Here are the only French Cars I would buy.
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Today, I'm discussing the French cars that I would actually buy with my own money.
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I owned a '72 Paris built Citroen DS for 13 years. A joy not just for me, but for so many other people too who would come over and talk to me about the car and their experiences with the model and Citroen in general. The DS had the ability to just literally stop traffic by its presence. Quirky and beautiful and much missed.
There are an awful lot of French cars on UK roads which shows that many UK folk like France's industrial efforts very much. The latest batch of Peugeot-Citroen and Renault cars look great.
Agree I've just bought and turned around a Renault twingo on my channel, cracking little car
And the RCZ don’t forget them 👍👍
Peugeot have always been the classiest of the French cars. In Scotland the Renault Clio actually outsells the Ford Fiesta. The French really excelled at the diesel engines. I, personally have had 3 French cars. My first was a Renault 5 Campus 956 cc. Then a Peugeot 205 GRD 1.8 non-turbo diesel. I currently drive a Citroen c3 1.4 HDi Aircross+ which has superb MPG, only £30 p/a road tax.
Owned a RCZ HDI for 15 months and its been brilliant. Can't fault it.
You buy quirky cars by heart and that probably makes you live longer..? Greetings from Sweden ❤
Since moving to France permanently, I have owned two Peugeots, a 208 and now a 308SW. Both excellent. The 308SW diesel has nearly 200k on it (because cars are so expensive in France, most of the 2nd hand cars have been to the moon and back), and even though its a much larger car, it's quick, strong and very economical, a tank of around 42 litres giving 750 kms, nearly 250 more kms than my little 208 petrol. In the UK I had German cars, MB and Audi, there was always something going wrong with them.
Wife has a 1.6hdi 308. Fantastic car, 195,000 miles currently, 2009 model. Everything works, has had some work. Great on fuel
My 208 is excellent too. 4 years later no issues with it whatsoever. I have the 1.2 turbo with the wet belt. In 2015 they changed it to a design less likely to breakdown. Change it at 6 years of 60k miles and it should be fine. 50 mpg and 0-60 under 10 seconds. Regularly drive it 200 miles. Not the best car but certainly not the worst.
I've owned two bmw's but because of the financial situations and we got a child, I bought a 4 year old Peugeot 308 SW and we have had it for 2 years now . The fun is that we have less problems with the Peugeot than we had with the BMW's. And the 308SW works great in the winter here in Norway as well. It doesn't drive smooth as a bwm but still comfy.
My Citroen picasso perked up with French diesel
Still, a Volvo beats all of that, especially a 2000-2015
The most fun car I've ever driven was a Belgian 2CV with a 'traffic-clutch' and the boot lid and the chairs all came off easily to provide deck chairs and table for 4 people! Amazing!
I had 3 2CV’s ..brilliant fun!….just brilliant!..
Agree. We had one many years ago. Great fun - the rain came in through the roof and out through the rust holes. 😂
I had a tatty Citroen Dyane in the late 1970s. I liked it a lot, but they do have their limitations. You needed to keep a warm coat and a woolly hat in the car in winter, and de-icer. Taking out the back seat for a picnic or a road side brew up in the summer was nice, as was the two stage opening roof on sunny days.
I had a Traffic Clutch Dyane in 435cc mode. Now that was exciting in down town London!
I like the C6. I love the original Twingo. You see a few of them here in Prague. God be with the days of something like a Peugeot 504 that you could drive to Spain, then take the ferry, and hoon it across the roughest parts of Africa, and probably only have to change the filters.
A few years ago I would agree with you. Not now. My last car was a Renault Mk2 Scenic and currently a Mk3 Grand Scenic. Both utterly dependable. Currently on 130,000 miles and still fast-YES-fast(130bhp tdi), get 58mpg all day long(65 on a run) £30 tax, acres of space. As long as its looked after from day 1, they're fine(in my experience) Top Vid👍👍👍
The only disagreeable point is 130bhp on a scenic which is a heavy car is not fast.
I’ve had a mk2 scenic and it was an excellent car. If you budgeted for the stuff which will definitely go wrong, (the AC, the Keys, the parking brake) it’s actually really dependable and makes an ideal family car. We loved it.
