peugeot 307 1.6 rapier review

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Average Ratings

Performance	6.5/10
Practicality	7.3/10
Reliability	6.5/10
Value for Money	8/10
Reviewer Rating	7.3/10
Overall Rating	7.8/10

75% Recommended3 out of 4 Reviews

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By Spirito473 on 9th Jun 2004

Spirito473's Ratings

Year Manufactured	2002
Length of ownership	nearly 2 years
Performance	7/10
Practicality	9/10
Reliability	8/10
Value for money	10/10
Overall value	8/10
Spirito473's recommendation

Good Points

Style, good looks, interior space, boot, safety, spec, price.

Bad Points

Unappealing to drive, a few cheap plastics here and there, fuel economy.

General Comments

I had wanted a Peugeot 307 1.6 Rapier since they first came out. Their styling is typically French and Peugeot. I chose the 1.6 Rapier as it blended a few extra toys in, better wheels, body coloured bumpers, mirrors and door handles with little extra cost based on the LX. Not only that, the Rapier does away with the god-awful wood-look plastic trim found on the LX and GLX and replaces it with aluminium (well, aluminium coloured plastic). What is the fascination with car makers filling cars with this rubbish? If they are going to put wood in a car, then do so. If they are going to put plastic which looks like wood in, don't. Still, I digress. The car is very comfortable, holds 4 adults well and has plenty of head room for front seat passengers. If you are freakishly long like I am, you will need the drivers seat quite far back, which can cause a problem for the person behind you.

Safety is good, with 6 airbags, electronic ABS with brake force distribution (I have to say, I have driven many cars and the brakes on the 307 are probably the best I have ever seen. It is very rare the ABS will cut in, even on slippery stuff, the wheels are seemingly glued to the road).

Mine has automatic headlights which I find cut in a little bit too often for my liking, but that is a mere niggle rather than complaint. The dash is well made, everything fits into place with everything else, and the CD autochanger finishes it off well placed under the radio for easy access. I do like the central screen which displays all radio and warning messages rather than little random screens littered here and there. This is a big car, the whole thing is enormous. It does not fit in our garage which fits a Vauxhall Astra in easily. It feels big inside aswell, but gives a nice airy cabin. The car is relaxing to drive but is not a drivers car.

Performance from any of the engines is mediocre. All struggle to shift the weight of the car (apart from the most expensive turbodiesel which of course is very expensive). Despite their reluctance to get you going, they all cruise very well. The 1.6 is geared quite low so adding a 6th gear would not go amiss on the motorway. It is very spongy to drive; relaxed and cossetted but you cannot have fun on the twisty B roads - it rolls too much.

The boot can swallow a deceptively large amount of gear. Everything about this car is good, except for 2 things. 1. They are plagued with little electrical faults, or Gremlins as I like to call them. That is typical of Peugeot however. Mine has had a few, but nothing serious. 2. Fuel economy. This is absolutely abysmal for the engine size. Okay, I admit that I always have the aircon switched on and I am either driving round the city or lugging lots of heavy photographic gear on location, but even so, I'm lucky to get 30mpg from a run and 25mpg round town. This puts running costs a little on the high side. I spend £80 per month in petrol and I only drive an average amount of miles. Compared with the family Corsa which dos a similar amount but costs half in petrol, it puts it into perspective. Still, you can't have everything in a car. Normally I replace my cars every 2 years, but now that time is approaching, I like it so much I'm going to keep it a couple more. The 307 is a great family car and very enjoyable to live with. It may not always be plain sailing, but where's the fun in plain sailing?

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