Peugeot 207 SW (2007 - 2013) 1.6 HDi (90bhp) Outdoor 5d (2008/08) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

That I have dogs and kids, but that despite having to drive an estate I have at least gone for one that looks vaguely attractive and isn't just a boring box. And that economy is important. It does around 55mpg on short journeys, and 60-62 on a motorway.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Dunno. My son likes it much more than our old Laguna, and so do I. Comments have been all positive without raving about it - well, it's not a Porsche or an Aston Martin is it? It's just a car, but quite a nice one.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Possibly. I'd rather have the 110bhp version, and I wouldn't go for the Outdoor model, as the others I test drove seemed quieter and more refined. (I bought this one as it had low mileage and was by far the best deal - I didn't aim to get the Outdoor model specifically.).

What are you likely to buy next?

Depends if I'm still carting dogs and kids about. If so, another small estate. If I have some measure of freedom by then, something smallish, nippy and cool that holds the road like glue while still being incredibly economical. It will also be purple, or a beautiful bright blue.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Didn't buy from a dealer

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£6,700

When did you buy the car?

July 2012

Did you get a good deal and why?

Reasonably. I got a better price for my part exchange than other places had offered, and they knocked a few hundred off the price.We paid what Parker's guide suggested we should.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

I needed something that would fit 2 medium/large dogs in the boot, as well as kids on the school run, while being small enough to insure my son for when he learns to drive next year but not so gutless that I'd be driving with my foot flat to the floor while shouting "Go, dammit!". Oh, and nothing grey, beige, black or silver. Or pink.

What was the dealer like?

Bought from a small, independent, family-run garage in a village, so if the garage had a bad reputation everyone would know about it. The guys who ran the place were all friendly and helpful and didn't pile on the pressure.

What's it like to drive?

Steering is light at low speed but feels sturdier as speed increases. Gearbox is typical Peugeot, though this car needs to be in a lower gear than any of my previous cars - it doesn't comfortably go in 4th until about 35mph, for example. Ride is quite hard, though seems harder on the Outdoor than other 207 SWs I test drove. The Outdoor is also noisier and more "diesely-sounding". Acceleration is reasonable. If the car were just for me I'd have the 110bhp version, but it's for my son too, so I can't. But overtaking on an A-road is fine, and doesn't produce the shot of adrenaline that comes with worrying that the car won't actually make it; provided you remember to change down, that is. I haven't shouted at the car yet, so that must be a good sign.

What's it like to park?

Easy - nice and small, shortish bonnet, good visibility, and no more driving past parking spaces that will only fit a small car in.

Have you had any problems with the car?

No, though the brakes squeak a bit.

What's most practical about your car?

The boot, though it would be even better if the seats did that double fold thing where they stack behind the front seats.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

The panoramic sunroof is lovely, and I'm loving having manual aircon instead of those stupid climate control things that suddenly blast out cold air at you when you want warm, or vice versa.