RE: Peugeot 308 GTI: Driven
Discussion
I haven't driven the GTi but had some track time in an RCZ-R which I believe is quite similar.
It felt like a good little car but I thought the power delivery felt a bit laboured and thin somehow.
I was happy to get back in my 370Z which although much lardier, felt quite a bit quicker.
It felt like a good little car but I thought the power delivery felt a bit laboured and thin somehow.
I was happy to get back in my 370Z which although much lardier, felt quite a bit quicker.
Ray_Aber said:
The 140i is an attractive option, which sadly is about the only attractive thing about it. Any car that looks like Scooby Doo's head isn't cutting it in the beauty parade for me. As for the manual gearbox, just don't; it's appalling. More rubbery and obstructive than a latex-clad bouncer.
As someone who recently picked up a used manual m135i (pre-facelift), I would admit the gear shift isn't the greatest but I wouldn't go as far as saying it's appalling. I'd agree it's not pretty; but wind down the windows and nail the throttle and it's probably the best sounding family hatchback you can get.As for the pug, it has a proper diff (though FWD v RWD), much nicer styling and ironically more exclusive than the beemer (I'm yet to see one on the road). Will make a cracking used buy in a couple of years, hopefully plenty of people actually buy one new.
WCZ said:
Ray_Aber said:
I don't want 4wd although I appreciate that it suits the S3 and its powertrain. They are - as I mentioned - competing in different sectors and have different performance. Which is more enjoyable though?
i'm just saying that your 'I buy cars no badges' was implying that the only appreciable difference between Audi and Pug is the badge when an extra 36bhp and AWD (regardless of whether you think it detracts from enjoyment) is something most would consider as a formidable difference. MustardCutter said:
As someone who recently picked up a used manual m135i (pre-facelift), I would admit the gear shift isn't the greatest but I wouldn't go as far as saying it's appalling. I'd agree it's not pretty; but wind down the windows and nail the throttle and it's probably the best sounding family hatchback you can get.
As for the pug, it has a proper diff (though FWD v RWD), much nicer styling and ironically more exclusive than the beemer (I'm yet to see one on the road). Will make a cracking used buy in a couple of years, hopefully plenty of people actually buy one new.
Yes - that engine. It's a winner. As for the pug, it has a proper diff (though FWD v RWD), much nicer styling and ironically more exclusive than the beemer (I'm yet to see one on the road). Will make a cracking used buy in a couple of years, hopefully plenty of people actually buy one new.
My problem with the gearbox was 1st gear in particular. I was driving a 3000 miler, so maybe it was still tight, but I was having to guess whether I'd get first or reverse - and had to really force the gearstick at times. I lived in abject fear of three point turns....
I drive a 308 GT (new shape), which has almost the same interior...Im really struggling to see what has changed on the inside?.
Although not the GTI, it's got 205bhp, and goes ok, always does around 40mpg and is cheap on tax. Peugeot have certinly improved since the last time I owned a french car....still not quite there, the plastics are cheap feeling, the arm rest will almost take your finger off if you forget to pull the correct part of it (Seriously). The little wheel thing I love, the driving position fits me perfectly and I can see all the clocks. all in all not a bad car...I do think they are over priced though.
Although not the GTI, it's got 205bhp, and goes ok, always does around 40mpg and is cheap on tax. Peugeot have certinly improved since the last time I owned a french car....still not quite there, the plastics are cheap feeling, the arm rest will almost take your finger off if you forget to pull the correct part of it (Seriously). The little wheel thing I love, the driving position fits me perfectly and I can see all the clocks. all in all not a bad car...I do think they are over priced though.
Ray_Aber said:
My problem with the gearbox was 1st gear in particular. I was driving a 3000 miler, so maybe it was still tight, but I was having to guess whether I'd get first or reverse - and had to really force the gearstick at times. I lived in abject fear of three point turns....
Haha. Mines done 23k more miles than that and doesn't need to be forced, so perhaps broken in a touch more! It's a bit rubbery but goes in without having to force it. The gearbox on my wife's older, higher mileage and significantly cheaper Mazda2 is much nicer in feel, though...It's nice to see a hot hatch which doesn't look like a Max Power reject. The Type R is just revolting on most levels, the Focus is terrible and many more fall into the category of too much pointless aggressive add-ons in the name of aero. Hot hatches started out looking little different to the base model, and in my opinion, that's how they should be.
e8_pack said:
Can't imagine anyone would buy a bog standard m-lite. Sensibly optioned examples might widen the gap a bit.
why? comes with satnav, climate control, dab, 18 inch wheels there are no optional sports seats etc
have a look on the configuration, there's nothing that I'd personally spec aside from possibly heated seats
thiscocks said:
WCZ said:
Ray_Aber said:
I don't want 4wd although I appreciate that it suits the S3 and its powertrain. They are - as I mentioned - competing in different sectors and have different performance. Which is more enjoyable though?
i'm just saying that your 'I buy cars no badges' was implying that the only appreciable difference between Audi and Pug is the badge when an extra 36bhp and AWD (regardless of whether you think it detracts from enjoyment) is something most would consider as a formidable difference. FN2TypeR said:
BFleming said:
The sooner they kill the cut'n'shut paint job the better. I'm surprised it made it past the facelift.
I had a regular non-GTI 308 1.2 turbo auto as a hire car earlier this year & it was a hoot. But the steering wheel in your lap with the instruments over the top was a strange driving position. The reverse rev counter reminded me of a 2nd gen Fiat X1/9 or scabby Vantage I once drove. The words 'quirky' and 'French' come to mind with the whole dashboard set-up.
