306 GTI-6 or Rallye
Discussion
I fancy a change from my Mk1 MX5, as good a car as it is, I just fancy something quicker.
I am quite liking the look of the 306 at the moment.
From what I've been told, the 2.0 litre lump, although featuring just 167 bhp which doesn't seem like a huge upgrade on a 130 bhp MX5, is a very torquey motor and certainly when I've seen videos of them in action, they pretty much seem almost 172 Clio quick outright, but without being so highly strung. Also the 306 is still highly rated for its handling. And I also quite like the way they look purposeful but quite stealthy at the same time.
I'm not sure I'd want a Clio again anyway - wasn't really a fan of the driving position or engine. If I had to, it'd be a clio cup though.
How reliable is a 306? And is it worth it to try and find a Rallye over a GTI-6 ?
Would I regret swapping an MX5 for a Rallye? I know they offer up different thrills - the RWD handling and balance of the mazda is nice, as is having the roof down, but I'm not TOO bothered about that. RWD oversteer is nice, but frankly, I only ever get to do it out of the occasional wet junction anyway or big empty roundabout and thats very rare. Fun though.
I am quite liking the look of the 306 at the moment.
From what I've been told, the 2.0 litre lump, although featuring just 167 bhp which doesn't seem like a huge upgrade on a 130 bhp MX5, is a very torquey motor and certainly when I've seen videos of them in action, they pretty much seem almost 172 Clio quick outright, but without being so highly strung. Also the 306 is still highly rated for its handling. And I also quite like the way they look purposeful but quite stealthy at the same time.
I'm not sure I'd want a Clio again anyway - wasn't really a fan of the driving position or engine. If I had to, it'd be a clio cup though.
How reliable is a 306? And is it worth it to try and find a Rallye over a GTI-6 ?
Would I regret swapping an MX5 for a Rallye? I know they offer up different thrills - the RWD handling and balance of the mazda is nice, as is having the roof down, but I'm not TOO bothered about that. RWD oversteer is nice, but frankly, I only ever get to do it out of the occasional wet junction anyway or big empty roundabout and thats very rare. Fun though.
I went from my Elise to an MX5 mk1. I was weighing up if I wanted a 306 rallye, having driven one on road and track I know they are good.
I'm glad I picked the 5 though. Ok, it's less practicle than the 306, but I wanted something more fun more of the time.
I was considering another DC2 had I given myself a larger budget.
I'm glad I picked the 5 though. Ok, it's less practicle than the 306, but I wanted something more fun more of the time.
I was considering another DC2 had I given myself a larger budget.
stew-S160 said:
I'm glad I picked the 5 though. Ok, it's less practicle than the 306, but I wanted something more fun more of the time.
I was considering another DC2 had I given myself a larger budget.
I know what your saying, and I do love the handling of the '5 but apart from that I'm just not feeling the love at the moment. I feel like I want something with a few more creature comforts and more performance but still a PH car.I was considering another DC2 had I given myself a larger budget.
I've had a DC2 but they're out of budget for me now. Also, I'd prefer not to re-visit cars I've had before.
Hi,
I love 306's, I've owned 5 in the past 3 years, but that's not a good thing. You will absolutely fall in love with them. However, the handling side is the complete opposite of the 2 cars you've mentioned. They are very quick, I haven't had a GTI6 or rallye yet, but I have recently had a 2.0l XSI, so a step down from the '6'. They are a hugely fun, but in all honesty not that reliable. It was brilliantly quick, not OTT so you brick yourself on the way to work, but enough to put a smile on your face. The handling was shocking though, very very light at the rear, plenty of lift off over steer, and if not that you get plenty of under steer.
My only advice is buy a GTI6, the youngest one with the least miles, and try to buy it from someone who looks like they looked after it. Lower it slightly on some very good springs/coilovers, it really does massively improve the handling side of it. Make sure you keep up with oil, especially gearbox. It could be worth looking into the owners clubs websites for common faults and peoples reviews?
