USED Peugeot 406 Saloon (96 - 04)

My car

I bought this car six years ago for £3500 with 52k on the clock. It has been amazing, great to drive, comfortable, quick enough, quiet, fun to throw about and really economical.It always does 45mpg plus, and I have seen 55mpg, which combined with the huge fuel tank means 700 miles per tank.

It has been cheap to run, and reliable up to 200k miles, but since then everything has started to wear out, not unreasonably, I suppose, but it's made the last 55k a bit expensive. Sadly, then, I'll have to let it go, but I'm pleased to leave here a eulogy for a truly great car!

My car

I should explain that I did not choose this car, it was kindly passed on to me by my father-in-law. This is a car which excels in many areas but fails miserably in others. Mine is a 51 plate with 68K.

The car is at its best on a relaxed cruise. The ride quality is exceptional. The handling is much better than I had expected with very little body roll and good steering. The engine is very refined. The refinement is ruined however by the appalling cabin quality. As soon as you have solved one rattle or buzzing noise another appears and the wind noise at 70+mph is significant. The equipment levels are very generous. LX is one above entry level but there are a lot of toys included.

The engine's performance is absolutely pathetic. 90bhp! I mean 90! In a 1.4 ton saloon, it is seriously underpowered most noticeably around town. It also has a far greater turbo-lag effect than other diesels I have driven. I have fitted a simple common-rail chip to up the power to 115bhp which makes it just about acceptable (an approach I can recommend). I have had a number of reliability issues, mostly small things in the cabin but a couple of major mechanical faults such as corrosion of ABS components.

I can only recommend this car over the competition if you principally want a relaxed economical cruiser that is cheap to buy and well equipped. Otherwise, get a Mondeo as they are much more reliable, better all round performers and just as cheap a second hand buy.

My car

i owen a 02 rapier hdi and i hate it it has broke down more times than i can remember first the fuel sender unit went then the coms unit for the air bags went and at 76000miles i had to replace the camshaftsensor and timeing belt and camshaftpully which cost me £600 i will never buy another 406

My car

By far the best car I have owned. Overall reliable, extremely comfortable, fairly economical for a large bodied saloon in petrol form, a good dependable friend and understatedly goodlooking.

A cracking alternative to a Vectra,Mondeo or other euro or japanese clone.

Only niggling faults let this car down. If you crave good ride quality and a nice comfortable car to drive then do consider a 406.

The higher spec models have sumptious comfort, the base LX model is good but the seats are less supportive. Also good range of engines and trim levels. I previously owned a Ford Granada which was superb and it was almost like driving an armchair, the Peugeot is the only car Ive driven that is similar (aside from Citroens which have exemplary ride quality)

All in all definately worth considering, large boot, reasonable economy in petrol form but go for the HDi diesel series - that will be my next buy - have test driven a lot of more modern cars they arent quite as good in the ride quality department and dont quite impress as much as my 406; a car that will definately grow on you.

Interiors are a bit shabby and dont fair that well, but all in all a good reliable friend who will just plod on without fuss.