1987 Peugeot 309 GTi (that I've not actually seen yet)...
Discussion
Well, I have no pictures yet, but a while ago here on PH they ran a 'spotted' article with a nice shiny looking 309 GTi for sale. Now, a cherry red 309 GTi was my dream car when I was 17. I had a lowly 309 GE with a 1.1 Simca engine making a massive 55 bhp at the time and I often dreamed of owning a full fat GTi in the same colour. Alas, at the time, a lack of cash and being unable to afford the insurance scuppered such dreams.
However, fast forward 15 years and the below article appeared on these very pages. I saw the car, got really excited and agreed to buy it over the phone, unseen, untested and without even haggling...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Now, some people will tell you this probably isn't the best way to buy a car, especially as I live in Aberdeen and the car is in Devon. I spoke to a friend of mine (a fellow PHer) who lives down near Plymouth and he agreed to meet the owner to collect the car for me.
So in a no way dodgy at all meeting in a car park at Exeter airport (in the dark) the owner turned up to meet my slightly large and scary looking friend who agreed to pay cash for the car there and then. Except he didn't have time to go to the bank to collect the money I'd transferred to him and in a flash of kind hearted trust (or maybe fear) he was put on the phone to me and I ended up doing another transfer directly into the guys bank account online. So the young man handed over the keys, and went home with absolutely no idea if he had actually received any money or not for his car...
The car was taken back to my mates house where it has been used sporadically. I am flying down tomorrow for beers in Plymouth then I plan to leave early Sunday to drive the 600 odd miles back to Aberdeen.
Obviously, the big question is: Will the car make it? I have no idea to be honest. It's had a good going over this week, it runs well, doesn't overheat though there are a few issues which include - a bit of rust here and there, some dings, a stuck passenger door, non working sunroof and cracked driving and fog lights.
I plan to take a few piccies of the journey there and back and if you are interested I will add them here with a little blog to tell the tale.
After all, what is the worst that can happen...?
However, fast forward 15 years and the below article appeared on these very pages. I saw the car, got really excited and agreed to buy it over the phone, unseen, untested and without even haggling...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Now, some people will tell you this probably isn't the best way to buy a car, especially as I live in Aberdeen and the car is in Devon. I spoke to a friend of mine (a fellow PHer) who lives down near Plymouth and he agreed to meet the owner to collect the car for me.
So in a no way dodgy at all meeting in a car park at Exeter airport (in the dark) the owner turned up to meet my slightly large and scary looking friend who agreed to pay cash for the car there and then. Except he didn't have time to go to the bank to collect the money I'd transferred to him and in a flash of kind hearted trust (or maybe fear) he was put on the phone to me and I ended up doing another transfer directly into the guys bank account online. So the young man handed over the keys, and went home with absolutely no idea if he had actually received any money or not for his car...
The car was taken back to my mates house where it has been used sporadically. I am flying down tomorrow for beers in Plymouth then I plan to leave early Sunday to drive the 600 odd miles back to Aberdeen.
Obviously, the big question is: Will the car make it? I have no idea to be honest. It's had a good going over this week, it runs well, doesn't overheat though there are a few issues which include - a bit of rust here and there, some dings, a stuck passenger door, non working sunroof and cracked driving and fog lights.
I plan to take a few piccies of the journey there and back and if you are interested I will add them here with a little blog to tell the tale.
After all, what is the worst that can happen...?
I personally wouldn't worry but 50mile plus journeys in my 205 get uncomfortable so have a few rest stops for you and the car!
I actully went a simular route to yourself I had a base spec 1.1 205 as a first car I liked it so much I had to own a gti one day which I do now
Look forward to hearing about the journey and the pics
I actully went a simular route to yourself I had a base spec 1.1 205 as a first car I liked it so much I had to own a gti one day which I do now
Look forward to hearing about the journey and the pics
It needs a wash...
Good bits:
Gearbox is sweet once the oil gets up to temp- usual GTi reluctance to go into gear (baulking rings??).
Brakes are amazing for a car of it's age.
Bodywork is amazing considering how original it is.
Steering is lovely and tight.
Engine is sweet, no oil burnt when cold (tiny bit of smoke, but nothing to be worried about)
Plastics are good
Heater is great, fan works at all speeds
Central locking motors sound good
Tyres are great
Dash hasn't split
Carpets are great
Main interior is bone dry
Everything seems present
All electrics work (bar the below)
Bad bits:
Sunroof is b
ksed
Clutch is a little heavy
Passenger side door latch is bksed
Spoiler has delaminated and damaged the metal bracket inside
Leaky passenger door seal- window may not have been all the way up, doesn't seem to have leaked since last used.
x3 front fog lights don't work
x2 wires hanging from the rear hatch in the ceiling (no idea what for)
Interior is a little baggy, perhaps it cold be pulled tight?
Needs paint.
Boot floor is a little bit moist.
I think it'll make the journey absolutely fine on Sunday. It drives lovely, just bring some headphones and an MP3 player. Would be good if we can get the sunroof to open on Saturday, it can get a little stuffy in there.
ETA: I'm not scary
Good bits:
Gearbox is sweet once the oil gets up to temp- usual GTi reluctance to go into gear (baulking rings??).
Brakes are amazing for a car of it's age.
Bodywork is amazing considering how original it is.
Steering is lovely and tight.
Engine is sweet, no oil burnt when cold (tiny bit of smoke, but nothing to be worried about)
Plastics are good
Heater is great, fan works at all speeds
Central locking motors sound good
Tyres are great
Dash hasn't split
Carpets are great
Main interior is bone dry
Everything seems present
All electrics work (bar the below)
Bad bits:
Sunroof is b
ksedClutch is a little heavy
Passenger side door latch is b
ksedSpoiler has delaminated and damaged the metal bracket inside
Leaky passenger door seal- window may not have been all the way up, doesn't seem to have leaked since last used.
x3 front fog lights don't work
x2 wires hanging from the rear hatch in the ceiling (no idea what for)
Interior is a little baggy, perhaps it cold be pulled tight?
Needs paint.
Boot floor is a little bit moist.
I think it'll make the journey absolutely fine on Sunday. It drives lovely, just bring some headphones and an MP3 player. Would be good if we can get the sunroof to open on Saturday, it can get a little stuffy in there.
ETA: I'm not scary
If you're flying down it'll be difficult to take any tools but if possible take cable ties, water, 10w40 oil, tank tape, 10mm 13mm and 17mm spanners. Anything that that doesn't fix is likely to be terminal!! (and makes sure there's some sort of working jack and wheelbrace).
I'd factor in plenty of breaks on the route north as they can be noisy on the motorways. The nicer of my 205s exhaust seems to be noisiest at 50mph and 70mph which is annoying for day to day driving.
I'd factor in plenty of breaks on the route north as they can be noisy on the motorways. The nicer of my 205s exhaust seems to be noisiest at 50mph and 70mph which is annoying for day to day driving.
petrolsniffer said:
I personally wouldn't worry but 50mile plus journeys in my 205 get uncomfortable so have a few rest stops for you and the car!
Ha! We did 3000 miles in the 205 this last summer, down to the South of France and around!!750 miles in one day........just getting over the tinnitus.
petrolsniffer said:
Ouch I bet you felt like a cripple at the end of that too!
Funnily enough it wasn't too bad. We've been to Spain in ti as well in the past and it's the heat (33deg+) that really kills you.
The sound of Jenvey Throttle bodies keeps one amused though!
It was however an "adventure" and would have not been the same in the E91!
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