Item: Used Peugeot 306 Cabriolet 1997 - 2003
Rating: 3
Author: What Car? Team

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Ownership cost

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Peugeot has its strongest model line-up for some years, with some of its cars now rated by our testers as being among the very best available.

Highlights focus around the firm’s newest SUVs, the 3008 and 5008. The 5008 was named Large SUV of the Year at the 2018 What Car? Awards, thanks to its appealing blend of space, interior quality and low running costs.

That bodes well for future launches, too, because many of the learnings from these cars will be passed on as new versions of existing cars are launched – something that could take many years, because the Peugeot range is so big, ranging from an entry-level supermini with the 108 to an executive saloon with the 508, up into the SUV range and also vans.

Buyers should evaluate some of the lower-rated cars in the range more carefully, though. Some are now quite old, and are subsequently left behind in terms of quality when compared with the opposition, making them below-average buys, in our estimation.

PEUGEOT

The Peugeot 306 Cabriolet has four seats and is fairly elegant, but it hasn't aged well

Used Peugeot 306 Cabriolet 1997 - 2003

Service intervals are every 9000 miles, so if you intend to use the car a lot you should budget accordingly, especially as engines can require a cambelt change every three years or 36,000 miles. However, to offset that you should be able to halve your labour bills by using an independent garage rather than a franchised dealer.

Despite the different engine sizes, fuel economy is fairly consistent. You should expect mid-30s on the smallest engine, falling to about 30mpg on the 2.0-litre.

According to Warranty Direct, the 306 family does have a number of weaknesses, including axles and suspension, brakes, engine and electrical system. So, you can expect to have to fork out for repairs.

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The Peugeot 306 Cabriolet has four seats and is fairly elegant, but it hasn't aged well

There was originally only a 2.0-litre engine option available. With just 123bhp, the car wheezed its way from 0-60mph in a sedate 10.8sec. In '96 a roadster edition was launched which included a removable hardtop and a host of extra goodies as standard.

The whole 306 range was revamped in '97 and the car was both longer and better equipped than before; 1.6-litre and 1.8-litre versions followed, the roadster edition continued and multipoint fuel injection finally came along in 2000.

It's better to go for the post-97 vehicles, but the 1.6 and 1.8 are both fairly feeble, so it's best to stick to the 2.0-litre. There is an automatic option on the 1.6 and 2.0 cars, but this isn't recommended.

Go for the higher-specced SE or one of the limited edition models; private sellers are the best place to pick one up.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

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What we're looking for:<ul><li>Wind-in-the-hair excitement</li> <li>Roof that’s quick and easy to raise and lower</li> <li>Comfortable seating for four adults</li> <li>Sufficient practicality for everyday use</li> <li>Little wind buffeting</li> <li>Quietness, whether the roof is up or down</li> <li>Minimal shaking and shimmying over bumps</li></ul>

Despite the British weather, UK car buyers are among the biggest enthusiasts for wind-in-your-hair motoring, so convertibles have always been surprisingly popular here. It’s best to be able to react to the fickle climate, though, so we’re after a roof that opens (and closes) slickly and quickly and good top-down cruising refinement.

There are precious few bespoke drop-tops these days, so your choice of models is generally limited to soft-top&nbsp;versions of existing models. Mini will sell you a drop-top version of its style-focused hatchback, if you’re after a bit of flair. The Audi A5&nbsp;Cabriolet, meanwhile, brings all of the benefits of the regular A5&nbsp;– refined engines and a beautifully finished interior. Alternatively, the much more expensive Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet is one of the most luxurious convertibles on sale.

Convertible

You're likely to come across a lot of high-mileage cars, and some will be in a tatty condition; avoid those that look excessively tired.

The hood is electrically operated so make sure the mechanism works smoothly and easily, and, while you're at it, check the hood for leaks, cuts and general wear. Walk away if the roof or its operation are suspect.

The clutch has a design flaw, and can break if not checked. If it feels too stiff, it probably needs attention. The 306 also has a habit of wearing out suspension bushes more quickly than expected. Camshaft seals and cambelts must be changed every three years or 36,000 miles, so check when it was last done, in case there's an unexpected bill around the corner.

There's a list of recalls on the 306 family as long as your arm, and some are important, so you should make sure they've been carried out. Go to vosa.gov.uk to check what was necessary.

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With styling by Pininfarina, an Italian design company more famous for designing Ferraris, the Peugeot 306 Cabriolet was a choice drop-top when it was introduced in 1994, being both classy and practical. It can seat four and its chiselled good looks have a lasting style.

The 306 hatchbacks have a great reputation for precise handling and good cornering, but the loss of the 306's metal roof has a big effect - imperfect road surfaces cause the whole car to shudder.

Build quality is poor by today's standards and the cabin has a distinctly '90's feel. But, at least the insulated hood does a reasonable job of keeping out road and wind noise, and the heated glass rear window is better than the plastic ones on the 306's contemporaries.

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Used Peugeot 306 Cabriolet 1997 - 2003 review

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