I love 306's, I've owned 5 in the past 3 years, but that's not a good thing. You will absolutely fall in love with them. However, the handling side is the complete opposite of the 2 cars you've mentioned. They are very quick, I haven't had a GTI6 or rallye yet, but I have recently had a 2.0l XSI, so a step down from the '6'. They are a hugely fun, but in all honesty not that reliable. It was brilliantly quick, not OTT so you brick yourself on the way to work, but enough to put a smile on your face. The handling was shocking though, very very light at the rear, plenty of lift off over steer, and if not that you get plenty of under steer.
My only advice is buy a GTI6, the youngest one with the least miles, and try to buy it from someone who looks like they looked after it. Lower it slightly on some very good springs/coilovers, it really does massively improve the handling side of it. Make sure you keep up with oil, especially gearbox. It could be worth looking into the owners clubs websites for common faults and peoples reviews?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2261858.htm
Looks like a good enthusiast owned car.
It's had a lot of work done on it, although the fact it needed so much doing is either a good thing because it's a caring owner and the work is done or a bad thing because it needed so much doing to it, depends on your view really.
Looks like a good enthusiast owned car.
It's had a lot of work done on it, although the fact it needed so much doing is either a good thing because it's a caring owner and the work is done or a bad thing because it needed so much doing to it, depends on your view really.
Get yourself on 306gti6.com there is a lot of knowledge on there and a very good for sale section, if I had the cash there's at least a couple on that forum I'd be considering at the minute.
With the prices as they are and the age of the car I wouldn't worry about GTi vs Rallye too much, unlike the 106 the 306 Rallye isn't too much different to the GTi, just concentrate on getting the best car you can. Look out for service history and check the cambelt!!!
I love the car, I had a GTi-6 but had to sell it because of the high running costs and high living costs but now I have a bit more disposable income I'm desperate to get back into one again. They're a 306 so that means a perfectly good shopping/town car, spacious, comfortable big boot etc and IMO despite the age they don't look dated. But, they are the last good drivers car Peugeot made. They handle very very very well the engine is very well matched to the chassis and makes a good induction noise to boot. The gearbox is brilliant (if you ignore the right lock issues due to the 6 speeds) and the brakes are very good too. The handling is brilliant, they seem to flow down the road, damping is well suited to back roads and the back end is mobile for a front wheel driver.
As said, I love them ... I've got to get me another.
With the prices as they are and the age of the car I wouldn't worry about GTi vs Rallye too much, unlike the 106 the 306 Rallye isn't too much different to the GTi, just concentrate on getting the best car you can. Look out for service history and check the cambelt!!!
I love the car, I had a GTi-6 but had to sell it because of the high running costs and high living costs but now I have a bit more disposable income I'm desperate to get back into one again. They're a 306 so that means a perfectly good shopping/town car, spacious, comfortable big boot etc and IMO despite the age they don't look dated. But, they are the last good drivers car Peugeot made. They handle very very very well the engine is very well matched to the chassis and makes a good induction noise to boot. The gearbox is brilliant (if you ignore the right lock issues due to the 6 speeds) and the brakes are very good too. The handling is brilliant, they seem to flow down the road, damping is well suited to back roads and the back end is mobile for a front wheel driver.
As said, I love them ... I've got to get me another.
pbirkett said:
Anyone got any comments about the straight line performance of the 306? I've watched a couple of videos on youtube and they seem to look very fast for only having 167 bhp. Fast is good. 
Autocar test figuresGti-6 0-60 7.9 0-100 21.5 Max 130 Test date 4/12/96
Rallye 0-60 7.8 0-100 20.7 Max 130 Test date 16/12/98
Smike said:
pbirkett said:
Anyone got any comments about the straight line performance of the 306? I've watched a couple of videos on youtube and they seem to look very fast for only having 167 bhp. Fast is good.
Autocar test figuresGti-6 0-60 7.9 0-100 21.5 Max 130 Test date 4/12/96
Rallye 0-60 7.8 0-100 20.7 Max 130 Test date 16/12/98
(unless they were doing their vids downhill!)Reliability is pretty good, my old ZX (306 with a citroen body shell) died at 196k miles so I bought a 100k mile 306 (HDI not GTI-6 though) and not had any major problems in the 25k miles I've done since, except the aircon's broken which is a very common issue on 306. There's a GTI-6 in the classifieds with working aircon.
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