a 407 2.0 hdi 136BHP. Very nice car but less than a year old and £7K off list. People that buy new cars have too much money or too little sense
unless they are leasing or buying on PCP.Hand on heart I agree that the VS is excellent value for money, delivers a very high spec and is a very good motor.... my only beef is that it looks .....well.......odd.
So saying, look at the slating that BMW's designs have had over the last few years ? Motoring beauty is in the eye of the beholder.... Lamborghini Miura or Frog Eye Sprite ? You pays your money and takes your choice. Your choice works well for you so it is irrelevant if anyone else likes it really.
Now your primrose beastie ? ...... Now THAT'S beauty
SeanDezart
Well-Known Forum User
ZHead said:ANY 5 series, E class, Vauxhall Omega, Ford Mondeo, VW Passat, big Peugeot, Audi A6 etc would do the job we ask of a big family car. Most, if not all of them will do it very well.
The issue I guess is value, some depreciate faster than others, for example, I would not buy a NEW car at all, mine was 20 months old and 18 grand cheaper than the £48K it would ne new with all the options.
Hand on heart I agree that the VS is excellent value for money, delivers a very high spec and is a very good motor.... my only beef is that it looks .....well.......odd.
Now your primrose beastie ? ...... Now THAT'S beauty
Thanks for the reply. There is a new Seat that looks VERY similar to the VS but no-ones' slagged that off - Seat have the 'right' sporting image and the VS set the trend - remember the first Ford Sierra - the jelly mould ? Compare that to to Sierra Cosworth.......and the multitude of blobby shaped cars since !
What do people ask of their big, family cars ? I honestly don't know how to replace mine now - it's so snug, there's no wind noise, it's easy to drive and distances are NO problem ! I hope some manufatcurer starts building spacious, comfortable, economic, upright saloon cars again ! The other comfortable car I owned was a Rover P6 2000SC !
Value IS the key, I could have found a 406 Estate cheaper which would get me from A to B but I paid for comfort !
I also do over 40,000 miles a year business mileage.........in a crummy Kangoo van so I want something to aid my piles
!The Z is comfy too, really and truly, but has a drinking problem - how's yours coming along - it's all gone VERY quiet !
SeanDezart
Well-Known Forum User
Here we are - the SEAT Altaya
This is what is written on SEATs' home page re the design :
"Considering its unconventional nature, it's no surprise to learn that the Altea's design flies in the face of convention. Discarding thinking that stated form and function must vie for design dominance, the Altea was conceived as a harmony between aggressive, flamboyant styling and intelligent, innovative use of space. The triumphant result is a car versatile enough to handle your life, and radical enough to make sure it's never dull."
The word versatile is not far removed from Velsatis - no ?
Discuss.
This is what is written on SEATs' home page re the design :
"Considering its unconventional nature, it's no surprise to learn that the Altea's design flies in the face of convention. Discarding thinking that stated form and function must vie for design dominance, the Altea was conceived as a harmony between aggressive, flamboyant styling and intelligent, innovative use of space. The triumphant result is a car versatile enough to handle your life, and radical enough to make sure it's never dull."
The word versatile is not far removed from Velsatis - no ?
Discuss.
SeanDezart
Well-Known Forum User
SEAT - Spanish ? Thought is was from te VW group ! And before you tell me arr, yes but they're made in Spain, so were Ford Fiestas !
I admire your loyaty, my point being tat the shape is still being presented as audacious, 5 years after it came out and nobody is attacking SEAT 'cos in your yes (?) they ha a better image !
It's not abut value after all - it's consumers' conception !
I admire your loyaty, my point being tat the shape is still being presented as audacious, 5 years after it came out and nobody is attacking SEAT 'cos in your yes (?) they ha a better image !
It's not abut value after all - it's consumers' conception !
SeanDezart
Well-Known Forum User
I do mean perception - thanks (she's wanting another baby......) !
SeanDezart
Well-Known Forum User
I forgot to add the keyless ignition.
When approaching the car, if I have the card on me, when my hand goes to pull open the flush door-handles, the doors unlock. I put the card in and press the button ! On the newer models, the key can even stay in your pocket. It won't start if in gear and you can't pull the card out if the motor is running !
She'll do 120 mph but when driving, you just don't feel that you want too - the pace of life justs slows down - a rolling living-room !
When approaching the car, if I have the card on me, when my hand goes to pull open the flush door-handles, the doors unlock. I put the card in and press the button ! On the newer models, the key can even stay in your pocket. It won't start if in gear and you can't pull the card out if the motor is running !
She'll do 120 mph but when driving, you just don't feel that you want too - the pace of life justs slows down - a rolling living-room !
SeanDezart
Well-Known Forum User
The story isn’t over ! And so a comparison of rear leg-room and width has been undertaken between all the different cars available (sportives and super luxury cars excepted) and here are the results in reference to my V.S. (155cms width with 78cms leg-room) :
Cars with more room :
Category Family monospace –
Renault Grand Espace 154/76cms
Mercedes Class R (short) 156/79cms
Volkswagen Sharan
Seat Alhambra
Peugeot 807
Lancia Phedra
Fiat Ulysse
Citroen C8
Ford S-Max 156/81cms
Ford Galaxy
Chrysler Voyager 171/74cms and 159/76cms in the third row.
Mercedes Class R (long)
Kia Carnival
SsangYong Rodius 159/89cms and 150/74cms in the third row.
Category 4x4 –
Nissan Murano 154/80cms
Range Rover 155/80cms
Audi Q7 156/79cms
Mercedes Class ML 161/77cms
Toyota Land Cruiser 161/77cms and 144/60cms in the third row.
