Peugeot 306 Rallye | Spotted
Rampant appreciation seemed nailed on; here's (surely) the last chance at sensible money
The car should always be the star in stories like this, but that doesn't stop us getting a bit misty eyed over those we hold dear in our hearts. There's nothing quite like the cold early weeks of the year (and Facebook) to remind me of those glorious days in early 2014 when I owned a Peugeot 306 Rallye. I'd wanted some kind of quick 306 since they'd launched, as six gears in a hatch seemed really cool to a very geeky child and I loved the idea of owning a car seemingly so much better than all the other hatchbacks. I wrote about a cheap one in December 2013, found a Rallye in January, got together all the money I had and bought a Cherry Red 306 without air-con or electric windows. For £1,700. Back then it felt like the coolest thing I'd ever done - to be fair, it probably still is...
What followed wasn't so cool - I crashed it. And still regret being overconfident and, er, underskilled. The irony of buying a rare cult car that surely couldn't get any cheaper because so many had been smashed up certainly wasn't lost on me. The Rallye in question was recovered and repaired, but I still yearn for another one.
Not least because 306s, when they can be found, haven't skyrocketed in value like so many classic hot hatches. I bought mine because I loved the idea of a Rallye, but even to a 23-year-old chump, it was clear that good, undamaged ones (ha!) would have to appreciate at some point. Because they were - and still are - fantastic cars. A GTI-6 was still Shed money five years ago, and less than £5k even last year, while 106 Rallyes, 205 GTIs and everything else seemingly started at £10k. Which didn't make sense, given the 306 was also fast, good-looking, and great to drive. Now, however, the world is finally waking up to the Rallye's greatness. It's a blessing and a curse...
This one is so similar to the one I owned that even the numberplates aren't that far apart, but it looks far better than mine ever did. Or probably could have. Still with just 73,000 miles under those tremendous Cyclone wheels, this Rallye was bought by a dealer with the intention of it going into their own collection - a person of fine taste, clearly. Apparently the "unprecedented rise in values on most 90's and noughties hot hatchbacks" spurred on the purchase, but now it has to go, seemingly to free up some space. It looks some opportunity for the PHer with equally superb taste to the dealer and your humble scribe.
Purchased from a Club Peugeot Sport member who owned a few Rallyes, this one is being sold with so many spares - a rear axle, seats, lights and more - that a van is advised to collect them all. Handy. It's also been treated to fresh filters, fluids and plugs, a new battery and a machine polish, which it looks great for. The pics make it look like the Rallye is riding a little low, but that might just be the rose-tinted specs skewing things. That the missing front decals are mentioned in the ad (they're coming back, fear not) suggests the seller really cares about this one. Hopefully they have a rear wiper lying around, too...
The price being asked is £7,950 which, at last, feels about right for a Rallye. Yes, it's no longer a sub-£2k bargain (don't remind me), but also isn't the £22,500 that a 205 GTI with similar mileage might cost. Maybe the 306 will appreciate some more, maybe it won't - try not to be too influenced by it. At £8k it feels just about affordable enough to own and enjoy as one of the 20th century's greatest hot hatches, as opposed to being mollycoddled like the more valuable alternatives must be. Take it from someone who owned a Rallye - not even one this nice - for all too short a time. They're awesome. With the money spare I'd already be on the 488-mile round trip with a mate and a rented van. Grab one, please, before the survivors are up at £14,995...
SPECIFICATION | PEUGEOT 306 RALLYE
Engine: 1,998cc 4-cyl
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 170@6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 142@5,500rpm
MPG: 30.1
CO2: 225g/km
First registered: 1999
Recorded mileage: 73,000
Price new: £15,995
Yours for: £7,950
I do wonder when this bubble of rising prices on old motors will burst. Some people are really going to be caught out.
I do wonder when this bubble of rising prices on old motors will burst. Some people are really going to be caught out.
My mum carted me about in an early 205 gti for the first 5-years of my life, got to say I’ve been tempted to pay relative silly money for one - thankfully my mrs keeps me in check.
From a practical perspective in the UK the rain and also road grime makes the rear windows of all cars bar saloons get filthy and removes the rear mirror safety
Or is this example for some reason has had its rear wash wipe removed.
From a practical perspective in the UK the rain and also road grime makes the rear windows of all cars bar saloons get filthy and removes the rear mirror safety
Or is this example for some reason has had its rear wash wipe removed.
This one still seems to have the shaft in place but the blade removed which is a bit odd.
Not sure if it was due to the PH1 "popping my hot hatch cherry" so to speak, but it's always the GTi-6 I look back on with fonder memories and, given the inflated prices of Rallyes, the one i'd seek out
My mum carted me about in an early 205 gti for the first 5-years of my life, got to say I’ve been tempted to pay relative silly money for one - thankfully my mrs keeps me in check.
Saw this 1 advertised the other day, few things put me off. Says it's completely standard but its obviously been lowered and has an aftermarket exhaust. Puts me off straight away when a seller claims its standard as they either don't know what they're talking about (concerning), or they're trying to pull the wool over someone's eyes (more concerning).
Also lack of rear wiper arm is an easy fix if you're asking top money, just seems a sign that hes given up with it.
I think it's probably got too many issues for the seller to sort so a machine polish and tidy up and off it goes.
At £5k maybe but not at this money
This Rallye does look like it’s been lowered, and if you’re going to be treating it kindly in deference to it’s age the weight saving compared to a GTi 6 isn’t really a big factor nowadays. That said wind up windows and no electric sunroof means less to go wrong (both failed on my GTi!)
These things are all relative / never meet your heroes!!
I remember driving a 205 gti after my old metro, and thinking it was the best and fastest car I had ever driven
Then a few years later, test driving a Clio 182 after a drive in my E39 M5, and being totally underwhelmed by it.
After a few different cars I have come back to thinking a small hatch is sweet spot for UK roads, paired with enough power to make safe overtaking, and I landed on the Yaris GR. Which given the appreciation of some of these rust buckets, is actually looking like quite good value now.
I remember driving a 205 gti after my old metro, and thinking it was the best and fastest car I had ever driven
Then a few years later, test driving a Clio 182 after a drive in my E39 M5, and being totally underwhelmed by it.
After a few different cars I have come back to thinking a small hatch is sweet spot for UK roads, paired with enough power to make safe overtaking, and I landed on the Yaris GR. Which given the appreciation of some of these rust buckets, is actually looking like quite good value now.
Agree about the electrics though, looms went in my doors and had to leave the windows open the first night of ownership!! Other than that though it was awesome. Like someone said above, get a rallye with no ac, electric windows or sunroof and save that risk of it going wrong!! Problem is the premium they command over the gti.
Ideally I'd have a mint rallye, preferably in black or a late gti phase 3 in either China blue or astor grey.....anyone got 1?!?!
For a hot hatch that came out in 1999, I think 6.9 seconds is very strong time to 60. I liked the handling and made a great noise with an aftermarket air filter.
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