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I am with R2D2 on this. I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would buy an expensive to maintain, unreliable, potentially unsafe (small), imported car for their offspring to drive when there are loads of safer (bigger) cars available for similar prices.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigJon
Some With DSC, TC, dual airbags and ABS etc etc too. Much as I dislike Commodores and Falcons they have SOME decent safety features, and are cheap to buy.
JC
We have a 307 HDi. It's great to drive, extremely economical and so far 100% reliable - can't fault it.
Dbl post
Avoid both (in fact any euro) Pug & Astra convertables. Their issue is the hydraulic hoses for the roof operation are a odd size and cannot CANNOT CANNOT CANNOT CANNOT CANNOT CANNOT be replaced with ANYTHING other than original. I'll elaborate for retention of info for future generations.
The ID of the hose is 2.7mm (marked as 3mm but after manufacturing some fittings & crimp collars to this size they aren't 3mm). Used to work in hydraulics and once a week (about a year after they came onto the market) would see a poor downtrodden soul wandering into the drive carrying a solitary hose. Initially tried replacements using the original fittings removed from the hoses silver soldered into fittings for the standard hoses I could supply (in 2 or 4mm). 2mm would result in slower operation of that part of the roof that the hose supplied, destroying the roof as one customer found out. Also the pressure at the pump would go into bypass during operation and they are only a plastic internal pump and melt down with heat.
4mm was the the same (without the pressure issues) but in faster operation, again would kill the roof and the larger hose could not be flexed into the ridiculously small area required.
The hose is manufactured by Parker Hydraulics in Italy but even Parker Aust cannot got hold of it or the fittings as it is an OEM product and is used virtually worldwide for these applications. Hoses from both Holden and Peugeot are available as a set only and run about a thousand dollars last time I heard.
Best one we had was a concrete pumper who came in a purchased a hose just specifying the length and fittings, didn't say what it was for. Took it home and soldered it to his convertible fittings and plugged it in and away he went. Had the slow operation issue and destroyed his roof, on his 2009 F430 Ferrari. So he bought it back on a tilt tray and tried to get us to pay for the replacement roof. Funny part is the Ferrari hose is about $80- and could be bought individually. The roof was just short of $80k fitted (no insurance).
Sorry to run off topic but there is no option on these and can be why they are cheap to buy, usually the roof is down for when you go to inspect (if its down some I guess wouldn't question if it works).
Apart from that the pug diesel is an excellent engine, economical and quiet. Memory though the auto can have some issues if not serviced regularly. A friend had an Astra and had an issue with the A/C//heater fan switch. Was quoted $1200- plus fitting, a month wait for parts and 4 days to replace. Ebay, $80- and a day in the front yard had it fixed.
I sold my Defe and we bought a 505 for $1100 to use it until I can find a good Peugeot 406.
I love Peugeots, having previous to this 505 a 504, 205 and two 505. They are great cars and IMO a 505 is far superior than any Falcon, comodore or any jap car. The 406 is awesome and the auto gearbox is cheap to fix.
Do not touch the 407 with auto. The gearbox it is sealed like the BMW and VW and cost up to $ 6000 to replace.
If you can find a Peu diesel in a reasonable good condition go for it.:)
:Rolling::Rolling::Rolling:Quote:
Originally Posted by Chucaro
I love this forum.
Oh well Big fellow, how long took GMH and Ford to have a sedan with disc breaks and independant suspension 30 years or so after the european car manufacturers.?Quote:
Originally Posted by BigJon
Peugueot have it on the very early 504 models when for GMH and Fords having power asisted breaks was a step foward on some models. :D
I used to have Cortinas Gt models and they were not even close to a 504 in handling and safety.
Now, I can fix my 505 with little money and go to places safe and cheap where any new car can go at an extra cost and risks. :D
Very interesting thanks. Not possible to place a restrictor in the hose to get the 2.7mm effect. Not something I would do without expertise. Just throwing it out there. Not the same I know but we used to do that with orifice plates in mining industrial pumps.
For the right price I am not over concerned as I expect it to only last her a couple of years.
A little surprised with the safety, I thought Pugs were very safe when compared to similar model Commodores etc.
Cheers
Craig
Quote:
Originally Posted by clubagreenie
JC,Quote:
Originally Posted by justinc
Thanks for the info, just how unsafe are the soft tops in comparison to the hard tops and equivalent year vehicles?