A good idea without the quality of product to back it up
Paint flaking of the bumpers.
Interior trim poor.
Head gasket blew at 30,000.
This was a replacement for an original car which was rubbish.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 25th February, 2001
Brilliant concept, let down by poor reliability and lousy build quality
Where do I start?
Rattling trim - various parts of car - ongoing despite various attempts by the dealer to rectify.
Key lost coding - car could not be started (replaced by dealer - no charge).
Rear exhaust section at 21,000 miles, followed shortly later by...
Middle exhaust section (to be followed soon, I am told by dealer, by the front section, including the catalytic convertor - whoopee, can't wait for THAT bill).
Total ignition seizure - needed a new barrel fitted.
Wiper motor failure - 'wrong batch number' so not covered by the dealer. Complained bitterly - eventually coughed up a refund.
Paintwork very poor - scratches if you look at it too hard!
I had been getting reasonably good treatment from the dealer but had to go to a different (Renault) dealer for recent work and got appalling treatment from both the dealer and Renault UK customer service.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 20th January, 2001
Reliable, economical and so much space
Piece of plastic trim on the side of the driver's seat came loose. Apart from that, nothing.
Much better build quality than any new Ford or Vauxhall I've owned.
Amazing fuel economy - 45 to 50mpg if you keep below 3000rpm.
Driver's seat position is critical for long drives. There is a zone of perfect comfort between the pain in the shoulders region and the pain in the lower back region, but finding it is difficult.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 5th January, 2001
Proved to be unreliable
Automatic gearbox had to be replaced.
I was stunned to be landed with a near £1900 bill (LATER REDUCED TO £950 as a goodwill gesture) to replace an automatic gearbox that had done only 28,000 miles. How many other people have had this problem I wonder. Is there a design fault? I'd like to know.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 6th September, 2000
Bought a 2.0 16v Sport Alize with 2800 miles on the 'clock' from new, in 6 months.
2000 miles later (never taken over 3000 rpm by me) the 5 speed manual gearbox had to be replaced following investigation into a low whining noise.
To be fair, Renault were very good and did the work without any problem.
Practical family fun car
CD player failing to remember which track it was on, repaired under warranty.
Indicator stalk cancelling too hard and indicating the other way, also repaired even though out of warranty.
Excellent family car, tows brilliantly all the way to Southern France and back to Northern Ireland each year.
Could do with a couple of inches extra on the seat to give better under leg support, otherwise no criticisms.
Turbo Diesel almost a wolf in sheeps clothing.
Best buy - an import from Southern Ireland saved me £4000 and still no problems with the warranty.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 4th September, 2000
Nice car, shame about the gearbox
Beware the auto gear boxes.
My car is a fantastic drive, could use armrests in the front. For comfort, fuel and economy it's great!!!!!!!!!!!!
Unfortunately the downside is 2 gearbox overhauls in 2 years, each one costing £2000. Please let me know if you have had the same problems.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 14th August, 2000
Who needs anything else?
Rattling exhaust (seems very common).
Intermittent oil level readings.
Terrific family car.
Only bitches are lack of power and too soft rear suspension. Both are fixed on latest models.
I've recently driven Fiat Multipla (too ugly, too wide), Vauxhall Zafria (very disappointing - it's a 7 seat estate, not really a mini-MPV), Citroen Picasso and Mazda Premacy (both poor copies of the Scenic) and am about to order a new Scenic 2.0 RXE from Holland at £4500 under UK price!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 25th June, 2000
Follow up:-
I bought the 2.0 RXE but from a UK (Dundee) dealer who almost matched the import.
Better in most respects than the old one.
Note: The driver's seat split on the old one just before I sold it - seems to be a common problem on ones this age.
I just tested many midi MPV competitors and I must disagree with the comment that the Premacy & Picasso are poor copies of the Scenic.
The Premacy to me felt like a Focus Estate with a bit more headroom, while, I have to say to an independent the Picasso is a great improvement and refinement over the Scenic.
The Picasso drives better and is more practical and usable than the Scenic, although the looks aren't for everyone.
The Scenic needs an upgrade as its competitors are overtaking it.
The Almera Tino was almost as practical as the Picasso, and better built, but had a strange, unliveable interior IMO.
I still haven't decided what to buy. Price will probably be the final motivator.
4th Mar 2001, 10:05
You must be unlucky. My car has now done 36,000 miles with the same autobox and never had a problem. In fact it is the best box I have ever had. Could it be the driver?