Why This £449 Peugeot 406 Might Just Be My Car of the Year!

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  • Опубліковано 22 лис 2023
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    Today on the channel, I drive a French legend - the Peugeot 406. Star of screen and fleet sales, this car captured Britain in a way few other French cars ever have, but what's it like today?
    #Cheapcar #Peugeot #406
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 762

  • @JayEmmOnCars
    @JayEmmOnCars  7 місяців тому +14

    CarVertical: The History Checking Service
    Use this link or code "JAYEMM" for a discount!
    www.carvertical.com/gb/landing/v3?b=1e4c9523&a=JayEmm&voucher=jayemm&chan=jayemm

    • @Kulumuli
      @Kulumuli 7 місяців тому +3

      You should do the 605 V6.

    • @geraint8989
      @geraint8989 7 місяців тому +1

      But the question on everyone’s mind - is the 406 more reliable or less reliable than a McLaren 720S?

    • @GamezGuru1
      @GamezGuru1 7 місяців тому

      No mention of its super touring credentials? Successful in European touring cars in the 90s, and although it never had success in the BTCC, the 406 was the plucky underdog and one of the best looking!

    • @olavofernandes7286
      @olavofernandes7286 7 місяців тому

      1:50 hmm why do I see Nissan primera

    • @bastogne315
      @bastogne315 7 місяців тому

      Car vertical doesn't give history of cars on irish plates...sorry😮

  • @roscoecoltrane6867
    @roscoecoltrane6867 7 місяців тому +485

    One of the few cars where I can look at it from any angle and say “yes, the designers got this one right”. Stylish, clean lines, no unnecessary kinks or curves. One of the all time great Peugeot styles

    • @zm321
      @zm321 7 місяців тому +15

      Perfection.

    • @richardfife8192
      @richardfife8192 7 місяців тому +2

      You on drugs? F40 yes... This no.

    • @user-sf7kl9uh7k
      @user-sf7kl9uh7k 7 місяців тому +42

      ​@@richardfife8192Can you afford a F40?

    • @Deathbyreality1
      @Deathbyreality1 7 місяців тому +2

      Just an car meh

    • @michaelmazani
      @michaelmazani 7 місяців тому +13

      The coupe version was better looking

  • @JohnnyWeissmuller-iw4pl
    @JohnnyWeissmuller-iw4pl 7 місяців тому +257

    I've been driving one of these for the past 20 years. A 2.0 Hdi. Bought it in February 2004 it was six months old and had 9000 miles on it. Came quite well equipped with factory Sat Nav system. Quite new-fangled back then. Been driving it as my daily ever since. Starts on the button, everything still works on it. Able to do the servicing myself .Saw no reason to part with it, just keeps going.

    • @GoldenCroc
      @GoldenCroc 7 місяців тому +40

      This is the kind of story I like to hear. No reason to replace a daily driver that just keeps working

    • @JohnnyWeissmuller-iw4pl
      @JohnnyWeissmuller-iw4pl 7 місяців тому +23

      @@GoldenCroc I was talking to a guy at a classic car show last month. He said the same thing. He had a 1981 VW Jetta Diesel with 500,000 miles on it! I thought I was doing well!

    • @BobMc87
      @BobMc87 7 місяців тому +5

      Respect mate!

    • @JohnnyWeissmuller-iw4pl
      @JohnnyWeissmuller-iw4pl 7 місяців тому

      @@BobMc87 Cheers! 👍

    • @andyhunt457
      @andyhunt457 7 місяців тому +12

      The golden era of cars...made to last with no unreliable emission stuff.

  • @PetarVN
    @PetarVN 7 місяців тому +127

    Fun fact: the 406 Coupe was styled by Davide Arcangeli, who went on to pen the original E60 5 series design undee Chris Bangle at BMW. Arcangeli passed from leukemia mere weeks before the E60's design was finalized, and thus Bangle & the design team froze all changes to the design, in his honor. The 406 coupe and e60 hold a special place in my heart, some of my all time favorite designs

    • @edimbukvarevic90
      @edimbukvarevic90 7 місяців тому +9

      Another fun fact: the 406 coupe was produced by Pininfarina factory in Italy ~100.000 cars.

    • @mosmarb
      @mosmarb 7 місяців тому +4

      I'm biased because I had one, but I think the E60 design aged really well and was even quite a handsome car from the get go. Very few of the excesses of some of the earlier Bangle-overseen designs.

    • @PetarVN
      @PetarVN 7 місяців тому +2

      @@mosmarb I've owned three E60's now. Two M5's (both 6MT) as well as a 535i 6MT. Out of the 20+ BMW's I've had, the E60 M5 has been my favorite car. I also think they're beautiful cars

    • @dosgos
      @dosgos 7 місяців тому +3

      That 406 Coupe looked like a super-car.

    • @SamHocking
      @SamHocking 7 місяців тому +7

      The 406 Coupe was styled by Lorenzo Ramaciotti, this is why it's called a baby 456, because he designed the 456 too.

  • @Kyuzeth
    @Kyuzeth 7 місяців тому +46

    The 406 holds a special place in my heart. My grandpa (dad's father) was a lifelong Peugeot driver; not into automotive, but Peugeot was his brand of choice for traveling from A to B. The last car he had was a 406 sedan in burgundy, which I remember standing on the old driveway for some years after he had passed away in 1999. I was barely two years old when he died, so I've never really known him.
    I've never driven a 406 myself, but this video really makes me want to try one, just so I can experience what Grandpa's last drive was like. To hear it's actually really good makes me feel weirdly happy.
    Thank you, James. Hope you have a great time of day, whenever you may read this.