These Auto Trader linked videos are brilliant Matt. You kind of referred to it in this video, but I wondered if there was some scope to look at some future classics. I know, you could probably do a whole channel on modern classics, but I reckon this concept would be fascinating in a similar format to this video and a bit of fun. You could break it down into £5k, £10k, etc.... Great work Matt and thanks as always 👍
An Irish motorist here who has driven a decent line of Citroen cars over the years. The main ones being a C5 (for 8 years), C4 Picasso 5 seater (for 5 years) and currently a C5 Air Cross (for the last 3 years). All have been quiet, comfortable, brilliant on fuel and utterly and faultlessly dependable. I've put a decent amount of mileage into all of them and never had a days trouble. Like any car, I think the trick is always to keep them maintained. Don't miss your services when they come up and go back to your dealer to get them serviced with official parts, software upgrades etc. It is a tactic that has served me very well over the years!
I drive a 2017 C4 Cactus in the Blue lagoon color with only 16000 miles on the clock and I absolutely love it. For a three cylinder 1.2 petrol it’s fairly quick, it’s comfortable, quirky and packed with all the tech you’ll ever need in a car. On top of that it’s incredibly cheap to own and run.
Very surprised you didn't recommend the Peugeot 308 (European Car of the Year 2014). I drove a base model manual recently. Very impressive. It went like the clappers, was very quiet and rode beautifully like Peugeots used to be famous for...
LP
Which engine??
@@indyjones1135 1.2 turbo triple. The one still used in the current 308 except you can now buy the previous model with the SAME engine for less than 20% of the cost of a new one. Bargain!
I’ve got a Renault Vel Satis 2.2 Diesel, it’s extremely comfortable and has a lot of tech for the time and it all works in mine!! Very quirky looking and gets some funny looks but that’s why I love it!!
Love the Vel Satis. Size of a living room inside.
You missed DS (yes I know they are a Citroën). I've got a DS 7 and absolutely love it. It's a proper premium car with leather interior, massaging front seats, reclining rear seats and active scan suspension. Plus you never see one on the road so they are exclusive too
With a mere ninety break-horse-power available, progress is too leisurely to be called fast, but on the motorway in fifth gear the Megane’s slow pace really becomes a pain. Uphill runs become power-sappingly mundane, while overtaking National Express coaches can become a long, drawn-out affair.
These are not my words but the words of Top Gear magazine.
Ah ha lol
Cock piss partridge...
😂😂😂
You threw a monkey in the sea?
Ive had a 207sw 90hdi for 8.5yrs...its the 2007 yr with no dpf...best mpg i got on a run 69mpg. ..its been an amazing car...yes they do have problems with the back lights but its just a simple earth thats needed...changed the oil and filter every 6k because the PSA 1.6 has a smallish oil capacity of around 3.7 litres ..and its been a very reliable vehicle...decent clarion standard sound in it..split tailgate for the dog and roof bars for ladders..its been a cracking car and still is...and ive had a few cars over the yrs..i enjoy your channel cheers...👍
To be honest I think that some of the french cars only got bad reputation in uk because of the people that buy them, don't look after them, and like any other car sooner or later it will breakdown. But french cars in South of Europe are very popular(Spain, Portugal Etc).Thanks for another video Matt
My wife has a citeroen. I make sure it's maintained very well as I love cars. But the Citeroen is awful. Just awful.
Idk, my mum has a new c3, and it feels pretty cheap, and weird tbh, has the slackest gearbox I've ever experienced. Has full led headlights and a plastic steering wheel. Very odd.
@@aqm8470 What model?
@@floydnotpink C3 I think..... picasso
Will say: The twingo is solid for a first car. Good ride position, cheap to run, decently roomy for its size. The steering is also quite responsive, been fun on the back roads. (Talking from experience with 2010 model)
agree! had a 2002 1.2 d7f and was awesome on backroads for a first car. besides all practicality and cheapness we all know about the car, its also very fun to drive if you dont need a lot of speed or power (wich it doesnt have). also very good at gravel roads (plenty of them here, patagonia argentina). replaced tires with 175,70,13 and was perfect.
