Renault Vel Satis (2002 - 2004) 3.0 V6 dCi Initiale 5d Auto (2003/03) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Not afraid to be different. Puts practical values above brand or image

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Very comfortable and looks very sumptuous

Would you buy this car again and why?

Yes - but I think Renault's judgement is very poor. This is a top level car costing over £30K when new but the factory sat nav does not come with street level mapping for France - motorways (and rivers!) plus centres of large towns only (eg Calais, Caen and Le Havre but not Dieppe!). Leave a motorway and you are on your own - but you can still see rivers! You have to pay extra for French road mapping - silly as the people who buy expensive French cars are more than likely to want to drive in France! Compares poorly with my Nissan Tino SVE which has better system with detailed French roads as standard! Funny given that renault owns Nissan!

What are you likely to buy next?

don't know - no plans to change this for a while

Type of dealer you bought from?

Didn't buy from a dealer

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£7,000

When did you buy the car?

May 2007

Did you get a good deal and why?

Great value less than 25% of new price for a car that was 4 yearts old and 54000 miles. it has years of life left and will loose less in value in the next 5 years than a new executive model BMW or Mercedes will lose in its first year

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

For the comfortable seats and ride

What was the dealer like?

N/A bought privately

What's it like to drive?

Smooth, quiet, very comfortable, fast and powerful when needed but best for fast cruising not for chucking about.

What's it like to park?

Pretty big but rear parking sensors are a help

Have you had any problems with the car?

Small leak in passenger footwell when it rains hard - yet to be investigated

What's most practical about your car?

Very spacious. I am 6 feet tall and my tall daughter can sit behind me and cross her legs with space to spare. good boot and rear seat folds if necessary. Loevly engine - very smooth and powerful but good economy - 40mpg during fast cruising in France and 35/37mpg too and from the station.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Electric front seats with split backrest where top and bottom halves adjust seperately. My wife has some back problems and this is the only car we found after long search where she is comfortable for long trips.