306 a top bet

Oct 13 2008 Peter Hayward

306 a top bet

THE Peugeot 306 can be snapped up at low prices now but in some ways it's a better car than the 307 that followed it - and certainly much better looking.

The dash is a little dated but a good 306 will give great handling, good comfort and decent to excellent performance.

Some early models did not have power steering though - so avoid them.

There are five bodystyles to choose from - saloon, three and five door hatchback, a beautiful two door soft-top and a pretty and practical five door estate.

Engines run from 75bhp 1.4 to 2.0-litre 16 valve in the GTi-6 with 167bhp. The 1.9-litre diesel is available without a turbo but has only 70bhp, or with a turbo giving 92 or later 90bhp in the HDI.

Trim levels are XN, XR and XT in five door and XN to XS with three doors. Even the cheapest XN models were available with anti-lock brakes and power steering.

Interior

Good seats hold in all the right places, the driving position fits most sizes and the power steering is good for parking and leaves plenty of feel at speed.

Don't pay too much - there are some inflated prices about. Special editions are worth little more than the model they're based on.

FAST FACTS

Peugeot 306

Price : Pay about £2,500 for an '01 51-reg 1.4 LX 5dr, about £200 more for the estate or £600 more for the HDI turbo diesel. An '02 52-reg 1.8 cabriolet should be £3,300.

Mechanical : (HDi) 90bhp, 1,998cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox

Max speed : 112mph

0-62mph : 10 secs

Combined mpg : 54

Insurance group : 5

Marks : 8/10

Main rival : Ford Focus