Renault Vel Satis reviews

The Vel Satis is fast becoming an unusual oddity, a quirky purchase and seldom seen on our roads. I think renault thought all cars would follow the people carrier concept and have the high driving position but instead the market changed and fake 4x4 crossover cars pretending to be tough and ready for the outback have won the day. ...for now. Without a doubt the Vel Satis 3.5 V6 Initiale auto has the most comfortable front seats in a car, the split electric seat back is design genius, all passengers have ample space and the boot is cavernous. Its basically an Executive Scenic all poshed-up, with a decent engine, or a saloon version of an Espace, all poshed-up. The 3.5 v6 petrol (Nissan) 245 bhp power plant is spot on, fast, great overtaking, and accelorates faster than most would think, as one person said "I didn't think those Scenic things were that fast!!" The car is great on long journeys quiet, powerful, handles great and visibility is brilliant for a big car. Fuel ranges but I average 32 mpg and that rises to 37 mpg onbthe motorway. The parking sensors make town parking a snap too. My teenager kids like the space and the power outlet in the rear to charge or run their numerous devices. My VS is now a but of a project, it needs some age related attention and apart from a few electrical gremlins (mainly my intermitant driver window and mirror folding) its been a great find and an odd quirky car to own. Ironically we had the car serviced and a sluggush starter motor fitted before we left and spent 3 weeks touring Europe cover 2500 miles, the new starter motor failed and a German Renault dealer (which was more like a F1 garage - clean, technicians in spotless overalls and no grease or oil in sight) the owner (a Renaulr fan, had a 3L auto Avantine) fitted a new starter, gave me a part ex refurbish discount for the failed one and lavished some free attention on my VS, when I picked it up, it was clean and beautifully presented and its never missed a beat since - great trip, great people and great memories. Buy one for the experience, look for a good one (check all electrical items work) but as they are all getting on a little now so be prepared to do a little restorative work. Mine is now a long-term ownership project, its no longer my main car, and yes it still turns heads and puzzles people, mechanucs and passengers - mainly positive comrnts but for a car. ....it has a face only a mother could love, but the rear is mostly what most boy racers see!! Happy motoring .......

For the price you can buy a Velstatis for you will not get a car that will give you has much back for the price I've. been a mechanic for 41 years and my velstatis is realy good I would buy another

Yes good

I have owned the car for 3 years now and it has been undoubtedly the worst car I have ever owned for reliability. Renault cannot do electrics, my mirrors, windows and lights have a life of thier own. The gearbox cannot make a journey without going into limp home mode, the engine management system keeps showing a fuel injection fault and goes into limp home mode and the battery (brand new) is depleted if the car is not started every day. Renault dealers answers are, re-new gear box, re-new engine management sytem, re-new, re-new, re-new, they couldn,t diagnose a specific problem and the spares for a Vel Satis are astronomical. Wiper blades over £70, a bulb £70 a recommended tyre £175. Comfy car but thats as far as I would go. I think I may just be about to get rid of it by selling it for export, at a loss I might add. DO NOT BUY ONE

Very underrated vehicle, but much admired wherever I go. Petrol engined versions are a gem and reasonably cheap to buy because people most prefer diesel. Easily achieves 30 mpg on long runs at 70 mph, up to 35 mpg in past. Always had Jaguar before, but this is far more practical, giving the space of an estate but the compact cosiness of an everyday hatchback. 2002 model so avoids high road tax, 3.5 V6 will last forever. Beautiful leather, sat nav, sunroof, climate, xenon's, cabasse stereo & sat nav all standard, heat reflective windows and wooden steering wheel factory fit options. Backrests have two separate electric motors to adjust top & bottom of seat, electric lumbar in addition. Car cannot rust, has great presence on the road but is light in construction. Big brakes, joyful gearbox, superb sounding engine - purrs around town but howls when raced. Treasured from new by some owners so full history excellent cars not too difficult to find at a reasonable price. Alternatively, many Vel Satis's available very cheaply as not in A1 condition. Continued to be made in France until 2008 so a cherished plate can make this look modern and majestic, still being used by French Government as Presidential Cars.

I have had this car since 3 year its is one of the most comfortable car in the market but the engine is very week it keeps leaking oil and no mechanic can find the cause. If the engine was like a german engine then no doubt this would be the best car