Car reviews

Introduction

The Peugeot 307 CC is clearly inspired by some of its predecessors, perhaps most notably the 206 CC and the 306 convertible, which definitely isn't a bad thing. At its core the 307 CC is a fun to drive car, aimed at the masses. In other words, it's affordable yet fun. Add to that the fact that it's surprisingly quiet and you won't be overly bothered by the wind (unlike some older 'affordable' convertibles) nor does the engine produce much noise and what you've got is a quite nice little convertible.

The main fault with the 307 CC is actually its main fault, it is often the case with convertibles that rear seat passengers are going to be a bit uncomfortable due to a lack of legroom, and unfortunately the 307 CC is no exception to that rule. There's also a distinct lack of space in the boot when the roof is down, but that will surely come as no surprise.

Exterior & Interior

Although the 307 was built on the same old Citroen Xsara platform dragging along from the early 1990s, the car is much bigger than the previous French compacts and you cannot accuse it of being old-fashioned. Its front end is executed in the 607-styled dragonfly theme which makes the car look bigger than it actually is. The 307 is one of the most beautiful European coupe-cabriolets.

The interior design is decent but not more than that. It's not marketed as a luxury cabriolet, hence the materials are standard and not always good quality. It is designed to seat four adults, but it will be fairer to say that it's a comfortable 2+2 car.

Drive

Essentially, it's just a 307 with a flexible roof. The car doesn't display any sportive qualities and its handling is rather mediocre. The main attraction in this car is the looks and the price. With the larger 2.0-litre engine, it provides decent acceleration and speed. However, you cannot stop thinking that it's pretty average overall.

Faults & Repairs

While there are cheaper alternatives, the 307CC is competitively priced and offers good bang for your buck. As an added advantage it holds value better than its competitors, even after several years of ownership. While some of the engine options are, as discussed, more fun than others, they all offer good economy with the diesel coming out on top. In terms of reliability the Peugeot 307 CC does, unfortunately, suffer from common electrical issues, and the quality of the interior fittings have received a fair bit of criticism. On the bright side, repairs aren't overly expensive and there are plenty of independent mechanics who are well equipped to handle them if your local dealer's repair quote is a bit steep.

The 307 isn't quite as reliable as Peugeot had probably hoped, and there are quite a few minor faults that tend to occur with time. Most of them are related to the electrics, so that should be your first point of call when inspecting one prior to purchase. Perhaps the most critical issue is that the electric roof may stop working properly. Ensure that you put it up and folded it down several times before making a purchasing decision! Apart from that, make sure that the service history is up to date.