Peugeot 307 CC

there was definitely a nip in the air which confirmed that autumn had truly begun. However, more upsetting than saying farewell to sunny days at the beach or playing late-night tennis on light, summer evenings was handing back the keys to our long-term Peugeot 307 CC.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Gary Lord

October 2004

As I got into the car this morning, I noticed there was definitely a nip in the air which confirmed that autumn had truly begun. However, more upsetting than saying farewell to sunny days at the beach or playing late-night tennis on light, summer evenings was handing back the keys to our long-term Peugeot 307 CC.
KN53 FUT was a great companion over the warm months - probably because this year's weather hasn't been that great, and this is where the Coupé Cabriolet really came into its own. We've praised the super-swift roof in all our previous reports, but that's because it's been faultless. It certainly kept me dry during the numerous summer downpours, with the CC switching from convertible to tin-top in seconds.
So, as I handed over the keys of my summer love, I looked back on all the happy times. How-ever, as with any relationship, the course of true love doesn't always run smoothly...
Even though the metal roof has performed flawlessly, the cabin's electrics have not fared so well. It was at about 10,000 miles, on the A12 Redbridge roundabout in east London, that I noticed the cruise control alarmingly take on a mind of its own. I felt the accelerator pedal fall away from under my foot and saw the revs shoot up. Fortunately, it was easy enough to disengage with a press of the brake pedal. Then the electric window and mirror switches started to operate the opposite sides that they were supposed to, so the left button unwound the right window.
Luckily, Peugeot dealer Warwick Wright of Clapham, London, fixed the problems while the car was back at the garage to have yet another dent removed. Previously, a pizza delivery bike had bashed into its side. However, this new prang was down to one of the city's less careful bike couriers, and cost ΂£471.62 for the repair.
The dealer put the electrical defect down to the ECU, as it missed an early recall for the trip computer. This was because we didn't possess both of the car's key fobs. However, the fault was quickly corrected and there were no more hitches. Indeed, a couple of other 307 CC drivers - at Warwick Wright for a service - told me they were more than happy with their cars, so it seems the drop-top is proving a pretty reliable choice.
Both, though, had gone for the more powerful 180bhp model. However, I've been quite content with 138bhp, as for me, the joy of open-top ownership is taking in the scenery, and not rushing around. Driving along a coast road with the roof down made me realise why convertibles are more popular in the UK than anywhere else in Europe.
And because the CC's cabin is such a comfortable, luxurious place to be with its leather interior, touring the country has been a real joy. This pleasure has been enhanced by a wealth of gadgets, which include sat-nav, an integral phone and a CD changer. Plus, all these optional extras can be operated by steering-wheel controls - the car would even read out my text messages!
The 307 has been very practical, too. Unlike the 206 CC, it has rear seats you can actually use, and the boot is vast - but don't go to the supermarket with the top down as I did. Squeezing your shopping under the stowed roof is no easy task. Such problems are not going to worry me now, though, as the CC has gone and my fickle thoughts are turning to the cold, dark mornings and evenings. I'd better make sure my next car has got heated seats...