Twingo is great car and should deffo been on the list, we have just bought and turned around a twingo on my channel. I dont mind getting stuck into french cars they sell well for us
kzhead.info/sun/qqWMlLORml9rYHA/bejne.html
Just bought an HDI RCZ in blue and am loving it so far! amazing interior in my opinion, better than a lot of German rivals I have sat in.
Good choice. When Matt did a review of the RCZ a few years ago he said the 200bhp version was the one to buy. Now he says the Hdi was the car to get. Hmm. Supercar looks for Ford Fiesta money. Love mine too
@@Z4Man199 Yes I noticed that, quite surprised he said that as I thought he was fairly anti-diesel. I agree I don't think you can get anything that looks as good as the RCZ (particularly the facelift in my opinion) while still having cheap (relatively) Peugeot bills
Yeah bit of an off off the cuff comment on the RCZ interiors, leather (effect?) stitched dash and console, full leather trim, foldable rear seats.... Lot more flair than an Audi TT of that era!
The C6 is a beautiful car and after 20 years, the design hasn't aged. I also noticed there is a CX on there.... off to check it out.
I had a 604 station wagon with the 3l V6 grafted in but still with the original 185 section tyres. If the auto kicked down on a wet road the backend would always break loose but it was a wonderfully comfortable touring wagon for hauling our mastiff/lab cross.
There was never a 604 station wagon. I can only imagine you mean the 504 station wagon ?
So you forgot the GTIs, RS, Saxo VTS and that Peugeot are making beautiful cars right now
My 2015 Citroen C1 was a cracking car, loved the noise of that little engine plus I had it serviced within 15 minutes each time. So easy I did it myself parked up on a kerb - it had a slight leak in the boot as they all do but absolutely zero mechanical/electrical issues outside of normal maintenance. Miss it! I have to say I like the Kadjar too - i know it’s just a Qashqai but my dad had one as a company car for 3 years and it was comfortable, quiet and didn’t have any real problems. Obviously that’s quite a limited experience but for the 3 years and 60-65k miles it was good enough - just a tool to do a job. Great video, thanks!!
Really liking your videos these are great quick easy reviews. The blue 406 v6 you picked was my old one I restored and sold, great styling and engine, glad I kept a couple of mint ones stashed away! I can also recommend the RCZ R great handling and performance (270 bhp) from a 1.6 turbo! I know you said no the 407 but my 3.0 hdi v6 407 coupe has been faultless. 310 bhp, fantastic equipment and amazingly smooth, powerful and great ride. Shame they only made 51 of these run out models. Keep up the great videos and reviews really enjoying the channel.
A DS5 2.0HDi is my family duty car. Love the looks, the interior is superb and the engine is effortless with loads of torque.
i feel like french superminis are the best out there (with ford) especially in the last 10 years
Love this style of video! I got a C1 as my first car
Those simple radio controls on the right side of the Renault steering column make switching between radio stations a pleasure. I used to regularly drive back from Halewood to Brum late evenings and a roll of one click between stations made the journey much more pleasurable.
An Architect friend got me into Citroën for a while back in the late 70s-80s, 2 Dyanes, a 2CV, DS D Super 5, CX 2400 Pallas, GS, Visa, all characterful, with possible exception of the last, drove past the dealers on the way home and often got a wave.
@Snoopy It was like a spaceship after the 'Day of the Jackal' column change D Super 5, both lovely comfy cars. Am a Mercedes fan now, cars always been a weakness for me!
My first car was a 1986 4-cylinder Visa which I got for little more than half its sticker price with only 16 months and 16 k km under its belt. Yes, it was one of Citroën's various failed attempts to replace the 2CV with something modern and after a few years, they "de-quirked" it under Peugeot, throwing out the bizarre lights/horn/wipers "satellite". I never found it lacking in character, though, and loved it to bits. Handed it over to my sister when I went abroad and someone ran into the car, totalling it. Occasionally, I catch myself looking for one in French classifieds....
