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Guestbook

This is your chance to post your own testimonial of how well the Renault Scenic works for you. Automated guestbooks tend to get abused, so why not post here by emailing me up to 200 words.

Sean Brady
We very much enjoy all the features including ease of entry, size, comfort, cornering and all the extras which we had fitted, as this is likely to be our last car (we are 70+), *except the satnav. *As this was available, we included it but it transpires that it's only updated once a year and that costs £160+ each time. We paid something like £800 for the facility and think it's exorbitant to have to also pay for updates.

Eddy Chan
I rented a Renault Scenic (diesel) for 5 days in the UK, and I must say it was one of the best fun cars I have driven. The handling was superb, and the turning circle was wonderful, enabling the car to do U-turns easily. My family was amazed at the advanced electronics such as automatic parking brake. The capacity was incredible... it fitted 4 large suitcases and 2 carry-ons easily, along with 3 people. All fitting nicely for one trip to the airport. This will remain as my prefered car at the rental agency for a long time.

Mike Williams
I bought a Renault Scenic Expression in Australia in 2003. I got it because I had two large dogs (malamutes) and didn't want to buy a 4-wheel drive. The Scenic was the only car available tall enough for them, and the removable back seats made it a cinch. It has seen me around the south-east of Australia for 2 years, and then I brought it to the UK, and have since driven it around nearly every country in Europe, from the very top of Norway to the bottom of Sicily. It must be one of the most-travelled cars ever (113 degrees of latitude or so!). My big bugbears would be: 1) complete lack of support for an MP3-CD player that integrates with the stick-controls. Is Renault the last car manufacturer to catch up with this? I don't think any dealer I've spoken to in Australia or UK even understands the question! 2) the automatic transmission is absolutely painful in the transition through 2nd gear .

Rick Worthing, West Sussex
I've had this car since new in 2003 and cannot praise it enough, I love the way the rear seats tip forward and although I'm tall it doesn't alter my driving position . Very useful also is the opening back window in the tailgate.

Barry, Miriam and Ellie Berlow-Jackson
Just to say liked your site! We have just bought a 2001 Scenic Expression, as we’ve just had a baby and my Morris Minor isn’t ideal! I expected it to be okay, but its absolutely brilliant! It has some great features I didn’t expect – cd player under the seat, opening glass on the bootlid, and storage compartments under the back seats! It’s a 1.6 16v automatic, and is surprisingly great to drive. I’d recommend the Scenic to everyone!

Aelwood Finch, Essex
We have been proud owners of a Renault Scenic Expression Plus, from new, for almost four years, we were delighted with this car and it suited our needs perfectly. We decided on the petrol version 1600. Optional extras being twin sun roof, six CD changer, and ESP. We feel ESP should be a standard item and perhaps one day Renault will see the light. We chose the Renault Scenic for many reasons but primarily safety. Occasionally we have slept in the car for a night, when visiting the Coast, during the summer, this is very comfortable. Although we loved the Scenic very much, we did have some warranty and dealer problems. Warranty claims: front wiper blades, ESP not programmed correctly, leaking fluid from steering pump. Issues not under warranty: rear brakes sticking, rear pads replaced, this cost us £200 as this was outside the six month warranty on brake pads. Unfortunately white van man recently put an end to our love affair with our Scenic, when an LDV van ploughed into the back, writing the car off. I sustained two cracked vertebrae and spent two days in hospital. The driver’s seat collapsed, this was the severity of the crash, but things would have been very different in a smaller vehicle. We await our new Grand Scenic in January. Has anyone else experienced a collapsed seat in an accident?

Eve MacLeish, Minneapolis/Merida
I live part of the year these days in Merida, Venezuela, in the Andes. Our Scenic (2002) serves as family touring vehicle and bread delivery vehicle for my rustic bakery; great with the seat folding options. While in Minnesota (USA) the rest of year, we miss this intelligent, so comfortable, practical, very European car, and cannot find anything to compare it to here in its price range. Although its a 1.6, I don't have any problem climbing the mountains with it, and with gas at about (US) 25 cents a gallon, petrol doesn't even need to be budgeted. I miss my Scenic here, especially in long commutes. We actually frequently use the wine bottle slots in the rear of the car; so smart!

Peter & Irene Faulkes Queensland, Australia
As a semi-retired couple we looked for comfort first, followed by safety and style. The Scenic has given us all this and much more. The height is just right for getting in and out of. Have travelled up and down the East coast of Australia and in 27,000 km’s have not had a problem. An amazing versatile MPV with heaps of room. A pleasure to drive on the highway and mixes it with the best of them. Only regret is our local dealer (a Nissan one and strangely Renault actually own them) dropped the Renault franchise and we now have to drive over 150km’s for some scheduled services. But all said and done, a great little big car.

John Rogers, NZ
This is the third Renault that we have owned and the second that we have bought new. It is a two litre petrol model (100kw) with an automatic gearbox. We are delighted with it and would definitely buy another. The fuzzy logic auto gearbox takes a little getting used to but on a trip through the South Island of NZ we achieved (according to the onboard computer) 7.3 litres per 100 km (about 36 miles to the gallon). It has now almost completed 25.000 km and is still a pleasure to drive. My only complaint is that our inflatable dinghy will not fit in the back (which it will in the R25 when the back seat is folded down). It has great visibility and comfortable seating.

Paul Elsworthy, UK
I would like to give you my views on the Scenic that I have bought, it's a Scenic Privilege 1.9dci 120bhp and I must say it's the best car I have ever driven. The performance is great, very economical. On Monday I will be fitting a P.box which will take the bhp from 120 to 143bhp. The model that I have has got a 6 speed gear box which allows for great economy and good cruise ability. The electric hand brake was a little strange at first but when you get to grips with it it's very easy to use. The space is incredible - as my wife Carole says, it's very picnic friendly. We find that the seating is great in comfort and visibility. Anyway will finish know but could go on and on because there are so many good points.

