Some useless information here but my first car was a little green VW Chico (Golf). I drove that little car all over the place- never fearing i would get stuck anywhere or that I would need assistance. I drove that little car well over 10 years.
With the addition of our kids – space was becoming a problem. It could get really hot in that car- which was a problem with the kids. I had a burning desire to get a bigger car.
My sister and her family were immigrating to New Zealand and were selling their (very reliable) 2005 Grand Scenic 1.9Dci. It was quite different. It drove really well. I loved the big car with so much space and it came in time as we found out Gabriel was on the way. I could just fit all three kids in the middle row in car chairs and if needed could quickly open the back row for friend’s.
Three weeks into driving I hit a pothole with these low profile tyres – Two rims were damaged – over R1000 to fix. But then it was all great
About 6 months into this – what I thought was Bliss driving – we got our second problem – the Cluster (computer) died! Renault paid most of the cost as it was a factory fault but we needed to pay in some. All great for a few Weeks and then another dilemma- supposed Turbo went – very very expensive but thankfully cost a few rand to fix as it was a pipe and not the turbo.
Then while waiting in the car with my unruly kids for Church to finish, My son managed to jump and hit the Windshield with his head and it cracked quite badly 
the Head was fine but it cost R2500 in excess and the insurance paid R12000. We had glow plugs replaced a while after, then had a really big service done with a few extra things needing to be done.
We had an accident which cost us nothing but time – the insurance paid it all thankfully. Then another error about the Glowplugs…I drove like that for a few months because I could just not face the Renault dealer.
But then a Big problem again – Alternator! In my mind that is synonymous with the fear of an Alligator! Very expensive to fix and We rather took it to our mechanic than Renault dealer. The Mechanic (After Days of working on the car) managed to find a cheaper Alternator from a VW car – can’t remember which one, and saved us about R2500. HE also brought his labour done considerably. We were so grateful but at this point decided to sell it before something else went wrong.I was shaking in my shoes that anything would go wrong.
So here we arrive home with out 2009 Mazda 5. WOO HOO. I love the sliding doors at the back – parking will be great now. We all love the white car. It is a bit easier to drive as (I think it’s called) a turning circle? is smaller. We were quite lucky in the Renault on extra interior features though. But then this time around we have less than could probably go wrong (i pray) as well more affordable to replace.
Moving from a Diesel to Petrol again will take a while to get used to – I tend over-rev the car in the beginning, but one of the First things I noticed was it was SO quiet compared to the Diesel. it is a bit smaller inside – a bit lower to the ground, but I think it fits very well for me. I don’t mind having a few less controls. The tyres are also very different as it is not low profiles! Cheaper to replace and better suited to our bad roads – loads of potholes.
Praying for a Happy journey with this Car!
Blessings,