    • @CantDrive4Sheet
      @CantDrive4Sheet 7 місяців тому +1

      What you've described is most 406s lives, one owner till he/she passes away then goes on to a new owner or unfortunately gets scrapped. I've bought two of 'em under such circumstances. They really are great cars, especially considering what they cost nowadays. Do drive one, or even better buy one if you ever get the chance, you won't regret it

  • @James-ld2jc
    @James-ld2jc 7 місяців тому +123

    I've always thought that the 406 was a good-looking car. I think it's bonkers that they have become rare and unappreciated when they drive so well

    • @AxLWake
      @AxLWake 7 місяців тому +8

      And the 406 coupé is true thing of beauty. Classic sporty and elegant Pininfarina design.

    • @mosmarb
      @mosmarb 7 місяців тому +7

      That scrappage scheme lost us a lot of older, interesting cars, including ones much nicer than a 406. 18 E24 BMW 6 Series (the numbers were made publicly available thanks to freedom of information), 3 E31 8 Series, an Alpina B7, an M535i and one E9 3.0 CSi, just to take a few nice BMWs as an example. Now bear in mind they had to be runners and MOTed within a fairly short period preceding the scrappage date and it becomes even more of a shame :(

    • @davidporeilly1
      @davidporeilly1 7 місяців тому +2

      That's the British "herd mentality" doing its thing.

    • @miskatonic6210
      @miskatonic6210 7 місяців тому

      They are shit and all got scrapped.

  • @The_BenboBaggins
    @The_BenboBaggins 7 місяців тому +14

    I worked at a Peugeot dealer in the early 00s, leaving just as the 406 was being replaced. The general consensus throughout was that the 205, 309, 405, 306 and 406 were truly good cars - the '07s were a step backwards.
    The facelift 406 Estate with the 2.2Hdi was the absolute peak!

    • @SteveSmith-bq9rk
      @SteveSmith-bq9rk 2 місяці тому +1

      The facelift 305 in GTX trim was a great car too! I had an estate that I ran to 238,000 miles. The valve seals on the 1.9 XU engine had to be replaced and I the original Solex(?) twin carb was replaced with the equivalent Weber that slowed it down a bit, but improved the economy - which still wasn't great. It had the most amazing plush velour seats - very old skool French in being both comfortable and supportive.

  • @TheDreadnoughtgames
    @TheDreadnoughtgames 7 місяців тому +36

    So glad JayEm hasn’t become like Hoovies Garage where he just seems to show off about how big his house is and how expensive his cars are. Love that there’s still genuine love for the cheap stuff here too!!

  • @Bumper3D
    @Bumper3D 7 місяців тому +52

    I've been driving a 600 quid 406 estate since 2017 and I don't see myself parting with it anytime soon. It's not rusty, the 1.8 petrol just keeps on working and the car rarely has any problems of any sort. Sure, it's a bit slow but it's a nice thing to drive and what I still can't get over is how quiet and refined it is! Most new cars I've sat in have more tyre noise and interior squeaks!

    • @paulillingworth1242
      @paulillingworth1242 7 місяців тому +4

      This era of Peugeot were great cars, they didn’t rust, I believe the body was galvanised steel .

    • @jjs3287
      @jjs3287 7 місяців тому +4

      My 405 was like that. I was a Ford fanatic but when I got that 405 it felt much more solid and yet more refined than those old Fords, much better equiped too. Loved it.

    • @AmigaA-or2hj
      @AmigaA-or2hj 7 місяців тому +2

      I loved my 306 Hdi! So much better than my cranky fiesta!

    • @SteveSmith-bq9rk
      @SteveSmith-bq9rk 2 місяці тому

      Been driving a £350 306 GLX Estate with the 2.0 HDi also since 2017. A reliable, quick and very comfortable car that at 187,000 miles is barely run in. My garage likes working on it, as there's less stuff and more room. It is trying to transition from old car to classic, but all classics have to go through that difficult age!

  • @petersimpson5859
    @petersimpson5859 7 місяців тому +21

    My most memorable taxi ride was in a 406 about 17 years ago. An immaculately driven HDi automatic with really squishy leather seats and such supple suspension. Even though I was half asleep and a bit drunk, it still sticks in my mind.

  • @ThunderChunky101
    @ThunderChunky101 7 місяців тому +89

    The coupe 406 was absolutely stunning. Had one.
    I do still love these though, what an incredible bargain.

    • @imaniman6797
      @imaniman6797 7 місяців тому +4

      Fiat coupe better

    • @melorate
      @melorate 7 місяців тому +1

      Because is made by Italians❤😂

    • @CptCaptainClockwork
      @CptCaptainClockwork 7 місяців тому +3

      Had a 2.2Hdi coupe for about 5 years, for a while there I was dirt poor and couldn't afford servicing. Still kept running without any repair bills at all.

    • @lollypop9580
      @lollypop9580 7 місяців тому +2

      ​@@imaniman6797In what register ?

    • @DlStreamnet
      @DlStreamnet 7 місяців тому +1

      Retrofitted the Brembos they used to come with onto a Fiesta!