András Fábián, Hungary
I've just bought a 4 years old Scenic, 2001, Dark Grey, exactly as in the picture above. I am preparing for a longer holiday in Croatia or Italy. I have driven the car around 500 kms only, but I can say I'm highly satisfied with it. I always find something really thumpingly good! For example the electric windows can be raised by pulling the control twice... I think this is the best family car ever!

Dave Thornton, Scotland
I have a 2000 RXE auto 1.6 petrol model with all electric windows, heated front seats (great), sony 6 CD changer. Living in Scotland, I like the snow traction button which I have had to use a few times. I fitted XENON BULBS HEADLIGHT H7 & Xenon 3400K W5W 501 sidelight bulbs, which are legal and give really bright lighting which is great for country roads from http://stores.ebay.co.uk/id=9401717&ssPageName=L2 or their web site http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/index.html, costing £8.99 + £2.50 P/P & the sidelights £4.50 + £1.70 P/P. These prices are FAR cheaper than any I have seen. Anyway getting back to my Scenic, the amount of room inside is fantastic and very deceiving from the outside. It is the most comfortable and the most reliable car I have ever had. Renault get 11 out of 10 for this car.

Danilo, from Sao Paulo
I am in Brazil, and I bought the Renault Scenic 1.6 16v for multiple reasons: - Room for everything - Fast - Economic - Cheaper and more Economic than the Opel Zafira or the Citroen Picasso - The insurance costs less than half of the other cars in the same segment - Lots of room for small stuff like maps, tools, CDs - Good for people from 1.45m to 2.15m to drive - And lots of other stuff. As the publicity in Brazil says - The best seller of Renaults is a Renault owner!

Alan and Susan Docherty , Paisley , Scotland
My wife and I love our Scenic, as does our 2 year old daughter. We picked it for room , boot space and the high up driving position. It also gives our daughter a good view out over the car roofs when we are driving in town and she loves it. Thanks for your help, in producing this web site!

S.M., UK
I have been driving for nearly 30 years now and I change my car every 3 years. I have driven a different make of car each time. Two years ago I got my Scenic auto, it is the most comfortable and the most reliable car I have ever had. Renault get 10 out of 10 for this car.

Tony Gibbs, Ipswich
I have a Scenic 1.9dTi privilege (2000) and what a car it is! I have two teenagers and a 7 year old, who all have ample room each. I enjoy a spot of fishing so I can take out the rear seats with ease,which seems to convert the car into a spacious van. Everytime a new friend gets in, the remarks are very positive, like "All this space", "Loads of leg room" "What's that button do ?" and so on.... However I personally don't like the new (2004) shape but, like all good cars, I could grow to like it.

Susan Anderson, USA
We rented a Renault Scenic in Vienna this summer and had a wonderful driving vacation in Hungary. The Scenic was a dream to drive, as well as extremely economical. Every day there was another pleasant surprise related to comfort for both driver and three adult passengers, and for storage. Since we are in the USA we don't seem to have access to this vehicle. That is too darned bad because I would seriously consider it as my next vehicle. Thanks for the opportunity to praise this wonderful car.

Peter Wragg
Just a note to endorse your positive comments about the Scenic. I am a critical owner of any car, particularly if it costs a lot to maintain, but I have found the Scenic to be excellent in all respects. It is economic, spacious, tough and very cheap to maintain, although I don't use Renault dealers. I especially like the rear brake drums - discs at the back on other cars always give premature rust/wear problems due to underuse. An excellent cheap-to-run family vehicle, with brilliant flexibility for use of internal space. Hard to get 2nd hand - easy to see why!

Trevor Pitman, Manchester
I own a Scenic 1.9dTi, the same as Steve, and can vouch for its usefulness. As a professional photographer, I can keep all my clobber under the rear parcel shelf, and I especially love the way I can access this boot space from inside the car (e.g. when it's tipping it down) by simply folding any of the rear seats forward. I carry a number of really valuable items with me (cameras, laptop, etc.) but by storing them in underfloor lockers I never worry that they'll get discovered by a casual thief - after all he'd have to know about the 'secret' compartments, which meant that he was a Scenic fan, and there's no way such a sensible person would be a thief anyway....! My Scenic hasn't broken down at all in the four and a half years I've owned it, it's been a totally trustworthy friend and base of operations for me in my job.

David And Jackie Preston, Middlesex:
Our 1998 Scenic has been our 'base of operations' for six years now, too. We've owned it since new and it has never, repeat never let us down. We've got two lively children and the Scenic is the perfect compromise between a spacious vehicle with loads of storage and something that's economical to run and that slips into parking spaces in town without difficulty. Our favourite bit is the way the rear seats slide forwards and backwards - one moment, the children can be colouring on the fold-up tables, the next they can be reclined back slightly, having a nap!

Mike and Susie Eastman, IOW:
We have a 2001 Scenic and love it to bits. Whatever we want to carry, whoever we want to give a lift to, the Scenic is always up to the job. It really is the best of all worlds, and, as Steve says on the site, a masterpiece of design.

Peter and Pru Brown, Devon
We traded down from a Swift motorcaravan, for practical reasons (height barriers, fuel consumption, etc.), and we haven't looked back. It's true that you can't sleep in a Scenic (well, you could, but our five year old would cause a real fuss), and it's true that there's no toilet(!) or running water (but packs of Wet Wipes do almost as well), but in terms of storage for food, emergency cutlery, clothing, even blankets, the Scenic seems to do a pretty good camper replacement job. And, unlike the Swift, the Scenic goes under all height barriers and does almost double the miles per gallon. No regrets here!