Peugeot 309 GTI | Spotted
Want 205 GTI 1.9 power on a 1.6 budget? Right this way
We all know how crazy Peugeot 205 GTI prices have become, especially those with peppier 1.9-litre engines. The cheapest one on PH at the time of writing is this ‘1.9’ that’s been Mi16-swapped and fitted with a Dimma bodykit for £16,250, while original cars with five-figure mileage like this 1992 model can easily exceed the £20k threshold. Of course, it was inevitable that values for a car widely considered to be one of the best hot hatches of all time would go through the roof, but this thread from 2013 lamenting £10k 205s shows just how overinflated the market really is.
Clearly, the car we have here isn’t a 205 GTI, but it is positioned awfully close to it. Launched in early 1987, the 309 GTI served as a larger, more family-friendly version of the 205 GTI, featuring a stretched version of the hatchback’s platform that opened up more space in the rear for both passengers and luggage - plus there was even a five-door option, which was never available on the hotter 205s. Some have argued it’s actually better to drive than the 205 GTI, although for the last three-and-a-bit decades it's remained in well inside its dinkier sibling’s shadow.
Now, you may already be reaching for the keyboard to comment something along the lines of ‘it’s an ugly duckling’, particularly in three-door form like this one. And granted, it didn’t have an easy time when parked alongside the perfectly proportioned 205 in showrooms, but there’s a beguiling quirkiness to the slightly rear-heavy three-box silhouette that you just don't see on cars today. There’s also major rally appeal, too. Yes, the 205 grabbed two Group B titles (albeit in prototype-like T16 grade), yet the 309 GTI played a key role in shaping the careers of young rally drivers, namely Richard Burns, who cut their teeth in the junior ranks in the three-door hatch.
It’s not like the 309 was short on poke, either. All GTIs were fitted with the 205’s 1.9-litre engine, developing an identical 130hp and 119lb ft of torque. More important were alterations made to the chassis settings, which contributed to the slightly more neutral handling dynamic. And despite occupying a larger footprint than the 205, the 309 GTI was just 20kg heavier.
Of course, the 205 still proved vastly more popular with buyers than the 309. In the UK, the three-box hatch would only achieve a fraction of the two-box’s sales, and although HowManyLeft suggests that there are over 1,000 205 GTIs in use on British roads today, 309 GTI registrations sit somewhere just above 50. So it's properly rare, with examples as box fresh as this even rarer - not least for their huge popularity with tuners in the '90s (Dimma made a kit for the 309 too!) and because they didn’t take too well to Britain's salt-covered winter roads.
Fortunately, that shouldn’t be a problem for this car, as the seller reckons it’s corrosion-free and has been treated to keep it that way. It definitely seems like the previous owner has cherished it during their 34-year stint with the car, with no signs of fading to the plastic bumpers and the paintwork (resprayed in its original colour) looking factory fresh. Admittedly, £15,995 is on the high side for a 309 GTI, although its fantastic looks and low mileage ought to help persuade a die-hard Peugeot fan. Still a good deal cheaper than the equivalent 205, too…
SPECIFICATION | PEUGEOT 309 GTI
Engine: 1,905cc four-cylinder
Transmission: five-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 130@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 119@4,750rpm
MPG: 28
CO2: N/A
Year registered: 1990
Recorded mileage: 57,750
Price new: £9,295
Yours for: £15,995
The F regt was used as a 2nd car his main been a G reg Mk4 Escort RS Turbo. I use to take the piss about the state of it but my mate said it drove brilliantly and certainly knew his Peugeot's as I know of him having at least 6 1.9 205s over the years.
My other mate traded his G reg in for the same dark green J reg 1.9 205 GTi With what I know through my mates they don't ware there miles well they can be very tired under 10 years old with less than 80 to 90,000ish miles.
Sadly the prices were too high at the time ……but thanks to the gawky 309 looks a second hand 309 GTI was just about affordable and thanks to the local friendly Pug dealer ( who let me have a demo for the day ) I soon realised it was only the looks to overcome. I ended up buying a used 309 and never regretted not having the 205
A friend at the local Ford dealership picked one of these up for a song as their used car manager didn’t want to retail a Peugeot.
Got to say it was a great thing to ride shotgun in although one of my memories was that the plastics ‘seemed’ harder and scratchier than ‘my’ Fords but a revelation when pitched against them for handling.
And this example seems excellent value for money in this ‘overinflated’ market.
Personally had strong connections to Peugeot and Citroen at this time - everyone inside the dealer network went for one of these over a 205, if there was a choice for the weekend, overnight or blast to the cake shop for buns…! :-))
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