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Buying an MPV is bewildering. All the main alternatives seem to look the same. Take Peugeot's 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 (Fiat's Ulysse and Citroen's 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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What you get
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 you're 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.
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What to look for
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.
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Replacement parts
(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.
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On the road
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 Peugeot's van-like origins, handling is surprisingly good.
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Overall
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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