Hello lions:
After having my 307 for almost 3 months and have done 2500km (90% in city drive) on the clock, I have decided to take my lion for a test drive on high way (Pacific high way (no 1) and twisty mountain road (old pacific high way (no 83)). Here are my feedbacks from today’s drive (compare to my past experiences on few Jap. Cars- both sports and luxury).
On high way (speed limit 110km/hour): Changing gear from rest are busy, especially at 1st, 2nd , and 3rd gear, they are closed. There is not much fun in acceleration(to 60km/hour), but beyond that is easy and fast. Despite it’s heavy weight (two people on board, air condition on at Auto mode with outside temp shown 36 degree), the car is travelling at 100km/hour with rev just lower than 3000rpm. The noise level is low, only some air noises managing penetrate through from the door frame. Stability of the car is good, almost feeling like the car is glued to the surface when it enters high speed bend and changes lines. The handling is not as crispy as some Japanese car but it’s definitely more stable than those Japanese cars I have driven before. Fun starts at speed above 100km/hour where the rev was between 3000 and 4000rpm (haven’t try over 4000rpm yet). Mid range torque was great and purposely useful during high speed hill climb. I have used only 5th gear at all time without change down to forth (including overtaking). The superior torque just pulled the car away from others.
On twisty mountain road (speed limit 70km/hour average): 307’s suspensions are firm setting. They are quite harsh on those poorly maintained Sydney roads (B-grade), but they are excellent for mountain drive. Body rotations are low and u can turn the corner with much more confidence and secure. Slightly understeer occurs when u push the car a bit over the limit. I do try once and I am scared by some other companies from the opposite direction (750 and 500CC racing bikes). Gear changes are only kept at between 2nd and 4th and again the torque and power are great distributed on between 2500 and 4000rpm. The tyres are gripy but they become noisy on some poor bitumen. I have tried to keep the rev under 4000rpm since it has only done 2500km. Again, steering is heavier but pointy.
From today’s drive, I do find open-road drive is much more enjoyable than city drive. The interior noise level has became greater (annoying sometimes) in the city drive due to firm setting of the suspensions and poor road conditions. Anything else are great and useful (only a small problem- engine still vibrates like 5 years car at idle ……………!!!!!).
My car has the same 2.0L engine used in the 206GT-i. If 307 could give me a satisfactory driving experience, than 206 will be a pocket rocket and more enjoyable.
Any lions want to make any comments or contributions, please feel free to share them with other lions (especially those 307 owners).
Cheers
Gary Kao
After having my 307 for almost 3 months and have done 2500km (90% in city drive) on the clock, I have decided to take my lion for a test drive on high way (Pacific high way (no 1) and twisty mountain road (old pacific high way (no 83)). Here are my feedbacks from today’s drive (compare to my past experiences on few Jap. Cars- both sports and luxury).
On high way (speed limit 110km/hour): Changing gear from rest are busy, especially at 1st, 2nd , and 3rd gear, they are closed. There is not much fun in acceleration(to 60km/hour), but beyond that is easy and fast. Despite it’s heavy weight (two people on board, air condition on at Auto mode with outside temp shown 36 degree), the car is travelling at 100km/hour with rev just lower than 3000rpm. The noise level is low, only some air noises managing penetrate through from the door frame. Stability of the car is good, almost feeling like the car is glued to the surface when it enters high speed bend and changes lines. The handling is not as crispy as some Japanese car but it’s definitely more stable than those Japanese cars I have driven before. Fun starts at speed above 100km/hour where the rev was between 3000 and 4000rpm (haven’t try over 4000rpm yet). Mid range torque was great and purposely useful during high speed hill climb. I have used only 5th gear at all time without change down to forth (including overtaking). The superior torque just pulled the car away from others.
On twisty mountain road (speed limit 70km/hour average): 307’s suspensions are firm setting. They are quite harsh on those poorly maintained Sydney roads (B-grade), but they are excellent for mountain drive. Body rotations are low and u can turn the corner with much more confidence and secure. Slightly understeer occurs when u push the car a bit over the limit. I do try once and I am scared by some other companies from the opposite direction (750 and 500CC racing bikes). Gear changes are only kept at between 2nd and 4th and again the torque and power are great distributed on between 2500 and 4000rpm. The tyres are gripy but they become noisy on some poor bitumen. I have tried to keep the rev under 4000rpm since it has only done 2500km. Again, steering is heavier but pointy.
From today’s drive, I do find open-road drive is much more enjoyable than city drive. The interior noise level has became greater (annoying sometimes) in the city drive due to firm setting of the suspensions and poor road conditions. Anything else are great and useful (only a small problem- engine still vibrates like 5 years car at idle ……………!!!!!).
My car has the same 2.0L engine used in the 206GT-i. If 307 could give me a satisfactory driving experience, than 206 will be a pocket rocket and more enjoyable.
Any lions want to make any comments or contributions, please feel free to share them with other lions (especially those 307 owners).
Cheers
Gary Kao