  • @ParallelSyntax
    @ParallelSyntax 7 місяців тому +18

    As a kid, I never really batted an eyelid at the 406. Now looking at it (specifically the pre-facelift), it's a fantastic looking car.

  • @timl1481
    @timl1481 7 місяців тому +4

    Around 1999 I was a sales rep with a Rover 416 as my company drive! The 416 went in for some lengthy repairs and for the couple of weeks the Rover was off the road, I was presented with one of these to play with. It was a nearly new, phase one 2L( I think) HDI saloon, manual, in dark blue. I'd never even been near one of these beforehand and I absolutely loved it. The fuel tank was colossal, I remember filling it up and wondering when it was ever going to end. however, 700 miles later it still wasn't empty. For those of you who are too young to have cogent memories of 1999, engines were nowhere near as fuel-efficient in those days as they are now, and these kinds of range figures on a single tank were virtually unheard of. it was quiet, for a diesel of the day as well, relatively quick, again for a diesel of the day, and super comfortable. I didn't want to give it back! And here I am in 2023 talking about a car that I drove for a couple of weeks almost a quarter of a century ago, I think that sums it up totally!

  • @mauriceoxford6709
    @mauriceoxford6709 7 місяців тому +38

    I drove thousands of cars when I worked in the trade in the early 00's. Not many stayed in my memory, but I clearly remember the first time I drove a 406. I immediately felt comfortable with it; the seat, the driving position and especially the road manners. Same applied to the 306 - great cars.

    • @erikson024
      @erikson024 7 місяців тому

      Have a look at the new 508 , as beautiful as the 406 back in the day

  • @garygriffiths2911
    @garygriffiths2911 7 місяців тому +34

    One of the best things about this lovely channel is the fantastic mix of cars we get - literally everything from the latest supercars to old bangers all treated with equal enthusiasm. As for the 406 I too think they're cracking cars - but I would say that as I own the Diablo Red V6 manual that has already received more than its fair share of UA-cam exposure .

  • @piericroussel7479
    @piericroussel7479 7 місяців тому +72

    For the stereo code, it's either written on it, in the manual, or if it is the original one just contact a dealer (a French one if English ones can't help) with your VIN and they'll give it to you. Though they might charge you for this.

    • @Senzenfrenz
      @Senzenfrenz 7 місяців тому +8

      A good chance they will help you out for free at peugeot dealer. If it is not the original unit the car came with you can contact the manufacturer of the unit itself (mostlikely clarion). Serialnumber from the unit might get you the code there. At least you can try.

    • @DlStreamnet
      @DlStreamnet 7 місяців тому +2

      A car that old will almost certainly have a calculator on the internet for free

    • @Ashfielder
      @Ashfielder 7 місяців тому +4

      No clues on the stereo itself, and the card that has the code on it is sadly absent from the owner’s manual. I did try the original dealership it was sold from in Canterbury, but had no luck with them either. Typing in a random 4 digit code every half an hour was a fun way to break up long journeys though!

    • @stigmarto
      @stigmarto 7 місяців тому +1

      You can also use pp2000 to re register it back to the car same with the keys

    • @happy100pro
      @happy100pro 7 місяців тому

      @@Ashfielder I discribed a way it could work in this video somewhere. But it only works with clarion-radios

  • @Oetti
    @Oetti 7 місяців тому +9

    For me this will always be the hero car (second, make no mistake, behind the Audi S8) from Ronin…hugely outgunned by the mighty BMW E34 M5 but ultimately triumphs in cinema’s greatest car chase.

  • @muhammadzailani7313
    @muhammadzailani7313 7 місяців тому +7

    In Nigeria especially Northern Nigeria these cars are highly revered, so much so that some see them as the greatest car ever made. I began to somewhat hate it because everyone sings praises of it and because I just didn't think it was that special. Another reason it is revered is that in the early 2000s the then president of Nigeria ordered them in spades and were used in ministries, the presidency itself, the military and numerous agencies mostly as escort cars for the mile long convoys for dignitaries. When it became more affordable and accessible to the common masses, people bought them because they showed a bit of power status, you weren't easily harassed by forces for fear of you being important or working for someone important. In short people bought them because they couldn't afford the brand new black Toyota Land Cruiser. It is nice to see someone as authoritative as you be amazed by it.

    • @vs6300
      @vs6300 7 місяців тому

      You obviously have never driven this car. It has very competent driving manners, soaks any road thrown at it. Ans the suspension lasts an eternity.

  • @colin13579
    @colin13579 7 місяців тому +16

    I’ve had 2 and they are amazing cars. Look after them and they’ll just keep going. Best all rounder was the 2.0 HDi 110, enough power with 50+ mpg.

  • @florianheiling359
    @florianheiling359 7 місяців тому +9

    Hello from Austria - I drive a 1996 406 1.9 Diesel . The Peugeot was bought new by my grandpa, he drove it till 2015 (with only 50000 miles). Then I learned to drive with it and I still keep it besides my F10 525d. Everytime I hop into the 406 I have to smile - it isn't fast, it's quite rusty but still running smoothly and very comfortable. I do enjoy driving it, not only because I don't have to care about it.

    • @lewis72
      @lewis72 7 місяців тому

      Grüß Gott !

  • @jameshunterford4099
    @jameshunterford4099 7 місяців тому +22

    I saw an estate version of this trundling about last week and felt so sorry for it. It had clearly done its life’s work!

