Big praise for a little vehicle
PEUGEOT 108: MANY FEATURES THAT BELIE PRICETAG
Minimal effect on your bank account (both in repayments or at the fuel pumps).
Isuppose there is some irony in the fact that I watched a documentary about minimalist living on Netflx, the latest “must have” entertainment and information addition to the techno-savvy household.
The documentary is based on a book, which is generating a lot of debate in the United States, about reducing the clutter in our lives – not only for the sake of our ailing planet but also for our own psychological and emotional well-being.
Watching it forces you to look around at your “stuff”, the things you consume.
I’ve got too many pairs of shoes. Much less than many others and, even though most of them are current or previous running shoes, I still feel guilty. Ditto with the clothes in my cupboard. Do I really need that many T-shirts or caps? When it comes to cars, though, I’m already half way to being a minimalist – if you define minimalist as a car owner or user who believe in longevity and reliability over flash and priotises safety and ease of use over brand names.
We currently have two cars in our family – both of them Subarus. One is four years old, the other 16. In both cases, I expect to get calls asking me about whether I want to upgrade. Why?
Another minimalist trait which attracts me is size. Although I could not live in the trailer-type houses minimalists are flocking to in the US at the moment, I do prefer my vehicles on the smaller side. Our two Foresters would qualify as medium-sized and they are the biggest we have owned.
I have always had a soft spot for small Peugeots. And I don’t mean soft in the head, because those stereotypes about unreliable French cars are just not the reality these days.
Some years ago, we had a Peugeot 207 GTI on test and, with its short wheelbase, sharp steering, 147kW engine and slick sixspeed manual gearbox, never mind its cute-aggressive looks, it was one of the best hot hatches I’ve ever driven.
When the new Peugeot 108 entry level “city car” arrived for our test, therefore, I had pretty high expectations of the brand.
The premise – small car, small 1.0 litre, three-cylinder engine might not have sounded promising on paper, but I have seen and driven these mini-cars before… and I love them. Toyota’s Aygo, Citroen’s previous C1 and the previous Peugeot 107 all went this route and were all great cars.
The 108, though, takes the art of the city car to a new level. For a list price of R185 000, you get a four-door hatchback which will take two full-size adults in the back (although two loaves of bread puts the boot under serious strain) and which has all the safety and convenience features of cars costing many times as much.
It has six airbags – two front, two side and two curtain – which in this price segment is virtually unheard of. It has a funky infotainment system which allows you to link up to two devices at a time (also an unusual feature) and it has aircon well able to keep up with South African heat.
Even though the car is obviously “built down” to a specific price point, I was impressed with the build quality. There was not a rattle to be heard, even on the lumpy, bumpy, roads in our areas, and the seats were comfortable.
It takes a bit of getting used to the combination of three-cylinder power and five-speed manual gearbox, because although there is not much torque, the engine feels like it can continue pulling in third gear forever, for example.
Out on the highway, you have to use the gears if you’re pressing on – but going down to fourth on a steep uphill section gives the car its verve back.
However, on less inclined highway routes, if you stick to the national speed limit, you will easily be able to get your fuel consumption down to less than 5 litres per 100km.
Driving the car is also easy – and that is unusual for a French car. Often vehicles from France have odd design features, as if there is some secret Gallic directive to remind the non-French of the importance, and uniqueness, of their country.
In recent weeks, a number of people have asked me about buying car with a budget of R200 000 or less. And, without hesitation I have recommended the 108 to single people or young couple who have no need for lots of space.
The 108 is ideal for those who hanker to follow a minimalist lifestyle. It will have minimal effect on your bank account (both in repayments or at the fuel pumps) and minimal effect on the environment.
And, even while that makes you feel virtuous, you’ll also feel good…
I have always had a soft spot for small Peugeots