WTF, seriouisly, how are they still in business?
Discussion
530dTPhil said:
2gins said:
No idea what engine is in it, I guess it must be the 1.6 HDi (75PS) diesel, gutless as f
k, couldn't pull the skin of my mother-in-law's custard.
The car that you have hired has 1.2 diesel rather than the 1.6 that you suggested. This might go some way towards explain the lack of traction on custard.k, couldn't pull the skin of my mother-in-law's custard.Most modern cars take a few minutes with the driver's handbook to understand how to access the basic functions. There's much more to play with than on your beloved 306/406 of twenty years ago.
Have a word with whoever arranges the hire and ask for something better next time. It will be much kinder to your blood pressure.
To balance this out a bit - i have to say i personally like to see Peugeots and Citroens around. It would be a veeeeeeeeeerrrry dull world if all we had was the VAG brigade and little else.
I drove a 2008 a while ago, granted it was the top of the range 'Calima' (whatever that means) with the 100ps 1.6 diesel and it was a really nice thing to drive (and be in!) just had a bit more 'something' about it. After the major disappointments of 207, to me this was much, much better.
Also, the 3008 seems to be doing very well, i see a lot of those around and IMO they are a very good looking car, inside and out.
M1C said:
OP - please note, the car isn't a 1.2 diesel (there is no 1.2 diesel) it's the 1.2 petrol, ( N/A 82ps - so the base model engine of the range. With 82ps it's not going to have much in the way of performance.)
Thank you, typo on my part having rearranged the sentence several times! Must try harder.
I drove a 2008 and a C3 this past week (hire cars) and was pleasantly surprised by how good they were for what they were. Sure they were pretty guttless but when up to speed they rode really well and seemed to be generously equipped (Apple Car Play, Reversing Camera, Speed Limit detection etc. Just as good as the Astra I had last time or the Kia I had before that. I was really impressed.
HTP99 said:
ExPat2B said:
I am fully with the OP here, and all the other people starting threads like these.
I hire a lot of cars through work, and the overall quality of cars and the experience has taken a sharp nosedive recently in many aspects.
The chief problems are :
Space and economy over everything. The public want cars that get 60mpg+ and are massive inside with a high driving position. Everything else, styling, performance and driving dynamics can go to hell.
Lack of consistency in basic functions, like wipers, handbrakes, stop start, lights, heater controls, radio functions and indicators. Too many manufacturers are trying to re-invent the wheel and end up obscuring the basic controls.
Infotainment, touchscreens and too many sensors and proximity warnings. Many cars these days bong and bing every 2 minutes when driven in a busy city.
Isolation. The public have spoken, and what they want is to be as isolated as possible from the driving experience. No feedback from the wheel, brakes and the engine should be as quiet as possible.
Getting in an sporty early 2000's or 90's car is like a breath of fresh air - low seats, responsive engines, a wheel alive with feedback, and simple basic controls that work perfectly.
Shock horror a company gives their customers what they want!I hire a lot of cars through work, and the overall quality of cars and the experience has taken a sharp nosedive recently in many aspects.
The chief problems are :
Space and economy over everything. The public want cars that get 60mpg+ and are massive inside with a high driving position. Everything else, styling, performance and driving dynamics can go to hell.
Lack of consistency in basic functions, like wipers, handbrakes, stop start, lights, heater controls, radio functions and indicators. Too many manufacturers are trying to re-invent the wheel and end up obscuring the basic controls.
Infotainment, touchscreens and too many sensors and proximity warnings. Many cars these days bong and bing every 2 minutes when driven in a busy city.
Isolation. The public have spoken, and what they want is to be as isolated as possible from the driving experience. No feedback from the wheel, brakes and the engine should be as quiet as possible.
Getting in an sporty early 2000's or 90's car is like a breath of fresh air - low seats, responsive engines, a wheel alive with feedback, and simple basic controls that work perfectly.
People want safety, cheap to run, all the technology and to them that it looks good. Every manufacturer tends to have their own slant on the basic controls so not sure why your moaning about that.