Just picked up a 2010 2ltr diesel Koleos for a second car. 130k miles, full service, 4 new tyres and a full years NCT(MOT)..... Have to say Im impressed with the space, comfort and driving position. Not the most refined but does everything I want
My wife's got a 207 and we've just done eleven-hundred miles over a long weekend hurtling around Cornwall's B roads in the rain and I've got to say it was properly good fun. We've taken it from 60k to 73k miles in the ten months we've had it and a thirst for oil aside it's been literally faultless. And also quite resilient when I reversed it in to my own house. :-/
You turnip
well for ya lol i had one that gave me nightmares lol
Brilliant video Matt 🙂 For all those who drive French cars . Respect 👍
Hi Matt. Some good advice which I agree with. However I am surprised you dismissed the Peugeot 208. I have a e-208 and have to say it’s absolutely fab. You should do the odd review on used fully electric cars. I think you will make it very entertaining 😊.
The sat nav in my Citroen 1.5 Space tourer is rubbish no post code.Engine very nippy and over 50mpg.Seats are very comfortable and the massive boot for our disability scooter.The car drives fine easy to handle.Also auto parking is often a great help in narrow spaces.We had ours 3 years now can't find anything better will keep the car longer we are allowed two more years.
My parents have one, nice comfortable practical family car. There's has android auto so just use Google maps. Haven't actually tried the stock navigation.
Matt I'm obsessed with your channel keep it up bruff
Since you mentioned it about the 406 coupe, it'd be good to see you do a similar video to this, browsing autotrader and trying to figure out what would count as future classics.
Years ago, in the Middle East, I used to have a Peugeot 504; tough as old boots. I bet it is still running somewhere to this day.
I bought a diesel DS5(the one with DS brand, not Citroen) 2.0 180 HP in August, been using it for +3000 miles. Love it. Comfy,looks futuristic,performance is good enough and loaded with tech. I'll see about reliability in the long run.
Hi just read your comments and I was wandering how you are getting on with the ds 5 with reliability and servicing , I had a c4 2006 good few yrs back and was very reliable, like you I like ds 5 and thinking of buying one.
@@darrenpodger7294 Hi. Still using my DS5, very reliable, can be fast(2.0,180hp version) when you want and really comfortable,its almost been 2 years and I went to service just once, and any citroen dealer will service it and change parts if needed so you dont have to find a DS dealer. My experience with it great so far and surprisingly reliable but its also a bit of luck you know.
172,182,197 and 200 are all brilliant little clios!
Absolutely love your videos buddy. Keep em coming I wish you all the success in the world 😎
Had 2 Xsara Picasso 2.0 HDI (2002) 173k mileage & traded in for 1.6 HDI (2010) 138k mileage still going strong & fuel consumption is still outstanding, both of them never missed a beat, no major issues at all. Also bought brand new 2018 C3 1.2l 110bhp, 42k mileage now & also never missed a beat.....
Likewise. Can't get rid of mine as it does everything I need!
My Dad had a Peugeot 406 diesel for what seemed like forever when I was a kid. A workhorse is definitely the best way to describe it. It never ever went wrong for like the 10-11 years it was owned for, just usual maintenence stuff, so a great car. Probably the last good Peugeot as nowadays they are total sponges. The car before the 406 was a citroen xantia which I thought looked great, but it was a sponge as well!!
I once had a Renault 25. It was quite literally a sofa on wheels! Super comfy, huge load carrier and tough & reliable.
This was a really lovely, fun video, thanks. Italian cars next please?
Life’s all about opinions and as a rule I respect yours. But I am now on my 4th Peugeot 508 SW estate and have racked up well over 500,000 miles. I can honestly say none of them have ever let me down, failed to start or had expensive repairs. I buy 3 year old high spec models and everyone has been a great buy, all of them averaged low 60’s MPG. The best bit about all this anti French badge snobbery is that you can pick them up for peanuts compared with German equivalent size spec motors. I accept they are not so sexy, but as a work horse they are fantastic. I have given lifts to mates and work colleagues and almost all of them have commented on how roomy and comfortable they are. Build quality is good, far superior to Vauxhall - I once ran a Insignia for a change, but swapped back to Peugeot a few years later. So carry on criticising them, and allow me to carry on picking up really good value and high spec, cheap motors. Perhaps I have just been lucky and I may end up with a nail one day, but I am willing to take my chances.
Back in the day I drove both Peugeot 306 and 406 hdi diesels and did 105k in the first and 140k in the second. Never had an issue with either. Although to be fair I did have them from new and serviced regularly. They were both top of the range models. Sold each one on at two years. Sad to see the 306 go as it was a proper little pocket rocket.