Category Grand route –
Jaguar S-Type 148/75cms
Volvo S80 152/73cms
Mercedes Class E 146/81cms
BMW Serie 5 150/78cms
Audi A6 150/78cms
Citroen C6 150/79cms
Peugeot 607 152/79cms
Renault Vel Satis 155/78cms
Audi A8 155/80cms
BMW Serie 7 156/83cms
Mercedes Class S 158/81cms
Volkswagen Phaeton 160/81cms
Conclusions :
To have more space inside than my V.S. you need to buy either a selection of people carriers, a luxury 4x4 or a very expensive German saloon car !
The biggest by far is the Chrysler Grand Voyager, a good compromise is the Ford S-Max, although those who care nothing for the environment might choose the Land Cruiser !
You pays your money and you takes your choice..................but choose wisely ;-) !
Cars with more room :
Category Family monospace –
Renault Grand Espace 154/76cms
Mercedes Class R (short) 156/79cms
Volkswagen Sharan
Seat Alhambra
Peugeot 807
Lancia Phedra
Fiat Ulysse
Citroen C8
Ford S-Max 156/81cms
Ford Galaxy
Chrysler Voyager 171/74cms and 159/76cms in the third row.
Mercedes Class R (long)
Kia Carnival
SsangYong Rodius 159/89cms and 150/74cms in the third row.
Category 4x4 –
Nissan Murano 154/80cms
Range Rover 155/80cms
Audi Q7 156/79cms
Mercedes Class ML 161/77cms
Toyota Land Cruiser 161/77cms and 144/60cms in the third row.
Category Grand route –
Jaguar S-Type 148/75cms
Volvo S80 152/73cms
Mercedes Class E 146/81cms
BMW Serie 5 150/78cms
Audi A6 150/78cms
Citroen C6 150/79cms
Peugeot 607 152/79cms
Renault Vel Satis 155/78cms
Audi A8 155/80cms
BMW Serie 7 156/83cms
Mercedes Class S 158/81cms
Volkswagen Phaeton 160/81cms
Conclusions :
To have more space inside than my V.S. you need to buy either a selection of people carriers, a luxury 4x4 or a very expensive German saloon car !
The biggest by far is the Chrysler Grand Voyager, a good compromise is the Ford S-Max, although those who care nothing for the environment might choose the Land Cruiser !
You pays your money and you takes your choice..................but choose wisely ;-) !
ZHead
Well-Known Forum User
No one knocks the practicality and value for money element, you get A LOT for your money so I agree it makes a top notch family car BUT....................
It looks like it has been beaten with the ugly stick, it is the automotive counterpart of the Kangarilla Moose Pig.
There are very very very few VS on the roads in the UK because they were expensive when new, the only one uglier being the hideously deformed monstrosity known only as the Multipla.
Trouble is, whichever way you cut it, the VS is a top notch, great value family car..... you just wouldn't want to take it to a party on your arm.
I have a similar challenge at work where everyone MERCILESSLY takes the pee out of my BMW, fast yes, quiet yes, comfortable yes, poseur car yes..... but the only diesel. I get ragged all the time for driving an oil burning taxi
It looks like it has been beaten with the ugly stick, it is the automotive counterpart of the Kangarilla Moose Pig.
There are very very very few VS on the roads in the UK because they were expensive when new, the only one uglier being the hideously deformed monstrosity known only as the Multipla.
Trouble is, whichever way you cut it, the VS is a top notch, great value family car..... you just wouldn't want to take it to a party on your arm.
I have a similar challenge at work where everyone MERCILESSLY takes the pee out of my BMW, fast yes, quiet yes, comfortable yes, poseur car yes..... but the only diesel. I get ragged all the time for driving an oil burning taxi
SeanDezart
Well-Known Forum User
Eloquently put but I already have a sexy mistress (voir photo) so for the family I want something spacious and confortable.
All too often we expect cars to be more than one thing at at time with the inevitable result of jack of all trades and master of none !
But yes, you can almost have it all - but it'll cost more than the average man can (honestly) pay !
As for your 'mazout burner', your colleagues are all tos*sers - most of France and Germany can't all be wrong - blame it on successive British govts for over-taxing diesel fuel !
All too often we expect cars to be more than one thing at at time with the inevitable result of jack of all trades and master of none !
But yes, you can almost have it all - but it'll cost more than the average man can (honestly) pay !
As for your 'mazout burner', your colleagues are all tos*sers - most of France and Germany can't all be wrong - blame it on successive British govts for over-taxing diesel fuel !
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ZHead
Well-Known Forum User
It is never a good plan to covet someone else's Mistress but hey, yours is sooooo sweet
The thing that upsets them most is that my oil burning "Berlin Taxi" is faster than their 530 M-SPort petrol cars...... 272 BHP, 413 ft/lbs torque.....
If I had to honestly choose a car for £12K like you did, with your criteria, I would be hard pushed to beat the value and quality of the VS but I just don't like it's looks. I would possibly look at a Ford Galaxy / VW Sharan/ Seat Alhambra thingy .......
possibly a big old german autobahn cruiser ...... Omega...... something like that.
The thing that upsets them most is that my oil burning "Berlin Taxi" is faster than their 530 M-SPort petrol cars...... 272 BHP, 413 ft/lbs torque.....
If I had to honestly choose a car for £12K like you did, with your criteria, I would be hard pushed to beat the value and quality of the VS but I just don't like it's looks. I would possibly look at a Ford Galaxy / VW Sharan/ Seat Alhambra thingy .......
possibly a big old german autobahn cruiser ...... Omega...... something like that.