I have 405 mi16 1.9 , great, proper handling, 106 is toy in comparison(fast toy). 405 1.6 also has great handling just lighter nose and back made it even more tailhappy, much slower than mi16 but same philosophy.
I have driven 407 1.8 for a short- little lighter steering, and softer than mi16 off course, but did not seem bad pretty direct with front end neutral infact not far of 405 in philosophy it seemed,esp cutting early but effectively. I have not pushed it properly
more differences would have emerged, since the more you push 405 you realise it is the real thing, just you have to be ready for tail(although pretty planted) but it is very involving, so you are prepared.

Any thoughts on 407?

Well I've not driven a 407 but the guys at autocar mag have: http://forum.405mi16.com/index.php?showtopic=145

It's always the same old story though, the 407 doesn't have the rawness (such a word??) of the 405 in the same way as the 207 won't compare to the 205.

I took a 407 down to FCS last year. It was the 2.0 hdi with 136bhp - it was a lovely motorway cruiser with plenty of grunt, suprising quick actually even when you put your foot down at 80-90 ( even just a chip of that engine and your looking at serious torque ). The handling wasnt great though it does have that strange weight distrubution. Very wallowy, didnt feel very tight at all. Softs the word. Gearchange was awkward too - very difficult to get a smooth change if youre booting it. Bloody huge aswell - didnt have great rear visibility - just dont make cars with the seating position and visibility like they used to! Was ok though did a bit of reverse parking at a wee carpark in Wilmslow ( dont ask ) on the way down. As I said ive only driven the diesel so im not much help if youre after a petrol engined one. Handles better than the new toyota Avensis i've driven though ( christ their awful - anyone else driven one ).

Mass and esp hinder it, but has obvious peugeot genes, esp good at higher speeds for feeling of safety, apsorbs bumps well. Not as total control of steering as 405 mi16.

i wish we had new Peugeots over here in Canada.