Been looking for a new car after Jeffrey the reliable Citroen C2 decided to blow a head gasket, clutch, snap the anti-roll bar, snap a front suspension spring, knacker it's air conditioning and totally destroy two injectors all within the last 2 months. The two candidates that came to be are two relatively new cars, after sitting in them and finding them both comfortable, and the size I expect to be quite sturdy on the road. Which to buy though, at the moment the only thing that differs between the two is the Megane's seats are slightly more comfortable than the Astra's. I'm looking at a 59/10 reg plate. Anyone got any experience with either? Anything to sway me from one to the other?
I'd probably go for the Megane, but that's based on nothing except styling and the fact that I hate Opel/Vauxhaull...
Owning a 3 door Astra 59 1.9 120bhp (170bhp boxed) I would be somewhat biased but I'm very happy with my Astra. I get 52mpg 50/50 urban/motorway driving. Its very quick if u want it to be and comfortable. Looks great too. I was looking at the Megane/Astra/Focus/Golf when I was in the market for a new car 16 months ago. Stayed away from Renault given their rep. Focus looked a little too commonplace and the Golf didnt have the engine I was after at the time of the order. The Astra ticked all the boxes for me.
Renault cars aren't as bad as every non-renault driver makes out. Their bad rep came from early models but since about 2006-7 they have been fine. I put close to 55K on my last (2007 model) Clio before I crashed it and it only gave mechanical trouble once, which was a faulty sensor. I've got 12K coming up on the new one (2010 model) in the next week or so and it hasn't given a single bit of bother yet. All that being said, if I had the choice between a Meagne and an Astra I would byt the Astra. I just never really liked the Megane.
I've got a Megane myself a bit bland but its so reliable and dirt cheap on insurance and the only thing that ever goes wrong are the ignition coils about £15 each and 10 minute work I just carry a couple in the boot, Pretty good motors tbh.
Not a fan of the Megane, I'd go for an Astra. Personally I'd go for a Golf over either of them though.
Not a Renault fan, but the Megane styling is nice in comparison to the new Astra. In all honesty the idea of buying either from new is unappealing.
They aren't brand new. They have both got between 8 - 12k on the clock. Looks like the general census is swining towards the Astra. It's the 1.6 Petrol (SXi i believe) which interested me.
My friend has a megane, its falling to pieces even though its fairly new- engine is crap, gearbox is crap, electrics are crap = french car. Go for the astra, or consider something german or japanese = reliable.
How new is fairly new? I would love to know how someone can buy a "fairly new" Renault and it's falling to pieces and my "fairly new" (11 months old, last one was 2 months shy of 3 years when I wrote it off) Renault runs like a top and never gives a bit of bother. If I had to complain about anything on it, yes I'd say their gearboxes aren't as good as they should be - it doesn't shift as nicely as the one in my Focus did but it works - it's as mechanically sound as an 11 month old car gets. The almost 3 year old one was no different.
I've had one for six years now had to replace about 4 coils passed every MOT without needing work its not the fasted thing in the world but I've had 110 mph out of it and I do some long drive's 300 + mile's often, My only complaint is they are bit bland but a good car. If your mate's got one that's falling apart then he should have got someone that know's about cars to have looked at it before he bought it.
I don't know of anyone who owned a renault and didnt have problems. Please get the astra. Looks well, and handles well too. The 1.6 is a110 bhp and pulls really well. It's reliable too. Also Renaults never hold thier value.
That said, the last model Megane is supposed to be allright, the model before that is rather unreliable. Astra's are OK. (except that you trip on them everywhere)
Its amazing how opinions differ when it come's to car's I've always thought astra's are crap and I've had a lot of car's before the Megane I had a Jaguar XJ6 one of many I've had, I can only speak of the Megane based on the one I've got and its a good car.
I've had two Scenics and a Laguna and I'd recommend the Astra. I really want to like Renaults as I like their styling but the reliability of them is very questionable. Have a look at the Renault threads on Parkers.
Why only those two? Have you driven their competitors so you can have a better informed decision? What about the Focus, Golf etc?
Focus i don't like the look of. And for the price range and age i want you get more car with an Astra or Megane than the VW.
