SecondHandSense/Renault Megane:It is not often that a mainstream car is overshadowed by one of its own derivatives, but that would appear to be the case with the Renault Megane, the Scenic people carrier variation which tends to attract most attention.
There are, however, plenty of examples of the saloon around, but people seem to either love or hate Patrick le Quement's quirky design.
Personally, I think it is one of the best designs of recent years, and one that shook up the medium car sector.
Its angled boot and smooth forward lines gave the car a very individual profile, and the proof of the approach is that the car has aged very well indeed.
The second generation of the Megane has been around for six years now but, although its image has needed little promoting, its reputation for reliability has not exactly been a glowing one.
In last year's JD Power customer satisfaction survey the Megane came 10th from the bottom with a 75 per cent score. There have been complaints about electrical, mechanical and build quality problems with the car, but these seem to have improved significantly in the past two years.
The Megane is a nice car to drive but the variable ratio steering won't be to everyone's liking. It can feel overly light unless you are used to it, and it can also feel heavy as speed builds up. The ride can also be firmer than one might have expected of a car like this.
The interior is comfortable, but all the styling emphasis has meant a reduction of space in the rear, especially where rear passenger legroom is concerned. The boot is also affected with a significant lowering of storage space.
The Megane has other neat touches that, again, may not be to everyone's liking.
The handbrake, for instance, is shaped like an aircraft throttle and takes quite a bit of getting used to. The ignition is worked by a dash-mounted button, an idea not unique to Renault but it can be a very irritating device.
With that reduced rear space, the Megane saloon becomes a more limited prospect and the boot really is a disappointment. However, if looks are more important to you then it certainly beats a Nissan profile. The interior profile is also better than the average and smarter too.
The Megane does have an impressive crash test record. It has a maximum score of five in the Euro NCAP test programme and was described as having an extremely strong body with a stable passenger cell.
Reliability problems have included issues with engine hesitation and idling because of throttle housing problems, problems with brakes (as recently as June 2006 some 58,000 Megane and Scenic cars were recalled for possible brake failure), headlight failure (the bulbs are most difficult to replace) and there have been complaints about the doors and boot lid holding water - until they're opened.
A 2005 model with the 1.6-litre petrol engine, CD player, leather seats, all electrics, finger tip controls on the steering wheel, multiple airbags, sunroof, metallic paint and more, and with 15,000 kilometres on the clock is on offer for €27,950.
A 2005 1.4-litre petrol model with extras like air conditioning and central locking and with 33,000 kilometres up is on sale for €14,950. A similar 2006 model with 33,000 kilometres on the clock has an asking price of €15,995.
There are hundreds of these cars on the market, so don't jump at the first one you see.
FOR:Styling
AGAINST:Questions about reliability but there have been recent improvements. Limited rear and boot space