I passed my driving test today :)

Tenson

Tenson

Joined
Nov 12, 2003
Messages
5,947
Reaction score
1
Location
Kent, UK
So now I want to get a car. I want to get a diesel turbo. I prefer diesel for driving around at low speed as the the lower revs are more relaxing. I want a turbo because on the motorway it helps.

I am keen on the Peugeot 307 and the 306. My Dad had a very nice 205 TD so I am a little positively biased to these. The 307 has a more squared off boot than the 306, so I think I can fit more stuff in there for doing hi-fi exhibitions and whatnot. I heard the gearbox can be a weak point on Peugeot's, is there anything else I should look out for particularly on the 307?

The Ford Focus hatchback also looks nice but with 110bhp compared with the 307's 90bhp it seems to be about £100 more expensive to insure.

A VW Golf is of course a nice car but I heard they are quite heavy so probably need a bit of power under the bonnet. I would think it's quite expensive?

Honda Civic hatchback? Not sure a TD is common. Are they cheap o have repaired if they go wrong?

Thoughts please!

P.S. Also considering doing 'pass plus' that apparently helps lower the insurance costs.
 
Tenson said:
So now I want to get a car. I want to get a diesel turbo. I prefer diesel for driving around at low speed as the the lower revs are more relaxing. I want a turbo because on the motorway it helps.

I am keen on the Peugeot 307 and the 306. My Dad had a very nice 205 TD so I am a little positively biased to these. The 307 has a more squared off boot than the 306, so I think I can fit more stuff in there for doing hi-fi exhibitions and whatnot. I heard the gearbox can be a weak point on Peugeot's, is there anything else I should look out for particularly on the 307?

The Ford Focus hatchback also looks nice but with 110bhp compared with the 307's 90bhp it seems to be about £100 more expensive to insure.

A VW Golf is of course a nice car but I heard they are quite heavy so probably need a bit of power under the bonnet. I would think it's quite expensive?

Honda Civic hatchback? Not sure a TD is common. Are they cheap o have repaired if they go wrong?

Thoughts please!

P.S. Also considering doing 'pass plus' that apparently helps lower the insurance costs.
Click to expand...



Before I talk about cars, I don't know about passplus but consider the advanced drivers coiurse, before you get caught up in any bad habits. It drove me round the twist when I did it (and failed.....but thats another tala. Major toothache didn't halp)) but if you go to it stright after your test you may be in a better position.

I've heared bad things aboiut pugs. Maybe the tales i've heared are not represenative. I don't know. On the other hand Ive heared only pretty much good stuff about fucuses.

The honda maybe ok but watch spares prices.

The golf i woiuld have thoiugh would be a good bet as they are solid as anything, well proven and pretty dependable, Spares and servicing are likely to be dear thoiugh, espcially in comparison to most fords.

Keep the bhp low for a year or so whislt you build up a bit of expereince and ncb. The insurance companies are pretty ruthless to most drivers and first timers I'm sure find it an expensive business.

Congratulations btw.

Great work!
 
I wouldn't bother with the 307 its french and over complicated.

Ther Focus is probably the best buy out of that lot just make sure there is no rust on it as some of the older ones are now rusting at the wheel arches.
 
I went to see a Focus TDCi and a 306 HDi Meridian today. Both were nice, but the 306 was cheaper and better condition, so I bought it :) Actually it is in lovly condition, the interior is good and the engine sounds very smooth (had a cambelt change 35,000 miles ago). The seller was also very nice indeed, not your usual dodgy dealer! I'll collect tomorrow so I'll grab some pictures. :)

Fast too, I know they can do over 130mph :eek:
 
Tenson said:
I went to see a Focus TDCi and a 306 HDi Meridian today. Both were nice, but the 306 was cheaper and better condition, so I bought it :) Actually it is in lovly condition, the interior is good and the engine sounds very smooth (had a cambelt change 35,000 miles ago). The seller was also very nice indeed, not your usual dodgy dealer! I'll collect tomorrow so I'll grab some pictures. :)

Fast too, I know they can do over 130mph :eek:
Click to expand...



My, my.

That sounds a bit decisive (spontaineous?).

Anyway were waiting for those pics..... ;)
 
cool...a 306xr was my first car after I passed my test.

shame I wrote it off...
 
DavidF said:
My, my.

That sounds a bit decisive (spontaineous?).

Anyway were waiting for those pics..... ;)
Click to expand...

It was a surprisingly nice car. Also my Dad used to be a mechanic so if he says it's good I'm pretty safe. He could tell it had a cam-belt change by listening to it lol. Time will tell.
 
Tenson said:
It was a surprisingly nice car. Also my Dad used to be a mechanic so if he says it's good I'm pretty safe. He could tell it had a cam-belt change by listening to it lol. Time will tell.
Click to expand...


Yes.

Some cars you've just got to have.

its also useful that your dads a mechanic!
 
Congratultions Simon!

Now get ready to beware of other drivers! I've very rarely managed to drive for more than 10 minutes without encountering an idiot since passing my test.
 
MO! said:
Congratultions Simon!

Now get ready to beware of other drivers! I've very rarely managed to drive for more than 10 minutes without encountering an idiot since passing my test.
Click to expand...


exactly..it's always the other drivers fault... ;)
 
MO! said:
Congratultions Simon!

Now get ready to beware of other drivers! I've very rarely managed to drive for more than 10 minutes without encountering an idiot since passing my test.
Click to expand...

I've found most drivers very kind. Probably because I'm the one making mistakes.
 
Tenson said:
I've found most drivers very kind. Probably because I'm the one making mistakes.
Click to expand...


I always felt self consious when I was in a learner car (especially witha 3rd party company as opposed to my ex's car that only had a couple of L plates on...) - and felt much more relaxed and liberated when I was out on the road by myself...

the first time you go out by yourself is great too!
 
quote

Tenson said:
So now I want to get a car. I want to get a diesel turbo. I prefer diesel for driving around at low speed as the the lower revs are more relaxing. I want a turbo because on the motorway it helps.

I am keen on the Peugeot 307 and the 306. My Dad had a very nice 205 TD so I am a little positively biased to these. The 307 has a more squared off boot than the 306, so I think I can fit more stuff in there for doing hi-fi exhibitions and whatnot. I heard the gearbox can be a weak point on Peugeot's, is there anything else I should look out for particularly on the 307?

The Ford Focus hatchback also looks nice but with 110bhp compared with the 307's 90bhp it seems to be about £100 more expensive to insure.

A VW Golf is of course a nice car but I heard they are quite heavy so probably need a bit of power under the bonnet. I would think it's quite expensive?

Honda Civic hatchback? Not sure a TD is common. Are they cheap o have repaired if they go wrong?

Thoughts please!

P.S. Also considering doing 'pass plus' that apparently helps lower the insurance costs.
Click to expand...

congrats simon, now is less preasure on dev, well done that man,,
nando.
 
DSC_0423c.jpg

DSC_0425c.jpg

DSC_0426c.jpg


But, I have a shopping list of work I want to do on it. The clutch and the accelerator don't have a very smooth action, and that makes smooth driving difficult. So the clutch cable needs oiling or replacing and the accelerator cable needs tightening or replacing. The hand-break is crap so needs adjusting too. Besides that the rear breaks could do with adjustment as the disks have uneven wear.

My Dad said he will give me a lesson in all that on Monday :)

The engine is nice. I can pull away just by releasing the clutch, no acclelerator even needed lol. I can almost pull away in second. Like that torque :)

Forgot the inside pic.

DSC_0428c.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Latest posts

Back
Top