Got a Peugeot RCZ on demo at the moment.

hopefully this pic will work;

Here are my thoughts on it.

The interior is pretty solid and feels nicely built. The GT has heated electric leather seats, cruise and Bluetooth standard.

The driving position is nice and low, the pedals spaced nicely and the steering wheel adjusts for rake and reach so getting comfortable is easy.

At idle the engine is fairly anonymous but once you start moving it makes itself heard with a nice crisp exhaust note. The engine is really smooth too, revving right the way round to the redline with no harshness or vibration.

Performance is strong even on light throttle openings, and you can really pile on the speed if you keep the taps open above 5000rpm. The 6 Speed gearbox is light but quite positive and shifts fairly quickly.

The ride is pretty firm and body roll is pretty non existent at all but daft speed, it turns in and grips hard even with the throttle open.... It's got ESP but I've only had the light flashing once, on full throttle at about 6000rpm coming out of a tight roundabout. Grip is good but there's a fair bit of tyre noise... That'll be 235/40/19s then!

The RCZ is apparently based on the 308, it doesn't feel anything like a family hatch. Strangely for a modern Peugeot it gives me a bit of a sense of occasion driving it, you're sat low in a leather bucket seat and it actually feels like a sports car, importantly (to me) it sounds, handles and goes like one as well.

Don't think I'd buy one... But I do really like it.

Peugeot are collecting it on Friday...and replacing it with a 160hp diesel version for a week.

Then I've got a SEAT Exeo 170 SE Lux for a week, and then a Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer for a week! Also got a Mondeo going back to Ford tomorrow

I've just had a Mazda 2 and a BMW 5 series comes today...should be interesting

I do like those RCZs. Only seen a couple around then. And with the same engine as the Cooper-S, plus a bit more power I can imagine it moves along nicely

Think they have copied the TT a bit too much though, in certain areas, especially around the rear 3/4.

Good effort by Pug though

i like the rcz loos nice but its has french reliability which is not good and seen one for sale at £25,000 which is alot for a pug , id rather buy a tt with the cash

Ah the old French reliability chestnut Well the engines in Citroens & Peugeots are joint ventures between PSA & BMW or Ford...

My fleet consists of 150 and they're all French except 2x Fabia Estates.

Day to day reliability issues are few and far between to be honest. If they were unreliable, I'd move away from PSA products.

My C5 Tourer is 2 years old, 40k on the clock, only had 3 services and 4 Goodyear Eagles. Oh and a DRL bulb!

French motors used to be awfully unreliable. In my experience of running them (8 years now) they are anything but reliable.

.

Edited 18 May, 201214 yr by Tim31

They look like a copy of the TT, while very nice, is seems a bit like a 'johnny come lately' car.

I believe now that whatever brand you buy, someone is going to get a Lemon - Have seen many a post here from various brands including Skoda, where people say they will never have that brand again.

My previous BX was a peach ( not in albainian sense - TG ref), the Fiat 500 was a good car ( except for dpf issues which actually turned out to be faulty sensors replaced under warranty) I had 3 VW's 2 polos - excellent & a Golf - not bad but poor quality. A Honda - 3rd most fun car ever had & reliable

You pays your money & see what you get.

I believe now that whatever brand you buy, someone is going to get a Lemon - Have seen many a post here from various brands including Skoda, where people say they will never have that brand again.

Yep. So true.

Tweet from Harry Metcalfe, owner of Evo Magazine earlier today. So you're in good company Dave

Blimey, a loveable new Peugeot! Took RCZ home last night. Zesty engine, great handling & fun to drive. Welcome back from the wilderness!

How come you get to drive so many cars? Lucky guy .

Wardy - Yes Evo seem to be enjoying their long termer!

Republic - Through work, I manage a fleet of 150+

This is the potential next car for me probably in black or white though.

Nice. I couldn't put up with one every day though. Ride and seats are very firm, and I do a fair amount of mileage.

Forget getting anyone with legs in the back too. Haha

How come you get to drive so many cars? Lucky guy .

Through work - my fleet is about 150, and manufacturers are queueing up for my money.

Have had all sorts. Jags, Volvos, Fords, VWs, loads of Peugeots, loads of Citroens. The worst one was a Hyundai i10. Lol

Do BMW tend to take an interest? My Dad used to have similar responsibility for the fleet system where he worked. Gave me the ability to try loads of stuff

But the only BMW was a 730d. Rest of the time they said they had nothing available. We reckoned it was because the 7 was pig ugly and they couldn't sell it

They did a few years back, but nothing except the Mini would suit our needs, they didn't bother quoting or getting me any demos.

Wouldn't mind a 330D tourer...

Worth an ask. What's the worst that they'll say

Also depends if you're dealing with the UK guys, or through dealerships...

I'm certain BMW Uk would provide me with a demo! Just not sure i can be bothered to sit through a meeting with them just for a demo. Hahaha!

Although i did that with VW and ended up going to the British GP with them at Silverstone and getting a Scirrocco for 2 weeks

They tried to sell me Caddy vans too. HO HO HO!

wife has spied these and things it will be good for our next car....

the one saving grace is its not actually built by peugeot..they are built by magna steyr in Austria so I am more hopeful of it not falling to pieces

to be honest I do like the look of them..like the look of a dark metallic grey with titanium coloured 19's

Well the engine is already proven, and if the build quality is upto standard too then I reckon you're onto a winner.

Really like the look of them.