Renault Laguna X74 (2002-2008)

Worst car I’ve owned - Renault should be ashamed – Purchased this car second hand 5 months ago with really low kms for its age (84000 for a 2005 model)...boy did they see me coming. All four rotors and discs I have replaced and the engine mounts (all 3) have to be replaced too (that'll be next month’s expense). These items I know are wear and tear but the engine mounts at 84000 kms I'm struggling… Read more

with a bit. I replaced the thermostat too,that cost a bomb.

I read that this model has had a few electrical faults - glad mine is to form then. Sometimes I put the card in and the lights and controls go haywire accompanied by an electrical clicking sound from just above my right knee. I remove the card, wait for the clicking to stop, replace the card and she's good to go again. I am also getting a transmission fault (a lovely English ladies voice telling me I have a fault and should consult my Renault dealer - doesn't make it any nicer, let me tell you). It then drives in a degraded state. If I park it for a while, it just goes away. There doesn't seem to be a rhyme or reason - it happens hot or cold. It spent two days at the transmission mechanics who told me it's an electrical fault. We're going to visit the auto electrician in a couple of days - can't wait for the outcome.

The cloth trim on the doors have all come loose - cheap glue and not upholstered properly in my opinion.

I have had to repair all four windows so far and am about to get the drivers door lock repaired - the actuator is broken. Seems the window mechanism is a poor design - cheap plastic parts keep failing. I got the first one from Renault ($386) and had it fitted ($120) but the rest I have bought the replacement repair kits off eBay for $30-$40 and fitted them myself. I had to wait a few weeks for the parts to arrive from Germany but that's a small inconvenience to save circa $400 a pop.

When the car drives, it drives pretty well. It's comfortable and the V6 has a bit of guts to it. I'll probably appreciate the ride more when I don't experience the 'clunk' of the failed engine mounts. I get about 10l per 100km around the place which for a car this size and age I'm happy with. For a hatch, there is lots of boot space and the interior is quite roomy.

Once I've repaired all I have to repair - I'm dying to see if it's a good car or not.

I have an update....good car or not, the answer is no. Turns out the transmission can be repaired (seemingly only by Renault) for the princely sum of $4000+. I spoke to my old mechanic not long after buying it (right after the first transmission fault) and apart from scolding me for buying a Renault (“Dave, you really must call me before you buy a car”...exact words) he told me that Renaults and Citroens where a hundred thousand kilometre cars. Well, he was mistaken...looks like this one is destined for scrap at only 90000kms.

Sold for $500 and I bought it 7 months ago for $3500...rubbish, Renault should be ashamed of themselves.

V6 coupe at bargain basement pricees – I have a 2004 Privilege LX, bought in 2008 for $12k. Great to drive, every option available and beautiful to look at. $12k for a V6 couple - absolute bargain!! Pricey to service - 2 x $400 per year and resale will be rubbish but a great car if you like cars. I've got 2 kids now so unfortunately will have to buy something bigger and blander -… Read more

depressing thought! Stylish, all leather, 5 ANCAP (the first car ever to get 5 ancap stars apparently), beautiful to drive. Expensive to fix. I've had to replace 4 ignition coils ($1400), 2 electric windows ($900 from Renault for the first then $400 when I worked out a local mechanic can do it cheaper). In 4 years not bad though as these are "known" Laguna faults.

OK – I have driven 6 used Laguna II V6s and looked at at least another 6 before and after buying one used in 2008, so have a fairly good idea of what they're like. I would not have been happy with one of these new, but having dumped enormously in depreciation they are a very good buy used, provided you go in with eyes open. You will not find another… Read more

car for $10,000 its age, kilometres etc that has 5-star safety with side curtain airbags, ESP and TC, Xenon headlights, auto-dimming rear view mirror, etc (most of these in the top-spec Privilege or Privilege LX models), but you have to be prepared to pay a premium in maintenance and repair costs for having those features. It is cheap to buy for a reason - it can be expensive to maintain. This is one car that you need to have a French car mechanic look over carefully, and try to avoid going to authorised dealer for servicing and repairs. It might still cost you a bit, but you'll have the safety and comfort and style of a really nice car. Just don't buy one if you expect it to be as cheap as a Holden to run - aside from excellent country fuel economy for a V6 - 7.5L/100km fully laden - it is not as cheap as a local car. Five-star safety. Laden with upmarket features (esp Privilege model, which is not really anymore expensive than the Authentique model, used). Comfortable ride, responsive 3.0-litre V6, excellent country-driving fuel economy. Looks good, esp the wagon. Thick, quality paint from the factory OE parts prices are high. Numerous wear/repair items you may not expect, such as coolant bottle splits, leaking rocker covers, main pulley cracks, engine mounts wear, tie rod ends. Timing belt requires replacement every 4yrs, costs $1100+.Interior plastics quality not as good as the new price suggests, dash rattles, auto transmission software poor - jerking changes. Fragile keycard 'key' system