Great video as usual Matt! :D
Thanks for this Matt. I've owned a 2CV in the past. Loved it . To shut the flappy passenger window I'd have to open its equal opposite on my side!
The C4 Cactuses do look seem like quite a good value
407 "no", I've had a 2008 2.2Hdi GT SW from new, and it has been near faultless over 120k miles. Rides well, and as comfortable and smooth today as the day I collected it. Each to his own I guess.
Had a 2018 1.8 Dong Feng Peugeot 5008 when living in China. Great car. Well spec’d and nice to drive. Third row wasn’t much use and resale in China was criminal. The Peugeot dealer threw in a large toy car replica as a souvenir on top of his offer as he felt bad. 🙁
Luv those C4 Cactuses, but I had no idea about wet belt ... Thanks for the info 🙂
Oh yes, a C6 on the channel would be cool!! It comes from a family consisting of equal parts madness, cutting-edge design and beauty - think of ID, DS, CX, and SM's, some of the coolest cars ever!
Myself and my extended family have had French and German cars and we’ve all had more issues with our German ones.
Thanks Matt enjoyed it as always I use to have a 1996 Peugeot 406 1.9 TD diesel had it for 5 years use to run it on chip pan oil lol only let me down once wish I still had it had 290,000 miles on it too still run great
I had a 406 for 9 years, the thing just wouldn't die. Only thing I had to change on it was the tires and the oil. Only got rid of it because I wanted something new. I do miss it though.
Always loved the 306 gti as a kid, another pininfarina design.
Definitely go for a C6, I have always the silhouette of a C6 is a sight to behold, there no mistaking it for any other car. What has surprised my is the original price of a C6 was similar to an A6 or 520, but surprisingly the C6 brings the most money if well looked after and in tidy condition, it must be a first for a large French saloon, Uber cool
"If well looked after and in tidy condition" - that's a big if, and they didn't sell that many of them new in the first place. I always liked them a lot - but I live in a pretty bad area for Diesel cars, and I guess they'd be the best choice for a C6.
My uncle bought a 2018 C4 Cactus and I like the car. Drives well, is very comfortable...the 2 front seats are like sofas.
Comprehensive is the word. Thank you for your opinions it all helps.
Great video Matt! I totally agree: definitely get a Citroen C6 for the channel. They are a future classic in my book and 100% expression of Citroen. Renaults appeal the most to me. I’ve never had one but a family member had a mk1 Clio and 2 mk1 Laguna (all petrol) and they never left him stranded. Luck of the draw I guess 😂
I've recently bought the new 508 sw 2.0 hdi. Really like the style and build quality is very good. It's something a bit different from the German makes.
My wife's RCZ has been fantastic, totally reliable, great on fuel , lovely stitched leather dash, and she can actually see over the dash ! My C- crosser does it's job really well for half the price of the equivalent Outlander but the suspension is fragile for an off roader and it's heavy on fuel and brake discs. It's had quite a few niggles but never actually failed me. I don't think I'd buy another, but I'd definitely recommend the RCZ.
Hi. I have been watching a lot of your videos recently and I really enjoy them and the handy tips for buying used cars. In regard to French cars, I bought a Citroen C5 in the summer after my fantastic Focus Titanium estate finally gave up. In one of your other Q&A videos, someone asked why anyone would buy a C5 rather than a BMW or Audi etc. I have always liked cars that are a bit different and not the everyday ones: for example, my last but one car was a 1994 Vauxhall Astra Cesaro 1.4. It was excellent and I never saw another one on the road. I saw a 1.6 version for sale recently for £4000. My last car was a 2006 Mk2 Ford Focus Titanium 2.0 TDCi estate which, again, I never saw an identical one ever despite Focus's being everywhere. I now have this 2010 C5 which has a full service history, only 57000 miles on it when I bought it and I love it. I paid £4750 for it. (I don't know what an equivalent German car would cost). It's smooth and quiet and another very rare car. I have seen only eight other C5s since I got it, 2 were the older models, one was an estate, and one was in Malta. I did a home made survey last year and as I was driving up and down the M11 I noted the make and model of cars that consistently drove up the outside lane well above the speed limit, often tailgating the car in front and with no word of a lie 25% of them were Audis, 25% were BMWs, 20% were Range Rovers or Land Rovers, 20% were Mercedes, three vans, 2 motorcycles and the rest were mostly VWs. And that's why I didn't want a German car. :) Keep up the good work. Thanks
Had a 13 plate Renault Megane for two years, never had any problems with it And I love the newer shape from 2016 onwards. I'd recommend a Megane
Agree
The post facelift C4 cactus with the passive hydraulic cushion suspension is a fantastic car, rides beautifully, is really quiet and refined and the 1.5 HDI and 1.2 turbo petrols are really good engines. They're also really light, which means the diesels get over 65mpg easily and the petrol turbo 50mpg
Are their turbos shit when it comes to durability.
