Peugeot 308 Hatchback
Discussion
Hi all, looks like my Mum is about to join the French stable again.
When I was born (1991) she had just got a new Peugeot 205 1.1 Style which we kept for nearly 12 years, it ran faultlessly (other than a starter motor and batteries) and a few re-sprays after I 'washed' it with sandpaper at the age of 3...
We've been looking for a family hatchback for her, one that all 4 plus the puppy can fit in to start to keep some of the milage off Dad's Audi (July 05 car @ 56,200mi). Main problems have been room in the back for me at 6ft 4.5 and room in the back for my 5ft 6 sister when my 6ft Dad is in the pilots chair.
List was Honda Civic SE 1.8i-Vtec 5dr, VW Polo Match 1.4 5dr, VW Golf Match 1.6FSI, Peugeot 207 Sport 1.6 16v 5dr/SW, Peugeot 308 Sport 1.6VTi 5dr and Ford Focus Zetec 1.6.
The car has to be about 6months old (too avoid initial depreciation) so we discounted the Honda as we couldn't find a decent one, the Golf has been discounted because the mk6 is about now and there aren't any at 6months, plus my Dad's a snob and won't have the old model!. The 207 range is now out as I couldn't fit in the back of either model. Currently we've got the VW Polo or the Peugeot 308 and so far they're neck-a-neck. I'm leaning towards the 308 as I really hate sitting in the back of the Polo and I don't think it'll be practical, 2 adults, 2 teenagers and a puppy in a very hilly area with only 80bhp.
Does anybody have any experience with the 308?
Anything would be helpful, thanks.
When I was born (1991) she had just got a new Peugeot 205 1.1 Style which we kept for nearly 12 years, it ran faultlessly (other than a starter motor and batteries) and a few re-sprays after I 'washed' it with sandpaper at the age of 3...
We've been looking for a family hatchback for her, one that all 4 plus the puppy can fit in to start to keep some of the milage off Dad's Audi (July 05 car @ 56,200mi). Main problems have been room in the back for me at 6ft 4.5 and room in the back for my 5ft 6 sister when my 6ft Dad is in the pilots chair.
List was Honda Civic SE 1.8i-Vtec 5dr, VW Polo Match 1.4 5dr, VW Golf Match 1.6FSI, Peugeot 207 Sport 1.6 16v 5dr/SW, Peugeot 308 Sport 1.6VTi 5dr and Ford Focus Zetec 1.6.
The car has to be about 6months old (too avoid initial depreciation) so we discounted the Honda as we couldn't find a decent one, the Golf has been discounted because the mk6 is about now and there aren't any at 6months, plus my Dad's a snob and won't have the old model!. The 207 range is now out as I couldn't fit in the back of either model. Currently we've got the VW Polo or the Peugeot 308 and so far they're neck-a-neck. I'm leaning towards the 308 as I really hate sitting in the back of the Polo and I don't think it'll be practical, 2 adults, 2 teenagers and a puppy in a very hilly area with only 80bhp.
Does anybody have any experience with the 308?
Anything would be helpful, thanks.
Edited by Waugh-terfall on Sunday 8th March 23:34
Clicked on your profile (re polo thread) and noticed you didn't any replies here, so I'll offer my 2-pence 
The 308 has good engines. The diesel is Ford/PSA - best in class, the petrol is BMW/PSA (same as in MINIs) again very good. Cabin space is good but not great, depreciation is steep and build quality is poor. As far as I know it hasnt exactly been a rivetting sales sucess for Peugeot, mainly because of the looks. Handling/Drive - average.
The Polo Match is a nice little car. Very well equipped, good looking (colour coding and 15" alloys make a huge difference). Problem here is that its very dated (still effectively the same Polo that came out in 2002) and the new model is just round the corner, which will affect residuals. The 1.4 engine is completely ancient, but it offers addequete performance. I think space inside is going to be an issue here, so probably best avoided.
Is the Focus still in the running? If so its the best bet out of your list. Comfortably seats 4 with enough of room. The handling is outstanding, engines are good (particularly the diesels) and decent sized boot. Its a genuinelly good all-rounder, comfortbaly best in class if you forget the Golf. Only cricisms are build quality which although better than the Pug isn't great, and residuals are very very weak.
My suggestion would be a VW Golf Plus. Its based on the MK5, and stil a current model although theres a minor facelift due soon. There is an incredible ammount of room inside, you can fit 5 tall adults in with everyone seated comfortably and huge rear leg room (think mercedes e-class). It drives/handles just as you would expect, like a slightly overweight/tall Golf. Its well equipped (alloys/ aircon etc standard). It falls down for been ugly, highly undesirable (Everyone thinks they are pointless and VW dealers can't shift them so about £1000-£1500 less than a normal Golf second hand) and the base engines are comprehensively underpowered. The TSI petrols and TDI 140 are the only worthy contenders.
HTH
The 308 has good engines. The diesel is Ford/PSA - best in class, the petrol is BMW/PSA (same as in MINIs) again very good. Cabin space is good but not great, depreciation is steep and build quality is poor. As far as I know it hasnt exactly been a rivetting sales sucess for Peugeot, mainly because of the looks. Handling/Drive - average.
The Polo Match is a nice little car. Very well equipped, good looking (colour coding and 15" alloys make a huge difference). Problem here is that its very dated (still effectively the same Polo that came out in 2002) and the new model is just round the corner, which will affect residuals. The 1.4 engine is completely ancient, but it offers addequete performance. I think space inside is going to be an issue here, so probably best avoided.
Is the Focus still in the running? If so its the best bet out of your list. Comfortably seats 4 with enough of room. The handling is outstanding, engines are good (particularly the diesels) and decent sized boot. Its a genuinelly good all-rounder, comfortbaly best in class if you forget the Golf. Only cricisms are build quality which although better than the Pug isn't great, and residuals are very very weak.
My suggestion would be a VW Golf Plus. Its based on the MK5, and stil a current model although theres a minor facelift due soon. There is an incredible ammount of room inside, you can fit 5 tall adults in with everyone seated comfortably and huge rear leg room (think mercedes e-class). It drives/handles just as you would expect, like a slightly overweight/tall Golf. Its well equipped (alloys/ aircon etc standard). It falls down for been ugly, highly undesirable (Everyone thinks they are pointless and VW dealers can't shift them so about £1000-£1500 less than a normal Golf second hand) and the base engines are comprehensively underpowered. The TSI petrols and TDI 140 are the only worthy contenders.
HTH
Edited by va1o on Friday 13th March 21:12
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