Moar French Shite! And some '89 Fiesta Ghia snaps.

[R9UKE]

First fleet addition of 2013, hopefully a sign of what the year has to offer.

 

1998 Peugeot 406 3.0 V6 24v Executive Estate Auto. Got chatting to a mechanic by me about V6s and he happened to mention that his wife was driving this up until about a year ago, one thing led to another and well...

 

 

 

 

 

Various electrical systems have started coming back to life, unfortunately the ABS light is sticking around and the arse warmers aren't doing their job. Apart from that, a record number of gadgets still work on this 15 year old Frenchy. Even the auto wipers.

 

Probably the most comfortable seats I've ever sat in, even better than the Vel Satis. The V6 and box seem as healthy as ever and an MOT doesn't seem too out of reach. Changed the spring this morning, you can see the state of the old one. Backbox needs replaced also and the handbrake doesn't really work. Once MOTd it'll be the perfect car for picking up more French shit and bringing it back to the Garden of Shite with its tow bar while doing 8 MPG. Can't wait.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now for quite the contrast. I spotted an ad on gumtree for a Fiesta being broken for parts. It's a 1989 Ghia which has suffered a break in and attempted theft, though is still driving. He wants scrap money for it. It's a bit rough around the edges, but a rare one. He bought it for the number plate which has now been transferred off it. Thoughts?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cort16]

Top work on that 406 you must have owner every v6 French car produced in the last 20 year. The seats look fantastic. How quick are these in real life? The 0-60 times of stuff like this usually 8+ seconds, which isn't really red hot performance but I know 0-60's not the full story,

 

I think that little fiesta is better just going to the bridge it looks as rough as a badgers arse hole and the 1.1's about undesirable as it it gets.

[155V6]

Liking the 406

[Mr Lobster]

Nice 406

 

I'd agree that the only real option for the Fiesta is a trip over the bridge. Looks pretty buggered really.

[eddyramrod]

You swine Luke! I'm Nordic Green ( ) with envy for that! The non-colour and non-MoT status go some way to alleviating my jealousy though, at least I can take mine to work and not lose it in ASDA's car park. Lush car, well done. Fiesta: as others have said, weigh it, unless you know someone with little cash who needs a first car and is keen to learn about looking after it. That's the best use of it really.... Good luck!

[Split_Pin]

Those seats look fantastic! Lovely big motor there.

 

If nothing else is up with it then some cheap bits from a scrappy would sort out that Fezza. Would make a good wee car for someone, even if you don't make a profit on it. Seems a bit of a waste otherwise

[R9UKE]

Eddy you're the first person ever to use a Vel Satis related pun and I LOVE IT

 

Cort to be honest I have yet to click that sport button and give it a real good hammering - given that the pipe has completely detached from the back box I think it'd be unkind to my ears and everyone around. The effortlessness is pretty awesome though, and the pickup from 50 for overtaking is incredible... Was feeling like the star of those French "Taxi" films from the late 90s.... If you haven't seen them, do so soon, top French shite spotting, Safrane's and 605s get plenty of showing. My Laguna V6 certainly feels WAY quicker than its 0-60 time. And no, still to get my mits on a Xantia and XM V6!!

 

Might offer a cheeky £120 on the fiesta tomorrow. Nothing to lose there. It is rough though, but electric windows on an 89 supermini must have been pretty special!?

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

I love the 406 V6, of course the Coupe is one of the sexiest modern cars, but even the estates are quite alright.

 

If the Fiesta is driving okay and isn't rotten underneath, I don't see why it should be sent to the bridge. Seems like a nice easy project to me, although admittedly you are unlikely to make any real money on it.

[mk2_craig]

Fiesta looks fairly honest, still got the original stereo and the speaker balance joystick control which is actually quite rare, though shite. Unlikely ever to be worth that much, though!

[406V6]

Well done. You've almost completed the set of circa 2000 French V6s.

 

How quick are these in real life? The 0-60 times of stuff like this usually 8+ seconds, which isn't really red hot performance but I know 0-60's not the full story

Off the line it doesn't feel that fast but when the engine gets beyond 4000rpm it flies and makes a glorious sound. In everyday use you can waft along really well in D without trying and although progress may not feel that fast at first you soon notice that the cars behind you at the traffic lights are now far behind in the distance. All this and 30+mpg providing you don't do a lot of short journeys.