Hey folks.

Been thinking for a while now about a nice 'toy' to play with and of course the obvious choice is a Mazda MX5 but after sitting in one last summer and realising that I was waaaaay too big for it (head was poking into the fabric roof with chair fully reclined etc!).

Now my next choice down the list is a Peugeot 306 Cabriolet as they're a very nice looking car IMO and are nicely specced for the price.

I will be looking to buy over winter time so this isn't just buying a convertible on a whim after having a couple of days nice weather.

What are your thoughts on them as a car and how good are the 1.8/2.0 litre engines? Also what's the auto box on them like? Will probably go for a 1.8 manual but if a decent slush box one comes up then i wouldn't turn it down.

Thanks

do they not do a d turbo or HDI in a rag top? i had a 306 d turbo many a moon ago and loved it. id defo go for a diesel if they do one. crackin engine.

No they don't.

1.6, 1.8 or 2.0 petrol.

Otherwise I would have gone for a 2.0HDi and had it remapped!

And yes agree the dervs are bullet proof... we have a 98 'R' 1.9D 306 and its a decent little bus and barely needed anything doing to it.

Phil

Diesel cabriolets are just wrong!

Diesel cabriolets are just wrong!

Have to agree to a certain extent there. If it were to be a daily car as well I could warrant that but as a bit of weekend fun etc... who wants so sit and hear a derv clunking away with the roof down!

What car reviews are recomending the 2.0 purely becuase it's the most powerful but the 1.8 is equally as good in terms of build and reliability. Cambelt changes every 36000 miles though!!

Phil

1.8 is by far the best engine.

Autobox is worth avoiding.

Don't bank on the 306 being any roomier to drive than the MX5 though.

Yeh they also mentioned to avoid the lazy box on whatcar.

Tbh with the mx5 it was just the height of the windscreen and the fact that it is a pretty low car. I'm 6' 7" tall.

The 306 is a hell of a lot bigger really and without sitting in a cabriolet version there looks to be a decent amount of room (although I dread to think of anyone poor enough to sit behind me!)

Phil

Phil even I'm a bit cramped in a 306 hatch, the seat simply doesn't go far enough back to get completely comfy...

Really?!

That's weird.

I can get comfy in our pug 306 and seem to have anough leg room etc.

I mean I drive a felicia which is hardly the biggest car and have driven many many miles in one go without feeling cramped.

Suppose it's down to personal preference too... I mean a Felicia or Pug 306 is never going to be as comfy for bigger folks like me as a nice big luxo barge.

Phil

Whch model MX5 did you try?

Mk2/2.5's were smaller inside than the Mk1's and the Mk3's I think are similar to the Mk2.

Phil even I'm a bit cramped in a 306 hatch, the seat simply doesn't go far enough back to get completely comfy...

BUt you could get seat rail extensions on them

Whch model MX5 did you try?

Mk2/2.5's were smaller inside than the Mk1's and the Mk3's I think are similar to the Mk2.

It was a 2/2.5 I tried. Don't like the Mk1's at all tbh.

Also it would be nice to at least have the option of carrying 2 people in the back seats even if they do have to be pretty slender! Whereas on the MX5 there is no chance at all!

BUt you could get seat rail extensions on them

But unfortunately there is no reach adjustment on the steering wheel :( I'm already sat bolt upright! I just wish my legs weren't so long!

Maybe you can't get comfortable and I can because you have disproportionately long legs! Hehe.

Always puzzles me why there is no reach adjustment on the wheel... I think my Citroen ZX had it...

Well will be studying ebay and auto trader carefully over the winter and seeing what comes up in general... but I have always had a soft spot for the 306 cabriolet and think they are a very good looking car especially with the tan or red leather.

Was just wanting to get an idea of other's opinions on them and if there was anything I should look out for or avoid!

Phil

But unfortunately there is no reach adjustment on the steering wheel :( I'm already sat bolt upright! I just wish my legs weren't so long!

The higher spec models (very few I admit) could have reach and rake.

FWIW I'd get the 2.0 engine as from what IIRC it was a more proven design, although the 1.8 wasn't bad either.

Yeh I was leaning towards the 2.0. Is it the same as was used by citroen etc?

How do the 1.8 and 2.0 compare in terms of insurance group and fuel consumption etc?

Phil

The 1.8 is the bullet proof most proven one.

Fuel consumption - Peugeot 306 Cabriolet (94-02) - Facts & Figures - Parker's

Insurance groups - Peugeot 306 Cabriolet (94-02) - Facts & Figures - Parker's