Peugeot 806 (1995 - 2002)
MODELS COVERED: 2.0, 1.9 turbo diesel, 2.0 HDi turbo diesel, 5, 7, 8 seats [Quiksilver, SL, SR, SV, LX, GLX, GTX , SLDT, SRDT, SVDT])
BY JONATHAN CROUCH
Buying an MPV is bewildering. All the main alternatives seem to look the same. Take Peugeots 806. Most customers in this current MPV era have bought
Ford Galaxys or that car's VW or
SEAT clones; fine for the driving enthusiasts but in many ways not as practical as the
Peugeot with its sliding side doors. The 806 too was cloned (Fiats Ulysse and Citroens Synergie are essentially the same car). It is, however, sometimes better specified than its stablemates depending on the model you choose.
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Despite reasonably affordable prices, the specification is quite good. There's an airbag in the adjustable driver's steering wheel as well as controls for the four-speaker stereo. In addition, all models got power steering, central locking, an engine immobiliser, front electric windows, adjustable headlamps, tinted glass, front fog lights and, from December 1998, air conditioning. The SL version could come complete with eight seats, but if youre planning to use them all on a regular basis, it would be as well to consider the optional roof bars and roof box available from dealers since luggage space will be restricted. Either way, the sliding doors glide back to reveal a wider range of interior permutations than you could shake a stick at.
The front seats swivel through 180 degrees to face backwards, the reason being that you can do just about anything you want with the others. They can be relocated on alternative mountings to maximise legroom or reclined, swiveled, folded, converted into picnic tables and removed altogether. In a few minutes, your 806 can change from family taxi to removal van, executive mile-cruncher to impromptu conference room. All this from a vehicle that takes up no more space on the road than the average medium range estate car.
It sits a fair bit higher of course and so do you, which takes a little getting used to. After a few miles however, the superb visibility offered by that vast expanse of glass begins to become a boon. Given a few more, you might even get used to the dashboard-mounted gearstick and locate the handbrake (on your right). In day-to-day use, you and the family will notice a careful selection of thoughtful touches.
There's even a sprung holder for the driver's spectacles or sunglasses in the driver's door. Whether you're using your 806 for a small children's party or simply somewhere to sleep, you'll find
Peugeot have thought ahead.
Lets begin with petrol models. Prices start at around £4,400 for a five-
seat SL on a 95N-plate with more typical 97P and 98S cars between £5,100 and £6,200. The eight-seat SL ranges from £4,600 to £6,700, while the plushest seven-seat SV ranges from £5,500 to £8,100. The mainstream seven-seat SR/LX starts at £4,900 for the first N-platers, while more typical later cars cost between £5,600 and £10,500.
If you want a turbo diesel, the five-seat SLDT starts at £4,700, with more typical 97P to 99S cars at between £5,400 and £6,900. The eight-seat SLDT starts at £4,900 (later cars between £5,300 and £7,100). The seven-seat SRDT/GLXTD ranges from £5,200 to £11,400 while the plushest seven-seat SVDT/GTXTD ranges from £5,800 to £12,300.
Not much goes wrong. As with all MPVs, you'll need to watch for damage to the interior trim scratches, cracks and so on. Many 806s will have had hard use. Watch out too for parking bumps and scrapes from drivers unused to the car's size. Check for uneven front tyre wear. There may be possible electrical faults. Plus, look for worn or sticking runners on the sliding doors.
(based on a 1997 806 1.9TD ex Vat) A clutch assembly is around £200, a radiator (on air-conditioned cars) £140, front brake pads £60, rear pads £40, a starter motor £175 and an alternator around £245.
Under the bonnet, there's a choice of 2.0-litre petrol power or 1.9-litre and two-litre HDi (common rail) turbo diesel units. Just over 120bhp takes the petrol versions to 60 in 13 seconds on the way to 110mph and you'll still average over 30mpg at the pumps. If, like most families, you opt for the 1.9 turbo diesel, then 35-40mpg should be possible on a regular basis. Bear in mind that the high centre of gravity means you can't throw the 806 around too much; if you want to do that in an MPV, buy a
Ford Galaxy/VW Sharan/SEAT Alhambra. Nevertheless, despite the Peugeots van-like origins, handling is surprisingly good.
As a people carrier, the Peugeot 806/
Citroen Synergie/
Fiat Ulysse design probably makes more sense than its Ford/VW/SEAT rival. The sliding doors, for example, make it easier to get passengers in and out in tight shopping car parks and there are more interior nooks and crannies to store things in. It's also slightly more spacious. If all that appeals over the Ford/VW/SEAT's better driving experience, then the Peugeot interpretation is quite a good one to choose, if a little pricier on the used market than the Fiat.
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