    • @Afraz_9n3
      @Afraz_9n3 7 місяців тому +1

      The green one with 220k miles?

    • @digitsictsolutions3790
      @digitsictsolutions3790 7 місяців тому +1

      I had an 01 plate 406 estate with 365000 miles on the clock. It was a 2.0 HDI, it had automatic headlights, wipers, cruse control and used to do 950 miles to a tank of diesel. It did all that mileage on the same clutch, gear box etc, it just had standard oil and all filter changes as well as brakes etc. What a fantastic car it was.

    • @jameshunterford4099
      @jameshunterford4099 7 місяців тому +1

      @@Afraz_9n3 it was a red one in my hometown

    • @jameshunterford4099
      @jameshunterford4099 7 місяців тому

      @@dizzy2020 that’s quite something! The one I saw looked very very unloved and was still plodding along

    • @Afraz_9n3
      @Afraz_9n3 7 місяців тому

      @@jameshunterford4099 ah right. I saw one on autotrader last week for £495 a green diesel estate with 220k miles on the clock. Can't find it now though appears to be sold

  • @hugoferreira4512
    @hugoferreira4512 7 місяців тому +9

    Peugeot was my favourite manufacturer. Got my license in 1997 and got a 106 GTi and a few years later a 306 GTi. Great cars. Comfortable, reliable, exciting and in my opinion great looking. I think from the time of those cars, the 206 and this 406 i fell out of love for the brand. They are weird looking (they make Citroen look normal), not very reliable and are not as comfortable as before. Changed to Kia and Hyundai. But the memories remain.

  • @paulleggett9735
    @paulleggett9735 7 місяців тому +3

    I had the 2.1td estate. 270k miles on it when I bought it, was used for my Ipswich to Witham commute for 3 years . Never failed me.

  • @JINXT3R222
    @JINXT3R222 7 місяців тому +11

    My Dad had three of these (not all at once of course). The last one being a green face lifted version that finished its life with nearly 250,000 miles. A truly brilliantly made car and the earliest car I can remember my family owning.

    • @utb8536
      @utb8536 7 місяців тому

      Why finished?

    • @jamesrobinson9194
      @jamesrobinson9194 7 місяців тому +1

      Well, 250k is a lot. It might not have been viable for retention by then.

  • @richardhowlett9424
    @richardhowlett9424 7 місяців тому +6

    One of the finest cars ever made , seriously ! great looking, fantastic drive, all the kit you need and not a touchscreen in sight . Peak car .

  • @Calvi36
    @Calvi36 7 місяців тому +26

    I had always wanted a 406 Coupe but I could not afford it at the time they came out. I ended up owning six of them of the years and my fave was my yellow 3.0 V6 D8.5, those that know the 406's will know that the D8.5 was a crossover between the changes to the car and engine back in 1999-2000.
    I still have a Pug 407 SW Executive that is taxed, MOT'd and a daily driver, the pugs will run forever if looked after.

    • @MrDbrennen
      @MrDbrennen 7 місяців тому +2

      Me to, I couldn't quite afford a 406 coupe. Had several 106 which were great, chopping and changing up the range to a GTi, then a 206 which was plagued with issues

    • @edimbukvarevic90
      @edimbukvarevic90 7 місяців тому +2

      I had a coupe 2.2 hdi (2003) ~2010-2020. Just a great car.

    • @frenchbred2081
      @frenchbred2081 7 місяців тому

      I think you bought my old yellow one? What happened to it?

    • @Calvi36
      @Calvi36 7 місяців тому

      @@frenchbred2081 Hiya, if you are talking about the Pulsar yellow one in your youtube short then I did not buy yours as mine was on an X plate.

    • @frenchbred2081
      @frenchbred2081 7 місяців тому

      @@Calvi36 no you bought it off me in 2016, X531 KVC it went to Scotland 👍

  • @mpainter22
    @mpainter22 7 місяців тому +4

    From the time when cars were just done properly, Laguna, Primera, Mondeo, 156, Vectra, 406, and so on. Tidy handling, reasonable performance and tech, good build quality

    • @carlmichael5592
      @carlmichael5592 7 місяців тому +3

      Very true, nowadays it's either SUV or electric, and upwards of £20K to boot.

  • @mikadavies660
    @mikadavies660 7 місяців тому +5

    I loved my 406 in 1996 as a Company Car.... The size and comfort was great.

  • @paolopanetta10011
    @paolopanetta10011 7 місяців тому +6

    I had two 406 coupes, both 3 litre. One in baby blue and the other in dark blue. The Pininfarina design was a thing of beauty and the engine although not very powerful was decent,
    Shame they didn't make an effort with the interior because that car deserved better.

  • @julosx
    @julosx 7 місяців тому +3

    Those who knew the old late 90s BTCC (and the games that went along with it, TOCA 1 and 2) remember Tim Harvey and Paul Radisich (from New Zealand) as 406 drivers in this championship. These were the days. I also remember there was the gentleman driver John George, from the Mardi Gras Motorsport, in 2002 driving a 406 Coupe running on LPG, during the beginning of the Super 2000 regulations.

  • @andrewbaxter9395
    @andrewbaxter9395 7 місяців тому +5

    Loved mine. Paid £1500 for it, ran it for 2 years, drove round France in it with 3 kids in the back, then sold it for £1500. Service parts from Euro or Gsf dirt cheap.

