I'm a solo Mum and before I spend my money on an AA check just wondering if any people out there have experience/opinions re Peugeots.I've seen one that I like but have no clue re are they considered reliable and are parts ok prices since it's european!tks.
tgray,
Jan 4, 11:30pm
I wouldn't, unless your either a mechanic or an enthusiast. I know people are going to tell you their one is reliable and you should go ahead, but if reliability is what you want, your really better off sticking with toyota or nissan.
thejazzpianoma,
Jan 4, 11:35pm
We would need to know which model, engine and transmission (manual or auto) before being able to give you any real idea.
Some European cars (like tidy mk2 Punto's) can be ideal for people like yourself because they are cheaper to buy, cheaper to run and offer better safety than what your average Japanese car will do for the same price.
However you need to forget the European vs Japanese approach to reliability and treat each individual vehicle/model on its merits. Steer clear of advice from people that start sentences with "all European cars."
Also, buying a particular brand/model won't protect you in itself. You need to balance, condition, km's, how/where its been driven and how well its been serviced to find a good bet.
Also. the AA checks are usually pretty rubbish. They charge you lots and tell you stuff that sounds important yet often miss what actually matters.
Ususally you are better to get a check done by a garage that sees a lot of the particular make/model you are looking at. They will actually be able to tell you something usefull and may charge less.
Good luck!
Oh, and if you post what your budget is, what sort of running you are doing, whats important i.e economy, safety, size etc, and whether manual/auto is required (Or ideally if you can happily drive both). We could then make you some suggestions as to what models might suit, both Peugeot and other.
curlcrown,
Jan 4, 11:45pm
If you don't think Euro cars are inherrently less reliable and more costly to maintain than Japanese or Austrailian ask yourself why do warranty companies charge more for Euro than others. In fact at least one firm last year put up their prices for Euro warranties and reduced jap and aussie warranties.
phillip.weston,
Jan 4, 11:46pm
Generally speaking, reliability and Peugeot don't go together in the same sentence. But excitement and Toyota or Nissan don't go together in the same sentence too.
I would avoid an AA check, they will tell you that the paint is scratched, there are marks on the interior fabrics, and that they think there is an oil leak coming from somewhere but cannot determine exactly where from (seriously. one car we took to them had a slow leak from the oil sump drain plug and it was completely obvious as the engine was bone dry everywhere else).
Perhaps it would be wise to let us know exactly what model Peugeot you are looking at, considering Peugeot is one of the world's oldest car manufacturers with a plethora of models under their wings.
madeley,
Jan 4, 11:49pm
It is a 307 station wagon; automatic.
phillip.weston,
Jan 4, 11:50pm
I think the main reason is our geographical location and the lack of adoption of mainstream European vehicles in NZ over the Japanese or Australian counterparts. It's far cheaper to get a part from Australia or Japan than it is from Germany or France.
Yes I can agree that some models just aren't built to the same level in robustness as their Japanese or Australian counterparts - but just about in every case the Japanese or Australian counterparts have fewer features and therefore less to go wrong with them. There are some models however which are incredibly well built and hardly anything goes wrong with them - pre mid-90s Mercs spring to mind.
I've seen some receipts for repairs from Ford and Holden dealerships which will put European dealerships to shame.
madeley,
Jan 4, 11:53pm
Oh and to answer another poster; budget is up to $8k.I'd prefer a 7 seater, but if need be can cope with a 5 seater:)
phillip.weston,
Jan 4, 11:53pm
Peugeot make some great cars, sadly the 307 is not one of them.
"According to some sources the 307 suffers from below average build quality and reliability, it was placed 158th out of 159 cars in United Kingdom tested in the Top Gear Survey of 2005, It also ranked No.99 out of 113 2-3 year old cars tested by TÜV (German Technical Inspection Association) in 2007, and it featured at the bottom of the German Automobile Club breakdown statistics for 3??
madeley,
Jan 4, 11:55pm
Oh and this is a NZ new car, only 2 owners; seems well looked after.I really need somethign urgently for me and kiddies before the end of the school holidays.
madeley,
Jan 4, 11:56pm
Phillip.Weston; thank you for the info.Yikes, it has instantly put me off!Back to the chalkboard.
phillip.weston,
Jan 5, 12:04am
NZ-new with 2 loving owners is always a bonus. personally myself I would probably take a gamble if the price is right but if you are wanting a car with the utmost reliability the 307 is probably not it. If you wanted to remain with Peugeot I would perhaps try looking for a late 90s/early 2000s 406 stationwagon which often comes 7 seater. The Peugeot diesel engines are often better than their petrol counterparts providing just as much power and excellent fuel economy along with good reliability and lower servicing costs.
madeley,
Jan 5, 12:07am
Thank you; I will look them up.It doesn't have to be peugeot; i was just quite keen on a 7 seater that does not look like a big ugly mpv.
phillip.weston,
Jan 5, 12:17am
Have you considered a Multipla! oh wait.
it's only a 6 seater.
madeley,
Jan 5, 12:18am
6 would be ok actually; i'll look it up; not heard of it.nb budget of up to/around $8k.
ashwattau,
Jan 5, 12:44am
Hold on before you do look it up, get someone to point a camera at you in order for us to all see the shocking disgust on your face literally 5 seconds after you type "fiat multipla" into the search bar! A Fiat Multipla "reaction video" would be priceless.
madeley,
Jan 5, 12:45am
Um yes, that above ^
phillip.weston,
Jan 5, 12:50am
so basically your requirements are:
- Around Auckland region - up to $8k - as new as possible - 5 door smaller wagon with preference to dicky seats in the rear - reliable
Any preference to petrol or diesel! auto or manual! How many kms is too many kms for you!
madeley,
Jan 5, 1:01am
I don't mind if it is in the North Island and has to be fetched.Up to 120kms I'm looking for and no 1.5-2litre with reasonable fuel efficiency.
madeley,
Jan 5, 1:02am
I prefer auto, but not worried if manual.Don't mind whether petrol or diesel.
thejazzpianoma,
Jan 5, 1:04am
If you decide you have to have something thats a bit "iffy" reliability wise at least having a manual transmission removes most of the properly expensive risk.
madeley,
Jan 5, 1:11am
ok i didn't know that.so automatics are more expensive to fix the gears!
thejazzpianoma,
Jan 5, 1:12am
Does it have service history for the transmission!
Realistically there is not much in the way of a similar vehicle so it may be worth carefully checking out the Peugeot further.
Interestingly the 307 rates quite well on the reliability index which I would have a lot more faith in than the Top Gear survey as the reliability index is just impartial raw data.
(pretty much anything that rates under 100 is an O.K bet in terms of the reliability index)
If it really has been serviced properly, has been treated well and you are prepared to continue to service it properly it may not be that bad a risk.
By "service properly" I mean not just an oil change. Basically get a good independent garage that is familiar with Peugeots to keep it serviced as per the manufacturers recommended schedule.
WIth some very carefull pre-checking and post purchase looking after I think it could be an acceptable risk in the light of what you need.
madeley,
Jan 5, 1:14am
Until 2008 it had the full services.Since then it has just been the oil and filter changes apparently.Do you have a link for the reliability index you are referring to please!tks
I don't know about service history for the auto transmission; I will ask him.
madeley,
Jan 5, 1:15am
Oh sorry; just saw the link.THank you very much.I am going out now but will read any contributions to the thread later on; thanks again for the assistance.
Since the public registrations are closed, you must have an invite from a current member to be able to register and post in this thread.
Have an account? Login here.