406 Coupe

[Manbearpig]

Well after missing out in the bargain trade in Coupe auction;

 

http://autoshite.com/topic/17168-now-sold-apparently-pug-406-coupe-with-fsh-12-months-mot-some-tax-60k-miles-%C2%A3500-now-with-pics/page-6

 

...I've bagged one eventually. Was going to tag it onto one of the myriad of "I can't believe they are this cheap" threads, but the car is so pretty it deserves it's own.Considering the groundswell of fondness for French autos on this site I feel embarrassed to admit to this being my first one;

 

 

First impressions are of surprising solidity given it's done 95K, with not a squeek or rattle. The term "coachbuilt" is usually a euphamism for leathercloth-over-chipboard interiors (coughTICKFORDcough) or a lack of rustproofing (coughKARMANNcough) but in this case it feels sturdier than the product on which it's based.

 

And the cost? Well £300 less than the last year's service according to the book. To repeat an often used phrase here, can they get any cheaper?

 

Jobs, fix bonnet and boot struts before impending finger amputation; fix heated seats (yes I'm a wuss) and a quick oil change going by the colour.

[Junkman]

One picture is culpably insufficient.

What's the cylinder count?

[HMC]

Agreed, lovely cars. IMO worthy inheritors of the pug/ pininfarina colaboration that's given us various coupes and cabrios, without the price tag or the tin worm.

[steve_earwig]

Very nice. I just wish they were that cheap where I am (I'd have a dozen...)

[DSdriver]

I have always lusted after one of these, I nearly bought one once but was put off by a mate in the motor trade who said they were a tad unreliable. So I bought a Calibra for the Mrs instead. She survived nasty t-boning by a guy in a Galaxy but the car was written off.

[Manbearpig]

Sorry forgot to say its a V6 SE. I've had loads of Calibras but this is quite a bit different, and I would imagine also to most of it's 90s Coupe compatriots at the time (Corrado, Celica etc). It very roomy, very refined, more a cruiser than a sprinter, and a vastly better driving position than the compromised Calibra. The gear change is a bit imprecise but maybe that's just age, and the controls incredibly light (or is that just Frenchies in general?). The only rust to have taken hold is under the bonnet where the latch hoops are welded on. Considering it has been kept outside for a few years it's admirable.

 

DVLA figures indicated the numbers are roughly halving each year (the one dedicated dismantler and parts specialist in the UK has personally scrapped 10% of the total UK production alone) so thought I'd better get in quick. Get em while you can fellas.

[carlo]

I've just managed to offload my V6 auto, they're not easy to sell!  However I am convinced that will change - it's just a question of how long it takes for them to leave 'expensive to run banger' territory.

 

I loved some things about the car but just couldn't get on with it.  I found it a strange mixture of luxury and sportiness which didn't seem to gel.  Agree with you on the lightness, found the steering way too light for a V6 engine coupe.  It was very refined, the engine superb, handled very nicely and the ride above 40mph was great, however I found the low speed ride crashy and the seats very hard and uncomfortable (although some love them I know).  The electrics were something else too, it was a question of, Oh, what would go next?

 

Brilliant stereo too, will probably miss that the most.

[steve_earwig]

Some of them have variable rate power steering that does indeed malfunction (no, really?) and leave the steering preposterously light.

 

Coupe seats are uncomfortable? That's a shame, I've never even sat in one sadly but my estates' seats were/are perfect (that includes the D8's which were falling apart)

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

A guy I know bought one new in 1998 to replace a 1995 318iS. Didn't regret it and it was a nice thing, dark blue metallic with tan leatherz.

[loserone]

This is lovely.  I assume I will drive past you at some point eying it up, so if you see a beardo in a pretzel looking at you, wave.

 

DVLA figures indicated the numbers are roughly halving each year (the one dedicated dismantler and parts specialist in the UK has personally scrapped 10% of the total UK production alone) so thought I'd better get in quick. Get em while you can fellas.

 

Good call. I did catch SWMBO saying she "really needs to get a french car" the other day.  This seems more sensible than a BX.

[Sudsprint]

Lovely lovely car but more photos are required.

[Manbearpig]

 I did catch SWMBO saying she "really needs to get a french car" the other day.  This seems more sensible than a BX.

Are you a dizzler fan? There is one in this same lovely (although slightly gay) colour in Stockton which is not on Autotrader, looks tidy but massively overpriced

 

http://www.autoweb.co.uk/used-cars/peugeot/406/13843103

 

also an impressive gold one in N Wales, again not on Autotrader (I thought all garages were on there but there are still some hidden gems). Sure someone said they only imported a tiny number of gold cars (30?) so guaranteed envy on the owners club site;

 

http://www.alpinemotors.co.uk/used/peugeot/406/22-hdi-se-2dr-ac/colwyn-bay/clwyd/15730945

 

Or if you don't mind spending slightly more on juice V6s are rock bottom at the moment at a round half to a third of an equivalent diesel. That spare money buys an awful lot of petrol......

[Manbearpig]

Lovely lovely car but more photos are required.

 

Thanks to weather and a stinking flu the only pics are on the drive unfortunately. Still have to keep pinching myself it's such a corker and a nice change from my usual "buy high, sell low" mantra. In the last 4k miles its had new tyres, refurbed wheels, water pump and cambelts, suspension bits (all main dealer). The guy selling was such a gent he even left some new parts in the boot. Try and get a fecking Fiesta for 700 quid and see how far you get. It's a definite keeper, loving more each time I look at it/drive it

 

 

[wuvvum]

They are still a stunning looking car.  Definitely on my "one day" list.