USED Peugeot 406 Estate (96 - 04)

My car

I do 70,000 miles a year. With the back seats down, there is room for a dance. Carrying heavy loads does seem to go through back tyres quickly, although there is little deterioration in handling.

It eats motorway miles with ease due to the high torque and high gearing. The sat nav can be unreliable - sometimes it doesn't initialise or claims the disc is missing, once it decided to go through its complete repertoire of directions mid journey. There is no way to force it to re-initialise (like a power off button), you just have to wait for it to regain the plot.

Apparently, it can be rechipped to produce 175bhp which would make it a much better car.

My car

The Peugeot 406 estate may now be rather old fashioned but it delivers a good combination of comfort, carrying capacity and economy.

It has very capable roadholding and the fine suspension smothers road irregularities and the car never looses its tenacious grip - even though the tyres are rather narrow by latest standards.

Fuel economy is very good, ranging from 44mpg to 49mpg (28mpg when towing at 85% kerb weight). The load bay will accomodate two bikes with the wheels removed with the rear seats up - great for holidays.

The climate control has to set quite high to get enough heat in really cold weather but the air-conditioning is very good with little effect on economy. Yes, I have had to have two new indicator stalks, but Peugeot now seems to have sorted this well known problem.

The radiator fan was also replaced (recall job) and the radiator caused by tiny leak. Not good but better than my previous car, a Saab 9-5 Aero.

The local dealer (small family business) are very helpful. The 'Pug' has great character as a friendly comfortable load lugger and is a bargain at current prices. It will be very difficult to replace as few newer rivals can match the cargo space or the elegant lines of one of the most successful medium price estates ever.