309 GTI any good? Better value than 205 GTI
Discussion
Somnophore said:
So do we think the price diff is to do with the fact it's nt as good looking or because it's not a hot hatch
I'd say it's mostly to do with the looks. Most people prefer the 205 shape.It weighs about 70kg or so more than the 205 1.9.
I had one when my friends had 1.9 205s ( I was going to get a 205 but changed my mind when my friend's new 1.9 205 had to go in for warranty work and he was loaned a demo 309 Gti which I got to have a drive in after ).
For whatever reason, it was slightly cheaper on the insurance as well compared to a 205 back in the 90s. Not sure if that applies now
Wider front track, wider rear beam lead to more planted handling. A lot of 205 owners put the 309 arms and rear beam on for additional front camber and a wider rear end. Basically the same car otherwise, same engine etc. Just the additional weight of the saloon style body. Good cars IMHO
TVR Moneypit said:
Having owned in the past two 309GTI's and one 1.6 205GTI, I always felt that the 309 was the slightly better handling car. It was / is my opinion that the 309 was just a little bit more forgiving, not quite as edgy, whilst still remaining a very sharp and well balanced tool to thrust down your typical 'B' road.
There is absolutley nothing wrong with a well sorted and well looked after version of either car, and both would embarrass a lot of much newer so called 'Hot Hatches' untill sheer horsepower was called upon, but for me, the 309 takes it....... But only just.
Buy one. You will never, ever, regret it.
The old 'Performance Car' mag ( pre-EVO ) were big champions of the 309Gti. They ran a red one as a long-termer and used it in one of their annual tyre tests as wellThere is absolutley nothing wrong with a well sorted and well looked after version of either car, and both would embarrass a lot of much newer so called 'Hot Hatches' untill sheer horsepower was called upon, but for me, the 309 takes it....... But only just.
Buy one. You will never, ever, regret it.
r1ch said:
Just be careful buying a 309, as they rust majorly, where as a rusty 205 is a rare sight.
They rust VERY badly, but its often hidden unless you check properly. I would have had a 309, but quite honestly, you will do well to find one without some rust issues. This, coupled with the less appealing looks, makes them cheaper.TVRmoneypit said:
Buy one. You will never, ever, regret it.
Unless its a hopeless rustbucket, which lots now are 
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...
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...
Awesome awesome cars 
I've had two and the first one was fantastic, second was crap but that was due to my poor descision when buying
I would say go for it, if you get one in good condition especially.
My only concern would be that the engine and suspension would need a major refresh to make it as good as it should be otherwise all you will have is a ropey, smokey, rattly french tin can!
I've had two and the first one was fantastic, second was crap but that was due to my poor descision when buying
I would say go for it, if you get one in good condition especially.
My only concern would be that the engine and suspension would need a major refresh to make it as good as it should be otherwise all you will have is a ropey, smokey, rattly french tin can!
driven/owned both
as always, depends totally what you mean by handling
part of the reason the 205 is much loved is because it does have a very stubby wheelbase, feels very 'edgy' to drive and exhbits LOO, esp. in 1.6 guise
the 309 definitely feels a lot more stable and rounds the endginess of a fair bit. The car also doesnt feel quite as nose heavy and feels like a better weight distribution once settled. Ultimately depnds what you like i guess. I love both cars and would happily buy another if only i had more space.
as always, depends totally what you mean by handling
part of the reason the 205 is much loved is because it does have a very stubby wheelbase, feels very 'edgy' to drive and exhbits LOO, esp. in 1.6 guise
the 309 definitely feels a lot more stable and rounds the endginess of a fair bit. The car also doesnt feel quite as nose heavy and feels like a better weight distribution once settled. Ultimately depnds what you like i guess. I love both cars and would happily buy another if only i had more space.
I had a basic "Look" 1.3 as a smoker, it had no rust even being about 14 years old, it never really needed anything, got left anywhere, carried 5 of us to the TT. It wasnt fast, the handling was wobbly but it was quite an engaging old woofer, my mum liked driving it, she loved sliding it on roundabouts, the grip on the ditchfinders was so low in the wet it slid at walking pace and was very predictable.
It was very tidy, sold it in 2005, full mot, taxed, looked on the DVLA, last taxed in 2005 ! surprised it got binned so soon.
Would still like a 309 GTI.
It was very tidy, sold it in 2005, full mot, taxed, looked on the DVLA, last taxed in 2005 ! surprised it got binned so soon.
Would still like a 309 GTI.
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