1992 Peugeot 309 GLD 1.9 diesel
Summary:
Very economical, uncomfortable, relatively safe motoring
Faults:
Alternator suddenly broke down in the middle of the motorway. I had to wait for help, and get the car towed to my local garage. Cost 60 euros to fix.
The horn doesn't always work (poor quality plastic button melts with summer heat).
Cassette player has never worked properly - radio goes OK.
Boot plastic seals worn away at around 140000, resulting in water leakages into the boot when it rains (not fixed).
Drivers' door lock won't work anymore (145000), so I have to open the right door, from the inside open up the driver's door, go round, and then get in the drivers' seat (I guess I'll have to fix that!)
Front left light bulb (H1) went out at 148000, and was fixed for no charge the last time I went to change oil.
General Comments:
I purchased this car for 800 euros.
It has served me loyally a year and a half and done about 30000 km.
Fuel consumption is ridiculously low: 6 litres every 100km.
Flat out top speed around 160kmh, but real motorway cruising maximum speed is around 120-130kmh.
Handles quite good; brakes quite good too.
Not good handling in the snow.
Tiny seats mean if you're tall (like me) you're back is gonna die on long journeys - but the little pug will get you there, while delivering better mpg than a brand new Ford Focus TDCi. The engine produces a lot of noise and vibrations, which make long motorway journeys quite uncomfortable.
All in all, if you've got a tight budget, then this is the car for you. But don't expect any comfort at all: at 120kmh the noise is so loud you can't even hear the radio. After a 300-mile trip you're sure to have a headache.
Repairs and running costs extremely cheap.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 25th December, 2008
29th Aug 2010, 15:43
I originally posted this report, and the story goes: it now has 200.000 km on the clock, and in total I've done about 800 euros in repairs (when I made this report I had done about 400 euros in repairs). I am very very happy with it, and I think its reliability and running costs marks could both be raised one position! Truly great reliable car, still getting the same fuel economy, and it doesn't burn any oil at all.
28th Dec 2008, 13:53
I had one of these cars, doing 55,000 miles in 3 years and taking it to 215,000 miles before I scrapped it - well worth the 600 pounds I paid. I did modify it when I bought it by getting power steering fitted for 150 pounds (secondhand bits), otherwise it was very heavy to drive.