It's time to move on

[Captain Jack]

Welp, after all the problems I had with my car lately, I think after nearly 5 years of ownership and 101,000 miles it's time to let go. I feel like every few weeks I have to keep doing stuff to it to keep it going, which explains my more frequent visits here recently!

So, I have put a condtional offer on this. Conditional because I haven't seen the car in flesh yet, but I spoke to the owner on the phone and via email and he seems a genuine guy who looked after it. Obviously, if there's something badly wrong with it, I will walk away and get the money back. But... I think it will be OK. It will come with a new MOT but will need a service soon as it's been 13k miles since the last oil change (will use this as a bargaining chip). Hopefully, the clutch/DMF are OK as it's only on 51k and it has spent most of the time on the motorway since the start of this year.

Why the 407? Well, it seems like a natural upgrade from the 406 as well as general familiarity of the brand and most of the mechanicals. The engine will be a different beast but still PSA, so hopefully won't take long to get my head around it. Plus, I've always wanted a 2.2 HDI with a manual box (something you can't get in a crappy looking 508) and I can de-FAP the thing! The only big worry is the clutch/DMF as I know they can be iffy on those (hi, jasper5!). But then, that seems to be the case in all the newer diesels!

I kept looking at Ford Mondeos but I really don't know that much about them despite their popularity and a wealth of information available, including from our resident mod. I fear that it might be my last Peugeot, though, as, other than the RCZ, which is a girl's car, there's nothing recent from them that I like the look of. The Peugeot 408, sold in Russia, isn't a bad looking thing, which is a cross between the 308 and the 407 but these aren't sold here and the 508 is dog-ugly. Are they employing a blind man over there? Look at Citroens - comparatively beautiful looking things, what's happening with Pugs?

[oldskoolskool]

I kept looking at Ford Mondeos

I saw this birthday card in Clintons, might put you off a bit.



P.s. not going to mention who I work for :-[

[Captain Jack]

Ford-Ad... hm...

[Welly]

Wow, you didn't hang around did you? I know exactly how you feel though, I spent sh*t loads on my 406 and it STILL was leaking fuel, needed a clutch, suspension work, air con.......it just seemed a money pit with offering nothing in return.

The 407 advert seems good, nice private sale, looked after etc. hope it works out for you mate.

[Welly]

Just spotted, the seller is obviously keen on cars (R34 in the Garage) lives in a nice area etc. but just check what the 407's been towing?

[Captain Jack]

I already asked - it's nothing the current owner towed but could have been used in the past. I'll check for signs of wear on the tow-bar to see if it was used at all.

My old green 406 had a tow-bar when I bought it at 74k but the clutch was still fine by the time I sold it at 145k, so it's not always a bad thing. (I hope).

Combined, I've owned 406s for 9 years. The D8 from Dec 2003 to April 2008 and the current D9 from February 2009 to Nov 2013. Both brilliant cars, and I am sure after I fix the starting issue on this one - and I WILL fix it, even if it needs a new HP pump - it will keep going for many more years in the hands of a new owner. After all, the clutch is only 20k/1 year old, recent front brakes, 1 year old mid and back exhaust and even new engine mounts! The only thing I would worry about, if I kept it, is the suspension as everything, except that drop-links, is from the factory. Springs will probably be the next to go....

[rapport25]

407 dont do it!!!!. Pug 406 great car!!! Not had one for nearly 4yrs. My ultra reliable VW is still serving me well. Normal wear and tear thats it. Far more reliable than my pug. Snapped springs,hp pump, tyres lasting 8-10k. Service every 10k etc....

Tyres on my VW last 20k. And the same for servicing. Looking at changing it but cant seem to part with it. 107k and is still a great car to drive.

I looked at a 407 but did not like it one bit. 405 what a great car and the 406. 407 etc..... oh dear Peugeot. I have said it many a time 205 405 306 406 great cars!!!!

[Captain Jack]

Heh, well, I did go for the apparently "reliable" Japanese 3-year old Honda Accord CDTI in the past but that was a complete pup and lasted me 10 months before the £2000 turbo failure...... Never again and as the saying goes - stick to what you know.

[jasper5]

Looks good!

I like the colour.

My 407 is a superb car, my wife loves it to bits.

Apart from having a new DMF at 44,000 miles the only thing I've done to the car is 2 drop links and 2 bottom ball joints, it's now done 83,000 miles.

The only car i would change it for is another 407, preferably a Coupe.

Citroen have sacrificed looks for reliability in my opinion.

As for VW, why have they never fixed the driver's door window faults that have been on every model for sooooo many years....and that bloody awful front suspension not to metion turbo problems (variable vanes sticking) and turbo actuators failing too often.....(expensive job).

[rapport25]

Im not saying all VW's are great!!!. Mine has been far more reliable than my Peugeot. As for issues all cars have them.

I have owned many peugeots and this being my first VW. Will never buy another Pug again.

[puggy]

Lovely car CJ , hope it works out for you , mate has got one had it about
18 mths and loves it , had no problems and is very comfy and surprisingly
quick !! and i actually like the shape

[steve_earwig]

I reckon most modern Citroens are quite nice to look at, while the Pugs Blobfish-a-rama Ok, the 407 isn't as bad as some but, having 4 dogs and the need to carry more than the shopping around, the estate is a disaster: talk about form over function... The 508 is a definite improvement anyway.

Trouble is with my back I need to look at something with an upright seating position, I lust after a coupe but I know that, together with the impracticalities of the thing, it's never going to happen. Things also have to go past t' wife with her "tall and short or I'm not driving it" restrictions. Plus I quite enjoy not giving a monkey's about the yoyo. So what would I replace it with? I've been in a C Crosser (or cross-dresser as they're known) and the seating position suits my back (the 4007 is a dog) and I'd be ok with swapping out both cars for one as it's still PSA. Trouble is it's about half a meter longer than the yoyo. Oh, and it's mostly Japanese which puts me right off. I'll probably have to drive the yoyo until it's too broken to fix any more and then what? I'd probably be nuts to get another one, so I'll be looking at something not too much bigger than it like an X3 Bimmer or perhaps a Merc ML. Urgh. Still, it would amuse me to cover one of those in dents and drive it into the ground. Oh, and I'd still be able to keep something I actually care about in the shed...

[Ares]

the 407 really looks great,even thought i do prefer 406 style over 407 cuz in my opinion 406 is the last car who succsefully combines old boxy look with some modern curved lines,but
overall looking,407 looks good,wish you much enjoyment with it mate

[jonsowman]

That does look really nice, hope to still see you around here and at 406oc meets though Alex!

[Welly]

I agree that Peugeot quality overall does not match other premium-type brands but then it never has; but what Peugeot's do ooze is comfort and character. There's something charming about a Peugeot.

I would have a 407 just for the driving experience; I hear the handling (with the wouble dish phones) is very tidy as is the ride comfort and seating. My Volvo's 'sport' sussy is f*cking horrid and should come with a health warning.

I bet if you slapped a BMW badge on a 407 they'd all think it was great.

Rappy may be lucky with his VW as I've only ever really heard negative things about the brand if I'm honest and stuff like "the perceived reliability" not living up to the dream.

Saying that if you dare to visit the Volvo Forum for my current model it reads like a horror story whereas my own car has been extremely well behaved (ish).