  • @gileshalliwell3591
    @gileshalliwell3591 7 місяців тому +5

    This shared a platform with the Citroen Xantia… They’re surprisingly good too! Enjoyed this and good for people to see that French cars have been good in the past!

  • @davidcooke6803
    @davidcooke6803 7 місяців тому +24

    I used to have a R reg in that colour, beautiful car.
    I took it to France, Spain and Italy and aside from a blown exhaust, which was replaced in Siracusa, Sicily, it never missed a beat.
    Great video, keep them coming, they’re brilliant!
    PS I have a 2012 BMW 640D convertible which I love, welcome to have a drive if you want.

  • @malanne1
    @malanne1 7 місяців тому +8

    Thanks! As usual, love your content .But this time you have hit it out of the ball park for me, perfect timing! I’m Canadian car nut and I’ve just moved to France for a 1 year stay. Just rented a house and with my fleet of cars at home in barn. I have a itch I need to scratch. I naturally started looking for good cars to purchase on Le boncoin but have no knowledge of French cars and since we sell almost none in Canada. I have just found 10 pages of manual coupes I will be probably purchasing now with your help! Now, to find a cool color with low mileage! Cheers, keep up the great work!

  • @5ebra1
    @5ebra1 7 місяців тому +3

    Love your enthusiasm for cheap old cars. Great review Jay - glad you noticed how good the chassis is.

  • @Gorbyrev
    @Gorbyrev 7 місяців тому +7

    Love these. I am also pretty sure the wood veneer is real tree! The leather interior in the 3.0V6 is a masterpiece.

  • @jamesonslow
    @jamesonslow 7 місяців тому +3

    So nice to see you have fun in a relatively unappreciated car. I find this kind of video a lot more engaging than when you drive a supercar.

  • @andrewcox4386
    @andrewcox4386 7 місяців тому +3

    I had a 406 and a 407 and loved them both as practical cars, long distance marvels and reasonably enjoyable drivers cars.

  • @jgg02
    @jgg02 7 місяців тому +3

    Love these budget car reviews, much more interesting than a hyper car test drive

  • @stewartmacdonald601
    @stewartmacdonald601 7 місяців тому +1

    Great video. I had one of these way back in the day, early 2000's. Same age, engine, manual, in green. I loved that motor.

  • @ad9ack82
    @ad9ack82 7 місяців тому +2

    Used to have the face lift 1.8 petrol manual. Loved it. Handled better than it should have, was great on long runs and fuel economy was decent. This has made me want another.

  • @sscarter942
    @sscarter942 7 місяців тому +1

    My mum had one of these when I was younger. Loved going places in it and she still misses that lovely blue 406

  • @Screamifyoumeanit
    @Screamifyoumeanit 7 місяців тому +3

    I had a manual 2.0 (previously LPG converted) back in early 2K... It was just a cheap daily att, though it was lovely to drive to and around Wales. I enjoyed the relaxed comfort and the low mpg (with the LPG).

  • @coldvaper
    @coldvaper 7 місяців тому +3

    Cars from that era were generally pretty good to drive. I have been driving 99 accord for the last 20 years and I used to think it was a boring car but it actually drives brilliantly. I would love to prelude swap it one day with a manual just need to find a reliable shop near me to do it.

  • @robkleinlangevelsloo259
    @robkleinlangevelsloo259 7 місяців тому +1

    My father in law had one. He traded it in for a Nissan Cumquat.
    It says a lot about his knowledge of cars.

  • @bleachyberserko4191
    @bleachyberserko4191 7 місяців тому

    Wicked video, I was just looking at these today as well!
    More videos on older daily hacks please?! 😊

  • @Backpfeifengesicht45
    @Backpfeifengesicht45 7 місяців тому +1

    I remember being given one of these as a courtesy car when I was about 20. It was a mighty impressive thing. I was sideswiped by someone who ran a red light at a crossroads and it was so solidly built that I could open the door while the Celica that hit me was in bad way. I could even drive it back to the garage, albeit with all driver side windows shattered. I had quite a lot of explaining to do, however.

  • @doms339
    @doms339 7 місяців тому

    Great to see you reviewing one of these. My dad had a diesel one in forest green and, yes, it unfortunately fell victim to the scrappage scheme. Genuinely think it was the best car he's ever had. Supremely comfy, same GLX spec as reviewed.

  • @huwdavies6650
    @huwdavies6650 7 місяців тому +15

    It had a big set of tyres to fill.
    The 405 had a superb chassis that it shared with the BX. But the chassis sorcerers at Peugeot made sure the 406 didn't go wanting.
    Like the 405 it was also a handsome looking machine.

    • @leepower2717
      @leepower2717 7 місяців тому +4

      I had a 405, then 406 & got rid of it & went back to another 405. The 405 was a much superior handling car, I found the 406 was lacking on a twisty road, it just couldn't corner at the speeds a 405 would.

    • @andrewfarrow4699
      @andrewfarrow4699 7 місяців тому +2

      I had a late 405 Mi16. It had incredibly secure feel in the corners. Much better than the contemporary Cavalier SRi. Wasn't as punchy though.

