2000 Peugeot 306 XSi review from UK and Ireland

External temperature reading gives comical results. 49°C for example on a cold (but sunny) December morning. Probably just the thermistor gone in the passenger mirror, but I can live with it.

Carpet needed to be re-seated around the sill trims where it had started to pull away.

Gearbox crunches into 2nd when cold, but fine when warm.

Good, but not stunning performance. Engine doesn't rev very happily for a multivalve unit. Old 8 valve was a better engine in my opinion. Didn't lose much up top, but pulled far harder in the midrange.

Chassis beyond criticism. Turns in sharply, steerable on the throttle, quick and talkative steering and a lovely smooth ride. Will keep up with pretty much anything on a good B-road. Very difficult car to drive sensibly when the going gets twisty.

Good reliability, but interior quality is poor. Chassis and engine both still pin sharp after 53k.

Still looks good - much prettier than the 307 that replaced it.

Lowish running costs thanks to reasonable insurance, and >30 mpg in most daily driving circumstances.

Probably Peugeot's last "proper" drivers car before they lost the plot. Good, sensibly priced ones sell within hours of being advertised - it took me 3 weeks to find this one.

Had I wanted to pay a grand over CAP retail or settle for a dog (or in some cases both), I could have found one quicker. Lots of rough and comically overpriced ones about too so be careful.

This was the fifth I looked at, but patience paid off. It's been a good car, and entertains me no end on my dull commute to work.