Faults:

The car broke down 4 months after filling it with fuel. Did not overfill and anyway, can you overfill a car these days? Put in HIGHER than recommended octane. Drove 10 feet then had to push it into the street which was VERY difficult to steer! I opened the fuel rail and let out a few drops and that fixed it, but this should NEVER happen. Completely stupid and this engine is in the current model that costs over 50K!

The engine drops and drinks oil needing 1L every 1,500 km. This is a common issue with this motor. The motor has been well cared for and has only done 90,000 km (mostly highway).

The glove box light doesn't work and seems unable to be fixed.

The clutch squeaks loudly on engagement sometimes.

A major Peugeot dealer couldn't care less when I rang to ask if the timing belt had been changed.

General Comments:

CONS (Where do I start?)

Clutch is very grabby and must be released s-l-o-w-l-y in 2nd gear either from 1st or 3rd gear if you don't want to go through the windshield. Makes for a jerky drive.

Gear stick has long throws and the worst feel of any manual I have ever driven, especially into 4th... yuk! There are huge gaps in the ratios; especially between 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Gearing is very tall, and combined with the thrummy 3 cylinder below 2,300 rpm means 4th is useless under 75 km/h, and 5th under 90km/h. Forget 6th unless you have VERY high speed limits.

The French can't be bothered to move anything for RHD so the fuse box is in the non lockable glovebox, which means it can carry virtually nothing, the radio control is on the left, the fan dial is on the left. The lever for the bonnet is in the frame of the left door. Too bad if you are parked (or break down) next to something and can't open the door.

The tailgate has a weird rubber button that takes several attempts to open, and once you do the tailgate is very heavy, especially to close. The parcel shelf doesn't move much out of the way either.

The accelerator response is extremely doughy.

The A pillar completely obstructs some roundabouts.

The torsion beam rear end means the back hops around all over the road.

PROS

Brilliant on fuel, only 6.5L/100 km in city and suburban driving only. You'd easily get < 5.5L with only freeway driving.

Great power once moving and in 2nd gear.

Very quiet and relaxed on the freeway, which is really the only driving the 308 is suited to.

Looks great and far more expensive than it is.

Huge boot, and back seat is extremely easy to fold down, unlike a previous Mk4 Golf that required removing the 3 rear head restraints and moving the squab BEFORE folding the seat.

Fantastic steering with no torque steer and probably the smallest turning circle in its class.

Being the base model, the climate and audio controls are easier to use than the touch screen that all reviews complain about.

Air conditioning is the most powerful I have ever used in any car. Heater is good.

Faults:

Rear suspension required attention at last MOT check, plus brake - discs and pads.

Dash warning light for the engine lit up but went away on its own. No apparent faults.

Usual consumables plus services. No major problems, but the car was bought approved used and had been looked after well, and it has done a lot of miles for its age.

General Comments:

My 308 is a fine hatchback car from Peugeot; reliability wise they aren't exactly known for it, but this 308 has been much better than my old 307.

Comfortable mid range spec, this Active model will do most people fine, all the usual electrics. Quite a good looking car inside and out.

Not a fast car by any means, but always does 60 mpg or more. Very nice to drive, quiet and smooth. A little noisy on idle as per diesel, but once moving it is actually quieter.

Surprisingly large boot space, quite a lot of stuff can be carried by this smaller hatchback.

If you are on a budget and just need an economical family car, check this car out, reasonable prices on the used market.