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I love this period of Renault and thought the Avantime and Vel Satis as really special, interesting examples of what the French were good at alongside making great hot hatches. My (totally unfounded I should add) worry would be parts availability for them being that they didn't sell many in the UK.
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My cousin's hubby (who works for Renault in Le Mans factory) used to have one. He loved that car. I don't know much about it myself other than it's definitely as quirky as a Fiat Multipla, at least. ;)
Considering you have dog, bikes, stuff to move, I'd say an estate would fit the bill. I was myself looking at the Golf estate 1.9TD or other VW/Skoda numbers like the Passat. I really like my car but the £550 VED p.a. does sting. If I had the money, I'd get a XF Sportbrake.
This morning I'm mostly admiring this: https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1167676
But I'm not sure how I'd carry bikes as there are no mounting points for a roof rack, and not sure if it could have a tow bar fitted...
EDIT: I'm aware it's not a typical petrol heads car, but it's quirky and satisfies my love of renaults...