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Original poster

Would I be really mad to buy a Renault Megane Scenic ??

54 replies

CrackerNut · 19/02/2009 17:21

I know there was a thread on here about the recently about them and up until that point that was the car I wanted to buy once I passed my test.

That thread really put me off but I can't find anything else similar that I like, is a similar size/shape and fits my tiny budget (£1500 tops at the mo).

I liked the scenic because it wasn't huge overall but had lots of boot space and decent room in the back.

I can't go for a typical 1st car because I have 3 dc and will more often than not have my mum with me too, and if dd2 gets her way, a dog too eventually.

So, would I be really mad to buy one of these ?? If so, is there anything similar that I could look at ?? Have already seen the Daewoo Tacuma but they all seem to have huge engines, and have also looked at the Honda Civic is it, but thats out of my price range.

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plonker · 19/02/2009 20:20

Hmmm, if you'd have asked me this time last year, I would have said "go for it!". The scenics are a lovely drive, loads of clever extras, loads of room and handy cubby holes.

Could easily fit 3 car seats in the back, and 3 adults in the back (not at the same time, lol) so would definitely say that its 3 full-sized seats. Boot not massive, but its ok.

However, and its a BIG 'however', our scenic is no longer. With only 40,000 miles on the clock, the bloody thing was ready for the scrap heap
One thing after another went wrong and it ended up costing us more to fix than the damn thing was worth

Wouldn't ever get one again!!

expatinscotland · 19/02/2009 20:22

but some are uglier than others, sweetkitty.

and the scenic has the fugliest back end of them all.

plonker · 19/02/2009 20:23

See now I like the look of the scenics. Each to their own and all that ...

Original poster
CrackerNut · 19/02/2009 20:37

Perhaps I should buy my Dads Smart from him and make the kids walk.

I also love Skoda Fabias but they are also just out of my price range.

Original plan was to get a Matiz but they are just too small.

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Original poster
CrackerNut · 19/02/2009 21:13

I absolutly love this

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jura · 19/02/2009 21:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
CrackerNut · 19/02/2009 21:24

Do you happen to know which is longer out of the two, as it's the length that bothers me more LOL, no really it does.

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Waswondering · 19/02/2009 21:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

herbietea · 19/02/2009 22:09

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MinkyBorage · 19/02/2009 22:23

Jura, story of my life!

jura · 19/02/2009 23:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cheesesarnie · 19/02/2009 23:20

i think we have a scenic.(we have a morris 1000 i know that).its great for fitting all 3seats in the back and all our junk in the boot.dh says it feels like small car.

Original poster
CrackerNut · 20/02/2009 10:29

Thanks guys, you have been really helpful.

I still don't have a clue which one to buy but have some more to consider at least.

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TheThoughtPolice · 20/02/2009 10:36

Mine is appalling (new shape, 7 seater version). Don't buy one if you don't have deep pockets and a need for reliability.

Mine is a 1.6 petrol. It is woefully underpowered and has cost me an arm and a leg in the 8mo I've had it, around £1300 in fact .

If you do buy the old shape one don't buy the 1.4, it is again too underpowered. I don't mean underpowered in the sense that all you'll miss is burning the boy racers off at the lights but underpowered in an every day sense, overtaking is MURDER in my car, you need about 3 miles of clear straight road to get the power to pull out and overtake safely. Given that mine is bigger and heavier than the model you are looking at the 1.6 in my car would be similar to the 1.4 in the smaller, lighter, older version.

Don't buy one. It will bankrupt you !

Tbh, if you want space then I'd get an estate car. They are generally cheaper to buy than MPVs, have loads of space for kids and dogs and if you get a volvo or a german make then in all liklihood they'll be reliable and go forever.

TheThoughtPolice · 20/02/2009 10:40

LOL, that's quite a leap from a Matiz to a Scenic !

FWIW, i would never drive my children around in a Matiz. They are soooooooo flimsy and afaik don't perform well in crash tests.

I would buy an estate, honestly. Volvos and german makes generally have excellent safety features and perform well in crash tests. Safety and space would be my primary concern, not aesthetics.

My car may be shite but it does have a 5* NCAP rating. That was the main reaosn I bought it.

TheThoughtPolice · 20/02/2009 10:42

Cracker, the length is kind of irrelevant if you don't buy a salloon car (ie one where the boot sticks out beyond the rear windscreen), because when you are reversing you know where the car ends because the rear windscreen is the end, iyswim ?

Original poster
CrackerNut · 20/02/2009 10:48

LOL, I know, it is a big jump, but there is no way i'd fit all of my lot in a Matiz comfortably.

I see what you mean about not having a saloon and I agree, plus it helps that I seem to prefer cars with big sticky out backsides too lol.

I am learning in a new 5 door Corsa which is alot bigger than I was expecting, but i've had no issues with it at all, and this is what made me think I could and should get something bigger than a shoebox.

Will have a look at some estates.

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TheThoughtPolice · 20/02/2009 10:53

To be honest, it is daunting going from learning in a teeny hatch to driving a 'normal' family car when you pass but you soon get used to the dimensions of your own car.

I passed my test in a dinky Clio and went straight into a Merc estate . It was terrifying but within a week or 2 it was as if I'd never driven anything else

(I'm NDP, btw )

Original poster
CrackerNut · 20/02/2009 10:59

Oh, I didn't realise it was you, hello

Tbh I am so impatient to get driving now, that i'd make myself get used to it whatever car it was.

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sweetkitty · 20/02/2009 11:00

I went from a Clio to a CMAX thought I would never be able to drive it and TBH I like it better, it seems solid and is a lot easier to drive, still cannot park it for toffee though.

TheThoughtPolice · 20/02/2009 11:01

lol, how long have you been learning ? Have you been given an idea of how far from being ready for your test you are ? I presume so given all this talk of car purchases

Original poster
CrackerNut · 20/02/2009 11:46

I have been having 1 lesson a week since June last year. Have just passed my theory test and hopefully will be put in for my practical in the next 3 mths.

My instructor said that I can basically drive now, it just needs tidying up and I need to practise my manouvers. I have got the hang of parallel park and turn in the road, but bay park and reversing around a corner are my weakest spots at the mo.

If i see something ideal before I I pass then thats fine because it can be insured and kept at my dads and then he can take me out in it (he has said no to that but he mneans yes lol).

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TheThoughtPolice · 20/02/2009 11:55

congrats on your theory pass

lol @ dad saying no but meaning yes

Original poster
CrackerNut · 22/02/2009 15:59

Anyone got any opinions on Volkswagons ??

Just txt my dad about a 5 door Polo, S reg, 51000 miles, 1 owner blah blah blah.

He txt back 'that is smaller than a fiesta'.

I said, I know that but it looked like a nice car for it's age etc, so thought it was at least worth looking at.

He has txt back that I am talking out of my ass, so I thought i'd ask on here instead.

I do know it is a smaller car but generally i thought they had good reputations, am I right ?

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Original poster
CrackerNut · 22/02/2009 16:06

Anyone ??

I am starting to think I should stick to walking lol.

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