1.2 petrols are shit what are you talking about, i warn people for these cars. The VTI has catastrophic oil pressure faillures, and the 1.2 Puretechs often need new turbo's, or even worse fail entirely and need new engines. When i was there for my C4, the mechanic overspoke and said; the shop is constantly filled with failling 1.2 Puretechs and VTI's, from braking oil pumps, too premature snapping timing belts.
@@Jesko_VRS fair enough, I've got a diesel so haven't had any of those issues, I've only driven the petrol and it was good
@@alexanderstefanov6474 there diesels are reliable yes, i had the new 308 1.6hdi and that one was a solid car. Petrols drive nice, that's not the issue, they are just constructed poorly so they don't last without major issues.
Only the Jimenez Novia is IMHO worth buying. It is a great French one-off.
Just back from Alicante, Spain in the 508 RXH. Filled up once just north of Bordeaux. Loaded to the gunnels. Trouble free there and back. Love it.
Bought a DS3 on impulse. Owned it for 6 years in the end. What a great little car - highly recommend. Never let me down, even through an expensive divorce it stuck by me, especially when it wasn’t getting its annual TLC. It’s only downside… NO cupholders 🤷♂️ Another great video Matt, much appreciated 👏
Agree , had mine as run around for 5 years , no probs with my pure tech .£20 road tax and always in high 40s on fuel .Been great little car for money .
The new Peugeot 508 is an outstanding option at £20k ish now for a few years old. Great car.
Matt, not that long ago every taxi was a a Peugeot 406 diesel, my dad has my old 406, 53 plate, still going strong👍
Clio V6, New 308, 1950s Citroen DS, Venturi Atlantique, Citroen XM, tried both gen 5008s and they're aren't bad actually
We used to have a Citroen C1 (yes it was 'that red') as a second car. No doubt if it hadn't really been a Toyota Aygo underneath, it would have gone to Henshaws much sooner 😉
I drive a Peugeot rcz. Love it 😀
I saw an Alpine A110 I immediately clicked the video. Fantastic video as always Matt.
I had many cars over the years but have ended up buying Mégane estates for the last 10 years. First an 07 1.5 deisel currently a 17 1.6 deisel. I drive between Greece and UK overland. Comfortable and very economical. I drive around 500 miles per day. No significant faults, ever. I like them for being unpopular and therefore cheap, but reliable comfortable and practical. My other car in rural Greece is a new Jimny 1.5, brilliant combination for our circumstances. Keep hating French cars so we can buy them.
Mat you missed the DS5 !!!! Very pretty lines and that huge brushed aluminium front side trim makes it look sleek. The only French car I would buy
I’m loving your french car content, I’d very much welcome a C6 & Laguna Coupé review.
Matt I have a C Crosser great car just had the cam belt done and full service has 105000 on the clock
the C5 X is definitely in my radar as soon as depreciation hits it. any DS from the current lineup, bar the DS3, is a win the first-gen 3008 is my guilty pleasure. love the interiors, too the current 508 estate is stunning and definitely worth a video as for Renault: the Vel Satis (none on Autotrader) and the Twingo are interesting... but maybe too half-hearted for me?
Your original opinion about French cars was spot on. A German car review would be interesting.
My experience and of what I’ve heard of german cars are the the most unreliable over rated cars, especially the diesels.
He says French cars ar unreliable but drives a Rang Rover.
