2003 Peugeot 307 Rapier 20.0 110 hp from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A fast stylist car, but not really worth the expenditure

Faults:

The rear offside door jammed up and could not be opened after owning the car for only about 3 weeks. It was returned to the dealer and took two visits for the fault to be diagnosed and repaired.

Two months later the rear nearside door jammed up in exactly the same way. This is rally frustrating. Is this a design fault, poor quality components or something to look forward to for the next few years?

General Comments:

This Peugeot 307 is my third Peugeot the previous models being a 106 and a 405. I don't think that the 307 is built to the same high standards as older models.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th February, 2004

2003 Peugeot 307 XSE 2.0L from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

An unfortunate nasty experience

Faults:

Indicator faulty and required replacement.

Door latch rear passenger door faulty and required replacement.

Automatic Gear Fault indicated. Initial reporting was in August 2003. A day in the workshop and I told that nothing was wrong. Problem continued. In November the car remained in workshop for 10 days. Coil replaced. Car was driven for less than one week. Shuddering was experienced when driving at speeds up to 100k's per hour. Car was returned to same Peugeot Dealer. For 10 days no fault could be found. I was told by one of the staff. "It is similar to a patient with pain. All the Xrays and blood tests are negative, but the patient still has pain". Finally a new Transmission was installed. The car was picked up 23rd December, having been in the workshop 3 weeks. The car is rough to drive, nothing like the car I purchased. However I am informed that the car drives consistent with expectations of a Peugeot 307. Sadly, this is not the car I purchased. I cannot wait to sell the car. I am told the subtle shuddering is just the road.

General Comments:

All the publicity regarding European Car of the year 2002 certainly does not describe the car I have the unfortunate "pleasure" of owning. I spend a great deal of time in my car. A reliable car is a requirement of my employment. This experience has left a nasty taste in my mouth. I will continue to have the car assessed by independent expert until the problem can be located. I will not entrust the car to the "experts"

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 21st January, 2004

4th Apr 2004, 11:01

The 306 takes its newer cousin apart in every area apart from interior space. Apparent build quality is better on the 307, but the horror stories on here (and in the press as a whole) suggest that's not actually the case.

Performance (for equivalent engine size), handling, control feedback, styling, reliability and economy are all better on the 306. Worrying really.

24th Oct 2004, 02:34

My partner and I have started to have problems with our 307 Touring and it has only travelled 20,000kms.

The brakes are starting to squeal when applied

The front suspension is making a cracking sound especially when cornering

Rear lights stopped working

The fabric on the base cushion on the drivers seat wore out after 5,000kms and had to be replaced

The automatic transmission has a nasty shudder. A couple of times the car has got confused and gone from 1st to 3rd and then straight back to 1st

There is now a ringing sound coming from under the car so too afraid to contemplate what that could be.

When accelerating from a standing start the car has a momentary delay before it does anything. This is quite disconcerting when turning a corner of a busy intersection etc... I usually shout at the car, but that doesn't seem to make a lot of difference.. We told the dealer and the reply was "That's just the way the car is..."

Changing a spare tyre on the car would have to rate as one of the most painful experiences I've ever had. There's so many steps involved and tools aren't in the places as shown in the manual.

My partner pulled into the petrol station and the attendant told him that her partner had to get rid of their 307 after just 10,000kms due to numerous problems. Needless to say ours is going very soon...