12th Sep 2003, 03:08

I envy you; this is a car I would love, and am waiting for a test drive. perhaps one day!

When Renault produced the Avantime, I felt that at last someone had the courage to take motor car design by the scruff of the neck and turn out non GM/Ford/clones.

It is only an indictment upon our mediocre car-buying public that the wonderful Avantime has had to come to an untimely end.

It will be a classic and remembered by all as a milestone in automotive history. Let us hope that Renault remain true to their ideals and give us more of the same.

14th Oct 2003, 16:20

I've just taken delivery of a new 2.0 Turbo. So far I am chuffed to bits with it. Why did Renault cancel it! nearly every one I have shown it to loves it. (although a few think its revolting - they are wrong) Buy new now, I got mine 35% off list price.

10th Feb 2004, 17:15

I am about to take delivery, after an extensive test drive of a Privilege, 3.0 manual with sat nav. It has 1500 miles on the clock, is just over a year old and coming direct from Renault on contract hire. The best thing is its costing me less per month than my Laguna.

If anyone wants one they can get them for about £189 per month for a 12 month deal. Not bad for £28000 car - dare to be different!!

11th Feb 2004, 06:23

The Renault Avantime is a fantastic car! How do I go about getting one for £189 per month contract hire?!

25th Mar 2004, 14:21

Beautiful beautiful car. What a shame that Renault lost their nerve and took Matra down at the same time.

2nd Apr 2004, 13:14

I bought an Avantime 2 litre turbo about 12 months ago, it was an ex demo with 400 miles on the clock. I must have been in the right place at the right time as I only paid £14k for it. Although I love it to bits, I have had problems with it:

I have now had 4 reversing sensors kit fitted as they keep malfunctioning.

The roof liner keeps dropping at the boot (by about 2 inches).

I have also had a new alternator and power steering pump (all under warranty).

The car has only done 6000 miles.

That said, I love it to pieces, it handles nicely. The main disadvantage is the horrendous customer service from Renault UK.

13th Apr 2004, 04:39

Any one had problems with the cd changer in the dash?

Or exhaust problems or roof problems?

13th Apr 2004, 05:39

I've had my 3.0 auto Avantime for a year now, 22000 miles. What a great piece of styling. Nothing else quite like it. A fab motorway car, not so brilliant on the twisty bits though. The car has been perfect - no faults. The only criticism is the high costs of unique tyres (£200 a corner), their fast wear rate, and the propensity of my car at least, to consume wind screens (3 to date).

I'm keeping mine for a long time!

Clive.

18th Apr 2004, 06:24

What happened to the windscreens?

10th Sep 2004, 03:42

I bought a used 3.0 litre Privilège auto in July 2004, moving from a 4 year old BMW 5-series. Attracted by the opportunity to drive something different, with all the luxuries of the BMW at a fraction of the price of the German car, was the real attraction.

I too have had nothing, but interest and appreciation of the car from onlookers, even if this is after some initial bemusement.

I have had a problem with the dash mounted CD changer failing (about to be changed under warranty) but nothing else of note. The dealer network seems fine on the whole.

Full marks to Renault for having courage to produce the Avantime in the first place and add a bit of colour to the monochrome lives, attitudes and prejudices of british driving society.

1st Feb 2005, 14:54

YES YES YES, I agree with all the above, I saw the concept & after owning many Espace I had to have one. 2 years of ownership and no problems with hard use. South of France holidays with family etc etc... (even the French stare in amazement)

I think this is a car for individuals with an eye for style, not the usual SUN readers who drive around in 3 series BMW's. People say how can you drive in this, they obviously do not understand STYLE, even the MEGANE is up there (many said ugly and would fail). Well done RENAULT!!!- I live with this even if your dealers are difficult to live with..

16th Feb 2005, 15:08

Took the plunge and now own a 3.0V6 Auto Privilege as of 29th January 2005 after admiring these for three years.

I love this car like nothing else I've ever driven before.

Mostly people think it must be a new model that Renault have just introduced as they've never seen one before. Every comment I've had has been admiring and positive.

Love the double takes that I get from pedestrians and other drivers alike. Drove by a Citroen C5 as it was coming out of a car park and I was on the way in. Driver nearly twisted his neck taking the Avantime in. Just as I was parking the same guy pulled up beside me. He had turned and come back in again for another look!

I don't care if they are thinking "what on Earth is that?"

At least it captures attention. If it drove like a barge I'd still love it because it is so different and rare - but it really goes too! It isn't a sports car, but when I want to put the foot down there is plenty of power there.

And the best for last - £12K - 2003 - 18,000 miles!

How much bland silver saloon sameness could you buy for just £12K?

13th Apr 2005, 03:59

I own a 2003 2.0 Dynamique, see other post. Have now owned it for 9 months, and would normally be looking for something else by now. Not so with the Avantime; it still feels different every time I get in.

Had a problem with the passenger seat mechanism, which has been dealt with 3 times by the dealer, but all under warranty. The roof lining at the back annoyingly falls a couple of inches as per someone else's experience, but all cars have niggles. Everything else is fine, and I have now done over 10,000 miles.

The car was a bargain at £13k with 22k on the clock. Still has over 1 year of warranty left. The local dealer (not Renault) has another one (2002 Dynamique) for £11,295. He really likes them, and said he would keep looking for another one when I bought mine!

The kids can't wait for the summer to put all the windows down.

As for tyres, not sure what other poster has bought (at £200 a pop) but the VR rated 17" Falkens I bought for £70 each have certainly done the trick.

Auto Express listed it as top of their list of 10 future classics last year! I think I will have this car for some time.