@@MaximilianvonPinneberg at least the range rover is comfy and nice to drive
@@remlap42 at least my megane just fits like a glove and for a mid 00’s cheap hatchback it also drives well and is quite comfortable
@@onelyone6976 i've never been comfortable in a french car, they all have weird interiors that make me feel crammed in
My old Peugeot 307 1.6HDi was a decent car. I’d still buy one as a bangernomics bargain.
Great video you must do one on Italian and German brands too!
My 806 HDI was utterly bomb proof. I had a 607 auto HDI 2.2 and it was okay. A very roomy and comfortable car on the whole. It never let me down, but really, really slow off the line and suspension that wasn't French enough.
I bought my Mrs a used DS3 auto 2 years ago for a local run around and its been a great little car. Quite quick, the auto box is smooth and rarely in the wrong gear and it's well spec'd. So far we've had no problems other than slight corrosion around the wing mirror which is a common problem, the door was resprayed under anti corrosion warranty without quibble. Its 6 years old now with 45k miles and been a bargain so far. It's easy to park and light steering so great around town but we've done a few long journeys in it and it was perfectly capable. I understand your concern about the wet belt but they've been replaced under warranty which is supposed to have resolved the problem.
You dispatched the C3 very quickly, but they are actually quite good cars, especially the early 2010s version. Yes, it goes through wheel bearings like no other car on the road, but the engine and transmission are very reliable. Make sure it’s a manual though, as the automatic is a semi-auto
Not all, there are also proper automatics, but they're rare.
107. Thsts about your lot.
Hello Matt, My name is Peter from Sweden. Thank´s for a great channel! One car I want to talk about the Renault Talisman Estate. I had one 2018 with diesel engine 1.5. It was driven as a taxi with 310000 km ( 192625 miles) very well served and I drove it for a year with no problems. I have a very positive reaction on this car. Regards from Sweden, Peter!
The Talisman is a great looking car but we don’t get them in the UK
I had a Blue Renualt Laguna GT. MK3 180 4control. Ws an amazing car. 2 litre diesel 180bhp. Really turned heads and quite rare. Id highly recommend the Renault Laguna GT and coupe. Reg plate was CK11 XXJ
What about the Renaultsports?? A massive ommission here... Clio 182,Megane R26, etc.....amazing value for money in handling and performance terms.
Having owned a 208 for a good few years, I can honestly say they're great little cars. At the time, it was either that or a CR-Z (too much for a good one and a bit too small) or a 407 coupé (large, not really a commuter's car, even if the later V6 3l HDi was very tempting). Even though I'm not buying a new car yet, I do find myself gravitating back towards French cars on AutoTrader - 208 GTI, RCZ (can't really put the mother-in-law in one of the rear seats, though), 308/308SW, new 208... but I think if I needed a bigger car, the DS5 and second-gen 508 have to be in the (second-hand) frame, at least before we have to go electric. The second-gen 3008 is also very interesting, if I can bring myself to buy a crossover/SUV.
I maintain a 2012 one for my daughter, that my ex bought for her, but then declined to look after. The wet cambelt took me 5 hours to replace (as opposed to the workshop time of 2.9), but then I was not familiar with the car. She has had it 6 years and the only fault as such is that it burns oil, (common to the 1.2 3 pot), so she checks regularly and tops up. I've taken a few long runs in the car and it is fine.
too many infomrations in the (). your post is full of unimportant informations and its hard to read
@@XzzVttll TL;DR - French cars are, on average, nowhere near as bad as people make out. Perhaps there's an element of people not wanting one after their French car gave them trouble xx years ago, or because their German car has a better badge which may take the sting out of the more expensive repairs, though I am assuming a lot here.
Renault ( and Alpine, obvs ) have been using those volume controls for nigh on 30 years. My old K reg Espace had the same controls on the column. The same column that became detached from the bulkhead, that turned out to be made from rust.
Had a MK4.5 Clio 1.2TCE a few years ago. Quite rare to be fitted with that engine. They're usually all 0.9 or the NA 1.2. Was a great car and I think they look really nice as well
For a good reason: The 1.2 TCe has to be one of the crappiest engine as it ages. Burns oil, rattling timing chains, breaking valves.. There intersting when they're under 25.000miles because they can have that EDC dual clutch transmission shifts really good. The 0.9 TCe are reliable but the 1.2 16V are literally bulletproof.
