French polish - one of the best constructed French car ever made and a Renault that you could recommend anyone to buy. Those family buyers looking for a peace of mind alternative on the used market no longer have to buy Japanese.

There's an old adage which suggests that it costs as much to get it right as it does to get it wrong. Ask Ford, whose newer models have just about erased the memory of earlier failures. Renault, too, have not only learned their lessons the hard way but have also put them to good use. In 1994, evidence arrived in the UK in the form of the French giant's medium range Laguna line-up, offered first in five-door form and subsequently as an estate. The car swiftly became a sales success, so much so that it's now plentiful on the second-hand market. In terms of value for money, the high-spec RT trim level is a good bet and, in combination with the 1.8-litre engine on earlier cars and the 16-valve 1.6 on later examples, provides possibly the best combination of performance and economy.

RENAULT LAGUNA HISTORY

Initially in 1994, buyers had a choice of 1.8, 2.0 or 3.0-litre V6 power. A multi-valve 2.2-litre normally aspirated diesel soon followed (in April 1995), and at the same time, a 16v 2.0-litre petrol unit. Estates first appeared in late 1995, while turbo diesel engined cars were added in the summer of 1996. Trim levels initially ranged from RN through RT and RTi to RXE. Air conditioning was added to many models as standard equipment at the end of 1996, while the V6 hatchback was discontinued in mid 1997, pending the release of an all-new 24-valve engine of the same capacity. This was introduced with a revised range announced early in 1998. This featured subtle styling tweaks, new 16v 1.6 and 1.8-litre engines, a new normally aspirated direct injection 1.9-litre diesel and a new sporting V6 manual gearbox RTi model. Further revisions were announced in the summer of 1999 when Renault's 16v 2.0-litre engine, the same 140bhp unit used to power the latest Espace, was slotted in. By now the trim levels included Alize, Sport, RT Sport, Executive and Monaco. In December 1999, Renault's first common rail diesel, the 1.9 dCi, replaced the 2.2dT unit. A radical replacement was introduced in early 2001 with a couple of all-new engines and adventurous styling. Available as a hatch or a Sport Tourer, the Laguna II offered such innovations as a keyless go system using a credit card sized 'key', on board tyre pressure monitoring and Brake Assist programs that work hand in hand with the stability control program.

WHAT DO I GET FOR MY MONEY?

Arguably the best medium range car in the class - probably the best all-rounder. Even a brief drive confirms it as a class leader - no mean feat in a category which now includes some of the best cars in the business. From the moment that you 'thunk' the solid door shut and manipulate the telescopic wheel to achieve the perfect driving position, it's clear that this is a car which knows its brief inside out. Moreover, the squashy seats, strong ventilation, perfectly placed switchgear and airy cabin remind you of the fact every time you step inside.

WHAT PRICE AM I LOOKING AT?

Expect to pay around £1900 for the first of the 1.8-litre RN spec cars. A more typical price is just under £1,500 for a 97P-registered 1.8. Plusher RT spec is worth about £150 more, model for model. Estates meanwhile, command a premium of at least £50 over the five-door hatch. Budget around £1,100 for a standard 2.0-litre on an M-plate or £1,825 on a 98R, while 3.0 V6 models start at around £1,300 but are rare. The 2.2-litre diesels start from around £1,200 on M-plates and are a good high-mileage buy. Looking at the revised post-May 1998 facelift cars (pick them by their bright orange rear indicator lights), the 1.6 16-valve RN starts at about £1,700 and the air conditioned RT is another £200 or so. The 1.8s (from October on 98S plates) are around £2,025 to start in RT with RT Sport trim adding about £200. Two-litre cars are tricky. The earlier 16-valve engine is only in the sporty RTi, priced from about £2,025; the old eight-valver soldiered on in the RT (from £2,025) and RXE (from £2,300) until mid-1999. The 24-valve V6s are great value if you can afford the fuel bills. Prices start as low as £2,450 for a 98R Executive that originally cost £22,000 new and something like a 99V Monaco is, at £3,000 or so, less than half the cost new. Diesels from June 1999 had the direct injection 1.9dTi unit with either RT (from £2,775 on 99T plates) or Alize (from £2,900) trim.

WHAT SHOULD I LOOK OUT FOR?

Very little goes wrong - but then the Laguna is a relatively recent design. Look for the usual signs of leggy fleet use - soggy seats and suspension and a generally worn feel. The V6-engined cars can be thirsty. There's a huge selection out there so take your time and choose wisely and be sure you know exactly what you're getting as there were numerous specification and engine updates.

HOW DOES IT DRIVE?

This is a car which had to be fun to drive, even if outright performance was not a priority. So it is that, despite unremarkable mechanicals in the earlier versions, the Laguna really does flow from corner to corner with impressive finesse. You don't want to know the nitty-gritty of how the result's been achieved; just head for the nearest country lane and try it for yourself. The power-assisted steering - which is standard across the complete Laguna line-up - is direct enough in feel to contribute to your enjoyment. Nor should the five-speed gearbox detract from things, though enthusiastic drivers may wish that it was a little less vague in its action. Whilst the 3.0-litre flier boasts the largest engine in the Mondeo/Vectra class, other Lagunas place outright speed as less of a priority. The RT 1.8 and 2.0-litre eight valve models that are most common on the used market are competitive against the clock, the 1.8 reaching 60 from rest in 12.3 seconds on the way to a top speed of 112mph.

BY JONATHAN CROUCH

PARTS INFORMATION

(approx based on a Laguna 1.8 or 2.0) A full exhaust system is about £150. A clutch assembly will be around £145 and brake pads are around £40 a set. An alternator should be close to £130 and a radiator with aircon around £230. A starter motor is up to £95 and a front headlamp is about £40.