General Comments:
The car is generally a nice car to drive. It has a smooth power band, and seems capable when pushing harder. Although nothing mind blowing.
Interior is well spaced out, and seems comfortable for all passengers.
Materials seem to be nice and subdued (mine being black/charcoal), however there are already some annoying squeaks coming from the dash/doors.
When the car is loaded up (for example 4 adult passengers, full luggage, and a small trailer), the gearbox seems to struggle with overtaking maneuvers. It takes a long time to actually accelerate - you can hear the engine revving , but it is as though the clutch is slipping for a bit.
The suspension is absolutely horrible. Around town all seems fine - however judder bars/speed bumps taken at any speed above 5kph will make you reach for the phone number of your back specialist. This is only made worse when traveling at speed with a load in the car.
It seems as though the rear suspension (front appears fine), bottoms out and then wants to get back to the top quicker than the space shuttle! Closest metaphor would be like a donkey try to kick a passenger off. Makes traveling in the car very annoying, and you will find yourself apologizing to your passengers - frequently.
Dials in the middle of the dash take a bit of getting used to however are fine after a while.
The centre control screen - which has the display for radio/cd/climate control seems like a throw back from an early 80's digital dash and generally let's the rest of the car down. The Japanese Import cars which come through have far nicer screens, which makes me left wanting.
The transmission seems quite intelligent, dropping down a gear when the car is going down a steep hill, so that you can make the most of engine braking. In addition to being smooth and painless to drive (asides from the comment about overtaking above)
Styling can take a bit of getting used to - however after owning it for a few months, it is nice to have a car which has it's own styling.
Overall a nice car, if only the suspension could be sorted - I could cope with the other points.
13th Dec 2006, 15:49
Update to the above review. Now at 36000 miles and the car is at the stealership - again - this time having blown up its engine. It has already had various new sensors, new turbo and a new fuel rail. It now awaits a new engine... Thankfully under warranty so being fastidious about maintenance pays dividends (on that subject full marks for promptness of dealing with the warranty claim to Arnold Clark in Dumbarton - not often I can say that!!!) Also there was a clonking noise starting to appear from the front suspension as well as various other minor niggles which are magnified by my growing dissatisfaction. Yes when it runs I still stand by what I said about the car back in 2005. However I now feel the caveats involved are just not worth it. After 8 Nissan vehicles this will be my last. Thank you Renault for totally screwing up a great product. Hell mend you...