This week, Shed is a little unsure of itself. Despite minutes of office discussion, we can't decide whether this is a quirky and off-beat winner, or a wobbly and obscure French relic destined for an apathetic owner who thought it might have been Japanese until it broke on the way to Morrisons.
The Laguna first came along in 1993 to replace the ageing Renault 21. Our shed of the week was born in 1999, making it an early example of the facelifted 'B' version that ran from 1998 until an all-new Laguna took over in 2001. This means more than a few visual tweaks and some extra equipment, though - the RTi's V6 sprouted an extra couple of valves-per-cylinder during the facelift, taking it from 12 to 24 valves and gaining around 25bhp in the process. The same engine would later find its way (albeit in mildly tweaked form) into the Renaultsport Clio V6, and you'd struggle to call it weedy. Back in 1999 (and some 121,898 miles ago) this Laguna was supposedly putting out 194bhp, and was able to wobble to 60mph in around 7.5 seconds.
However, despite its reasonable poke this incarnation of the LX7 V6 was ultimately for cruising, not hooning, so most owners quite sensibly opted for an automatic slushbox. But not all of them, apparently. This car's first owner appears to have ovelooked that particular checkbox, but being the 'Executive' model he did still get standard leather upholstery, electric windows, sunroof and heated mirrors, automatic air conditioning, airbags, ABS, a heated windscreen, CD player and cruise control. What's more, bear in mind that an automatic 'box added a full second to the Laguna's 0-60 time, not to mention the dent it put in the already less-than-superb economy figures.
This particular car was part of a breed of 1990s high-spec saloons driven by upper-middle management types, still not allowed that Bimmer but hell-bent on having all of its toys. Many 'executive' spec Mondeos, Vectras, 406s and even a few Xantias still roam the country's motorway network, abandoned by their fleet directors and with former drivers now further up the management chain - leaving them to be enjoyed by Shed-hunters and minicab drivers alike. (Or scrapped for a new Fiesta...)
If you'll forgive its gearbox and general obscurity, you'll note this particular Laguna appears to be well-valeted (no guarantee of quality but always a good sign) and generally tidy, with four months of tax and 10 months left on its MOT. If the seller is to be believed, everything is still working and he even claims 35mpg is achievable (despite the car's original figure of 25 - wrong type of fuel...?). We're not quite sure what we'd do with it (Garlick suggested a possible BTCC-style track slag could emerge once some part-leather weight is shed and the suspension sorted out), but it's not a bad lump of metal for £950.
We remain undecided on this Shed. It could be an absolute gem, or simply the hardest car to sell in the world. But it's Friday and we're busy at the PistonHeads Show, so rather than fret further we hand the question over to you: Is this a Shed Of The Week or an actual shed? Are we thinking outside of the box, or scraping the bottom of the barrel? You decide...
Advert reads: Immaculate Laguna RTi, taxed till 4/10, m.o.t 10 months, 90% full service history lots of history and reciepts, last full service done november 2009. All documents and keys. Tyres all excellent, (although fronts may need changed in 5000 miles). Ultra reliable, 34 mpg all electrics full functional.
Good points no rust or dents, completely original, non smoker car, fantastic to drive.
Bad points interior speaker covers on front doors missing.
This has been a good car for me as i needed reliable transport for three months, and its been such an easy car to live with, any questions please phone, thank you.
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