2007 Peugeot 307 review
January 23, 2008 by Karl Peskett
Stopping in the 307 takes a bit of getting used to, as the brakes are over-servoed and very grabby. Light pedal application is needed to start with, then as you feel the brakes sink into the meat of the pads, you can push harder.
Comforting this, as when you missed pushing the brakes because your foot was stuck, you can make up for braking distance lost with a quick stab, which hauls the car up very quickly. Not that all of your passengers will necessarily appreciate the race-driver-like late braking manouevre.
Something else which gives the 307 a sports-car feel is the ride. Not necessarily crashy, but it’s very firm and thumps a bit over expansion joints and potholes. It might be a bit too uncomfortable for the demographic this car is aimed at. This is another example of European ride and Australian ride. The two are totally different. In saying that, other French manufacturers such as Renault have managed to endow their vehicles with a lovely ride, so the reason that this car is so hard escapes me.
What the firmness does give you is excellent road-holding. For a small, front-wheel drive car, it handles brilliantly, with a fun, chuckable, but understeer biased chassis. Of course, like most Peugeots, the ESP switches itself back on over 50km/h, limiting lift-off oversteer at higher speeds. But most people who buy this sort of car aren’t going to worry about that now, are they?
Contrasting with the larger 407 is the 307’s steering. Heavier and meatier, especially off-centre, it’s not what you’d call particularly communicative, but it certainly feels nicer to have a bit of weight when you turn in, than the over-assisted, wooden steering like some of the other products from the same stables.
Is this a used car test? I thought the 308 had replaced the 307.
End of Feb for 308 apparently.
No used car tests here at Car Advice. This is a last hurrah before it’s replaced.
I drove a 307 2.0Hdi wagon with the six speed auto several months back. A mate had one on loan from the dealer. Huge fun and devastatingly practical, I thought. The biggest icky thing was the lack of a footrest.
By overseas accounts, the 308 has restored Peugeot’s almost vanished reputation for ride and handling composure. It was at its most famous in the 504 and 505 years. I had a 504 in my youth and can vouch for their ability to stroll over speed bumps like nothing happened.
My Golf must be on its best behaviour now.
Thanks Jbot. Saw a 308 on display at the airport last week (in NZ) so thought it must have been released already.
Hey Golfschwein……..didn’t know you were a pug lover…..I grow up in them..{and Fiats shhhh}
I know where your coming from with the foot rest thingy though! You are 6.2 though aren’t you? Big FEET???? I guess Ill see Friday?????
I love the coupés in them……..Im a 2 door girl though!
Oh yes! Mine was a, ahem, rarer 504Ti that had the Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection for a rip-snorting 110 bhp against the standard 504’s 98 bhp.
It was buttercup yellow with Renault Australia’s stupid Renault 16 buckets that gave me terrible back ache, the only car ever to do so. On a Fiat car club navigation run in 1984 in Perth’s hills, I got it to oversteer and crash into shrubbery on a totally straight gravel road. My mate who was in the passenger seat has dined out on the story ever since.
I still loved it, though. WHEELS ran an absolutely identical car up against the Volvo 144 of the day in its June 1973 edition. I’ll show you Friday! :)
Sounds good!
Unlike Karl, I like the front end styling. It’s the rear of the car which doesn’t do it for me.
Nothing to do with the Peugeot but you know what FIAT stands for….Fix It Again Tony…Woo Hoo
And LOTUS, No name? Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious :)
Is there a petrol?
Awww Duck why would you want a petrol. Pug are far better with Derv in the tank
No Name,
Have you seen the price of diesel at the moment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeh sure have but you go 30-40% further on diesel
Anyone have a view on the 308 yet? I’m thinking of buying the 307 XSE HDi 2.0 auto (there’s some pretty good savings plus a 6 yr 160,000km extended warranty) but not sure if I should just wait for the 308.