    • @markwalton8644
      @markwalton8644 7 місяців тому +1

      I had 2 405Sri's! Great handling, great ride with a nice torquey 1.9 205Gti engine. With Nice Comfy( I mean really Comfortable) seats, a big boot was a really Great all round car.
      I was put off by the 406 by the fact it wasn't deemed as good as the 405 and the Mondeo mk3 was a really good all rounder. So when I needed a car for family duties I bought two of those.
      I really should try a 406. The 2.2 170bhp sounds like the one for me😊

    • @bimbombash763
      @bimbombash763 7 місяців тому

      Had 405 before I take my current 406. Yes, 405 handling is smoother and sharper, I still miss it sometimes

  • @Ashfielder
    @Ashfielder 7 місяців тому +1

    A worthy chariot indeed. I’ve enjoyed my time with it immensely, thanks for the feature!

  • @yorusign
    @yorusign 7 місяців тому +1

    Toby sounds eerily familiar...
    I bought a roadster for the summer at the start of the year (albeit an mgf) and just bought a practical banger for the winter months: a '99 Peugeot 306 estate whose previous owner works as a car mechanic, for 750,-. It's absolutely fab! Sure, it has a few dings and scratches and the interior has been... lived in, but it's so comfy and drives like a dream.

  • @rich_rich90
    @rich_rich90 6 місяців тому +1

    Also a star of the fabulous 1998 film 'Ronin'. One of the best car chases on film was a Peugeot 406!
    Also the first car I properly drove after my test, getting usage out of my Mum's Pug.

  • @ArlenMoulton2
    @ArlenMoulton2 7 місяців тому +2

    Talking of movie references, there's also a cracking car chase scene in the film Ronin, where a V6 one of these chases a BMW, causes lots of carnage and mayhem!

  • @steadfastandyx4947
    @steadfastandyx4947 7 місяців тому

    I had two of these, petrol 2.0, comp.cars.manual. Very calm and comfortable way of getting down a road. Regularly didn't get me all the way down the road. I didn't "take my breath away" but did its job well enough. Who remembers the advert?

  • @sefikempowermentcoachvilla7843
    @sefikempowermentcoachvilla7843 7 місяців тому

    Love this relatable content James 👏

  • @Davesarsenal
    @Davesarsenal 7 місяців тому +1

    Had my W reg 2.0HDI 110bhp for 10 years, well over 200,000 miles on it when I sold it.
    Most reliable and comfy car I’ve ever owned.
    Pulled like a train and returned around 45mpg.

  • @alhassanzayyanu5712
    @alhassanzayyanu5712 6 місяців тому

    In Nigeria for over 40 years the Peugeot is a household name.
    The 406 is the Peugeot that never ages and is still loved after it's debut 27years ago

  • @TomasGraf-rr6co
    @TomasGraf-rr6co 6 місяців тому

    I have a 2004 2.0 HDi 4 door with a manual transmission. Whenever I drive it I get a giant ear to ear grin. It's such a beautiful car to drive.

  • @markonmotoring
    @markonmotoring 7 місяців тому +1

    James I'm 100% with you on the 406.
    I'd not driven one until earlier this year when I was brought a Doable Red V6 with a manual gearbox to film a review and oh my word, what a great drive.
    I took the car along one of my regular rest route and I tend to go a little easy when it's not my own car. The 406 Hower I felt at ease with by the first quick bend and with the V6 engine and manual gearbox I soon forgot that I was in fact driving a four door saloon. It also sounded fantastic and had plenty of mud range torque (the last car I'd reviewed before it being the Rover 45 V6).
    I think the 406 coupe with the V6 engine and a manual gearbox could well be the perfect average Joe's GT car.

  • @RafeAbrook
    @RafeAbrook 7 місяців тому

    Loving the featuring of old daily hacks like this. More please sir!

  • @FleetAdmiral215
    @FleetAdmiral215 7 місяців тому

    I seen an estate version only the other day, use to have these as Pool cars at work & they we're always 2.0 GLX diesel , loverly drive at the turn of the century,
    Great Video James, as always

  • @jordanseay216
    @jordanseay216 7 місяців тому +1

    To get that code for the stereo, he could contact the Peugeot dealer and with the VIN they could determine the code to unlock the radio. We ran into that issue on my mom's 2001 Mercedes E320. We did that and it fixed the issue.

  • @Exilninja
    @Exilninja 7 місяців тому

    My dad used to have one of these when I was a kid! It was a green 1999 facelift 406, absolutely superb car that just ran forever.

  • @grahammurphy5516
    @grahammurphy5516 7 місяців тому +2

    Had a 406 Coupe, loved it, still keep an eye for them on the classifieds

  • @shaunwest3612
    @shaunwest3612 7 місяців тому

    Great video, love those old Peugeots,had a few over the years, amazing engines as well.

  • @smithp573
    @smithp573 7 місяців тому

    I had a 1995 N-plate 1.8LX 16v saloon and at the time it was a revelation. Not fast fast but cross country it could carry speed like nothing else I'd driven at the time. The chassis balance was absolutely brilliant. And those early cloth seats were like being gripped by velcro and were so comfy.

  • @geraint8989
    @geraint8989 7 місяців тому +1

    I picture a 406 in green and gold. The glory years of British Touring Cars had some really beautiful designs - and all makes immediately recognisable, before every design tended towards angular similarity.

  • @N13CRM
    @N13CRM 7 місяців тому

    I had a 406 executive in dark, metallic blue with black leather interior as a company car I did over 100,000 miles in three years with the 2.1 diesel engine and it was a joy for every single mile. Thank you for rekindling those memories.

