SecondHandSense/Peugeot 206 cc: Now that spring is in the air, some peoples' thoughts turn to convertibles, big and small.
There was a time when one had to make a determined choice about buying a soft-top car and ignore the reality of our weather, but nowadays there is the best of both worlds - affordable cars with folding metal roofs offering coupé driving when the weather is inclement, and the joys of an open roof when it is not.
There are plenty of them around, perhaps the most impressive being the new Golf-based Eos from Volkswagen.
The original, however, was the Peugeot 206 cc, the first small car to have what were previously luxury car features. Based on the basic 206 platform, the cc offered a clever combination of choices but ultimately its looks suffered as a result of being a 206 with a motor-boat-like deck at the rear.
A retractable roof involves a good deal of equipment and motors to get it up and down, and that takes up space. The result is that the 206 cc is really only a two-person car. Its sloping roofline means rear headroom is limited and the rear seats are really only for tossing designer shopping bags back on.
It is a fun car to drive in the city, has reasonably good looks but is most definitely a singleton's choice, as they say these days. As it has been around for seven years, this means it is showing its age.
Inside, the car is also cramped and tall drivers should pass now. However, if you need a second-hand car that offers some real fun and space is not the main consideration, then read on. With the roof up you will find visibility is quite poor, and you really only get to see what is going on around you when the roof is down.
The 1.6-litre engine is peppy, the ride is reasonable and handling is good but nothing overly special. Wind and road noise is a big factor, and this car is not really a good choice for Lyric FM listeners. But many will zip around happily in the cc and it is a very easy car to drive in town.
The cc was not tested in the EuroNCAP crash test programme but the 206 was, and scored a healthy four stars for a good all-round level of protection. However, child protection was weak, but then this is not going to be an issue for the typical cc driver.
There have been some complaints about the 206 cc roof retracting mechanism but then it is not as modern as the ones with which we are now familiar.
The 206 has had recalls for problems with the brake servo system, side airbags and throttle bodies. One should always check for recall histories and it is very important to check the roof mechanism repeatedly.
A 2003 model with 25,000 miles on the clock, leather upholstery, side and front airbags; electrics and a good standard of finish is on offer for €16,950, while a 2005 model with the same equipment, but minus the leather, and with 11,000 miles on the clock is on offer for €19,000.
FOR: Easy car to drive in town AGAINST: Noise, cramped for tall people, limited boot space