Do they really make a Laguna 1.5 diesel? I don't own one but surely it'll be utterly gutless?! That's a pretty hefty car for a supermini-sized engine :-I Town driving only I'd guess!?

Popped up on the side of HJ page

http://www.bristolstreet.co.uk/U172513-hjohn/renault-laguna-1.5-dci-expression-5dr-estate

Under £10K for a year old car? Good price? but is it a good buy or a goodbye due to quality issues of Renfault in the past

I know the concensus is that the engine is too small but I'm not so sure. I've driven a Pasat with the 1.6D engine in it (similar power/torque to the Renault 1.5) and whilst it was no ball of fire, it easily kept up with the flow of traffic. If you booted it, you easily went faster than the flow of traffic. 100 MPH cruise wasn't a problem at all.

If you get 'baulked', it does take longer to regain speed certainly but you are looking at seconds.

The only time I did notice it's lack of power was on single A roads for overtaking, it did need a longer space than a 2.0d but again, not as long as most would think.

I'd recommend driving one (or a similar powered car such as passat), I think you'll be surprised.

With regards to economy, the passat I had averaged just shy of 60MPG (brim to brim) over 2,500 miles. The 2.0 passats I've had averaged between 53 and 56 MPG.

a900ss - thanks I totally get what you are saying. I will go and test drive one. I too have had a 1.9 passat estate and it was great to drive and fairly economical, but that was a company car back then a few years ago. I am going to get a test drive of one of the lagunas and see what's what. I currently drive a mazda 3 1.6 petrol and find it a bit sluggish and only 34MPG - but if you drop down a gear and accelerate it will pick up a bit and can get there, just not as quick as I'd like. HOwever the trade in or sell for the laguna is the MX5, sad to see it go, but just very unpractical esp with children, and the icy weather coming in.

Thanks for your post, will keep up to date wth my progress, in case anyone else wants to know :) I'd be much happier with a diesel 50+ MPG.