Faults:

This is a further update on the most hateful car I have ever owned. Finally had the brake issue resolved. I received absolutely no customer care from Olympian Renault in Salisbury. They finally washed the car to compensate for the fact that my car was a health hazard and was off the road for 7 weeks. I have had no further serious issues with the car, but it is slowly falling apart. They were not interested at all, could not care less. How they have ISO 9001 quality certification is beyond me.

The dash has more rattles that a 1 year old and the car chooses when you may or may not lock or unlock the car. Often I have had to open the car with the integrated key, very embarrassing in a petrol station when people are queuing for pumps. I often have to restart then stop the car to left me lock it.

General Comments:

Really, I have tried to like this car. I only have myself to blame. It looked good, was the right price and my earlier negative experience of a Renault 19 16v was forgotten. However this just is not a good car, it does not drive well and is unreliable to the level that it is dangerous. Do not buy one.

Faults:

Cruise control switch failed.

Creaking drivers seat. The seat lifting mechanism is not lubricated. Some spray grease fixes the problem.

Creaks and squeaks from the dashboard.

No cool air form the air con.

General Comments:

A challenge with regard to niggles was expected. So far dealer OK about fixing problems.

A fine cruiser and can be fun on winding roads when manual shifting is selected.

Pleasant interior and good sunroof compared with competition.

Faults:

Brakes failed due to electrical issues.

General Comments:

Update to a review I wrote a review on the 2001 car, which continues to be a complete nightmare electrically. Two weeks ago I had a problem with the car which resulted in the brakes going hard and not working. I had to use the handbrake and a curb to stop. Luckily I was not going very fast. The car has been waiting for a part for two weeks now (since 5th Dec 02). There is no expected delivery date. Sometime early next year!! To cap it all the dealer called me to let me know that they had identified the problem. I could collect the car anytime and rebook it in for repair when they got the part in!! Let me reiterate, the brakes stopped working when the fault occurs. I asked him if he would be happy to drive the car, he declined to answer. This just typifies the dealer, who does not have the technical capability to handle such a electrically complex and unreliable car.

Ian Humphreys

i.humphreys@ntlworld.com.