Login   
C6owners :: Forums :: The Lounge :: The Lounge

A link to a film about a car I am proud to own

Home   Forum Rules    Forum Help  Conversion Tools
   
Please Register to enjoy additional Member Benefits
Top Thanked Forum Posts: Today | Week | Month | Year | All time | Most Thanks Given: To member | By user
Author Post
mark28   
Tue Oct 11 2011, 09:30pm
Joined: Apr 28 2010
Member No: #102
Location: Hampshire
- Click Here -
Chevrons   
Wed Oct 12 2011, 09:33am
Joined: Apr 10 2010
Member No: #85
Location: N. Staffs
Mark,

I always wanted an Espace from its introduction in the 80s, a brilliant Matra concept.
I was lucky enough to have a Grand Espace RTE for three years (2002 – 2005) and 85k miles. What a brilliant piece of transport – as light as a large car, carried six people and their luggage or four in spacious luxury, incredibly flexible seating and a van for the tip run, to boot.
The Avantime always seemed a little crazy, though beautiful – an Espace without the benefit of space and flexibility. Still, I’d love to have one as a toy – V6 please.
This was her 'For Sale' picture:


ciao_chao   
Thu Oct 13 2011, 09:08pm
Joined: Jun 15 2011
Member No: #518
Location: Buckinghamshire
When I can afford to collect cars, the Avantime will be on the list. It seems that all large French cars suffer a similar fate of being ahead of it's time, we all know what I'm referring to.

It's also sad that the majority of people pigeonhole French cars into cheap, practical runabouts.
Chevrons   
Fri Oct 28 2011, 09:28pm
Joined: Apr 10 2010
Member No: #85
Location: N. Staffs
Mark,

It seems there is a video of the Espace history there too:

- Click Here -

For me, pragmatically speaking, the best car design ever.
rogerandoutman   
Sat Oct 29 2011, 12:00pm
Joined: May 10 2011
Member No: #466
Location: London
having owned both an Espace and Avantime, I would agree the Espace was the most practicable, 6 up on a trip to the alps or as you say down to the dump, I also used mine as a company van.
The Avantime certainly got me noticed, but it did have some shortcomings, it was under developed. Matra diluted the original interor concept and saved money buy using many Espace parts. The modified espace chassis also, did not match the concept in terms of road holding and handling and too much time was spent getting the double hinged doors to function.
Compared to the C6 the Avantime now seems rather like a kit car from a specialist manufacturer.
gmerry   
Sat Oct 29 2011, 01:03pm
Joined: Dec 11 2009
Member No: #21
Location: Scotland
With all the praise going to the Espace, did anyone ever drive a Previa when they were new.

Mid engined balance!
mark28   
Sat Oct 29 2011, 01:36pm
Joined: Apr 28 2010
Member No: #102
Location: Hampshire
I still own my Avantime and feel that it is not really possible to compare it fairly to the C6

I love them both for different reasons. The C6 is so much more comfortable and the ride is out of this world. The driving position of the Avantime is much better and open air mode takes some beating even when I have the roof down on my old SL

The Avantime was never meant to be used as a MPV or to be practical. It was aimed at Mum and dad who had owned a Escape and now the kids had grown up and moved away they wanted something similar but very different all at the same time !
 

Jump:     Back to top

User Colour Key:
Head Administrator, Administrator, C6 owner, Technical Expert, C6 Premier Discount Club