It may have been dropped, it's not on the Peugeot UK website as an option anyway.I had a regular non-GTI 308 1.2 turbo auto as a hire car earlier this year & it was a hoot. But the steering wheel in your lap with the instruments over the top was a strange driving position. The reverse rev counter reminded me of a 2nd gen Fiat X1/9 or scabby Vantage I once drove. The words 'quirky' and 'French' come to mind with the whole dashboard set-up.
Make a statement with new Peugeot 308 GTi by Peugeot Sport with the bold Coupe Franche paint option. ‘Coupe Franche’ meaning clean cut is exclusive to GTi within the new Peugeot 308 range and is used as a visual marker for the most high line Peugeot models. This hand finished paint option is available in two styles both teamed with a Nera Black metallic rear. The biggest decision being which one to go for, Ultimate Red or Magnetic Blue.
http://www.peugeot.co.uk/showroom/new-308/gti-by-p...
culpz said:
aaron_2000 said:
Alot of sources say it's 1205, other say it's more around 1280. Either way it is very impressive. Those are early 00's weight figures, but with late 10's power and refinement. Very impressive car, the equivalent Leon weighs at least 100kg more the the GTI. Never seen a 308 GTI on the road which is definitely a shame.
That's very light for a Golf-equivalent size car or any other car in that class. In fact, that's more a weight that would be typical of the class below I.E. Polo, Fiesta, Clio, etc.You won't see many due to the lack of attractive deals when new for PCP's/leases/other finance. Whereas, you'll see alot more of the fast Leon's, Golf's due to attractive offers.
I do seem to see a few of the GT models about though for the 308. Not sure they were the cheapest for the money either but they must have done a few fair deals on them at some point.
Unless the facelift actually is lighter...
BFleming said:
FN2TypeR said:
BFleming said:
The sooner they kill the cut'n'shut paint job the better. I'm surprised it made it past the facelift.
I had a regular non-GTI 308 1.2 turbo auto as a hire car earlier this year & it was a hoot. But the steering wheel in your lap with the instruments over the top was a strange driving position. The reverse rev counter reminded me of a 2nd gen Fiat X1/9 or scabby Vantage I once drove. The words 'quirky' and 'French' come to mind with the whole dashboard set-up.
It may have been dropped, it's not on the Peugeot UK website as an option anyway.I had a regular non-GTI 308 1.2 turbo auto as a hire car earlier this year & it was a hoot. But the steering wheel in your lap with the instruments over the top was a strange driving position. The reverse rev counter reminded me of a 2nd gen Fiat X1/9 or scabby Vantage I once drove. The words 'quirky' and 'French' come to mind with the whole dashboard set-up.
Make a statement with new Peugeot 308 GTi by Peugeot Sport with the bold Coupe Franche paint option. ‘Coupe Franche’ meaning clean cut is exclusive to GTi within the new Peugeot 308 range and is used as a visual marker for the most high line Peugeot models. This hand finished paint option is available in two styles both teamed with a Nera Black metallic rear. The biggest decision being which one to go for, Ultimate Red or Magnetic Blue.
http://www.peugeot.co.uk/showroom/new-308/gti-by-p...
WCZ said:
e8_pack said:
Can't imagine anyone would buy a bog standard m-lite. Sensibly optioned examples might widen the gap a bit.
why? comes with satnav, climate control, dab, 18 inch wheels there are no optional sports seats etc
have a look on the configuration, there's nothing that I'd personally spec aside from possibly heated seats
All i want from a modern car, options/luxury wise, is an integrated sat-nav, due to my shocking sense of direction at times. Other than that, i just don't care. Standard leather seats would be nice too, which i believe you get in the M Lite. Anything else is a bonus for me. I'm not one for speccing up cars and wanting all the options in the world. It makes leasing cars much easier!
WCZ said:
thiscocks said:
Most intelligent people buy cars on how they drive, not by power top trumps.
most intelligent people are aware that the engine is the heart of a car and drives based on it's power and torque output.I'm just happy that Peugeot now make car that I'd consider buying again after a decade in the wilderness.
The 308 GTI is on my shortlist when I eventually replace my Leon along with a Golf GTI & a Leon Cupra.
Yes the BMW has a hell of an engine for the money & is RWD & will impress the neighbours more. But as some people have said the Peugeot with deprecate fast (but not as fast as some think/would like) but as I'll buy nearly new I see it as a good thing. Also I know this is a car enthusiast website but some of us only have one car & a family, so need a Swiss Arm knife car. The boot on the Pug is 480 litres - 100 litres more than a Golf GTI & even more than the R as that loses space to the rear drive shafts - more space for baby rubbish.
Other cars may be better for your needs/wants but we all should be pleased that there's one more great car fighting to be on our shortlist - life would be dull if we were all the same.
The 308 GTI is on my shortlist when I eventually replace my Leon along with a Golf GTI & a Leon Cupra.
Yes the BMW has a hell of an engine for the money & is RWD & will impress the neighbours more. But as some people have said the Peugeot with deprecate fast (but not as fast as some think/would like) but as I'll buy nearly new I see it as a good thing. Also I know this is a car enthusiast website but some of us only have one car & a family, so need a Swiss Arm knife car. The boot on the Pug is 480 litres - 100 litres more than a Golf GTI & even more than the R as that loses space to the rear drive shafts - more space for baby rubbish.
Other cars may be better for your needs/wants but we all should be pleased that there's one more great car fighting to be on our shortlist - life would be dull if we were all the same.
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