Help & Opinions on new car - Opel Astra Vs Peugeot 307

Plek Trum

Hi all,
time to change the existing car. Budget 6,000 euro
Trade in (hopeful) 2000 BMW 316i SE, 110Kmiles, Very good condition for age.

Priority in changing is: cheaper tax, insurance, running and service costs.
While practicality is key, I also would like a car that 'looks' nice too (I know, I know :rolleyes:)

I have narrowed my search down to:

2007 Peugeot 307.
(D'sign model) Only 22k miles, nice find! Sold by garage, asking price is 5,500euro. Not sure about getting a trade in discount against it as yet.

2007 Opel Astra GTC SXi
55K miles, very good condition. Private sale. (Ran a report check, 5 previous registered owners. Seller stated he was 3rd. Would garages register the car in their ownership if traded in??) Rough price guide: 6,000 euro

2006 Opel Astra GTC SXi
41k miles, very good condition. NCT'd till April 2014. 3 month warranty from garage, may take my own and knock a bit off asking price of 6,900 euro.

Any opinions on any of the above OR any other suitable cars that may suit? I need something for small commutes (daily mileage is only 15 miles!) but dont want anything too small after years of having the BMW.

All opinions and advice welcome... thanks a million

Plek Trum

Anyone willing to help a damsel?...

bazz26

The 307 was never a good car, reliability is patchy on them and by 2007 they were being replaced by the newer 208. I'd definately have the Astra over it.

You could pick up a 5 door Honda Civic close to your budget. 1.4 litre engine is lively enough and good on fuel.

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=5413319143725140

colm_mcm

Not the 307

gollywog

colm_mcm wrote: »

Not the 307

I had one last, 2.0 hdi and had no trouble at all but maybe I was lucky!

Jimbob 83

God not the 307 please

gollywog

Jimbob 83 wrote: »

God not the 307 please

Are they really that bad?? Mine wasn't nice to drive or anythin but seemed reliable! Bought a 02 one 3 years ago for 1900 just thinking so that should have been my first clue!

Ardennes1944

definitely the astra. but get a 1.6 twinport if you can find a nice one

Wheelnut

Do you not wonder why the 307 seems such a "good find" compared to the others? If somebody is getting rid of it at that mileage and that price look out! It sounds like a typical 307.

As for interior space, remember that most cars in this sector, Astra, Focus, Golf, Civic, Corolla etc have front wheel drive. That means they are more efficient at space usage than a rear wheel drive car. So they could have at least as much room inside as a BMW.

Plek Trum

Thanks a million for all replies - appreciate it!
Are they really so bad? My sister has one, admittedly she doesnt do much mileage at all, but its never caused her any trouble at all. I guess I'm following the low mileage and low price on it. If it came with 6 month warranty would it be worth it??

Not a fan of the Civic's - purely cosmetic reasons, just doesnt do it for me.

Eye is drawn to the Astra alright, going to view one over the weekend now and see.
Less hours at work means less money so I have to try and tick all the boxes on this, hence the research.

Appreciate the feedback... anyother suggestions??

MuppetCheck

Ford Focus? There is a lot of choice in them.

Wheelnut

What engine is in that 307? A lot of the opinions here might be based on the diesel. The petrol version does not have the particulate filter in the exhaust, the special fluid for the filter and all the associated sensors and electrical gismos.

I "voted" against the 307 above but I have to confess there is one (a diesel) in our family fleet. My daughter drives it and she drives the sh!t out of it. It has 130,000miles on the clock now and still going strong. That might be because I insist on changing the oil every 9k miles (the recommended interval is longer). It has needed major repairs twice, both fuel/ exhaust filter/ sensor related, and the total cost was something like €1,000 - €1,200. Inside with the doors and windows closed it's a beautiful, comfortable car and you could travel all day in it. So you could chance the 307 (after you have it professionally checked) and you could be lucky, but be aware that you are taking a bit of a gamble.

Why not keep the BMW? You say it's in good condition and you have a €6k budget if it needs any repairs. Those cars can last a long time if they're properly minded.

Bigus

Wheelnut wrote: »

Why not keep the BMW? You say it's in good condition and you have a €6k budget if it needs any repairs. Those cars can last a long time if they're properly minded.

yeah keep the BMW it's not going to be worth much less in a year. Although used cars o,f 05 to 09 may go up in value. Don't spend 6 k to save a few bob on tax and petrol.

Plek Trum

I've had a lot of hassles with my BMW -constant repairs, replacing parts (including radiator, exhaust etc etc) over the years. Engine trouble again lately, parts replaced to stem an oil leak etc. Great comfortable car, but with 12 years on the clock, rush spots appearing etc I really dont think it will pass the NCT this summer without yet another injection of cash. Approx cost of parts in the 5 years I had it are well in excess of 5k *eek* Really dont want to sink more momey into a car that hasnt yielded much, if any, value. I got stung - bought from a dubious garage on impulse, lesson learned!!

Recent journey over to my parents house cost 25euro's in petrol (I'm over at least once a week). Definately time for something smaller, more economical and cheaper to run.

The Peugeot is 1.4 petrol - going to have a nose this afternoon. My sister has a 2004 307, no hassles at all and a work colleague has the 307sw (small estate). Again, they haven't had any trouble.

Good thing is I'm not under pressure to rush into it so will look around - REALLY appreciate your info and help.
Keep it coming!...

Wheelnut

Plek Trum wrote: »

I've had a lot of hassles with my BMW -constant repairs, replacing parts ....... rust spots appearing etc I really dont think it will pass the NCT this summer ....... Really dont want to sink more momey into a car that hasnt yielded much, if any, value. I got stung - ...

That's slightly different from your original description:

Plek Trum wrote: »

... 2000 BMW 316i SE, 110Kmiles, Very good condition for age.

:rolleyes:

My suggestion was based on your original post but obviously you have good reason not to keep the BMW. So back to the original discussion.

Plek Trum

Sorry - I guess what I meant is that it's in very good condition for its age NOW

There's alot of new parts gone into it, but I guess after doing all that work over the years you sort of loose faith in the car. Saying that, there is the potential that it will run fine for another few years yet but to me, its simply not cost effective.

Makes sense I hope!

Wheelnut

Plek Trum wrote: »

Sorry - I guess what I meant is that it's in very good condition for its age NOW

No need to be sorry, if you're selling the BMW you were probably right to talk it up a bit.



Let us know what you decide to buy.