2005 Peugeot 307 Reviews

The very French Peugeot 307 is stylish machine, though it retains a fair touch of conservatism in its shape to try and make it a timeless design. That has succeeded, the 307 reached us downunder way back in December 2001 and still looks fashionable enough today. The Europeans frequently use Peugeot 307s as family

French carmakers have long had an on-again, off-again relationship with this country, which has made buying one a test of faith in the brand.NEWFollowing victories in rallies such as the Round Australian trials dating back to the 1950s Peugeot has been held in high regard, but periods of absence or little activity have pushed them to the back of the market to the point they often get overlooked when buyers go shopping. For that reason the 307 was pushing uphill in a very competitive market segment when it arrived on the scene in 2001.At its launch it was only available as a five-door hatch, but a wagon was added to the range a year later. The 307 followed the styling trend of the day. It was rather upright and had a long sloping bonnet that merged with a steeply raked windscreen. Inside, it was quite roomy with the driver and front seat passenger enjoying a comfortable ride in well-shaped and supportive seats.Rear passengers weren't afforded quite the same comfort with legroom a little restricted, forcing those in the front seats to compromise by sliding their seats forward a little to accommodate them. Luggage capacity was reasonable, with the 60/40 split-fold rear seat adding to its load-carrying flexibility.There were three engines on offer at the launch of the 306, a base 1.6-litre four-cylinder that left you feeling a little flat, a 2.0-litre four that pepped you up, and a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel that left you feeling good at the end of the week. A choice of five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions was available, one of the autos had sports shifting, and the final drive was via the front wheels.If French cars struggle to match their Japanese rivals in value-for-money terms they appeal when it comes to their on-road manners and the 307 was no different. With a nicely balanced chassis it handled well, steered nicely, and rode comfortably to boot. It was a treat to drive.NOWFeedback from 307 owners varies from super critical to heaps of praise. Some love the comfort and general driving experience they have had, others report nightmares of unreliability and expense.  From what we've heard the fit and finish of the cabin is variable and bits and pieces of trim fall off with regularity. It also seems that the 307 is plagued by electrical gremlins.Mechanically it appears quite robust, although we had one report of a blown head gasket at around 150,000 km. With most showing around 150,000 km on the odometer it's necessary to thoroughly check any car before laying out your cash. Check all systems to make sure they are working; you don't want to get home and find the air-conditioning is on the blink.You should also go on a reasonably long road test taking in as many road conditions as possible, listening for any suspension knocks or clunks, rattles or pinging from the engine, whining and the like from the transmission and drivelines. Along the way head to a car park or open area where you can drive the car slowly in a tight turning circle in both directions while listening for any noises or shuddering that might suggest worn drive shafts.Also make sure your potential purchase has been regularly serviced with regular oil changes. It's also worth finding a Peugeot mechanic to service your car, many owners complain about the cost of Peugeot dealer servicing and the price of parts.SMITHY SAYSCan be rewarding to drive, but can also be a nightmare if you choose the wrong car.Peugeot 307 2001-2005Price new: $28,190 to $33,690Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cylinder, 80 kW/147 Nm; 2.0-litre 4-cylinder, 100 kw/190 Nm; 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, 66 kW/205 NmTransmission: 4-speed auto, 5-speed manualEconomy: 6.4 L/100 km (1.6), 7.9 L/100 km (2.0); 5.4 L/100 km (2.0 TD) Body: 5-door hatch, 4-door wagonVariants: 1.6, 2.0, 2.0 HDi, XS HDi, XSE, XSiSafety: 4-star ANCAP

Peugeot has long been highly regarded in this country. They won respect for their worthy efforts in the early Round Australia Trials, which were regarded as a true test of a car in the early days.In recent times they have had a more chequered time. At one time they were assembled here, but that was some years ago and they have been imported for many years now.In those recent years the brand hasn’t always been well supported and it has lost some of the lustre it once had as a consequence.Build quality has always been an issue with French cars and Peugeot has suffered from inconsistent quality, and it wasn’t always helped by a lack of support from dealers or importers.The 307 replaced the 306 in 2001 and came well credentialed having been voted European Car of the Year for 2002.While it replaced the 306 it was significantly larger than its predecessor. While the 306 was regarded as a small