1995 Renault Laguna RN review from UK and Ireland

Middle section of the exhaust rusted and needed replacing.

Battery kept running itself flat.

Distributer gave up the ghost.

Tailgate solenoid was replaced.

Heat-shield rusted to nothing and replaced.

Bought with the insurance payout from the Mazda, Jean-Pierre (as he is known) has been the perfect compliment to our Z3. We bought the car almost a year ago to the day for £950. It was a nice aqua blue metallic, was mechanically sound, but was starting to show its miles on the outside - a few dents and scratches.

The car has proved a truly superb buy and this is despite spending £800 on repairs over the year + £200 on a new stereo after the other one died with the battery.

It is an absolute giggle to drive. The body may roll, but the car stays planted to the road with remarkable composure. Under-steer can be promoted, but it is unadvisable considering the lack of feel from the steering.

The engine, although only blessed with 95PS and covering 156000 miles, is still running well. At 80mph it is still possible to travel without the radio. Fuel economy may only be 37MPG, but then again I don't drive him particularly economically. On the motorways of Europe he has seen the heady side of 115MPH, and is actually quieter and smoother at 95mph then at 80mph.

Inside the cabin is roomy and the seats (front and rear) comfortable and with plenty of leg and headroom. Boot space is fantastic and has swallowed (with seats down) a dishwasher with consummate ease. Countless trips to the dump and B&Q have been completed with car almost begging for more. The faulty rear tailgate solenoid which would only work now and then has been fixed (the part was purchased in France for £35 - UK wanted £50 + VAT) - which made the B&Q trips something of a lottery when bringing things back.

The car has been much maligned in the media for being French and I am not denying that the car will probably not be running in 5 years time, but for the money we have spent I could not have asked for a better car.

Overall the car has been a fantastic bargain costing about 25p per mile to run including insurance and petrol - and that is if I throw the car away.