  • @gillscorner794
    @gillscorner794 7 місяців тому

    I had a 1996 turbo diesel in that colour in the early noughties - executive spec fully loaded with black leather, great car, really comfortable for covering long distances

  • @sam2cv6
    @sam2cv6 7 місяців тому

    Lovely car xx feeling very nostalgic. It might be worth advising the owner to do a gearbox oil change in my opinion. Those 4 speeds don't deal well with dirty oil and tend to linger in gears etc. Lovely video keep up the good work! Hi from ireland :)

  • @phil955i
    @phil955i 7 місяців тому

    Had one as a company car from new in the early 2000s on a 51 plate, a 2.0 HDI 90 Rapier estate. It was a bit gutless being the 90 bhp turbodiesel but being the Rapier trim the dashboard had the chrome rimmed dials & ebony wood from the coupe. The digital climate control was quite posh at the time too. And I remember the stereo to be quite powerful.

  • @dartskipper3170
    @dartskipper3170 2 місяці тому

    I drove two facelift models as company cars.The first was a 2.0 litre petrol and a huge improvement on my previous car, a Rover 400. One of my customers was Motor Sport Developments in Milton Keynes. They prepared 406's for the British Touring Car Championship. One of the drivers was Tim Harvey who does commentary work for ITV coverage of the BTCC today. I tried to convince them to do the servicing and tuning for me but I had no luck with that idea lol. My second was a late run out diesel model that was virtually a GLX without the electric rear windows. Both were great cars for comfort, reliability and with the large boot, good load capacity.

  • @jtr159
    @jtr159 7 місяців тому +1

    Had one of these a decade ago for £900. A beautiful car, well equipped and with brilliant sound isolation. Seemed much more expensive than it was.
    Sadly mine failed the MOT for a dozen reasons (not least of which: the MOT tech could punch holes through the floor) which explained the cheap price. Sold it to the owner of a welding shop for £250. Saw it on the road a few years later, too.
    Howevee the 206 I bought later cemented my decision to never buy a Peugeot again - they can't handle their road salt AT ALL.

  • @robinforrest7680
    @robinforrest7680 7 місяців тому +1

    I really like these videos. You are a true car lover James. To be able to step out of a Ferrari into a £450 car and love it too proves that. I’d love you to try a 9-5 Aero. If you’re ever over the channel you’re welcome to try mine any time !

  • @Cyberdyne-kg8ku
    @Cyberdyne-kg8ku 7 місяців тому +1

    At 5:08 you're driving past the place that often has a pale blue 406 estate. Reminds me of my X reg GLX estate 2.0 diesel. A Supremely comfy load lugger.

  • @keirbourne5323
    @keirbourne5323 7 місяців тому

    I have such fond memories of my mums 406 estate! Good times sitting in the boot looking out the back window and waving at cars behind us. We had that car until 160k miles or so

  • @user-hj4pl7rx4v
    @user-hj4pl7rx4v 7 місяців тому

    I had a 3 litre 5 speed here in Australia. It was a brilliant road car and remains one of my all time favorite cars.

  • @simondean8710
    @simondean8710 7 місяців тому

    What a great watch! I used to have a 405 as a company car and loved the handling. I have just done a similar thing,not wanting to put too many miles on my F Type and realising it wouldn’t be too clever through the winter, so went in search of …. An Alfa 156 as I adored my x reg company car back in the day. I found a stunning 2003 pre facelift 1.6 TS Veloce with 42k miles and 17 service stamps in the book with full leather etc etc - I love it and only today a young lad at the garage commented on it. It will be my winter daily and be swapped with my 916 spider in the summer. Life’s too short to drive boring cars! Keep up the good work. PS I had a Brera 3.2 once and hated every minute of it and traded up to an Evora. Sounds familiar!! 😂

  • @rickycapanni4588
    @rickycapanni4588 7 місяців тому

    I had one as a company car and loved it for its generous size, comfort and build quality, not to mention the 10k service intervals! I eventually changed up to an Mi16 and was rewarded with stunning performance and handling along with the original 406 virtues! Just a great car!

  • @breganorvega4610
    @breganorvega4610 Місяць тому

    Ive been driving my nans 406 for 2 months now, I used to hate everything about it. the look, the engine, the frenchness. But now, after 2 months the thing has gotten a hold of my heart, I wash it at least once a week and I take pride in driving such a rare old npc-car. My granddad bought it new in 2001 before he checked out and it's been rarely driven since. It used to be spotless until my bigger sister got in a fender bender some years ago. Now after my newfound love for the car ive been thinking about gettin it a new front bumper and add some minor side skirts hiding the ugly bits and add back the oem front splitter. the silver Peugeot 406 or the lion-car as we fondly called it, absolutely brilliant car and I'm looking forward to travel great lengths in it this summer.

  • @peterhirt991
    @peterhirt991 7 місяців тому +3

    I had one with manual transmission, it was fabulous I confirm!

  • @MrJamesBrown70sChild
    @MrJamesBrown70sChild 7 місяців тому

    Thank you for the realistic owners cars reviews ❤😊

  • @RichardBPOliver
    @RichardBPOliver 7 місяців тому

    I had a 1.8 petrol 5-speed manual on a Y plate. Bought it at 1 year old ( previously been a hire car ) in 2002, it finally left me in 2014. It took me/us pretty much all around Britain, as well as being my daily urban commuter drive. A real pleasure to drive, comfortable and capable, surprisingly agile for a biggish, hefty-ish car.