You know there are plenty of cars made today that are sporty, responsive engines, wheel alive with feedback. You just wont get these as a hire car, and I am unsure why hire cars would offer them as a bog standard rental car.
My work runs a fleet of 308 estates and they’re hateful things. I only borrow a pool car occasionally when I really have to and a few things really stick out
- clutch and gearchange are awful. Never used such a slushy manual box anywhere else, they don’t seem to slot into gear and have a long throw. Clutch is unpredictable. Every one I’ve driven has been the same and they’re all under 2 yrs/50k miles old
- steering wheel is too small and set at the right height for driving covers the gauge cluster so I can’t see the digital Speedo properly
- gearknob is large and metal. Why?! Freezing in winter and boiling in summer
- Driving position is all wrong as per OP
- everything is done via the touchscreen, which is slow and difficult to navigate. Air con is hidden behind menus and a pain to turn on quick for demisting etc
- gutless as expected
We had a demo basic model Skoda Octavia in recently and it really was better in every way. In fact I was that impressed I now own a vrs version, but the cheap/low end model was perfectly good enough. The only benefit of the Peugeot’s is they’re really cheap on high mileage business leases and very low co2 for BIK.
- clutch and gearchange are awful. Never used such a slushy manual box anywhere else, they don’t seem to slot into gear and have a long throw. Clutch is unpredictable. Every one I’ve driven has been the same and they’re all under 2 yrs/50k miles old
- steering wheel is too small and set at the right height for driving covers the gauge cluster so I can’t see the digital Speedo properly
- gearknob is large and metal. Why?! Freezing in winter and boiling in summer
- Driving position is all wrong as per OP
- everything is done via the touchscreen, which is slow and difficult to navigate. Air con is hidden behind menus and a pain to turn on quick for demisting etc
- gutless as expected
We had a demo basic model Skoda Octavia in recently and it really was better in every way. In fact I was that impressed I now own a vrs version, but the cheap/low end model was perfectly good enough. The only benefit of the Peugeot’s is they’re really cheap on high mileage business leases and very low co2 for BIK.
Challo said:
HTP99 said:
ExPat2B said:
I am fully with the OP here, and all the other people starting threads like these.
I hire a lot of cars through work, and the overall quality of cars and the experience has taken a sharp nosedive recently in many aspects.
The chief problems are :
Space and economy over everything. The public want cars that get 60mpg+ and are massive inside with a high driving position. Everything else, styling, performance and driving dynamics can go to hell.
Lack of consistency in basic functions, like wipers, handbrakes, stop start, lights, heater controls, radio functions and indicators. Too many manufacturers are trying to re-invent the wheel and end up obscuring the basic controls.
Infotainment, touchscreens and too many sensors and proximity warnings. Many cars these days bong and bing every 2 minutes when driven in a busy city.
Isolation. The public have spoken, and what they want is to be as isolated as possible from the driving experience. No feedback from the wheel, brakes and the engine should be as quiet as possible.
Getting in an sporty early 2000's or 90's car is like a breath of fresh air - low seats, responsive engines, a wheel alive with feedback, and simple basic controls that work perfectly.
Shock horror a company gives their customers what they want!I hire a lot of cars through work, and the overall quality of cars and the experience has taken a sharp nosedive recently in many aspects.
The chief problems are :
Space and economy over everything. The public want cars that get 60mpg+ and are massive inside with a high driving position. Everything else, styling, performance and driving dynamics can go to hell.
Lack of consistency in basic functions, like wipers, handbrakes, stop start, lights, heater controls, radio functions and indicators. Too many manufacturers are trying to re-invent the wheel and end up obscuring the basic controls.
Infotainment, touchscreens and too many sensors and proximity warnings. Many cars these days bong and bing every 2 minutes when driven in a busy city.
Isolation. The public have spoken, and what they want is to be as isolated as possible from the driving experience. No feedback from the wheel, brakes and the engine should be as quiet as possible.
Getting in an sporty early 2000's or 90's car is like a breath of fresh air - low seats, responsive engines, a wheel alive with feedback, and simple basic controls that work perfectly.
