2001 Peugeot 306 Meridian review from UK and Ireland

New exhaust backbox.

Alternator pulley went at 110,000.

Clock / temp light died.

Temp (outside temp) is about 10 degrees too high, which causes A/C to kick in all the time, resulting in an empty A/C reservoir.

I liked the handling of the Citroen ZX, and the 306 shares the same chassis.

I was attracted to this car because of its powerful engine (90HP), economical performance and low insurance group (5).

The car has plenty of torque pulling away up a hill, but the first gear is short and causes you to go into 2nd soon, and when the turbo engages about 1900-2000 revs, it pulls away well.

I've always thought the car needs a 2.5 gear, because going up a steep hill in third, it struggles because the turbo hasn't engaged, and if I drop it into second, the turbo engages and causes it to rev very high.

The Meridian spec features dual electric mirrors, remote central locking, half leather interior and leather steering wheel. 4 electric windows, colour coded bumpers and trim, spot lights and rain sensing wipers.

The car handles well round corners, and the comfy seats in the Meridian model keep you in your place.

The steering wheel seems a bit small, but nothing serious.

The car doesn't have super acceleration, and will beaten by a 1.6 hatchback at the lights, but this 2.0HDI will end of overtaking it when things start speeding up.

As far as economy goes, since Nov 08 I've averaged 43.6MPG over all types of driving. This has worked out at 11p per mile (I've documented all fuel usage since Nov).

I've installed a towbar, and towed a bike trailer to London from Bath and back with a moped on it, and averaged 50MPG for the whole journey, not bad at 70MPH.

Comfortably seats 4, though have had 5 without too many complaints.

The car flew through its last MOT with just a bulb, and I'm sure it'll be running well for another 25000 miles.

I bought the car for £1600, and I'm sure I can put 20,000 miles on it and sell it for the same, since this is a highly sought after spec, and I've had the cambelt changed too, which always helps sell a car.