  • @tomonyszko6754
    @tomonyszko6754 7 місяців тому

    Great news....look forward to seeing you do the work required and moving it on for a profit!

  • @senpai5157
    @senpai5157 7 місяців тому

    I had a 306 Phase 1 with a gauge similar to that...
    If I recall, when you switch to 'ON' without starting, it will show you the oil level for several seconds, then switch to the oil pressure...
    That gauge saved me a lot when I noticed it then showed at 'mini' during startup...

  • @mej6519
    @mej6519 7 місяців тому +1

    i found a 406 passenger seat for 50 quid, which im using in my sim racing set up.
    probably the best thing to use if you plan on sitting in one spot for a long time, comfy as you like.

  • @lollypop9580
    @lollypop9580 7 місяців тому +1

    All Peugeot from the 06 Era are drivers car, from the 106 to the 806.
    Thank you for this vidéo and thank you for this facelift 406. ❤️

  • @ExploringwithAustinandThomas
    @ExploringwithAustinandThomas 7 місяців тому

    I picked up a 1996 1.9td back in 2010 for 800 quid, it was a quick purchase as I needed it for a 100 mile a day commute and a new baby had just arrived. It was fantastic! Great complient ride but also good round corners, would run on veg oil if you wanted to, lots of little extras like auto windscreen wipers, climate control which was the best system ive had because it only engaged the air conditioning compressor when it needed to.
    I decided to upgrading it to an E46 after having it for 3 years. Still miss it today 😅

  • @adamclark6756
    @adamclark6756 7 місяців тому

    I remember when i first saw one of these and thought they were a really good looking design and quite pretty. My brother in law, who i was with , liked it so much he bought one.

  • @robbwatson2088
    @robbwatson2088 7 місяців тому

    Love this series of videos.
    Cheers

  • @PJ-om2wq
    @PJ-om2wq 7 місяців тому +1

    The 406 was one of the last proper good Peugeots. I had 305 for most of my younger years and a 806 when I had three kids and I'm currently restoring a 604. When my knee went I bought an automatic 607 HDI but didn't really like it and replaced it with a Jag XJ.

  • @lloydbrock2711
    @lloydbrock2711 7 місяців тому

    I had one about 20 years ago. I was a 406 Executive. 2.0 petrol turbo. Full leather. Electric memory driver seat. An absolutely lovely car that didn't give me any problems. I owned it for about five years and never saw another in that trim.

  • @fatwalletboy2
    @fatwalletboy2 7 місяців тому +3

    Blimey i love this.for 449 nicker thats a bargain. 406 was a huge step up in overall quality over the boxier 405 before it. Future festival of the unexceptional car for sure. That looks like itll scrub up to be very tidy.
    Didnt realise either that the Coupe had those very Jaguar XJS esque c pillar buttresses.....lovely.

  • @voyagerdanny
    @voyagerdanny 7 місяців тому

    I love this so much. Moderately interesting cars ftw!

  • @spainter1985
    @spainter1985 7 місяців тому +2

    I always preferred the 405 looks-wise but these are still very handsome, especially in estate form

  • @hardtailharry6812
    @hardtailharry6812 7 місяців тому

    Speaking of budget winter cars , a good idea would be to make an informative video on older cars that are ulez compliant .
    Would be a good watch !

  • @michaelarchangel1163
    @michaelarchangel1163 7 місяців тому +1

    I've driven an early 3 litre V6 manual transmission 406, which was a very nice car but it's very hard to find a tidy one now. A lovely lemon yellow Coupe version drove past me last summer as i was walking towards Pembrey, west of Swansea but it was clearly a much cherished car which its owner would likely want to keep until he's too old to get into the driver's seat unassisted.

  • @cristiancristi9384
    @cristiancristi9384 7 місяців тому

    I still remember the days when I was in the search for my first car .... I had stumbled on a top trim level Peugeot 406, thst was just about 4 - 5 years old back then, late generation model with all the goodies , in beautiful metallic green 💚 colour.... 2.0 HDI engine, black leather seats, pristine interior ,all clean and smelled like a brand new car ... there had just been an economic crisis , and the car belonged to a businessman whose business took a sudden bad turn.... it was visible he was bitter he needed to sell it, he seemd to have loved that car a lot and the care he had for it was present wherever you looked. He was worried the car would fall into bad hands.
    I fell in love with that car, but sadly then I was just a student that just had his diploma, and that car was only 500 euros over my budget, which I just couldn't get. The guy was bitter to sell it, I stood bitter I just couldn't afford to have it.... I wanted it so badly.....😊
    Now I got a Jag which is a beauty itself....... but to this day I still remember that metallic green Peugeot, the car I never had
    ... and its owner, the educated and well-mannered business man just staying inside with sunglasses on, as bitter to give it away as he looked like attending a funeral.....just looking down and not eager to speak a word
    Double sad story 😶

  • @jonreynolds1655
    @jonreynolds1655 7 місяців тому

    I had the V6 version for about 8 years and loved it ...quick little motor fer sure and "never let me down" lol

  • @Holdeenio
    @Holdeenio 7 місяців тому +1

    The 406 chasing the e35 in Ronin was a classic from my childhood.