Peugeot 307 CC Dynamic 2004 review

Now, hold it together. Take a deep breath. You might just be being offered a Peugeot 307CC.

That being the case, the hard-top that can turn into a soft-top at the press of a button is not such a silly idea – any time of the year.

After all, it is one of the slinkiest, most stylish cars likely to be seen in the sports car park. It is rewarding to drive – even though it is not developed as a fireball performer.

Explore the 2004 Peugeot 307 range

• Peugeot 307 2004 review
• Peugeot 307 CC manual and auto 2004 Review
• Peugeot 307 CC 2004 review
• Peugeot 307 CC Dynamic 2004 review

The sticker price is on the money for what it is and what it has to offer. And you do get two cars for the price of one.

For CC stands for coupe cabriolet – a clever model name which describes its two guises depending on the position of the retractable hard-top.

The test week was a handy combination of sunny and rainy days. Just perfect to rug up in a rally jacket, buzz the roof down and enjoy the fresh open air one day and raise the roof and stay warm and dry in the wet.

The retractable hard-top is an engineering work of art.

Peugeot bought the mechanicals in from a German joint-venture company set up by Mercedes-Benz and Porsche to design fold-down roofs. Not a cheap component – but a lot cheaper than developing your own that may or not be as good as the off-the-shelf item.

It takes just 25 seconds for the rigid roof, with its large, curved glass rear windscreen, to retract and disappear under the boot-trap.

You can raise or lower the roof at speeds up to 10km/h – we'll leave for another day discussion on why anyone would want to raise or lower the roof on the move.

In either coupe or cabriolet forms, the 307CC is a stunning looking two-door, four seater.

The heavy rake of the windscreen looks just as racy with or without the roof in position.

What has become Peugeot's trademark feline headlights give the car the usual slinky, ultra-chic look.

The car comes with a choice of two engines, a 100kW two-litre four, with five-speed manual transmission, or four-speed tiptronic automatic in the Dynamic equipment grade or a 130kW two-litre version with five-speed manual in the Sport.

Prices for the Dynamic start from $49,990 and the Sport from $56,990.

Neither are particularly quick. The entry engine takes 10.9 seconds to dash from zero to 100km/h (12.7 seconds with automatic) and the more powerful engine does the trip in 10 seconds. But even though it is no racer off the line, the 307CC responds to high revs in the mid ranges, although it tends to be a bit short-winded up top.

However, the compact dimensions make the car seem like it is going faster than its actual speed.

So one can get the impression of fast driving without racking up demerit points.

The Dynamic on test proved really enjoyable to push around a favourite loop through the Adelaide Hills.

The five-speed manual is one of the highlights of the CC and the tiptronic auto should be just as enjoyable.

The car sits on really well developed suspension which keeps body movement to a minimum, yet offers good ride comfort.

Both models come with electronic stability program, anti-lock brakes and emergency brake force assistance so the car has a high degree of handling integrity.

The interior is particularly sporty and ergonomic with all the switches, dials and things in the right places, and good use is made of metallic finishes.

Seating is comfortable and fully adjustable to allow the driver to get in a desired position. The car is built on a rigid structure to ensure the safety of passengers in a major collision. The evidence of the success of this fabrication can be found in its four-star independent crash-test classification.

Protection in a rollover is always a concern to owners of cabriolets. To provide the protection, the rear bulkhead is equipped with an electronic rollover bar. This is supplemented by reinforcements bars in the windscreen pillars. Front occupants also benefit from reactive front airbags, head/chest side airbags, and three-point seat belts with force limiters.

Standard equipment is particularly generous. The entry grade car comes with remote central locking, fully-adjustable steering wheel, six speaker Clarion sound system, climate control airconditioning which cools the glove box, a pollen filter, leather trimmed steering wheel, aluminium finish to the centre console, an array of storage areas, electric steel roof, alloy wheels, rain sensing wipers, sports seats, and rear headrests.

At a glance

The 307CC is not a true point-and-fire sports cars with power to burn.

But it is a highly sophisticated, beautifully styled, highly versatile four-seater car which looks good with the metal roof up or down.

It drives nicely and handles and steers precisely.

And do not forget it is a car for all seasons – an open-topper for the good weather and a fixed-head coupe to keep the rain and cold out.

Pricing is right and Peugeot appears to have such a growing following that retained values should not be a problem to those who leave with fairly high residuals.

In sum, I liked it – I recommend it.