car, the 307 was a size larger, almost a mid-sized model.But along with the extra size came an airy and roomy interior, which provided comfortable accommodation for four, or five at a pinch.While French cars are usually renowned for their comfortable, absorbent ride, the 307 didn’t fit the mould.Peugeots have always been regarded as having a supple suspension that has delivered a most comfortable ride, without having a negative effect on the handling, but the 307’s ride was more nervous and without the absorbency of other Peugeots.On the road it showed a nice balance with good grip and communicative steering, and a solid braking feel. Overall it was a nice package.There were two petrol engines and a diesel offered in the 307. The petrol engines consisted of a 1.6-litre double overhead cam four that produced 80 kW and 147 Nm and a 2.0-litre DOHC four that produced 100 kW and 190 Nm; the 2.0-litre single overhead am diesel boasted 66 kW and 206 Nm.The transmission choices were a five-speed manual, which had a rather imprecise shift, and a four-speed auto, which was quite a limiting factor when it came time to get up and go.In auto form the 1.6-litre 307 was best described as lethargic. Even with the right foot buried deep in the carpet, and the air turned off, the acceleration could easily be measured using the progress of the sun.In manual form it was a different story. With relatively short gearing the five-speed manual car got off the line quickly and with a good torque spread it was a nice easy car to drive.It took 11 seconds or so to reach 100 km/h from a standstill, with another 7.5 seconds needed to cover the standing 400-metre dash. Its top speed was 190 km/h.The 2.0-litre was clearly quicker, and quite a nice little performer, while the turbo diesel delivered at the pump.Initially the 307 came in hatchback form, but a wagon and a convertible were added to the range in 2003.The XS 1.6 five-door was the mainstay of the range and came with a host of standard equipment including front and side airbags, ABS with brake force distribution, cloth trim, power windows, remote central locking, air-conditioning, immobilizer, and CD player. The XS could also be had with the diesel engine.In addition there was XSE five-door, which had the 2.0-litre engine plus a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and five-stacker CD system.Atop the range sat the XSi three-door that also had the 2.0-litre engine plus leather trim and 17-inch alloy wheels.Build quality was inconsistent at first and there were a few problems as a result. The 307 seemed to be plagued by electrical gremlins that can be frustrating to sort out.Some owners complain about the rate of brake wear that has them replacing pads and discs relatively frequently. There is also some complaint about the brake dust that builds up on wheels.Seats tend to collapse at low kays when the cushion material breaks down.Paint quality is also an issue so keep an eye pealed for blotchy marks and faded areas on exposed surfaces.It seems that most owners rate the 307 quite highly when all goes well, but quickly become frustrated when problems develop.It’s a good idea to find a dealer with experience working on Peugeots, as some dealers appear to struggle to diagnose and fix faults when they occur, while other dealers appear to be on top of things and fix problems quickly.The 307 boasted an impressive array of airbags that provided a comprehensive package of protection when things turned nasty. All models had front airbags for the driver and passenger, plus front side airbags and front and rear curtain airbags.With antiskid ABS braking, electronic brake force distribution and emergency brake assist, along with good chassis fundamentals, the 307 makes an attractive buy on safety grounds.Richard Powell has owned his 307 HDi for just over three years and has traveled 105,000 km in it. In that time the only real problem he’s had has been the replacement of two blinker assemblies, which was done under warranty and the plastic air, flow director underneath the car getting destroyed on country roads. It has proven very economical approaching 5.0 L/100 km on long trips and just over 6.0 L/100 km around town. It is very comfortable on long journeys and just seems to eat away the kilometres, but the suspension can bottom when loaded and going over rough roads. The car drives, brakes and handles well, all very predictable. It is not very quick off the mark, but once there can cruise at high speed all day and is not slowed down by hills.Rohan Matthews has owned his 2003 307 HDi wagon for three years and it now has 90,000 km on the clock. He had problems with the gearbox, which was eventually traced to an incorrectly fitted bearing on the main shaft. He also had problems with the dashboard display, which kept failing, and the indicators, which have had to be replaced four times. The stereo head unit has been replaced four times and the latest is also faulty. The padding in the front seats is failing, even at the low kilometres. There has also been an issue with the spare wheel winch, which failed the second time it was used, and the