2000 Renault Megane Sport Alize Hatchback review from UK and Ireland

Nothing yet other than a very minor occasional rattle from the sun roof mounting.

I purchased this car brand new by importing it from Holland and paid £10,250 - approximately £4,000 less than the UK list price at that time. Comapared to what I could have got for this price from VW or even Ford or Vauxhall, the specification is amazing (Air con, CD, ABS, 4 airbags, elec windows/sunroof/mirrors, trip computer, alloys etc).

However, whilst it's a perfectly nice car, and looks the business, to say that it's got more power (110 BHP) than an Escort XR3i really does leave you wondering why it's so slow. The performance is very flat under 4000rpm - no wonder the gearbox ratios are so short - and to make matters worst a distinct lack of noise insulation means going above 80mph on the motorway can get rather noisy. Maybe mine isn't quite bedded in yet!

On the plus side though, the economy is excellent for a petrol engined car of this size and weight. I do about 40 MPG average and you can get nearly 50 on a run if you're careful.

The motoring press always talk about the Ford Focus, and to a similar extent, the Vauxhall Astra, as a great driver's car. I used to wonder how this could be the case but now I perhaps know why, because the Megane, despite having tons of grip and very accomplished handling, somehow never really engages your attention unless you're driving dangerously fast.

I also find the power steering a tad on the heavy side after the finger-tip light steering of my old Xantia.

Overall I think I got a great deal, as it's a extremely well equipped, smart and also very practical car. My only gripe, as should be clear from above, is that it's just not quite as exciting as it should be.