Great video and solid advice. I’d steer clear of the DS5 though, had the 155thp petrol version and it chewed 3 timing chains and a turbo in 120000kms. But ironically that’s the German designed engine! All the French bits were perfect….. Also, the RS models of the Clio and Megane are definitely worthy machines, currently have a Phase 2 (bigger turbo) RS200 Clio mk4 and it’s brilliant in all respects. We still miss our old Grand Scenic but it was replaced by a Hyundai Santa Fe which is ‘ok’ but boring, heavy and unnecessary.
Them germans and frenchies did never fit together.. i wouldnt be surprised if french parts bullied german ones into failure. Also shame about the scenic lineup that they were discontinued because of SUVs.
It's German designed, but French built engines. That's the problem.
@@TL-xw6fh nope. Same engine problems in the 1 series and bmw mini. There was a huge class action case against bmw in America because of this and the core problem was that the timing chain is too narrow. That’s the German designed bit. Anyway, BMWs don’t exactly have a great reputation for reliability!
@@khelgarironfist3301 Yes, MPVs make much sense than wannabe SUVs.
Mate there's nowt wrong with the Peugeot 407( Station Wagon). Mines 12 years old with 200k Kms and nothing has gone wrong with it, 2lt HDI Diesel, comfy, stupidly economic, fully spec'd (leather,xenon, panorama roof, jbl sound system, Navi which is naff, but apart from that just brilliant. My C5 Tourer(S3) was great just a bit thirsty as a 2lt petrol. 2 Renault Grand Espace's both brilliant in ''Initial Paris'' spec. Admittidly you have to like French design, but over here in Germany BMW's,Audis and Mercs all look the same, VW's are Crap and Opel, well its Opel, wouldnt touch them with a barge pole, and all German made cars are stupidly expensive, whereas I have only driven Lancias and all French marques and never have they mechanicly let me down and always been a bargain My Pug cost me €3500 and it had a full service history. A car is only as good as you treat it. Throughly enjoy your vids, keep up the good work.
My sister who lives in France has a C4 Cactus and she loves it. I sat in an 2004/5 C4 once and found it extremely comfortable and a friend of mine has a 2004 C5 diesel estate and really likes it
😂 Brilliant Matt. I still wouldn't touch one. I'll watch with intrigue.
Your loss
French cars are good and reliable
@@filipbabovic8474 I owned a pug 406 for 2 weeks..... It was utter crap. Never touched one again. Lesson learned.
Mat: "I hate diesels,awful things they are,you're bound to have issues with them,petrol is just better" Also Mat when he talks about any car on this channel: "Yeah I'd probably go for the diesel option"
Really
Peugeot diesels are the best diesel engines on the road. Reliable, smooth, quiet and very economical.
The C6 is an absolutely amazing car... some of the most comfortable ive even driven. The C5/C5-X is a really good looking car aswell and very highend, even better comfort then the old C6 :) the DS 3 i disagree with, too much plastic and the rear passanger window has that stupid arch that ruins the look and makes it hard to orientate and look out for bicycles ( its a problem when living in Copenhagen, Denmark ) I have had the C3 Aircross 1.5 Automatic with a pano-sunroof that opens and i love it.. the only thing that is odd about it is that some features from 2017-2018 models are not included in the 2019 models ( wireless phone charger, HUD, built in armrest and some other small things )
Hi, mate great videos. Your chilled-out presentation style is really likeable. I looked over your videos for recommendations for a 15k budget car. Looking for a hatchback. What would you recommend? Will be looking to keep the car for 6 + years best Will
Brave man putting any money into a French car. Electrics are on par with Italian cars in that they play havoc after a few years.
Not true.The Punto no electrical problems.You have to be brave to buy a German car and many more models of different manufactures.Give me proof.
Must admit my 2002 megane running perfectly wouldn't fit that category. Wasn't well maintained, suspension needed work but the electrics? Absolutely perfect other than a dirty wheelspeed sensor. Comfort wise? Would have to sit in a 7 series to get anywhere near as comfortable too.
Aren't they all German electrics anyway?