paint quality is poor. Worst of all, he says, is the poor customer service he had received from Peugeot. Even though it is nice to drive he tells people to steer clear of Peugeot and buy a car that has the backing of a company who gives a damn.In contrast David Cooper has had few problems with the 307 1.6 five-speed manual he owned for 2.5 years before trading up to the newer model. He says it was a great car that he enjoyed driving, made even better by changing the dreadful Dunlop tyres for Michelins at 30,000 km, which improved the whole feel of the car.David Wryell has had his Peugeot 307 XSE for just over three years and feels it is a much better car than most media reports say. Big comfy seats that don't give him the niggling back ache that most of the Japanese cars he has owned did are unbeatable. The Peugeot doesn't float on the suspension like his last Volkswagen did and doesn't depreciate like a Renault. Dealer servicing has been very good, and combined with 7.0 L/100 km on the highway it is reasonably cheap to run.Richard Campbell is in the depths of despair trying to sort out his daughter’s 307 XSE. It’s done just 25,000 km, and has been suffering from an intermittent electrical gremlin for two years that affects the starting. So far dealers and auto electricians have been unable to trace the problem, which is heard as a clicking noise under the bonnet without the starter engaging, or sometimes a long cranking period without the engine firing. His daughter loves the car on the rare occasion it performs and starts first time. One of the reasons she purchased the car was the safety feature of six airbags and the visibility, but she is now totally disillusioned with it.• Patchy and faded paint• Check all electrical systems are working• Faulty sound systems• Roomy and comfortable interior• good chassis dynamics• modest performance• diesel frugality• Inconsistent build quality• Variable dealer serviceRoomy and comfortable smallish car with good driving dynamics, but with questionable quality.

Mainstream petrol cars are also in the fuel-miser hunt, led by the range of little smart cars, which with their tiny 700cc engines, are competitive with the electrics.Overseas, GM and Honda are pushing the fuel cell case. But in Europe, where diesel prices are cheaper than petrol, the case for diesel cars is stronger compared to Australia where the opposite is the case.Therefore true hip-pocket savings on diesel cars in Australia rely on the ability of the turbo-diesel engines to be far more conservative on fuel than their petrol equivalents.Peugeot is seeking to find a niche in the Australian market for some of its diesel range, including the sporty little 307.The base model XS HDi at $29,490 (some $4500 dearer than the petrol model) is the French marque's entry level diesel in Australia. It has achieved some remarkable fuel consumption figures. The model tested was returned with the fuel gauge showing the tank was half-full yet the fuel range indicator showed there was still 600km to go to empty. The 1.6 litre four-cylinder diesel powerplant is claimed to achieve a combined cycle fuel useage of 5.2 litres/100km, which was in line with our test. Even better results were claimed on a recent run from Darwin to Adelaide.Peugeot entered a 307 in the Greenfleet class for production cars in the World Solar Challenge last month. The car travelled 3021km and made only two fuel stops. Using just 111 litres of diesel, that equates to just 3.7 litres/100km.In pursuit of cleaner engine emissions, the powerplant has the particulate filter (known as FAP) that was first introduced by Peugeot in 2001. It breaks down particulate emissions to Euro 4 standards, which is well ahead of current Australian levels. As such, the 307 rates extremely well on the Green Vehicle Guide standings.The five-door hatch 307 as tested is a stylish and handy city car. It has been given a facelift taking some cues from its much-lauded big brother the 407. That's evident at the front where the new-look bumper bar, headlights and grille make a bold fashion statement.The interior has also been upgraded to offer a new look that combines with practical and accessible placement of controls.One minor gripe was that the driver's arm-rest gets in the way when changing gears. The XS HDi diesel is only available in manual and the five-speed box is a smooth-shifter.The diesel engine offers plenty of low-down torque and it was able to start from being parked at the kerb in third gear. The exterior changes mean this model is slightly larger than its predecessor but the surprise in size is found when you open the rear hatch.It boasts a good, deep boot that easily accommodated some large parcels.Overall the 307 exemplifies the current pack of stylish well-priced French cars on the market. But the real question is whether Australian motorists are willing to pay the extra $4500 cost for the diesel in pursuit of better fuel mileage.Peugeot says that based on a slightly above-average 20,000km a year, running it will take 3 1/2 years to recoup the extra purchase cost. The company says about 25 per cent of the sales are diesel.

