Danny Hopkins, Editor – 2002 Renault Avantime 2.0 Dynamique
Some of you may remember Editor Danny’s brief flirtation with a V6 Avantime auto about eight years ago. That car was superb, he loved every minute of ownership and has always slightly regretted selling it, especially so soon. It was bonkers and brilliant and infuriating and if it hadn’t had a slightly suspect Renault Autobox (aren’t they all?) he would probably still have it now.
So, when Danny was offered a manual 4-cylinder car, by PC reader John Macdonald, he didn’t need to think for long, ‘I never mess around when I like a car to be honest,’ he says ‘but this time I said “yes” almost before the offer was made.’
The car is a 2.0 Dynamique, Iliad blue with black interior. Lots of paperwork, no MOT, (but it had one when it got parked up). After a year dormant in a barn It started first time, ran fine and had working cooling fans – always a bonus. With 150k miles on the clock it had been dry stored for four years but annually run up to temperature. Danny booked an MoT locally and set off after doing some thorough checks.
John had owned this car for 17 years and used it as his daily drive. Respect! ‘Get past all the Avantime craziness and it’s a very comfortable car, Danny continues, ‘In 2.0 turbo guise it’s plenty fast enough and delivers 35 mpg making it worthy of daily use. With a six-speed box I was thinking daily driver thoughts of my own.’ Then the MoT happened.
