We've had some reviews of some brilliantly utilitarian van-based cars on CompleteCar.ie this week (Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life, Citroen Berlingo Multispace) so it seems like a good time to track down one of the originals, a Renault Kangoo. Boxy, simple, spacious and solid, the Kangoo is the kind of car we'd all buy if badge snobbery was outlawed in the morning.
Cheap to buy and run, but with cathedral-like space inside, it's the very definition of practical motoring. Watch for weak clutches and make sure the timing belt on diesel models has been done (a full service history helps, which the one we've found has...) and check the cabin carefully for signs of excessive wear and tear. Once you've done all that, you can go full 'Year in Provence' every time you pop to the shops for une baguette.
Click here to view our #FridayFind used car - 2005 Renault Kangoo 1.5 dci
It's Le Mans weekend and that means the CompleteCar.ie team's various heads are buzzing with tales of derring-do on the Mulsanne, of Moss, Fangio, Ickx, Bell, Stuck and Kristensen. There's no other race quite like it and the best thing is that there are recognisable road cars out on the track amongst all the high-tech prototypes. So, you'll be wanting some appropriate wheels to help you soak up the Le Mans atmosphere, and maybe even organise a drive down to La Sarthe for next year's race?
You could go the obvious route and pick a Porsche or a diesel Audi or a hybrid Toyota, but how about this - a Jag? Jaguar won the race five times back in the fifties and twice more in the eighties, so the pedigree is there. How about this gloriously gorgeous XKR coupe, with its 500hp 4.2-litre supercharged V8 engine. Loud, thirsty and brilliant. If there is any smoke or rattles from the engine, walk away, and that goes ditto for the gearbox if it's making noise or doesn't pick up a shift properly.
Click here to view our #FridayFind used car - 2003 Jaguar XKR 4.2 Supercharged