Nearly Nubie!

[bobbythedog]

Hi Guys

My wife's looking to buy a 206cc and we've looked at a few recently but I thought perhaps you'd be ok with giving me some 'real world' reviews on buying/living with one and the things that I need to be checking/looking out for when checking over a possible car.

i.e. what fails, what squeeks, where to look for possible leaks etc, etc.

For example, visited an independent dealer on monday to look at a car but he struggled to get the boot open and insisted that it was because the battery wasn't fully charged (powered locks). Personally I though he was just embarrased about not being able to get it open but would b good to know if it really IS an issue?

Hopefully your 'insider' knowledge will help me avoid buying a bag of bolts

Cheers

Bob

[Ollie]

For example, visited an independent dealer on monday to look at a car but he struggled to get the boot open and insisted that it was because the battery wasn't fully charged (powered locks). Personally I though he was just embarrased about not being able to get it open but would b good to know if it really IS an issue?
Hopefully your 'insider' knowledge will help me avoid buying a bag of bolts

Cheers

Bob

I suppose it would be an issue to get boot open when battery dead as you have to put the key in and turn it until you hear it electrically unlock. Mines a Y reg so not sure if newer models different, but it took me over 2 hours to get the boot open the day I brought mine home from purchase (March 2010). Turned out even though I was putting the key in, I was not doing it right.

Someone on the forum here days later bought a 206cc and was like me doing it wrong.

Turns out on mine, always need key to unlock the boot, pop key in and simply turn right (If I recall correctly or left) to unlock, you hear the lock unlock (electrically). Key returns to centre position then push the button in with key still in to pop boot open.
I went wrong by doing what I did with previous cars I have had by putting key in, pushing it in and turning left or right.

I read on a few threads on here, that people reported gear changes felt a little slack compared to other cars they had driven, I noticed this too, had it checked out when had other things done to car and nothing wrong with my gears, does take some getting used to.

Although I keep getting ribbded I have a hairdressers car - I love it

[RammyTheCat]

I got caught out by the boot the first time I tried to unlock it, but it just comes naturally now.

I'd definitely recommend making sure the roof works before buying the car - also read some of the posts on this forum regarding leaks, slipping doors, etc. The general advice seems to be 'go for as new a car as you can afford', but my 51-reg model has been pretty trouble-free (touch wood!) People also say the 1.6 is usually more reliable (and cheaper to tax) than the 2.0 version.

[fulnic]

I've literally just bought one and the things I checked were:

Engine running smoothly - mis-fires seem common and can be caused by the CAT, Coilpack or lambda sensors.

Roof goes up and down without hiccups - if the battery is low or flat, make sure the engine is running when putting the roof up or down.

Get under the car and check out the exhaust condition, if it's rusty or heavily pitted it may need changing.

Check the oil filler cap for discolouring or scum - not sure what this indicated, but I think it was something to do with headgaskets.

Check for leaks around the roof-seals, water-marks on the insides of the windows or mould/mildew on the floor, around the footwells.

Open the boot and check the rear lights are positioned symetrically and the inner panels and doors line up correctly to see if it's been crashed and badly repaired. I think mine has had a bump as the drivers door does not line up correctly when the roof is down but it's not bad enough to cause a leak.

That's all I checked for and ended up with a lovely car that needs a bit of attention to the bodywork.