Vel Satis, a great car and concept, if you find a good one!
Added: 12th of August 2017
- 2003
- 3500
- Automatic
- Petrol
- Hatchback
- 5
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 .......