Espace III end of an era.

[mickc]

Well, after much heart-searching, it is with sadness that I will have to let go of the last of my phase 3 Grand Espaces, a 52 plate (2002) 2.0i 16V with only just over 134k on the clock. Age is against me and it is getting harder for me to keep it maintained. I've had Espaces since the 1990's, starting with an old K-Reg.

So, I'm posting this just in case anyone would like a new project or is in need of spares (I also still have parts from my 1999 V-reg).

I'd love to see an electric conversion done for it - well, maybe not now!

Now, here's the thing, I'm struggling to find an alternative. Any suggestions on what to replace it with? I still want to carry a 16ft canadian canoe and tow 500kg! A BEV is out of the question; a PHEV might be suitable, bearing in mind I'm in a rural setting. To be honest though, I don't think Renault do what I want - so it could be an end of an era on this forum too.

[Anders Dinsen]

We let ours go last year as it simply didn't make sense anymore and I did not have the time and energy to keep it on the road. Living in the suburbs of Copenhagen, I only have a small garage, so no place to store it. We have bought a VW id.buzz. Compared to the Grand Espace it has two fewer seats, but is taller so our grown up children fits in the back, and also it's a BEV, which is a must for us. I still miss the Grand Espace and smile every time I see one. I understand your dilemma and hope someone will be able to make use of yours!

/Anders

[mhi]

Our Espace II will also be for sale as soon as I get round to it, too. Its successor is a Nissan e-NV200 Evalia, also 7 seats (but removing the back two needs a socket set, unlike the Espace, and the middle row likewise but I haven't needed to yet). If you can live with the modest range, one of these might be worth considering. It can tow, can fit a proper roof rack, and is on balance slightly nicer to drive than the Espace.

The Espace has passed two MoTs without problems since we pretty much ceased using it; it's done about 212 000 miles or 342 000 km over 30 years. I'd love to see an electric conversion, too, but time and budget are not in its favour. (I think the power train and electronics of a Nissan Leaf would fit, with a lot of small modifications, and a custom battery under the Espace floor.)