1997 Renault Laguna RT 1.8 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Nice car - as long as you don't want to change gear!

Faults:

Water leak into the rear footwell - cheap.

Heater matrix failed - very expensive.

Paintwork is easily damaged.

General Comments:

Good spec and very comfortable with lots of space in the front. Not so good in the back though. Unfortunately there's lots of things to spoil an otherwise good car.

Drives well, but the engine is seriously under powered for a 1.8.

The biggest problem is the gear change - either it's the worst design ever or Renault fitted my Laguna with a box of old nails. It's obstructive and a downright pain to use. The car has to be almost stationary in order to change down from 3rd to 2nd. Changing up is often bad as well - it's just not reliable.

The heater matrix failing is a common fault apparently. If you've got air con you'll need a big wallet to get this fixed.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 14th May, 2001

24th May 2001, 13:55

Gearbox, forget it.

I have had my Laguna for 4 years and have covered about 50,000 miles on 2 gearboxes. Have the box checked if you are buying second hand. Re-manufacturers will tell you, the gearbox is the weakest link?

5th Aug 2001, 21:49

Acquiring my Laguna 1.8 RT at 100k was a bit of a risk, but apart from a radiator change the car has given me no problems in the last year, now at 124k. However watch out for that extremely clunky gearbox, coasting seems to be a necessity for it! But overall the car has performed very well especially on long distances, and R reg cars are bargains at the moment, I got mine for £3500.

1997 Renault Laguna RT 1.8 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Good potential, let down by expensive running costs

Faults:

Inner CV cover £190 to fix.

Service - £260!

Replacement bonnet release catch - £170!

General Comments:

It is a lovely car to drive.

With the right add-ons the car looks very aggressive and stands out amongst the crowd, but it is an expensive toy.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th April, 2001

1997 Renault Laguna Executive 2.0 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Great French motor

Faults:

Nothing significant.

General Comments:

A beautiful ride... passenger compartment is extremely comfortable; handles well, extremely responsive engine for an automatic.

Much better alternative to a Vectra or Mondeo.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th November, 2000

1997 Renault Laguna RT 2.0 petrol from United Arab Emirates

Summary:

An excellent car compared to others of the same class and price

Faults:

Bumper paint peeled-off easily after repainting by the Service Center.

Front bumper mis-aligned after repair by the Service Center.

Paint scratched easily.

Radiator leaks after travelling more than 400 kms.

General Comments:

Excellent overall performance. Very smooth gear shifting and braking.

Spacious room for luggage but has a very difficult to open and raise hatchback door. Comfortable and excellent seats of its class. Power steering is not good or smooth.

A very fast car, high torque, fast acceleration and sporty!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th August, 2000

1997 Renault Laguna RT Estate Family 2.0 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Stylish, well equipped, all purpose work-horse for a family

Faults:

Exhaust replaced.

Tyres replaced.

Accident damage.

General Comments:

It would be very hard to go back to a car without steering console radio controls.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th March, 2000

1997 Renault Laguna RT 1.8 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Minor electrical, eg airbag failure, aircon failed after 12m.

General Comments:

My mileage is c 25k p/a.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th March, 1999

1997 Renault Laguna Break RXE 2.0S 16v petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Many problems with the fuel tank cover. It gets in ice and is very difficult to open. The service is not able to fix it. In the latest '98 model the lid design is improved.

General Comments:

Nice car to drive but the engine has been a disappointment. The 2.0S "Volvo S40" engine it has is noisy, consumes a lot of petrol and doesn't give remarkably better power than the "old" Renault 2 litre engine. Anyway the car has a lot of space for people and luggage. Also design is nice.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th June, 1998

1997 Renault Laguna RT 2.2 turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Nothing yet (8000 miles, 2 months), unless you can count a cracked windscreen, which was not the fault of the car per se.

Servicing costs high though (104 for 6000 miles), although I have now located a much cheaper garage.

General Comments:

Air conditioning is excellent in the hot weather, but tends to re-evaporate water when switched off, which then redeposits on the windscreen. Performance is reasonably good for a heavy car (1420kg unladen), and torque between 2000 and 4000rpm is excellent. Economy generally about 43mpg, to date best 46 (long motorway run, no air con), worst 38 mpg ("enthusiastic" A-road run with air con).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th August, 1997