2002 Renault Laguna Dynamique review from St Lucia

Damaged rear axle bushes.

Broken bonnet release lever.

Erratic start and idle problem.

Rapid tyre wear faulty pressure sensors.

Poor AC.

Unreliable window electronics.

Rusted engine bolts and clamps.

I now live in St Lucia and recently visited the UK for a few days on the look out for a Ford Mondeo. I spotted an amazingly handsome 2002 Renault Laguna 1.6 Dynamique at what I felt was a bargain price. I reviewed the car in the Parkers guide, and with no major issues made the purchase the next day, and had the car shipped to St Lucia the day after that.

First alarm bells sounded as I hit the motorway on leaving the showroom, when I observed billowing smoke from one of my rear wheels. I immediately returned and was reassured that the problem was as a result of the newely fitted brake pads, and to be honest the brakes have sinced functioned with no further drama.

However once in St Lucia, I realized how underpowered the 1.6 model is and the A/C is barely adequate for our hot climate. This car is outperformed by all 10 year old 1.3 Toyota Corollas and Nissan Sunny's.

A loud clunking sound emits from the rear suspension (not the shocks) and the tyre pressure sensors are constantly flashing.

More disturbingly, the car has become more and more difficult to start, and when it does start goes into "limp home" mode.

The driver door window now only moves in 2 inch increments requiring me to press the button some 10 times before fully opening or closing it.

The bonnet catch has started to jam and required a real tugging of the flimsy release handle to open it, this has since broken off. With no Renault dealers in St Lucia, this car frightens me...) Stay clear.