[Closed] Renault Avantime

You know the answer but it’s not going to stop you is it?

I am actually in doubt about this one.

I know it is not as good as I want it to be but what if it actually is?

The first time you eat a pizza slice upside down with the topping hitting your tongue directly. Seems totally wrong but try it

Audi A8 or BMW 740.

I chatted to an owner at a car show, he reckoned his was great. Made by Matra (and effectively killed them) but meant to be better built than other Renaults of the day.

Those door hinges would amuse me every single day. Engineering art.

Head over to Autoshite for firm advice. I wonder what part availability is like?

I think they're utterly wonderful, not that I've driven one mind but they are getting on a bit now and I'd only do one if it had obviously been very well cared for.

Are there any specialists around as I suspect parts may be getting hard to come by . . .

Some of the engines was used in them was from Isuzu pickup so they should be quite reliable tech. Avantimes were loaded with things and gizmos which might work or not, at least the stereos were pretty good.
Had a sit in one, the seats were amazingly comfortable.

Are they a 3 door? That might get a bit tedious after a while.

You've probably found this. Might be helpful if not...

I had one as a company car in 2002 for around 10 months did nearly 30k in it , very comfortable to drive and always got a lot of attention. Would I buy one now , not a chance. I also had a Vel Satis.

Interesting car, but like @Speeder says with less than 10,000 sold spare parts might be an issue. One for the collectors rather than a daily driver, I'd say.

Great things, but as others say, perhaps more for the collectors than a daily driver.

Automotive art.

Go for it.

Dirty parts will all be shared across many models, doubt theres many special parts - maybe exhausts? Interior and body parts might be rarer, just don't crash it.

Had an A8, not a BMW fan and want an estate.

Won't be putting massive miles on it but it seems interesting and from what I can tell, 'most' spares are available as they are Renault Espace underneath with a Laguna engine but there could be challenges with others.

3 door is not an issues as there are only two of us most the time.

Just spoke to one seller who want nearly £10K for a 2 litre diesel as 'there are the DS of the future and prices are about to rocket'. That is not the sort of money I will be spending on a 10 year old Renault with the risk of further big bills.

There used to be a lot of them and the Vel Satis in Paris in the 2000s. Vey nice cars to spend time in (even it if was just luxury taxis).  It is basically a luxury Espace coupe.

When BMW launched the X6 everyone laughed at the notion of a 4WD, luxury coupe SUV/MPV-derived thingy but again Renault were years ahead (without 4WD but with indicators)

From memory the Vel Statis was Renaults own attempt developed along side the Avantime when they realised Matra were in trouble and going to miss every deadline. A pig ugly car in my opinion but again tryin to reclaim luxury from the Germans by also making it comfortable

How about a Citroen C6?

Not an estate but the boot is pretty big.

I was going to say C6.

Saab 9-5 also look like a lot of car for not much money.

+3 for a C6 - boot will happily hold a couple of smallish moons and they are as quirky and leftfield as they get. Brilliant cars...

That is not the sort of money I will be spending on a 10 year old Renault

Production from 2001 to 2003 - closer to 20 year old...

Looked at both the Avantime and Vel Satis in early 2000's but...didn't buy.
Was always tempted by a CX - and still am; think of it as being little brother to the DS.

Hmmm C6 has just make me think of the Jag XK for some reason. Something about the rear window I think. I wonder what they go for now

Avantime owner here. I’ve had it a couple of years now. It’s my daily driver and it’s great. It’s pretty reliable and I’ve only had a few minor issues.

In the summer it’s fantastic when you can put it in open air mode. Like a convertible.

In the winter they can be a bit fragile , the plastics on the interior of mine are going sticky and trim bits are ridiculously expensive if you can find them

My advice would be to buy one from a guy in Aberdeen called Sandy Burnett he restores them to such a high standard and is a great source for parts.

From memory the Vel Statis was Renaults own attempt developed along side the Avantime when they realised Matra were in trouble and going to miss every deadline. A pig ugly car in my opinion but again tryin to reclaim luxury from the Germans by also making it comfortable

I remember going into the local dealer when the Vel Satis came out - and the salesman was pretty dismissive of it, straight out said it wasn't going to sell. Interesting car though, and the doors were fab.

I think they’re utterly wonderful

This. Obvious classic. Not a DS classic, but they will never grow old. I would. But I'd feel guilty driving it as a daily driver. That said I've been looking for an R26.R.

Really enjoyed that video, thanks.

I would have had one no worries, interesting cars. A little old now though for a daily unfortunately. What about a Citroen C6?

I'd also recommended the C6 is you want something quirky and french

I have a test drive in one when they were new, was a clasically comfy big french car

I remember seeing an original Espace in Chamonix before they had arrived in UK and thinking the future had arrived. The Avantime does the same again. I would love to have one just for a giggle.

Marvelled at seeing one in real life about 2003 in Brittany. Counted the family(5), then the seats(4) and considered which kid to throw into the harbour.

My friend owns both an avantime and a Vel satis. The avantime has been a labour of love and from his stories I think the parts concerns are justified. In fact he picked up some wheels from Paris on our way back from Spain a few years ago.

He did a video on it recently, the audio isn't great but he knows a lot about all the little quirks of the car

Great video and cool car.