Faults:

When I first got it everything was working fine. I was happy with everything on my 5 year old Peugeot.

After a few months the alternator died, huge cost at that time, 1500eu for the part and the mechanic. That was weird as it had only 170000km at that time.

I had my friend repair the original after a few months so now I still have it just in case.

Then I had some rodents, probably squirrels hide some nuts in the center of the engine, I can't remember the details anymore but while I was on a highway those pieces flew into the valves. You can imagine the rest. The damage was 2500eu.

This was not the fault of the car, of course, but my pocket didn't care.

After that the start/stop contraption finally stopped the infernal start/stopping nonsense, but it also produced a fault code.

Fine, let it warn me...

Then another code which was weird, it put me in a safety mode, turns off my anti-skid sensor and cruise control, but the car runs generally fine. When I shut it off and start the car again, the code clears. My mechanic tried replacing one sensor that the code indicated but that didn't fix it. This safe mode thing happens rarely and I am prepared to tolerate it.

Then at around 220000 the engine block cracked out of nowhere and I had to replace the whole engine. Now I have a 2016 engine.

Overall it had lots issues that I had to deal with and it became an expensive car to maintain.

But it is very comfortable on long drives which I do a lot, so it makes sense to me to keep fixing it.

Buying a new car makes no sense to me. Too much money and still you can crash it in a second.

It this way, if I don't have the money, I don't fix it, I don't drive it.

All in all, I cannot really recommend this car for everyone, but for me it works because it is comfortable and has lots of space in the boot.

I like to keep it in an almost new condition so I will be putting more money into it. Besides, when I bought it it was already out of warranty so it is natural that I pay for further maintenance.

Without those freak expenses like the alternator and the squirrels, I would be very happy with my purchase.

General Comments:

Peugeot is comfortable but complicated electronics. This will cost you over time. But it is very economical with fuel. I can get 4.5 liters per 100km if I'm alone in the car and I drive 105km/h. That and the comfort makes up for expensive maintenance.

Thank you!

Faults:

The car broke down 4 months after filling it with fuel. Did not overfill and anyway, can you overfill a car these days? Put in HIGHER than recommended octane. Drove 10 feet then had to push it into the street which was VERY difficult to steer! I opened the fuel rail and let out a few drops and that fixed it, but this should NEVER happen. Completely stupid and this engine is in the current model that costs over 50K!

The engine drops and drinks oil needing 1L every 1,500 km. This is a common issue with this motor. The motor has been well cared for and has only done 90,000 km (mostly highway).

The glove box light doesn't work and seems unable to be fixed.

The clutch squeaks loudly on engagement sometimes.

A major Peugeot dealer couldn't care less when I rang to ask if the timing belt had been changed.

General Comments:

CONS (Where do I start?)

Clutch is very grabby and must be released s-l-o-w-l-y in 2nd gear either from 1st or 3rd gear if you don't want to go through the windshield. Makes for a jerky drive.

Gear stick has long throws and the worst feel of any manual I have ever driven, especially into 4th... yuk! There are huge gaps in the ratios; especially between 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Gearing is very tall, and combined with the thrummy 3 cylinder below 2,300 rpm means 4th is useless under 75 km/h, and 5th under 90km/h. Forget 6th unless you have VERY high speed limits.

The French can't be bothered to move anything for RHD so the fuse box is in the non lockable glovebox, which means it can carry virtually nothing, the radio control is on the left, the fan dial is on the left. The lever for the bonnet is in the frame of the left door. Too bad if you are parked (or break down) next to something and can't open the door.

The tailgate has a weird rubber button that takes several attempts to open, and once you do the tailgate is very heavy, especially to close. The parcel shelf doesn't move much out of the way either.

The accelerator response is extremely doughy.

The A pillar completely obstructs some roundabouts.

The torsion beam rear end means the back hops around all over the road.

PROS

Brilliant on fuel, only 6.5L/100 km in city and suburban driving only. You'd easily get < 5.5L with only freeway driving.

Great power once moving and in 2nd gear.

Very quiet and relaxed on the freeway, which is really the only driving the 308 is suited to.

Looks great and far more expensive than it is.

Huge boot, and back seat is extremely easy to fold down, unlike a previous Mk4 Golf that required removing the 3 rear head restraints and moving the squab BEFORE folding the seat.

Fantastic steering with no torque steer and probably the smallest turning circle in its class.

Being the base model, the climate and audio controls are easier to use than the touch screen that all reviews complain about.

Air conditioning is the most powerful I have ever used in any car. Heater is good.