DOTS: Ahead of its time

"BvdV - The Dutch Engineer" (dutchengineer)
05/01/2017 at 13:45 • Filed to: Twingo

Look what I saw, a Renault Avantime of the 2.0 turbo variety! Just a few meters further I found this:

Mother Grand Scenic watching over her Twingo spawn.

DISCUSSION (24)

CB > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
05/01/2017 at 13:59

How much do Avantimes go for? And should I import one?

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > CB
05/01/2017 at 14:00

Yes

benjrblant > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
05/01/2017 at 14:05

Avantime doesn’t look so bad if you forget that it’s got a weird boot/hatch/donk thing.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
05/01/2017 at 14:06

The Volvo V40 isn’t too bad either.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > CB
05/01/2017 at 14:08

Generally about 3 to 10 kilo euros, depending on trim level, engine and kilometerage. There are a few outliers though, like this and this .

And yes, you should, if you don’t mind some bits of early 00's plastic in the interior, and like slightly over complicated door hinges.

Dave the car guy , still here > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
05/01/2017 at 14:11

I considered a C30 in my search back when I got the A3. AWD won out over my liking the C30 styling over the Audi. Here stateside both are rare and I was looking for an uncommon ride.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > benjrblant
05/01/2017 at 14:12

Yeah, that’s a typical early/mid 00's Renault thing. The Avantime, Megane, Scenic and Vel Satis all had this odd boot, so all of them look kinda weird from some angles, and quite pretty from others.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
05/01/2017 at 14:14

True, it’s even a Polestar tuned D4 (which is probably just a dealer installed chip, that comes with a badge). My dad could have chosen a V40 D2 over the 308, but well, French car life and such.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Dave the car guy , still here
05/01/2017 at 14:17

Yeah the C30 is a bit more special than an A3, don’t know where you see one in this post though ;-P ( http://oppositelock.kinja.com/dots-volvo-hatch-shooting-brake-edition-1794772316 )

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
05/01/2017 at 14:24

Haven’t seen a Polestar irl just yet but I guess your theory about it being added badge by the dealer seems about right. What’s the deal with Dutchies and their love for French car? ;)

(I know the André Citroen’s family originates from the Netherlands but that can’t be the reason right?)

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
05/01/2017 at 14:29

I don’t think a true factory Polestar V40 even exists, only an S60/V60 IIRC.

I think it has something to do with the lack of an own national car production. Opel and VW have been on the top of our sales charts for years though, it is just that you know the ‘wrong’ Dutchies, haha. Generally speaking people still talk bad about French (and Italian) cars due to bad quality in the past, but then again those people believe that their VAG cars are very reliable. Peugeot and Renault have made a comeback recently, but I think that is mostly due to them offering a comparable car for just a bit less money than the typical VW.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
05/01/2017 at 14:42

That probably sums it up. Thanks for the insight. The Golf is still seen as the Lawd and saviour here in Germany lol. I guess you could put DAF badges on a first gen Volvo S40, Mitsubishi Carisma or new Mini haha.

Dave the car guy , still here > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
05/01/2017 at 14:57

I was kinja’d. I put the reply on your post from Saturday but it showed up over here. Very bizarre. We’ve seen the time bandit with old posts reappearing but this is really strange.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
05/01/2017 at 15:00

No problem. Don’t give me any ideas, next thing you know I’m having thousands of DAF stickers made, to stick on every thing they ever built in Born I come across, including the BMW X1.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Dave the car guy , still here
05/01/2017 at 15:02

Yeah, Kinja is doing the weirdest things lately. I guess they’ve never heard of the ‘never change a winning team’ saying.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
05/01/2017 at 15:07

It’s for a good cause. Or just buy a DAF 66. I really like the Marathon.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
05/01/2017 at 15:11

Now don’t get me down that rabbit hole, haha. I really really want a 55 Coupe or 66 Coupe, preferably a Marathon, but they are rare-ish, and I don’t have the space (nor time really) to own one. Or at least that is what I keep telling myself to keep me from buying one, haha.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
05/01/2017 at 15:20

Hehe I’m not responsible for any impulse buys.

Bluecold > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
05/01/2017 at 16:11

Well, I have the sneaking suspicion Volvo V40's have taken over the Seat Leon as the asshat lease whip of choice lately.

Because damn it if I don’t see way to many V40's with the tiniest krentenkakker-special diesel engine driven by complete and utter cunts.

Bluecold > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
05/01/2017 at 16:14

I have ridden shotgun in an Avantime once.

Can confirm it’s glorious. It’s so open, it’s so spacious, every non-Avantime car feels cramped afterwards.

Interior touch points are a bit of a letdown though (especially the gear lever looks way to pedestrian).

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Bluecold
05/01/2017 at 16:21

Awesome, I’d love to ride in one too someday.

Touch points never really were Renault’s specialism, a lot of buttons in my Twingo are also way too plastic-y. I accept that on a Twingo, because cheap city car, but on an Avantime that is indeed a letdown.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Bluecold
05/01/2017 at 16:23

Don’t forget the Golf GTE as the asshat with a bit more lease budget car of choice. But, yeah, I think you’re onto something.

mazda616 > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
05/01/2017 at 16:30

Saw one of these at the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, Tennessee. Fascinating.

pip bip - choose Corrour > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
05/02/2017 at 06:58

Opel Combo.