Daily 'what Car To Buy' Thread - Brilliant!

[AJA_GTi 0]

For the 'missus' and 2 little ones.

 

We're on the hunt for a new second car after the Meriva has decided to lose all brake light and indicators and, understandibly she doesnt feel safe in it anymore. And I'm pretty pissed off with it to be honest being a car for 'families' but that's another story.

 

Keeping it on theme we fancy an 06/07 307 2.0 hdi 136bhp. Seen a few bits on youtube and they seem quite nippy and frugal as well as having an decent occupant ncap rating etc.

 

'She wants' an XSI/ GT model with toys and stuff. (Read: 'I want' as I dont feel part of my local group anymore since selling the 205 )

 

I did a Scotland run in a base model and it seemed good although I didnt drive. I understand electrics were revised after 2005 as gremlins were occuring hense 06-07 plate is what we're after.

 

We're booked for a test drive in a nice GT on Saturday so that should tell me a lot.

 

Can anyone add anything having driven/ owned one? (I'm not really too arsed about alternatives but if anything is of similar size (She's s*ite at parking)/ spec that would be worth a look then please shout up)

 

Thanks in advance - Andy

[Atari Boy 11]

I think Henry has a diesel 307, there is an article about it in the latest edition of Torque.

[GLPoomobile 958]

Not a direct comparison, but fairly close. I rented a 308 HDI a couple of months ago. To be brutally honest, I have nothing good to say about it except that economy wise it was damned impressive, and the trip computer was one of the better ones I've used if you like to keep a 'real time' eye on that side of things

 

I didn't like the interior design and ergonomics, and the ride quality was complete s*it.

 

On the other hand, I rented a new Fiesta diesel twice in the weeks prior to the 308. Sure, it's a much smaller car, but like so many modern 'small' cars it's actually a decent size inside. I thought the Fiesta was head and shoulders above the 308. Not quite as economical (not sure what engine size was in each but I suspect the Fiesta was a smaller unit) but still easily returned 50mpg + on the motorway. Much, much nicer interior. Beter quality switch gear, better ergonomics, far superior ride quality and feels a more solid car. The only single gripe I had with the Fiesta was a tiny little squeek from the side of the dashboard.

 

I won't mention the diesel 3 series Sport Touring I had after the 308 as it's hardly a fair comparisson, but by god that was a seriously nice motor compared to the 308

Edited January 6, 2011 by GLPoomobile

[Peetypug 5]

there is a silver 1.6 xsi in congleton and a 2.0 in meir heath (far end of stoke) we looked at them both but are going vag now

[Richie 32]

Personally my old 307 hdi was nothing but ball ache. It made my 205 seem to have Toyota reliability in comparison. But then there is a chap on here who has had one for 5 years or something and never had a problem, so i read.

 

For me in a nutshell, very comfy and nice place to sit, braked well, even handled quite nice. Electrical nightmare though. Every day i had a new electrical problem, brake lights went every month. Everytime i see a 307 it has a brake light out.

 

For me there are better cars for the money, but if you do go for it i hope you get a good one!

[AJA_GTi 0]

Hmmmmmmmm 2005+ Focus is looking more tempting now I think.

 

I cant believe that modern cars have breaklight problems still. As I said before about the Meriva it could be the difference between a rear end smash from an artic. Ludicrous. the only reason we found out about the breaklights on the Vaux. was by chance someone we knew had to follow us that day.

 

At least with VAG they have warning light for everything including brake bulbs. A bit annoying sometimes when dash lights are on but not when you consider the consiquenses.

 

Cheers for the replies folks

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

Try and get one with parking sensors if you can if she is terrible at parking. Just look for little things like car mats and mudflaps as they are good to have.

 

The 308 Feline came out before the GT and this is the same 180 bhp engine. Not sure they did a diesel version any higher than an XSi though but I could be wrong.

 

Spot the difference!!

[AJA_GTi 0]

The numberplate!?

[welshpug 1,657]

I'm sure they did a DTurbo early on.

 

Not a 307, but my brother in law had the dilema of choosing a new Company car after his Mk2 Octavia was written off.

 

the list was 207 or 308 1.6 HDI, Focus 1.8 TDCI, Astra CDTI, and IIRC the Megane 1.9 DCI, the 2.0 higher powered HDI wasn't on the list as it would have cost too much.

 

Went for the 308 in the end, best fuel economy, best seats, boot space was very good too, as they got the SW.

 

myself having been in all the cars bar the Megane would choose the 308 as its very comfy, actually does handle well, BUT it certainly is not a sporting pug, though still drives like a pug, road noise I found was lowest in the pug.

 

My brief experiences of the 307 has only been working on them and driving around the yard at work, and I'd agree that the later ones seem better screwed together trim wise, mechanicals are much the same, typical pug and not bad to work on.