A Worthy French Quality To Buy - Sunday Times (Cars, Bikes & Trucks) 08.08.2004

Would you buy a second hand pair of pants, sneakers, leather jacket or jeans?

Some of you would probably would, and then you would pay for the best laundry service or get it thoroughly cleaned yourself.

Most people though, would not go near used clothing no matter what a bargain.
They have an inbuilt fear of contracting some disease from the previous owner.

I find this strange as these sane people will sit in a taxi or bus that has been used by thousands in shorts, miniskirts and even bare back tops. So what is the problem in buying used clothes as long as you make sure it gets thoroughly cleaned.

When 28 years old Annie approached me for a suggestion for a new car for her family. I asked her to look at the new car instead. She frowned and remarked on the “eekiness” of owning a car whose interior has been through god knows what.

I decided to change her mind on this. My recommendation started with a 1998Peugeot 406, an absolute brilliant family car. The exterior styling is refined, modern and very elegant.

It is specious, comfortable and well laid out. It has a large boot with provision to carry long items like fishing rods and children bikes. The quality of the material used and the workmanship are of the very highest order.

On the road, it has all the comfort and secure feeling only associated with a large car. Ye, it is easy to drive and manoeuvre in tight spaces. The ride is almost velvet smooth regardless of the road surface.

The two litre engine gives progressive, yet quiet and refine performance. The power is there when you need it for average acceleration, yet, if you prefer to amble along at a crawling pace, the car will do so without fuss or bother.

Most people do not associate big, comfortable cars with fuel economy and Peugeot 406 returns a class average of 25mpg. The big 70-litre fuel tank gives the car good cruising range even at urban consumptions level. The 406 comes with a host of features. Three lap and shoulder belts are provided for the three rear seat passengers. Front passengers have height adjustable belts, with pre-tensioners and grabbers.

Side impact reinforcing beams and additional side impact are provided.

The Peugeot 406 is superbly comfortable in both front and rear seats. It comes with an impressive list of comfort and convenience features fitted as remote controlled central locking, electric front windows, passenger vanity mirror, remote headlamp adjustment from facia, driver’s footrest and a steering, wheel adjustable for both reach and rake.

In-car-entertainment is nearly more important to many buyers today than engines nad brakes. For those of you who want this equipment aboard, you should be more that satisfied with the 6-speakers, RDS radio cassettes system provided.

Apart from the generous passenger space, front and rear, and the excellent comfort of all the seats, what particularly impressed me was the quality of the materials and finish. The fascia and surroundings area had black upholstery where needed to reduce reflection blended with a lighter colour to relieve the somber darkness of the black.

The two were separated by a beautiful strip of highly polished wood veneer on the fascia.

The materials were beautifully grained like top quality hide and the finish and fit of all the various parts is absolutely superb. The seats were upholstered in a light grey cloth immediately obvious.

Annie looked at my recommendation and, after some consultation with her husband, decided to take on a single owner 1998 unit with 80k on the clock. The owner’s asking price of RM62,000 seemed reasonable. There were some minor spots and marks in the grey fabric interior and the carpets looked somewhat mark especially in the rear. This was a problem with Annie and I suggested she take the car to Carnauba Autospa in Glenmarie for a full treatment, both inside and outside. After six hours, we returned to collect a car that looked and smelled like it had just left the factory showroom. Annie was shocked at the transformation and her fears of a dirt feel interior disappear. The blemishes on the body had also been polished away and a coat of wax sat on top, protecting the original factory paint.

For Annie it was like driving a new car.

The under-used engine drove like new with no unwanted noises or leaks.

The Peugeot 406 competes with worthy opponents like the Honda Accord, Ford telstar, Renault Laguna, Toyota Camry, Nissan Cefiro, Mitsubishi Galant and Mazda’s 626. Some of these cars offers a choice of saloon or hatchback body styles, while the Peugeot 406 comes in just the one saloon format.

Prices start at RM$48,000 fro a 1997 registered units. You get legendary French comfort and ride quality in a spacious saloon. Having depreciated to half its original selling price it deserves a second look.