FANCY a long weekend on the mid-Wales coast, riding four up with luggage and leisure gear?
Then back to work for a week, and how about repeating the same trip?
And let's do it without visiting any filling stations!
Impossible? Well, I have just managed that - theoretically at least.
At the end of a week driving a diesel powered Renault Laguna estate, which included that journey to Wales as well as commuting to my office in Birmingham, the onboard computer was showing the car still had 300 miles to go before empty - enough for another trip to Wales.
OK, I was trying to be frugal on the fuel consumption front but the results from this 2.2 litre diesel were astounding.
Admittedly, when driven this way, the engine is not the most exciting I have had the pleasure to know, but certainly it is one of the most miserly.
All in all I was averaging just in excess of 50 miles to the gallon and that exceeds Renault's published figures of 45mpg for this latest generation of common rail diesel injection engine.
Yes, it can perform, but you have to bury your foot deep to the floor to bring any life from the engine and while it does that it develops a hefty thirst.
Statistically this estate has a 0 to 60mph acceleration time of ten seconds and a reported top speed of 133mph, which is all very satisfying but not its best feature.
Take it nice and easy and this car will reward you to the hilt.
Not only does the top range Laguna Initiale come with virtually everything fitted as standard - and that includes climate control and satellite navigation - but it is also exceptionally roomy and practical.
Eighteen cubic feet does not sound like a lot of luggage space for an estate but the load area is so wide and flat it can eat almost anything you throw at it. Strip it out and fold down the rear seats and there is 64 cu ft to play with - and that is enough to make it a serious load lugger.
What is so pleasant about the Laguna Sport Tourer, which is what Renault calls this estate, is that this is a car which does the business in every respect.
Leather upholstery, cruise control, a multi-change CD player - you name it and it has got it. Electrically adjustable front seats with a memory setting for the driver, a large sun roof and splendid appointments, such as a wide and comfy armrest in the rear that opens out to become a storage area as well as providing two cup holders, are all part of this £22,000 package.
And this being the first car ever to achieve a five star NCAP safety rating it is also fitted with virtually every known safety device.
Even better it sneaks into the environmentally friendly territory on exhaust emissions with a CO2 figure of 170g/km which results in a 19 per cent tax hit for the company car user - although that is little cheer for the private buyer who would pay £150 a year road tax.
Mind you, most of the 2.0 litre-plus diesel opposition - such as the Audi A4 Avant, the Mercedes C Class and the BMW 3 Series Touring - fail to offer any significant tax advantages, although the smaller capacity Ford Mondeo and Citroen C5 do.
Put it into perspective and this Renault not only goes a long way on one tank of fuel but it is bang on target in so many respects.
Smart touches, such as the integrated sun blind for the rear side windows and a tray in the centre console which allows a mobile phone to be hooked up to the car's 12 volt supply, are simply bonuses.
This is a car which exhibits absolute value for money. Take in a three year warranty, 12 year anti-corrosion protection and a three year RAC deal and anyone would be daft not to pay the Laguna close scrutiny.
FAST FACTS
Renault Laguna 2.2dCi Initiale Sport Tourer
Price: £22,385
Mechanical: 150bhp, 2,188cc, 4cyl turbodiesel engine driving front wheels via 5spd gearbox
Max Speed: 133
0-62mph: 10secs
Combined mpg: 44.1
Insurance Group: 11
CO2 emissions: 170g/km
BiK rating: 19%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 12yrs antirust; 3yrs paint.