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| Road Test: Peugeot 307 (2001-) |
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| Small Family |
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Peugeot 307
by Andrew McWatt
I was interested in the new 307 as I've been looking for a hatch with comfort, fun, economy and affordability. I'm a bit green as well and the new diesel engines on offer seemed like a good thing - plenty of economy and low emissions. Because the 110 bhp isn't available yet, I test-drove the 90 bhp version.
I was well impressed when the salesman showed me around the car. Plenty of places for stowing stuff and good equipment levels. I do a lot of miles for work, so comfort and low noise levels are important. Well, this car has loads of room and reasonably supportive seats for someone with a back problem. It just had a feel of quality about it. The wheel and seat were easily adjusted into my perfect driving position, and the diesel engine was really quiet - no more intrusive than a petrol motor, just a deeper note. Then I started to drive it. Oh no!
Nothing wrong with the engine. Nor with the handling, which is pretty good. It's something so trivial that you'll probably think, 'Don't be so silly!' But the central console extends downwards and outwards so much that when you let the clutch up after putting the car in gear, you can't just slide your left foot off the clutch to the side and rest it on the floor. You have to lift your foot right off the floor and backwards off the pedal, then tuck it underneath the pedal until your next gearchange. I found it dead awkward.
Maybe it's not such a big deal out on the open road, but it would be a real pain if you do a lot of town driving. And I don't have giant feet or anything - just size 10 and I was wearing ordinary shoes. I was disappointed, because everything else about the car was great. I've been driving a car where the pedals are offset, which I have come to hate, and if you enjoy driving and spend a lot of time in the car, as I do, then you don't want anything to irritate.
Unfortunately, it was enough to put me off the 307 - I'm importing a Seat Leon TDi Sport instead.
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Introduction The tall 307 majors on space, with lots of headroom and cabin-storage... |
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