SOTW: Peugeot 306 GTi-6
A clean, non-Barried Pug has Shed sorely tempted
The 306 GTi-6 was one of the cars that brought the hot hatch back from the brink. "It's fanciful and unrealistic to keep looking for the 205 GTi's successor, but the 306 GTi-6 is as near as anyone has got so far," said Autocar back in late 1996, and in some senses it was right.
But with the benefit of hindsight we can see that the 306 GTi-6 was actually more like the first of a breed of new, more sophisticated hot hatches. These days, the de rigeur hot hatch power output is somewhere north of 250bhp, so it's easy to dismiss the 306's 167bhp as a bit limp. But this was 167 horses in an era when 130bhp was considered more than good enough, and 150bhp was positively ballsy.
This time, Peugeot tempered the fun with predictability - unlike the 205, the 306 will not throw a sulk and sit backwards in a hedge if you treat it too enthusiastically. Couple that with a beautifully slick and precise 6-speed gearbox, and the 306 remains one of the most entertaining runabouts out there.
In its road test, Autocar also said that the "306 is likely to grow old with grace". Which it has. Sort of. Looks-wise, the 306 has stood up pretty well. It looks dated, but it remains elegant and well proportioned, even if time has done few favours for the swoopy, plasticky dashboard.
This one looks to be a clean, unmolested example, however, and has allegedly had several new bits recently fitted including a clutch, wishbones and track rod ends. It also has a nice long MOT - which is worth its weight in gold in Shed world. The seller uses the age-old 'it's good for its age' caveat, so we wouldn't expect a concours example, but it could well prove a fun runaround. And for £900 you're never going to get perfection...
Advert is reproduced below
Peugeot 306 GTI-6 (1998)
137,000 miles, £900
12 months mot / 3 months tax. Just had new clutch kit / wishbones / track rod ends / strut brace this week!!
Runs and drives as it should and very reliable. Both exterior and interior and good condition for age. HPI clear.
No Test Pilots Please.
Really looking only to swop for one of the following:
205 gti
306 d turbo (later shape)
Mazda 323f
Bought a diablo red one of these 2 weeks ago as my new shed...
Seems very nice so far, and much better than the XSi I had for years.
Not as quick as my supercharged mk1 mr2, but good fun and way more practical...
Main thing to get checked is the cambelt apparently.
Oh, and the fuel lines split and leak in the engine bay.. as mine have done already.. easy fix tho with a metre of 8mm hose from local motor factors, ( £5
)Think this 306 GTI-6 is a great little hack, i'm sure you could run it for 12 months and lose nothing on it.
Think this 306 GTI-6 is a great little hack, i'm sure you could run it for 12 months and lose nothing on it.
They go really well but that’s not the point, its the handling that’s its trump card. Positive steering and great balance they are a joy to drive.
Mine ate bottom ball joints like sweets though and eventually the bushs on the rear radius arms just gave up and its easier just to fit a full rear beam than replace them.
This one has got enough miles on it for that to be a worry, so if they havent been sorted I would have a good poke round to check they are still ok.
Best shed this year.
Still - no rules on making the same model Shed twice - unless it's the same actual car!
Not great in traffic due to the stiff clutch, but totally slack-free steering, sweet gear change and excellent handling (without a crashy ride) mean they are lovely cars to drive. Consumables like discs, pads and suspension components are cheap too, and there's plenty around, so shop around for one that's been well looked-after.
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