Bag a Scenic bargain

Sep 14 2009 Peter Hayward

WITH new car sales still in the doldrums, now is the time to haggle that price down as low as you can on just about everything.

Many cars are available with over £2,000 off the list price, and some even more than that.

There are certainly discounts to be had on the Renault Grand Scenic, which is an excellent seven seat family holdall.

That said, the rearmost seats, which fold neatly up out of a flat boot floor, are only suitable for smallish children and even then not for too long.

I drove the smallest of two turbo diesels - the 1.5DCi - and I was pleasantly surprised by how good the performance was.

It's not going to make headlines, but there's quite enough urge for most needs, and it comes with a six speed 'box to stretch every expensive gallon as far as possible.

It is superbly quiet and smooth and will happily pull from tickover without complaining.

The roadholding is excellent and the comfort also very good. It even soaks up town roads at slow speeds with no problem.

Interior

Centre row seats are still adjustable, but heavy and very awkward to fold or take out. The driving position is very good, and equipment at this top end of the range, is excellent. My Privilege spec car came with parking sensors - well worth having. The Privilege costs £20,300 but the range starts at £16,500.

FAST FACTS

Renault Grand Scenic 1.5DCi Privilege

Price: £20,300.

Mechanical: 105bhp, 1461cc, 4 cyl turbodiesel engine driving front wheels via 6-spd manual gearbox

Max speed: 112mph

0-62mph: 13.3 seconds.

Combined mpg: 55

Insurance group: 7

CO2 emissions: 135g/km

BIK Rating: 18 per cent

Warranty: 3 yrs/ 60,000 miles, 3 yrs anti-rust, 2 yrs breakdown.

Marks: 10/10.

Main Rival: Vauxhall Zafira.