A year ago I got a 1.5 dci Laguna estate, because I needed a cheap car for commutes, ended up loving the car but wanted something a bit quicker so traded it in for a Laguna GT estate in dark grey top spec, absolutely lovely car and in excellent condition, the cost was the best part as it was less than 2k
This car has become one of Renault's best-kept secrets. After the problems with the Mk.2 they decided to go headlong into the German market. Their quality-control system was just amazing, but the 2008 crash did for the car's development. If I ever drove into the dealership they'd be holding their breath in case it was more than a bit of puff in the tyres. Else, it was an electronic paper-trail that could take as long as a repair to deal with. There was only ever one "software" update, it was that good! RenaultSport in Dieppe had some high hopes of repeating the Laguna Mk.1 successes. What this led to was some over-compensation of the suspension in the Mk.3 leading to a harsh ride, not helped by fitting dreadful Bridgestone tyres. Once I got rid, the Bose sound system was no longer interrupted by the echoing thrum of the tyres. My car the 205GT, now 15 years old, has passed all its MoTs with no advisories. I have nothing but admiration for the build quality, style and class that makes every trip out in it an absolute joy. There is no replacement that could come close to matching it. This has been my all-time favourite car and despite everyone telling me what an idiot I was, I don't regret my purchase. My previous favourite was the R11 Turbo, with a similar performance and build quality.
I drove a Mark II Laguna in early 2022. They had an absolutely awful reputation in this country, at one point dealerships would not take them in part exchange at all. I thought it was OK, but I was terrified of the keyless entry... The Mark IIIs do seem better, and this coupe was fun. Thank you very much indeed for watching and commenting.
@@lloydvehicleconsulting My experience in the Mk.2 was frightening due to a faulty induction part, made by Seimens, constantly putting the car into limp mode. However, after a lot of goading, including threatening to buy a Volvo instead, I got a huge wedge of discount from Renault UK. I'd already got a fair bit off from the salesman before I revealed my cards. So, my faultless Mk.3 came out of the showroom at a "back into the showroom" price. The only problems have been with tyre valves which now get changed regularly. I've also got a tungsten grey R5GTT which was appreciating nicely. The Laguna is much rarer, mine is one of only 6, so I wonder if the cars will disappear without trace, or will the penny drop and they'll become much sought-after classics like the R5? Logic should favour the latter, but maybe it's the diamond badge that will become the barrier. After all the R5GTT was iconic in its day; without its planned racing laurels the Laguna is hard-pushed, no matter how deserving otherwise.
If customer's tastes have changed and they are no longer buying this body style in sufficient numbers to make them economically viable you can't fault the manufacturers for not producing them anymore.
I own a 2007 Laguna 3 2.0 DCI automatic..it's just great 😃👍🚙.. comfortable and ironically very reliable for a French car .. I've owned it for X 26 months.just had to change rear brakes and discs . including both tear calipers.and the front wheel bearings..uts done to this day 168 0000 kilometers.. so for me it's a keeper..
One of the prettiest coupes that came out of France in recent times, even Aston Martin reminiscent from some angles (or maybe I’ve been on the sweet sherry). To me only the 406 coupe is a step ahead…such a pity many were diesels.
Sir, we do like a bit of pale cream sherry on this channel, don't we? The 406 Coupé looks better, but it was a generation behind this car, so we have a few more toys to play with in the Laguna.
I've had one of these for 2.5 years. It's a nice, reliable car. I'm 5'10 and find the rear headroom ok, but kneeroom is compromised, but that's with the seat set for me driving. The boot has been a revelation especially with the rear seats folded! I'm thinking of changing it for something higher up, but that's an age thing I guess!
Yes, it was a bit tight in the back. I waited years to get one of these on test, and it was absolutely worth it! Glad you have been enjoying yours, definitely not the most practical in terms of getting in and out, though.
@@lloydvehicleconsulting yeah, not the easiest access to the rear seats, though passengers have commented how comfortable they are. I find the ride a little harsh on poor roads but it copes well enough and is fine on smooth roads...
The suspension is set up a bit more firmly than the estate and hatchback, I think, which would explain it. The GT chassis, like on this car, would be firmer still.
I've had the same model coupe for five years and it's a brilliant car mine has the satnav and Bose stereo system got it remapped to 250 bhp and 370 nm torque makes for a lovely drive been very reliable anything I've replaced has been through wear and tear and what you'd expect given the age of the car
@@lloydvehicleconsulting loved your video you gave an honest account of the car. Mine is a good bit quicker top end but driven normally gives good fuel savings. It's a beautiful car to drive good road holding and long distance Liverpool to Inverness it's so comfortable.
Yes, they would seem to be a good option for long distance travel, most certainly more a grand tourer than a sports car. I imagine the V6 would be a big quicker than this 2.0 Turbo.
The car I'd been waiting for since the very first generation of Laguna. Sadly Renault waited too long and these were destined to become something of a white elephant. I considered replacing the Laguna 2 Privilege I owned at the time with a mk3 V6 GT coupe. I've still got the brochure which is a hard backed book. Though the early MK2 Laguna dud have a reputation for electrical issues the facelift model I owned was very very good and the interior was I felt was one of the cars best features. After that Renault went through a funny period where the quality and style of their interiors wasn't of the same standard as previous models and I just didn't feel it matched up to the cars stunning exterior. One car magazine back in the day had the car on its cover with the headline of "£25k Aston". The cars certainly grabbed attention but when it came to people handing over the money it just didn't convert to sales with many probably buying German instead. The Monaco GP from memory had a white dash insert and many of the GT luxuries but without the 4 Control system which may have put off potential buyers fearful of its complexity. It is however a timeless design and never a common sight even during production. You could spec your GT with various colour leather interiors too, my favourite being the tan leather but I'm sure there was a colour even more to your liking sir.
Sir, tan leather would have been fine for me. The sales of the Laguna seemed to massively tail off after the Mark II, in spite of this rather agreeable Coupé, perhaps its reputation in this country was irreparably damaged after all the issues the Laguna IIs had in the early days.
@@markonmotoring , in 2012, cars in that segment were still enormously popular, even if something like a 3-Series was outselling the Mondeo by this point, and SUVs were just about beginning to take over. I think it was more the fact that the Laguna just wasn't selling very well any more, and of course neither were the Espace, Wind or Modus.
@@lloydvehicleconsulting Oh sorry just checked the specs online there WAS an automatic petrol version! The fact they had about five different variants suggests that they had high hopes for the car to succeed. If it had been launched a few years earlier and been promoted better it might have been a hit.
I had a 02 hatch omg was very good at emptying my wallet 1 a month , upper engine mount cracked. Broken rear springs . Sheared drive shaft splines. Electric window issues. Cabin Air blower worn . Once running car is very quiet , comfortable low noise ..... Seized rear caliper . Timing belt and fitting was around 500 that was back in 2008 I like coupe but is it more reliable than the Laguna ll ??
Had almost two handfuls Laguna coupes. So the 406 coupe is indeed better than this and the 407 coupe. Did not alot right or wrong the Laguna coupe although the hatch totally hated on used UK market the better overall car to the coupe. Only the rear of the coupe is truely great in design. The front grill can discolour and the design is ok. The GT 2.0t in the 4/5 door was nice in electric blue with suede alcantara interior. I just cannot think of any reason to ‘want’ come get the horn for the coupe, other than price. That is
The 406 Coupé probably was better, and I got to film an amazing V6 manual one about two and a half years ago owned by a collector. He has several... I still enjoyed this very much indeed, it actually drove surprisingly well. As you say, you could also get this powertrain in the standard hatchback model.