They are shelling out around $100 a week just to run around town and go on a Sunday drive.It could make you bitter and twisted.Their envy, almost anger, is therefore not surprising when they find out our long-term Peugeot 307 Hdi diesel hatch only needs filling once every two to three weeks.We spend about $25 a week to keep it in diesel - barely a sneeze on the family budget.And we feel even better in the knowledge that the Pug is generating an absolute minimal amount of emissions thanks to the clean burning, high-tech diesel engine equipped with a particle filter. The diesel Pug passes the stringent Euro 4 emissions regulations not due here until 2008.Capping off the whole experience is the car's performance.Far from being sluggish as many people presume, the Hdi engine delivers strong acceleration across a wide rev range. It won't come howling out of the blocks but starts smartly and then all of that 240Nm of torque becomes available at just 1750rpm until about 4000rpm.It gives the Pug excellent response and makes it a cracker to drive on the freeway or around town for that matter.There is no need for frantic gear changing, just push the throttle and away it goes – the perfect lazy person's manual.We have to keep reminding ourselves it's a 1.6-litre engine – available in five door hatch body and also a wagon. A 2.0-litre Hdi is available only in wagon format. The 2.0-litre must be something else due to its 100kw/ 320Nm output – in the same size car.But for everyday purposes, the 1.6 is just fine.It's well equipped including climate control air, six air bags and 16in alloy wheels in the price of $29,990.That's not bad for one of the most economical cars you can lay your hands on in this country. Peugeot says it will go as low as 4.3 litres/100km on the highway cycle, a figure we wouldnt dispute.

The effect is already noticeable – sales of big cars and 4WDs have slowed and are in decline, while sales of smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles are on the up and up.It has a positive side – less greenhouse gas and more room on the road.The manufacturers of diesel and hybrid cars seem ideally positioned to take advantage of the prevailing climate. Inquiries on hybrids are escalating and diesels are also becoming more popular as manufacturers, particularly the Europeans add them to their lineup.Peugeot has been selling diesel cars here for possibly 30 years or more. They have been making them for longer and are considered to be leaders in the field.A new 307 Hdi diesel range recently became available here in 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre engine capacity. Both comply with the strict Euro 4 emissions regulations.They are high pressure, "common rail", turbo diesels with twin cams and 16 valves.We've been able to get hold of a 1.6 Hdi hatch for a while to see just what it's like having an "oiler" in the garage.The first thing we noticed is the distance it will go on a tank of fuel – up to 1200km without much trouble.At our current useage, that means three weeks between refuelling which costs about $70 on current prices.It's cheap motoring.The other thing we noticed was how much get up and go the 80kw/240Nm, 1.6-litre engine delivers. It goes like a 2.0-litre petrol and has especially strong mid-range response which is great on the freeway.Outside the car at idle speeds it sounds noisier than apetrol model but once underway, there's precious little noise at all.The five speed manual gearbox is smooth shifting and the car is easy to drive apart from a clutch pedal set higher than the brake pedal.The 307 is a bit of a glamour to look at and practical too offering room inside for five and a large boot.There are some really cool features like the remote window wind up function operating from the key fob.At a snip under $30,000, the 307 Hdi 1.6 is possibly one of the best priced super economy cars on the market, challenging even the hybrids, one of which costs a lot more.