People want safety, cheap to run, all the technology and to them that it looks good. Every manufacturer tends to have their own slant on the basic controls so not sure why your moaning about that.
You know there are plenty of cars made today that are sporty, responsive engines, wheel alive with feedback. You just wont get these as a hire car, and I am unsure why hire cars would offer them as a bog standard rental car.
Alex_225 said:
Because sadly we are the minority of car drivers I suspect. Most people who are fairly informed wouldn't give a Peugeot a look in except maybe a GTi or a classic of some kind.
I think if you're fairly well informed you can recognise that a 3008 is probably the best cheapo family car on the market. I test drove one with a 1.2 t engine and it was quite superb from a NVH, handling, ride point of view. The ergonomics were a bit idiosyncratic but I have a suspicion that after a couple of hours they sink in and you realise how much effort has gone into their design. The driver needs to probably make an effort to adapt to start with but it"s worth it. The clutch position is my bug bear, we tried a little cc something or other and for the normal seat position I have in every other car you had to lift off the brake really raise your leg and plant it on the clutch, how anyone does that quickly without looking like they're river dancing I've no idea. I was sore after the test drive and told the dealer I found the clutch pedal was too high and so began a weird conversation where he assured me the clutch had many miles left on it, yes I said but the pedal is too high, etc etc after eventually saying three times in a row that it was physically too high he said that's how pugs where so I left. Otherwise it wasn't too bad for a little cheap fun but I couldn't put up with the pedal position, I've driven pretty much every manufacturer in 1 flavour or another and it's only Pugs that seem to get me this way.
Shrimpvende said:
- steering wheel is too small and set at the right height for driving covers the gauge cluster so I can’t see the digital Speedo properly
Just out of curiosity, how tall are you? The reason I ask is because my mum (who is 5'2") and my dad (who is 6'5") don't have trouble in their 208 which is the same layout. I'd imagine in your haste to regurgitate an often repeated, yet easily repudiated claim, you missed the fact that a) the steering wheel is height and reach adjustable and b) the seat is height adjustable and c) the steering wheel is intended to sit lower than standard sized ones. That aside, a completely, valid, unique, and accurate critique. I've always thought there are car manufacturers for people who know nothing about cars. The primary one that comes to mind is Vauxhall. Peugeot have moved from an enthusiast marque, to that of a marque for people who know nothing about cars. This happened around the demise of the 206, but that was on a downward slide from the 205.
Other marques like this used to include
Hyundai
Kia
Rover
However, I've noticed that Hyundai and Kia have now got performance models. There are marques whose non performance lines are basically for people who know nothing about cars, but they don't really count as they have decent performance models (Toyota, Nissan).
Vauxhall is absolutely the worst offender IMO. Plasticky, dull bland cars put together by people who don't give a t*ss about what they are doing. "Is it done yet? Yeah, that'll do, let's go to the pub!". You know that the only people to ever say that at BMW were the designers of the X line of SUV's, or the 2 series MPVs.
Other marques like this used to include
Hyundai
Kia
Rover
However, I've noticed that Hyundai and Kia have now got performance models. There are marques whose non performance lines are basically for people who know nothing about cars, but they don't really count as they have decent performance models (Toyota, Nissan).
Vauxhall is absolutely the worst offender IMO. Plasticky, dull bland cars put together by people who don't give a t*ss about what they are doing. "Is it done yet? Yeah, that'll do, let's go to the pub!". You know that the only people to ever say that at BMW were the designers of the X line of SUV's, or the 2 series MPVs.
Simonium said:
Shrimpvende said:
- steering wheel is too small and set at the right height for driving covers the gauge cluster so I can’t see the digital Speedo properly
Just out of curiosity, how tall are you? The reason I ask is because my mum (who is 5'2") and my dad (who is 6'5") don't have trouble in their 208 which is the same layout. I'd imagine in your haste to regurgitate an often repeated, yet easily repudiated claim, you missed the fact that a) the steering wheel is height and reach adjustable and b) the seat is height adjustable and c) the steering wheel is intended to sit lower than standard sized ones. That aside, a completely, valid, unique, and accurate critique. 
