1997 Peugeot 306 SR review from Australia and New Zealand

My first problem with the car was earlier this year when I parked the car on a downward incline with only 1/4 tank. There wasn't enough fuel to restart, and after many attempts the coil and injectors ended up needing replacement.

Since that incident though the engine continues to run poorly, with a lumpy idle and lack of power at around 2000rpm and is also very sensitive to air temp and dampness. Starts first time every time though.

Power windows are noisy.

For some reason the interior lights only go one when a front door is open, not for the back doors.

Windscreen wipers are painfully noisy and are very ineffective.

Brakes have awful feel.

Gear change baulks sometimes but is still quick and reverse becomes almost impossible to engage sometimes.

When it rains the central locking plays up. Try and lock it and it sometimes unlocks again straight away, requiring me to physically hold the lock down for a few seconds before it stays down.

Front seats are very stiff to move back and forth.

The sedan boot is seriously huge for a car this size, so much more practical than the hatch.

The only reason I only gave it a seven out of ten for performance is because of its recent faults, before that it was an excellent engine around town, holding fourth up hills where my 1998 Civic needed at least third.

The drive train is a little sloppy with a lot of play. Making a smooth start is difficult and any movement of the accelerator while at a steady speed will make a sudden jerk, no matter how slowly the pedal is moved.

Fantastic handler with the outer rear wheel biting in around a corner taken briskly. I make the most of every corner I come across in this car.

Ride is smooth for a small car, much better than the Civic and even a little better than our bigger Honda CRV.

The seats are comfortable for an hour or so, but by two hours I develop a sharp pain in my lower back.

Air conditioning is excellent (especially useful in Australian summers).

Cabin is a little dark and plastics aren't very high quality.