The Modus has been in the wars this month, courtesy of a careless driver in the local supermarket car park, as well as clocking up more miles than usual. Lisa Curtiss reports
As you’ll see from the new much higher mile-to-date figure, Mody’s spent little time lounging in my driveway this month. I’ve had a myriad of long journeys to do, travelling to one launch after another in between some pleasant Wales, Scotland and West Country road trips. Mind-numbingly boring as the M5, M6 and M4 are, the car is still proving a capable long distance ferry and although a little saddle sore despite a Beyonceesque behind (especially after all that seasonal excess), for a small car it fares well indeed. On the price, the Grand Modus is good value for money – certainly in terms of space, practicality and frugality. Granted I’m still not achieving the 62.8mpg combined figure officially quoted, however 52.8 is still respectable. I executed a return journey to my old home in Gower, South Wales from the New Forest where I live now, for just under £40 – not bad at all considering my press-on driving style.
This is a great family car. The kiddies still enjoy the Grand Modus, although their allegiance has alas changed to the blatant lure and outand- out ASBO glamour of Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evo X FQ300 and FQ360 we’ve had at home recently. The ‘chicken or beef?’ airline-style tables still interest, as does the acres of room for assorted toys and bikes, but in the words of five year old Luke, he would even tolerate the odd tedious Tesco trip without a tantrum, if Mody gamely sported the low profiles, racing seats, flamboyant primary colour paintwork and mammoth sized rear spoiler gracing the Evo. I must refresh myself on body kit options for the Renault – they produce the gorgeous Renaultsport range after all – including the must-try-if-you’re-a-diesel-lover Renaultsport Megane dCi 175, albeit in the last generation Megane shape.
It’s amazing the difference colour can make to the appeal of a car, and some models are certainly more colour sensitive than others. Thanks to the practical delights of my Mody, a neighbour has recently bought one – although in regular Modus, not Grand Modus guise. The Champagne colour is pleasingly pretty, but I feel it takes it into the similar realms as the Honda Jazz – the car infamous for the aged owners. I’m sure a usually reliable fellow hack once told me the average age of a Jazz owner was 65! At least in bold black with the privacy glass, and when clean, it appears a significantly more youthful model than in the pastel metallics more commonly seen.
Mody’s recently been on the receiving end of a side swipe scuff from some bumbling idiot who could hardly see over the dash of his aforesaid Jazz – he did however manage to prove astonishingly capable of a speedy exit out of Sainsbury’s car park when I tried to apprehend him for the damage he’d caused. Terribly bad form that don’t you think? Luckily, I believe the amount of mud on the car literally saved its skin as the scuff proved pretty superficial on closer inspection and after some soap and water. I now take extra precautions and park away from the entrance, where there are no other cars about. There is an upside though – at least its giving me some extra exercise.
So, despite the extra mileage, fight with the Jazz and perma-coating of mud on its sills, it’s still proving an utterly reliable, capable, practical car. I’ve no faults to report and its simply doing everything its asked. You can’t complain about that now, can you?
Drive Time
- Engine: 1461cc, 4 cylinder, turbodiesel
- Gearbox: 5-speed manual
- Max Power: 86bhp at 3,750rpm
- Max Torque: 148lb ft at 1,900rpm
- Max Towing Weight: 850kg
- Combined Consumption: 62.8mpg (govt. figures)
- 52.8mpg (on test)
- CO2 Emissions (Taxband): 119g/km (B)
- Max Speed: 107mph
- 0-62mph: 13.4secs
- Insurance Group: 4
- Date arrived: 19th July 2008
- Mileage on delivery: 326 miles
- Mileage to date: 4,209 miles
- Costs to date: None
- Faults to date: None