Good – I have the 2002 Privilage LX model with sunroof and leather interior. I bought it for the safety aspect when we found out my wife was pregnant with our first child. It's a very roomy car, but not too big on the outside. It fits all of the baby stuff nicely and is very comforable on long journeys. The xenon headlights take a bit of getting used… Read more

too, but are very clear at night. The dual zone climate control is great, as my wife likes a different temperature to me.

I was a little disappointed with the lack of gadgets and features on board. There is a computer that tells you what you've done wrong, and a limited function trip computer, but that's about it. The rain sensing wipers have to be set up each time you start the car and the headlights don't turn themselves off.

Being a French car, it costs a bundle to get serviced too.

The 3L V6 engine is very smooth and has pleny of power. The car looks great, and is quite eye catching without being too showy. I find the auto transmission a little rough, and had a very costly transmission repair shortly after I bought the car (possibly just bad luck).

Overall, I'm very happy with it, but watch out for those service bills! 5 star safety, smooth and powerful engine, plenty of space, looks great, comfortable, dual zone climate control, xenon headlights. Rough automatic transmission, not as many features as expected for this class of car.

Bad – A beautiful car to drive. An absolute pleasure when it is working. Full of really cool features and oh so comfortable but the coils have a design flaw which has not been rectified and they cost $160 each. My warranty has just expired to the car is for sale and a new one has been ordered. I would never get another renault ever again. I just had a… Read more

look at the new 2007 Laguna and it is utter rubbish. They have dropped the price by $10,000 but remover all the essential equiptment like electric seats and auto dimming rear view mirror. A full leather interior is not an option any more. 2003 Model is full of features. Top safety rating and all the safety gear like ESP, electronic Brake distibution, traction control, ABS etc. A very confortable car to drive and great for long distance travel. 3.9lt V6 has more than enough power and provides astonishing econimy on the highway. I get 7.2lt/100km. I have never had a car break down before. Then I bought a Renault. I have had it towed to the workshop 3 times. I have had 21 coils put in the car, and aircon compressor, all 4 door switches have been replace multiple times, ever soft panel has been replaced, the drivers seat has been replaced twice and the seat motors and drive mechanism have been replaced on both front seats twice. They not only know he by first name and the service centre but also know my cars rego off by heart. I have never had such a lemon in all my life.

Good – I've been happy with the car to date with no major problems. The finish could be alot better and the card keys are expensive to replace if damaged. A great car to drive, I have the petrol version in a wagon. Excellent safety features, curtain airbags, ESP, etc. Great rear luggage access with the window or tailgate opening. A great feature of… Read more

the car is the verbal warning system, eg: 'The rear left door is not closed' etc. Good economy I'm getting about 7.8 to 8.0 litres per 100 km on the highway with a car full of people. The car audio system has an excellent sound, the audio controls just behind the steering wheel is very handy. I purchased the car second hand and in good condition, overall I've been very happy with the car so far, no major problems after 2 years. The finish of the vehicle could be alot better for what the car retails for new. The interior console has a slighty plastic feel. The area around the cd player is quite flimsy. The major problem I have encountered is the 'card key' system. The car has a credit card style key with and start/ stop button when the key is put in place. The keys themselves cannot get wet, and I feel, are easily damaged. The keys generally cannot be fixed as they are sealed, and a replacement key cost $300.

Excellent – Bought this car from new and as yet have not had a problem with it. Veryb easy and smooth to drive and just fantastic on those long distance trips. It has plenty of room and the rear luggage space is enormous. Well worth a look along with these other statin wagons; VW Passat, Alfa Romeo 156/ 159, Citroen C5 and Peugeot 407. Easy to recommend.… Read more

Excellent safety and security features, curtain airbags, ESP, traction control, front, side, curtain airbags, keycard start up and so much more. A great car to drive and excellent fuel economy on this diesel. Not the cheapest car.