2011 Pug 308 1.6HDI

johnos1984

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Peugeot/308/DEMO-SE-/201103200967095/advert?channel=CARS

A work colleague is on the verge of buying this car and was wondering if there were any down sides.

All I could tell him was that there are issues of DPF problems if he didn't do long journeys and that the worst after that electrical issues.

Plus it would have to be serviced on time everytime and done properly.

Is there anything else that can give problems with these cars. Does anyone have any experience?

Please don't tell me all French cars are rubbish, just asking on his behalf as I know little really about Pug 308's and no recommendations as his mind is made up.

His trade in is a 2003 VW Passat comfortline TDI 130bhp, 136k miles and a failing 6 speed gearbox which has been uber unreliable during his ownership. You can give a guess as to its trade in value

bazz26

The 308 is just about to get a facelift:



This would impact the selling price of that "demo". How much is the cost to trade up price? If he is getting feck all for the Passat then I would not even think about trading it. He will do better going in with just cash and let the Passat go cheap privately.

Row

The 1.6 hdi's are a great engine but need regular servicing using the correct
grade of oil.
Only the 110bhp have dpf's.....the 90bhp has only got a cat.
In all fairness the 308's seem pretty reliable...:)

johnos1984

Is the facelift major and when is it due?

I never spotted anything about it.

He is getting €1250 for the Passat but tbh I don't think the money is an issue for him.

The 308 is secretly a retirement present for himself but I'm the only one who knows so far

I gave him a big list of cars to look at and he loved the 308 and has decided thats the one for him

EPM

They are supposed to be pretty solid but the residuals will be poor. If that's ok and he likes the car then go for it. There are better cars in the class, plus the Passat could be fixed for a lot less.

There's a new Focus out soon that may be worth a look.

johnos1984

EPM wrote: »

They are supposed to be pretty solid but the residuals will be poor. If that's ok and he likes the car then go for it. There are better cars in the class, plus the Passat could be fixed for a lot less.

He wants a change, was hoping to hold on till next year but the Passat is really turning into a money pit and he has gotten tired of it. Its given problems since he got it 5 years ago

EPM wrote: »

There's a new Focus out soon that may be worth a look.

He hates the hard ride of them. He likes softer riding cars and I imagine he will be holding on to it until its worth very little anyway

Glad no negative comments so far

-Corkie-

He should stick the Passat on Donedeal John and buy straight. A mate sold his 01 Passat with a damaged engine for 2k.

johnos1984

-Corkie- wrote: »

He should stick the Passat on Donedeal John and buy straight. A mate sold his 01 Passat with a damaged engine for 2k.

I'll say it to him but tbh I think he would just prefer trade it in and be done with it

EPM

New focus is supposed to have the best ride in the class based on reviews. Guessed handling wasn't top of his priorities after owning a B5;)

pajo1981

I think they're ugly!

The interior is nice though.

Pugs tend to be refined and that 1.6 is kind of ubiquitous and prob v reliable.

pajo1981

EPM wrote: »

New focus is supposed to have the best ride in the class based on reviews. Guessed handling wasn't top of his priorities after owning a B5;)

maybe he means the old one?

"ride quality of the Focus is very firm...

Road noise intrusive... interior trim rattles ... expensive to buy"

http://www.stevelarkins.freeuk.com/ford_focus_tdci_review.htm

-Corkie-

EPM wrote: »

New focus is supposed to have the best ride in the class based on reviews. Guessed handling wasn't top of his priorities after owning a B5;)

+1 on the Focus. Those B5 Passats were like greasy weasles!!

davidoco

I see you said he has settled on the 308 but in your list did you mention the following two cars


a. new Lexus CT 200h http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsagjkV3bsU
b. Subaru Impreza 2.0 Diesel http://www.carzone.ie/search/Subaru/Impreza/S-2.0TD-/201105201139132/advert?channel=CARS

johnos1984

AS said by others he found the Focus to be harder sprung than his Passat and would prefer a comfortable car even at the expense of handling.

I don't know about the 308 looking ugly, yes in base model but if its finished nicely I think it looks well enough.

He took a Fluence out as well and reckoned it felt cheap.

Thanks for the advice, seems there are no bad experiences or things to worry about really apart from what I mention at the start

johnos1984

davidoco wrote: »

a. new Lexus CT 200h http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsagjkV3bsU
b. Subaru Impreza 2.0 Diesel http://www.carzone.ie/search/Subaru/Impreza/S-2.0TD-/201105201139132/advert?channel=CARS

Knowing the guy and his cars neither would be of interest.

I think both look gash btw

EPM

johnos1984 wrote: »

AS said by others he found the Focus to be harder sprung than his Passat and would prefer a comfortable car even at the expense of handling.

what I meant in my post was the new model Focus due next month would be worth holding out for. It's a softer car apparently.

johnos1984

EPM wrote: »

what I meant in my post was the new model Focus due next month would be worth holding out for. It's a softer car apparently.

Spotted that in the reviews actually and never thought to mention it. Cheers

bazz26

I'd also look at the new Mazda 3, uses the same engine as the 308:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201109201426673

Or the new Opel Astra:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201110201566236