Advice needed - Renault Laguna Coupe

Matt L Dublin

Hey all,

I've been looking at buying a new car for the past month now. I currently drive an Opel Astra Sport and am looking to get slightly bigger car that has a sport/business feel about it.

A few I've been looking at include the BMW Series 1 Coupe but the car that really caught my eye is the new Renault Laguna Coupe.

My main concern is on reliability - I've heard a lot of negative things on older versions of the laguna. I'm just wondering if anyone here can comment on the reliability of recent Laguna models?

Likewise, if you have any suggestions for similar types of car worth checking out would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!
Matt

BrianD3

No worries about reliability, the current Laguna hatch is near the top of its class in the German ADAC (equivalent of our AA) reliability stats based on thousands of callouts. And the 3 year/100,000 mile warranty is better than most. AFAIK BMW and Audi have a 2 year warranty and other manufacturers that do have a 3 year warranty, often limit it to 60k miles.

But whatever you do, don't pay anywhere close to list price for a coupe, should probably get at least a 10k discount if buying straight. Also the car is said to have a very hard ride so take a good test drive before commiting. And the CO2 emissions and therefore motor tax are relatively high compared to Audi/BMW cars with similar or more power.

Matt L Dublin

Thanks Brian for the reply and advice - it's reassuring to hear that re: reliability. It seems to be more with the older Laguna models that ppl had problems.

I've been offered a really good deal to be honest.

I'll check that out re: tax costs.

lordnoah

I would have thought Renault must have improved their reliability by now but seemingly not. Autocar magazine in the UK recently ran a long term test on one of these Laguna Coupes. The main problems were very hard ride (as mentioned here) and also a number of rattles from behind the dashboard. The car also had 2 recalls or 'adjustments' as Renault called them during its year with the magazine.

The road test was in the magazine sometime in Nov/Dec 09.

Having said that its a great looking car and it will be under warranty.

GusGus

hey. i think the coupe is the most beautiful car on the road at the moment. id agree i wouldnt pay anything close to list price especially as you will suffer from heavy depreciation .

I wouldnt worry that much about reliability as this seems to have improved greatly and it will have a 3 year warranty. Renault seems to be on the way up this year they have sold as many cars in the fist haalf of jan 2010 than they did in all jan of 2009. I know they have a very agressive price cutting policy but this they are doing well.

junkyard

I wouldn't buy one unless you intend keeping it for life as you won't sell it in a hurry along with all the usual Renault problems.

skyhighflyer

My family had Renaults over the years: 5, 19, Megane, etc so we're not exactly adverse to French cars, but our last Laguna II was such a fragile basket case that I would never look at another again.

Even though I accept that Renualt has come on in leaps and bounds with the new one, and it is one of the best looking cars on the road, I'd have to advise against it.

If you're looking for a diesel coupe with a bit of flair, I'd consider an Alfa GT or even better a 2008 onwards Brera 2.4 diesel.

Stevie Dakota

As mentioned already, the ride has been criticised all round, don't expect cosseting French ride quality, make sure you can live with it, a shame really as the car does look great.