The 307 could hardly have got off to a better start because it was voted European Car of the Year for 2002. It had a hard act to follow when it was introduced in June, 2001 because the 306 that had gone before it had been highly successful and very popular with buyers in the UK. But car of the year is a pretty good accolade to get as a sales boost - better still is a reputation for reliability and there were some quality niggles with this car. A friend of mine had one handed to him as a company chariot and kept complaining how bits were breaking or falling off all the time, even an exterior door handle which took ages to replace. Later cars, though, are much better as I have just found by driving two of them, a 1.6 litre diesel and a two litre diesel. Of the two, I preferred the 1.6 but as Peugeot is a name that's synonymous with diesel engines you would expect them to be good. On the whole, the 307 makes a bargain buy in the used market, one that will give good and faithful service for a number of years provided you check over early cars very carefully. And the good news is that it's around at affordable prices even on late plates. When the car first appeared it was on an 01Y plate and cars on a Y plate are unloved because they were only a few months off the new plate layout. The beauty of the new layout is that while people recognise it not many people understand it, so a 53 plate car looks as good as a 55 or 56. The 307 is a tall car, one that tends to follow the MPV-style layout that is becoming more popular. But the hatchback is no more roomy inside than any of its competitors, so Peugeot lost an opportunity here. There's also an SW estate version which can offer up to seven seats and it's worth considering if you have more than three children to carry. But that rearmost row is definitely for children only, so don't go imagining it will be any good for adults. Convertible buffs are well catered for by the CC with its folding metal roof which looks better than its Renault rival but not as good as the latest Astra and VW Eos. While the deisels are excellent, if you don't do high miles then it's not worth paying the premium price to get one. Go instead for a 1.6 petrol model - the 1.4 petrol is a shade underpowered - and you won't be disappointed in terms of both performance and fuel economy. There are three door versions of the car but I can't remember when the last time was that I saw one. Five doors, though, are numerous on our roads and the estate is becoming more familiar. You can even have it with a glass roof. Running costs are reasonable with service intervals set at 24,000 miles, a bit long in my opinion. I would want my car looked at more often. Insurance is Group 4 for quite a few 307s, so premiums will be cheap. Prices are now down to £3,800 for an 01Y plate 1.4 LX five door. But another £250 will get the more desirable 51 plate. The better bet, though, would be the 1.4 diesel at £4,100 for a 51 plate Style five door. On an 04, it would be £6,200. If you are status conscious and most are, even if only secretly, then the better cars from after the ugly 2005 facelift are great. A 56 plate 1.4 petrol S five door is down to £9,200. It listed at £13,000 or more, although no-one would have paid that. Diesels on a 56 start at £10,000. Maurice Hardy