Just to be clear I'll say it again
Yes, its a hire car and performance and handling are secondary considerations to getting from A to B. I didn't mention the handling in the OP because on my rush hour motorway and London commute I wouldn't know anyway, so it wouldn't have been fair criticism. I don't expect it to be the last word in driver engagement and given its a poverty spec rental fleet machine I can excuse the poor trim level and lack of functions too.
I do expect to be able to find a comfortable driving position and for a car to have halfway decent ergonomics. If it weren't for this, I'd be satisfied. The shift is too far away, the clutch is too high, the steering wheel obscures the speedo at 30-40 mph and the A pillar blind spot is a pain in the arse.
Say again, if you went into the hire shop and hired a tool that was impossible to use because the ergonomics were crap, you'd not be happy either would you? Maybe the public think they don't want these things but I bet they wouldn't even notice if it were better, so as a car designer why can't/won't Peugeot make more effort?
Why did I hire it then? I didn't, the company did and you get what you get. Personally I'd be happy with a Corsa or Ka but we have to have these group E wagons because of health and safety.
Yes, its a hire car and performance and handling are secondary considerations to getting from A to B. I didn't mention the handling in the OP because on my rush hour motorway and London commute I wouldn't know anyway, so it wouldn't have been fair criticism. I don't expect it to be the last word in driver engagement and given its a poverty spec rental fleet machine I can excuse the poor trim level and lack of functions too.
I do expect to be able to find a comfortable driving position and for a car to have halfway decent ergonomics. If it weren't for this, I'd be satisfied. The shift is too far away, the clutch is too high, the steering wheel obscures the speedo at 30-40 mph and the A pillar blind spot is a pain in the arse.
Say again, if you went into the hire shop and hired a tool that was impossible to use because the ergonomics were crap, you'd not be happy either would you? Maybe the public think they don't want these things but I bet they wouldn't even notice if it were better, so as a car designer why can't/won't Peugeot make more effort?
Why did I hire it then? I didn't, the company did and you get what you get. Personally I'd be happy with a Corsa or Ka but we have to have these group E wagons because of health and safety.
Just done about 500 miles through France in my mum's 308sw. Great on the motorway, handles ok in the bends (for a new car, it's ste compared to my 306), rides well on the lanes, pulls well enough to overtake trucks in the valley, seats four adults in comfort, plenty of space in the boot, LED headlights are brilliant (literally). Overall, a really good car. Definitely a step or two up from the Hyundai i40 I had for work that other week. (I even like the fun size steering wheel.)
The only downside is that it doesn't do a single wiper stroke when you pull the stalk down. That and the touchscreen, nav, audio and all that bks is truly truly woeful. I mean really, really st. It has Bluetooth, so at least I can run iPlayer amd Waze through it, but having used android auto in the Hyundai, the pug is just leagues behind.
te compared to my 306), rides well on the lanes, pulls well enough to overtake trucks in the valley, seats four adults in comfort, plenty of space in the boot, LED headlights are brilliant (literally). Overall, a really good car. Definitely a step or two up from the Hyundai i40 I had for work that other week. (I even like the fun size steering wheel.)The only downside is that it doesn't do a single wiper stroke when you pull the stalk down. That and the touchscreen, nav, audio and all that b
ks is truly truly woeful. I mean really, really st. It has Bluetooth, so at least I can run iPlayer amd Waze through it, but having used android auto in the Hyundai, the pug is just leagues behind.Bit fed up this morning... I thought I'd put a CD in so took a few with me, but then realized... no CD slot or source option. There is a USB option and I have a stick with some albums on it, but can't find a USB slot either. Doesn't help that my journeys always start in the dark. Have at least lucked upon the tone and balance controls
I can use a bit of A272 tomorrow (Chichester - Southampton avoiding the A27) so that'll be a good test of the handling, toy steering notwithstanding.
I can use a bit of A272 tomorrow (Chichester - Southampton avoiding the A27) so that'll be a good test of the handling, toy steering notwithstanding.
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