2000 Peugeot 306 XSi from UK and Ireland - Comments

Car eats idle control valve stepper motors. Replaced twice and third is now playing up. Symptoms are erratic idle speed, stalling, unprompted "revving" when in traffic. Must be a design fault.

Small oil leak fixed under warranty.

Terminal sounding clatter from tappets which suddenly started in a motorway queue, cured itself a few minutes later, and hasn't returned since.

I took a career change a few years ago, swapping a fully expensed BMW 320i for a fairly modest car allowance. I never liked the ostentatious BMW much anyway, and decided to look for something based purely on driving fun rather than badge or "image". I always liked the 306's styling, and although the budget wouldn't stretch to the GTI-6, was offered a good deal on a pre-registered, 11 mile old XSi.

If you purely want fun and involving handling, forget the Focus, forget the Astra, and (especially) forget the heavy, soggy Golf. The 306 makes the lot of them look dull-witted and clumsy. The balletic poise of the 306 when you sling it into a corner wouldn't disgrace a piece of exotica. It resolutely refuses to understeer, and you feel the tail easing gently against the grip of the rear tyres to help turn the car into the corner. Feather the throttle and it will gently slide to further tighten the line. Wind off the lock, squeeze the throttle and she pulls straight again. No other car in this class will do this. Even the critically acclaimed Focus. This balance is backed up by utterly superb power steering which even eclipses the 320i for weight, accuracy and feel. In fact, this car handles better full stop.

The 2.0 engine is good, but not as good as the chassis. It's a bit feeble at low revs, but does pick up quite nicely when given its head. Not a bad engine, not a good one. Just an engine. My friend has an old 8 valve version of this car which I actually prefer. It's torquier and responds better to the throttle.

I love the car, despite a few faults. BMW say they build the Ultimate Driving Machine. I beg to differ. As a pure drivers car, I'll stick with my Pug.

I absolutely 100% agree with the comments made!

I bought my 2000 V-reg 16v XSi a year into its life and haven't really grumbled since! It's quick and certainly doesn't have any trouble running with the "big boys" on the motorway. It'll happily sit at 130mph (indicated) on the flat.

The 0-60 sprint takes 8.5 seconds (regardless of Peugeot's "official" time of 9.2 seconds).

It's gone through 2 stepper motors and the MAP sensor seems to be on its way out, but apart from that it's still a perfect car.

The only thing I would say is... If you're taller that 6', don't get one with a sunroof! It takes about 4" out of the roof space!

I have owned my 2000 (W) Xsi since July 2003. Having previously owned a cracking 205 1.9, the 306 felt a little flat and a little soft. However, given some time it has now become part of the family. This car will do almost everything it is asked to, from taking my family on holiday in comfort to making me feel alive on a good B-road. It is well equipped, looks good and has cost me nothing so far!

My only niggle is a strange fueling problem, whereby the car is difficult to drive smoothly at constant speed and my local pug dealer cannot diagnose.

I would have loved the Gti-6 but went for age and value, as well as 5 doors.

Can agree with the sentiments already voiced. I've owned my T 1999 306 XSi for 6 months now without any problems at all.

The ride is excellent and for the longer journeys it sits beautifully at 80mph on the motorways (or 100mph if I'm in the mood!).

A car you won't be disappointed with!

Again...agree with all the above. I had an old XSI (1994) for 2.5 years and it was wicked! A tad underpowered and useless on the motorway, but fantastic round the country lanes! The clio 172 I have replaced it with is much quicker, but doesn't have quite the same balance and handling as the 306. Peugeot have got this bang on I think. Plus, very few problems, no expensive ones anyway (which is pretty good for a 10 year old car!)

You swapped a 205 1.9 for this car? : (*cries*