309 GTI any good? Better value than 205 GTI
Discussion
Emubiker said:
please explain why the 1.6 is easier to let LOOS?
probably mostly to do with the engine which is more fizzy (1.9 is lazier) ... so any sudden reduction in throttle has a quicker/more abrupt weight transfer effecti owned both... tbh, never found the 1.9 to be particularly unstable unless it was wet and you were being very violent with the throttle
I ran one as a road rally car a few years ago (and then sold it to a mate who rallied it for another season, and then sold it to a chap who got it featured in one of PPC's sub-1k performance car shootouts).
It was a fantastic-handling car and actually pretty reliable, given the amount of abuse it had to put up with during its time with me (and the subsequent owners). It cost me £350 in 2003....
Here it is on its way to winning the Kent Road Rally in 2004:
It was a fantastic-handling car and actually pretty reliable, given the amount of abuse it had to put up with during its time with me (and the subsequent owners). It cost me £350 in 2003....
Here it is on its way to winning the Kent Road Rally in 2004:
sniff diesel said:
TVR Moneypit said:
sniff diesel said:
Shropshiremike said:
Have you seen the thread on Coskev's white one in the Readers Cars section?
There was the black one before that, got written off a couple of weeks after a year long restoration 
http://www.309ownersclub.com/Community/viewtopic.p...
309 GTI is rocking horse rare compared to the 205. 309's tend to be better looked after and the five door is inherantly stronger than the three. More room in the engine bay and less lift off oversteer (longer, wider wheel base and more weight over the rear beam). All in you'll pay a bit more for a 309 GTI in as good condition as a 205 GTI but it is well worth it.
Robert060379 said:
All in you'll pay a bit more for a 309 GTI in as good condition as a 205 GTI but it is well worth it.
Interesting how they've become more sought after for the suspension bits. A few years ago they were much cheaper than a 205.When I bought my second hand one it was quite a bit cheaper than an equivalent mileage/age 205 1.9 - despite a £800 higher new price
Emubiker said:
i would have thought that the 1.9's extra torque would make it easier to let LOOS as when you come off the throttle the engine breaking is greater, thus the weight transfer would be quicker....
the 1.6's reputation proves otherwise i guessEdited by jackal on Monday 26th October 17:31
Somnophore said:
As above are they any good, they seem to be a lot cheaper than the 205 GTIs and I know some people think they are even better than the 205 so any experiences or opinions welcome.
Did you read that letter in this months Evo too? 
They upped it from 3 to 4 stars.
Have to say personally I never found a 205 on modern tyres to be too bad anyway. Lively, yes, but rarely unrully.
To be honest, don't tie yourself down to either one. Buy the best one in the best condition you can afford. A s
t 309 will be worse than a good 205, and vice versa. Both in showroom condition? It'd have to be the 205 for me - lighter, faster and much better looking. The 309 does handle better (more progressively) and can corner faster though.
t 309 will be worse than a good 205, and vice versa. Both in showroom condition? It'd have to be the 205 for me - lighter, faster and much better looking. The 309 does handle better (more progressively) and can corner faster though.One man's stability is another's slow response.
I've owned both, and both were/are maintained regardless of cost. I loved my 309 GTi; it was a wonderfully capable and enjoyable car, but the 205 just has that something extra that makes it so special. Handling is such a subjective thing, but for me the extra adjustability of the 205 and its lower weight make it the far better drivers' car.
I've owned both, and both were/are maintained regardless of cost. I loved my 309 GTi; it was a wonderfully capable and enjoyable car, but the 205 just has that something extra that makes it so special. Handling is such a subjective thing, but for me the extra adjustability of the 205 and its lower weight make it the far better drivers' car.
Emubiker said:
please explain why the 1.6 is easier to let LOOS?
The 1.6 GTi has a wider front track and a narrower rear track than the 1.9 GTi. And the wheelbase is slightly longer too. I've also owned both 205 1.9 and 1.6 GTis and my favourite is easily the 1.6; the engine's so frantic and more rewarding to drive hard, and the chassis's just a bit more adjustable too.RT106 said:
One man's stability is another's slow response.
I've owned both, and both were/are maintained regardless of cost. I loved my 309 GTi; it was a wonderfully capable and enjoyable car, but the 205 just has that something extra that makes it so special. Handling is such a subjective thing, but for me the extra adjustability of the 205 and its lower weight make it the far better drivers' car.
isnt the 1.9 wheelbase longer ?I've owned both, and both were/are maintained regardless of cost. I loved my 309 GTi; it was a wonderfully capable and enjoyable car, but the 205 just has that something extra that makes it so special. Handling is such a subjective thing, but for me the extra adjustability of the 205 and its lower weight make it the far better drivers' car.
Emubiker said:
please explain why the 1.6 is easier to let LOOS?
The 1.6 GTi has a wider front track and a narrower rear track than the 1.9 GTi. And the wheelbase is slightly longer too. I've also owned both 205 1.9 and 1.6 GTis and my favourite is easily the 1.6; the engine's so frantic and more rewarding to drive hard, and the chassis's just a bit more adjustable too.Have Autocar still got that yellow one ( I think Steve Cropley was the custodian ) that they were making into a Cooper S challenger? Been a while since I saw an update on it
Anyone who had a 3-door remember the little levers between the front seats for opening the rear quarters?
Anyone who had a 3-door remember the little levers between the front seats for opening the rear quarters?
Edited by Shropshiremike on Tuesday 27th October 08:21
You will find that the 309 will still handle nicer than a 205 with 309 suspension bits. As its got a bit more weight on the rear its front/rear weight ratio is nearer optimum and this gives it a lighter and more nimble turn in. The smaller 205's with the TU engines have a similar handling trait as they have a lighter drivetrain.
The 309 does suffer from rust though so they are still getting scrapped regularly.
Still...i'd still rather own a 205 gti as they look better
The 309 does suffer from rust though so they are still getting scrapped regularly.
Still...i'd still rather own a 205 gti as they look better
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