USED Peugeot 307 Hatchback (01 - 09)

My car

This is my partner's car. When looking for a 307, I went for a 55-reg which is the facelift one with the newer electrics. I bought it as an ex-demo with 6000 miles in August 2006.

To date, with 20,000 miles on the clock, this car has not missed a beat. There have been no probelms at all. It returns excellent fuel economy - I average 51mpg.

Everything electrical still works and being the SE model, there is a lot that could go wrong, so I think the facelift ones from 55-reg on are far better than the earlier models, where there seems to be a lot of trouble.

I would buy another Peugeot when I change this one, probably a 308 or 207 with the same 110bhp HDi engine, which is brilliant.

My car

I picked up a 307 today as a hire car, and within 100 yards I wasn't happy. The 1.6 engine is slow to respond and revs without doing much.

The clutch is not progressive enough and the gearbox is very vague and notchy. I got to the office car park, went for reverse, and crunch (no, I didn't crash it). You have to be absolutely stationary before selecting reverse or it crunches its way into gear.

I took the car out a little later and the drive is utterly average. The brakes are too sharp, the steering is lifeless and the car does not inspire any confidence.

There are far too many stalks on the steering column and the buttons on the centre console are too small.

I have had a new Astra for five months and it was a joy, partly because it was a nice torquey diesel, but mostly because it is a better car in every way. Roll on my new Focus.

My car

I replaced my 54-plate 206 1.4 Zest with an ex-dealer 55-plate 307 HDI110 S model.

Firstly I chose the late 2005 facelifted model, as I knew that there are electronic problems with the earlier 307 models. The late 2005 models have Bosch electronics which appear to be very reliable indeed (I was comparing my 307 to a new Honda Civic which seems to have the same kit)

As for the 1.4 engines mentioned on here, these seem to be touch and go when it comes to reliablity - although it seems to be more the ECU software being mince.

The 1.6 HDI engine is absolutely fantastic, I get 56.9mpg on average.

Build quality is OK, its far better than the 206 I have to say. The driving position is usually a bit weird on these French vehicles, I've got used to it as I have driven Peugeot Partners, Experts and currently have a Renualt Kangoo for work.

I've generally found Peugeot to be very reliable, I only use my car at weekends now, but I have driven over 30K each year in their vans and they only required front tyres and pads after 40K (and thats hard driving!)

I certainly won't be giving up my 307 for a Golf!

My car

Bought mine early in 2007 after a lot of bad luck with a Golf.

Thought I would get something newer as the golf was costing me a fortune but this has'nt been any better although it is a 53 plate compared to my P plate golf.

The 1st signs of any bother was when it started overheating, when I put it into the garage they changed a radiator hose and said it was fine, they also changed the starter motor (under warranty!!! I was surprised by that) 2 weeks later it starts overheating again, it goes back in and they can't find any fault so I've been sitting in rush hour traffic everyday with the heating up full to keep the engine temp down (don't know if that is doing the car any favours but this is what the garage suggested)

Put it in for a service last week, needed the usual wear and tear repairs, asked them to check the overheating again but still no diagnosis and they said I needed a new cylinder head gasket which was luckily covered buy warranty (the car has only done 37000 miles) they had it a week, now I've got it back it won't select gears properly and a new drooning noise is coming off the engine.

MOT is up next month and I can safely say it will be traded in before then. I'm going to take a hit thru the financing but it will be worth it to get rid of this pig in a poke!!!

Only good thing is I paid extra for a years warranty which has probably saved me about £1000

I would not recommend a PUG 307 to anyone.