Pocket Rocket (Peugeot 206 D turbo)

Member Name: Nollaig

Product:	Peugeot 206 D turbo
Date:	07/02/03 (1843 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: fast, agile, economical

Disadvantages: relatively expensive to buy, not the quietest, bit cramped in the back

There are lots of 206's around, as for the last couple of years it's been the best-selling privately bought car in the UK. However you still don't see too many D Turbo's, perhaps because it's up at the sharp end of the price range.

Mine is now 2 years old and has covered 18,000 miles with 100% reliability. It's fast, frugal and fun; the 2 litre HDI engine is so smooth and eager yet returns 45 mpg round town and 55+ mpg on a long journey at max legal speeds. Handling is just delightful - in spite of its high build it doesn't roll much, grip is unending and steering is accurate and well-weighted.

You couldn't really call it a quiet car, with that big diesel lump sitting inches in front of you. But engine noise isn't really the problem (it's vibration-free and easily drowned out by the radio) - no, it's road noise, perhaps caused by the low profile tyres on this model. Once again the CD-radio is the answer, and it really sounds very good for a small car system. It's also easy to operate with large buttons and a stalk control on the steering column.

I'm not usually much concerned with the way a car looks on the outside, but I have to say that the 206 does stand out with its dramatic curves, even if mine is a slightly girly pale blue - my teenage daughter did help me choose it. Its rally success has given the 206 just the right amount of street-cred, I reckon.

Inside, the dash is smart and simple, front seats are comfortable and grippy and it's remarkably roomy, though less so in the back. Ride quality is high but not quite as composed as my previous Citroens. I find the driving position fine, in spite of what some reviewers say, although the pedal bay is cramped (I'm used to this now).

All in all, this is a well-built, practical car and provides the best driving experience in 40 years of driving and 16 cars owned.

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