Why I love my 406 :)

[STALLED]

Woke up this morning extra early (9am)

Re-did all the black plastic strips with Penetrol (better than any of that black to black crap) - Though it is much stickier and is a royal pain in the arse to get off your hands! Vacuumed the car, cleaned the mats, wiped down the dash and all the plastics, cleaned the windows, installed my new private plates into their plastic holders - scraped some of the bugs off the front of it (did some serious motorway work last week) and book it in for its 165,000km service (new tie rods, bushes, two lower engine mounts)...

I've thought about buying a new car so many times. I've had a look at Astra's, Foci, Golfs etc but every time I drive one, I get the feeling that its seriously not worth another 25k on top of what I have at the moment. I did a solid 500km last week in the 406 and every time I drove it, it left a smile on my face. The car doesn't do anything amazingly well - but everything it does just forms an amazing package (ride, handling, comfort).

It's such a shame that Peugeot don't make a "newer" 406 - The 407's I have driven are a step backwards in every department. Less involving to drive, they look stupid and ride like crap!

Anyways, thats my two cents worth!

[DaiRees]

Well said that man!

I've been thinking about changing mine for a couple of years but there's just nothing that suits my needs that I want (at least not that I can afford!) .

[swiss]

I love mine too. Super comfy and fun ride despite the age and basic spec. And I can drive it for days on an empty tank ^^

[steve_earwig]

SO long as your wife doesn't mind pushing

[teamster1975]

Well said Joel!
Mine has been a labour of love; now the mechanicals are nearly there I want to get the bodywork straight, they're cracking cars

[totaleclipse]

yeah, toyed last year with getting rid of mine for an A4 avant, even had a look at an estate octavia which was going stupid cheap (53 plate, low mileage, full service history, and immaculate, £1200)

while i was looking the timing belt snapped on the 406, so i had to fix it as buying a new car depended on actually selling this one, which would be for £50 if it doesn't run, so wasn't an option.

after repairing it and doing a few other jobs, cars running better than ever, and just couldn't bring myself to part with it now unless a proper stupidly good deal came up.

which it did, 2000 V plate seat toledo, 2.3 V5 for £200, but my dad beat me to it, lol.

[lofty]

I spent 8 hours driving mine back from cornwall saturday and got out feeling as fresh as a daisy. Who cares if its 8 years old and racking loads of miles up when its that comfy and you can leave it anywhere!

Im done with keeping up with the jones (car wise) - my car probably cost me less than some folks spend on an annual service - that always makes me smile!

[rapport25]

Totally agree with all the comments have owned my 406 HDI for well over 6 years coverd nearly 200k and still it drives dead well.

Why dont peugeot make decent cars anymore? 406 is far better than a 407 in so many ways.

Thats the big question what to replace it with. I still cant decide.

Have driven many new sporty cars. A BMW M3 But on a day to day basis the 406 is the winner here.

Great comfort/ economy, performance etc.... My only suggestion is if you have a HDI get it chipped it just gives it the edge and ticks all the boxes in my opinion.

Rappy

[hammerman]

I had a 1997 Xantia 1.9TD VSX estate before my 406.I had it at 4 yrs old & 105k miles.Top of the range,all the toys.A very nice car.Had it boosted to 110 bhp.Went ok,but towing the caravan it would get very hot.Engine wise,no probs.I sold it at 172k miles.The suspension was great,but had 1 or 2 expensive problems with it.Typical PSA electrics,air bag lights,abs ect.I would have brought my Dad`s X reg 2000 406 GLX estate,but it was a 90 hdi.
He then got a 2003 406 est 110 hdi SE,which i brought at 3 yrs old with 56k miles.Got it for about £1300 LESS than it was worth(company car).
Best car i`ve had.Fully loaded,all the toys.Tows our caravan likes its not there(140 bhp re-map),cruise control all day at 65mph with the caravan.Temp gauge only creeps up when towing in hot weather up hill(or in France or Italy).Its a lot better on tyres,brakes & fuel than the Xantia,no suspension to worry about etc...
The only down sides for me are no sunroof(every car i`ve had has had a sunroof(inc the Xantia with a/c/c/control),elcetric half leather seats but WITH NO MEMORY settings ,typical french electrics,air bag,abs,engine lights etc,& the chrome bumper strips with water ingress,the same as the Xantia.Why cant they make them so the dont rust???
My Dad got a 2006 407 hdi 136 estate to replace my 406.Nice car but spec for spec(both SE`s)mine is better.
We took our caravans to Italy in 2007,on the steep hills i left him for dead in my re-mapped 406(same weight caravans )& i get better fuel economy.
I have driven his 407 a few times.Its a nice car,but my left knee always rubs on the center consoul,& i find visability is not so good.My boot is also bigger.
I wont be upgrading to his 407 next month when it goes,i`ll stick with my 406 thanks .