Which car to keep, 306 vs Fiesta?

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jamesgmg
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Which car to keep, 306 vs Fiesta?

Post by jamesgmg »

We have recently bought a Berlingo XTR which we use for leisure purposes for which it is brilliant. However this new purchase means I need to decide which of the following other two cars gets sold. This is the car which primarily is my wifes commute to work (a 36 mile round trip).

Peugeot 306 LX
Year 2000
1.9D DW8
81,000 miles
5 door
Air con, electric windows/mirrors, remote locking.
Excellent condition, very clean, recent new discs, pads and exhaust.
It's just had a warranty repair with new cylinder head and timing belt kit due to a garage messing up. Had never missed a beat before this and is back to running sweet and starting on the button. Clutch has just started to slip slightly when at full throttle at certain rpms (been quoted £260 for an LUK clutch).

Ford Fiesta Finesse
Year 2003
1.25 Zetec
122,000 miles
3 door
Body work is poor but mechanically very sound. Had since new, has been very reliable, cost little and engine is sweet as a nut (burning a little oil now, maybe 1lt every 12,000 miles).

My head says keep the 306 as it's a higher spec and its likely to have bags of life left in it but my wife doesn't like the heavier steering and clutch and that it's "slow", she also prefers the "looks" of the fiesta.

Would be very interested in others opinions of which they would keep?
Last edited by jamesgmg on 26 Oct 2012, 18:37, edited 1 time in total.
Northern_Mike

Re: Which car to keep, 306 vs Fiesta?

Post by Northern_Mike »

I would keep the Peugeot. As you say, it's higher spec, lower miles, and I suspect, more economical. A new clutch may take away some of the heaviness. I find them a nicer car than the Fiesta to be in and drive, but that's just my thoughts.

The rot is only going to get worse on the fiesta.
jamesgmg
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Re: Which car to keep, 306 vs Fiesta?

Post by jamesgmg »

Rattiva_Mike wrote:The rot is only going to get worse on the fiesta.
It's not rust, it's got damage on a rear wheel arch and drove over a mattress that fell off a van in front (!), ripping the front splitter off the bumper and smashing some plastic behind the bumper around the bottom of the radiator. It's also had two few professionally repaired minor shunts to the front and back. I could tidy that all up if we keep it.
Andy F
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Re: Which car to keep, 306 vs Fiesta?

Post by Andy F »

I would keep the 306, but i am biased. A 1.9 N/a diesel could last for hundreds of thousands of miles with not too much maintainance. i would guess a petrol ford at 122,000 miles could be fine for a while but not indefinitely.

A 306 is a fantastic car, very roomy and i expect the diesel would be more frugal than the fiesta. Our 306 is brilliant, its a 1.6 petrol on 138,000 miles, but it keeps going and looks very smart still.
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Northern_Mike

Re: Which car to keep, 306 vs Fiesta?

Post by Northern_Mike »

Oh, I misunderstood. I just presumed, being that model of Fiesta, it was rot, as some of them really did rot spectacularly.

They're a nice little car to drive, but I would still prefer the Peugeot. It's more practical with the 5 doors. I suspect the engine will outlast a modern petrol Ford.
jamesgmg
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Re: Which car to keep, 306 vs Fiesta?

Post by jamesgmg »

Here's rather unflattering pic of the 306 after the garage screwed it up but it's all I can find at the moment!
Image

Fiesta (I must have just cleaned it, the back end is the tidiest part)
Image
Northern_Mike

Re: Which car to keep, 306 vs Fiesta?

Post by Northern_Mike »

I prefer the looks of the fiesta but the mechanicals of the 306. Do you have a welder? :D
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waynedance
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Re: Which car to keep, 306 vs Fiesta?

Post by waynedance »

Like them both but would have to say as a second car the Fiesta if it had A/C, not seen too many Zetecs without it.
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Re: Which car to keep, 306 vs Fiesta?

Post by jamesgmg »

waynedance wrote:Like them both but would have to say as a second car the Fiesta if it had A/C, not seen too many Zetecs without it.
No aircon on the fiesta, pretty basic really, manual windows, non-remote central locking...
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Post by addo »

I think the decision is most properly made by the GLW! That's all there is to it.
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Post by jamesgmg »

addo wrote:I think the decision is most properly made by the GLW! That's all there is to it.
LOL :-)
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Re: Which car to keep, 306 vs Fiesta?

Post by bxzx16v »

306 for me , great car . A real shame it's not an Hdi but a very dependable engine all the same . I'd put the new clutch in and I'm sure it will be spot on .

Mark
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waynedance
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Re: Which car to keep, 306 vs Fiesta?

Post by waynedance »

jamesgmg wrote:
waynedance wrote:Like them both but would have to say as a second car the Fiesta if it had A/C, not seen too many Zetecs without it.
No aircon on the fiesta, pretty basic really, manual windows, non-remote central locking...
In that case Fiesta has to go.
Volvo S80 D5.........
C5 2.2HDi Exclusive 2003 manual (now gone).
2009 Renault Megane, the misses drive.
Had a 1988 BX 19TRS Auto many moons ago.
Forgive any spelling mistakes, it's the phone not me.
jamesgmg
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Re: Which car to keep, 306 vs Fiesta?

Post by jamesgmg »

bxzx16v wrote:306 for me , great car . A real shame it's not an Hdi but a very dependable engine all the same . I'd put the new clutch in and I'm sure it will be spot on .

Mark
Agreed, if it was the HDI I think it would be a no brainer.
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Re: Which car to keep, 306 vs Fiesta?

Post by chrisjvm »

Peugeot v Ford on FCF ? :-D
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