Renault Grande scenic

gabyjane

Ok being a childminder with now numeorus children on my books (9) i me and dh have talked about getting a second car. Also the fact our current car is kind of out of use (failed HG so shouldn't be driving) is making us realise how much we need the car.

I am quite picky and don't as a rule like people carriers but think it is the only bet really, me and dd had had a quick look on Ebay and spotted a lovely one which ends tom so out of the question looked at various ones and the one i quite like is the Renault..like others but dont really want to spend mega money on one. I text my sil who has one and she has said i can go up and have a nose at it which will be handy but know her bf deals with all the bits on it so wasn't sure she would know how they run as such. My other friend has the normal one and has had quite a few probs with it and is selling so just wondered if there is much of a difference..other than seats!

So do any of you have one? good bad points? are they pricey to run..insure..tax etc?

Thanks x

harveybobbles

Grand Scenic has two extra seats in the boot floor and the car in general is longer. Both are nice to drive, smooth engines (well, the diesel is - the petrol is jerky), comfy, good spec. But it's French,so everyone will tell you not to buy one. The1.5dCi with the 106bhp engine is lovely and sweet too.

Only thing we do to them is EGR valves and injectors.

yummymummy888888

We have a grand scenic and it is a lovely car to drive with a big boot even with the 2 extra seats in use. However, as everything is electrical everything costs a FORTUNE to fix. I love my car but I dread anything going wrong. Garages actually groan when I book it in as they are fiddly to fix as well! (1.6 petrol automatic). Sorry to be vague, just a mums opinion, not a mechanics!! Oh and they are AWFUL to demist. One big greenhouse. Can take 5 mins in winter before it is safe to drive off!

Just remembered, they have a really good Ncap (think thats right) basically when we got ours it had the best safety rating of MPVS. Being a childminder thats probably important!!

gabyjane

Hi thanks for the replys.

My friend has one and hates it and is trying to sell but due to not looking after it has quite a few expensive problems to sort out now as the garage are giving her nothing towards it. BUT they go through lots of cars so not sure they are very happy with what they get!

My sil has one and likes it, no probs but will go and have a nose at hers and quizz her!

I agree the new fangled gadgets in these cars put me off, just more to go wrong and a higher bill when it does..we have an MG and i can only just cope with the electric windows worrying they are going to pack up one day and it will rain!!..this is another thing to look into..

We..well i dh just nods!! have narrowed it down to the ones i like..

Renault grand scenic
Peugeot is it 306..forgot now doh!
Vauxhall Zafira..prob the older one though as the new one a fortune

They are all 7 seaters anyway so i guess whatever crops up at the right price. If anyone has one of the above id'e much appreciate views on them.
Thanks x

Sandrock

harveybobbles wrote: »

The1.5dCi with the 106bhp engine is lovely and sweet too.
.

I've driven the 1.5 dCi and can honestly say it was absolutely crud. The engine itself was fine, but in something as large as the Scenic it meant the car wouldn't be able to pull the skin off a rice pudding - almost dangerously underpowered and that was just with me in the car!!

gabyjane

Sandrock wrote: »

I've driven the 1.5 dCi and can honestly say it was absolutely crud. The engine itself was fine, but in something as large as the Scenic it meant the car wouldn't be able to pull the skin off a rice pudding - almost dangerously underpowered and that was just with me in the car!!

Hmm not that i'm a girl racer but i want it to have some oomph so i get to school on time!! It would either have me and 6 children in it or me and dh and 5 children so may not move if the above goes for anything!!! Sil has soon to be 4 children and her and bf so willask her..long list mounting for her!!

vl2588

Ford Galaxy? Cheap to fix at least!

There are plenty of independent reviews on the net if you have time to search.

harveybobbles

Sandrock wrote: »

almost dangerously underpowered and that was just with me in the car!!

Must have been something wrong with it as I find the 1.5 106bhp engine flirts along quite well and can keep up with most things.

gabyjane

vl2588 wrote: »

Ford Galaxy? Cheap to fix at least!

There are plenty of independent reviews on the net if you have time to search.

I did see those but tbh i think they are quite big whereas the others above are like bigger cars?
I will have a look online when i have time but like to have personal reviews more than so called proffesionals opinions!!
Thanks x

Sandrock

harveybobbles wrote: »

Must have been something wrong with it as I find the 1.5 106bhp engine flirts along quite well and can keep up with most things.

Doubt it, it was brand new!

106bhp is nothing for the size of the car, even accounting for the fact that it's diesel so torque has much more of a bearing. In something Clio sized, it would be great!

I guess it depends what you're used to.

terryya

I've a five year old 1.6 grand scenic which we've had for two years and it has been great. So far all it has cost us it two services and MOTs. It is really flexible and great for going down to the tip, taking grandparents out with us, chucking kids bikes in the boot.

You're not going to burn anyone up at the lights but on the whole it drives ok and we return about 30mpg which is mainly small, stop/start local journeys. Kids also love it as they are higher up in relation to the bottom of the windows so can easliy see out.

I much prefer it to the old Zafira (which my dad had) as the seats are much more fexible. The second row all slide/fold/come out individually rather than the single bench in the Zaf. In the Scenic to get to the 3rd row the two middle side seats fold foward but in the Zaf you need to slide the whole bench forward and let the back down - which is a pain at the best of times and impossible if you have kids seats strapped in.