RE: Peugeot 309 GTI Goodwood: PH Carpool
Discussion
The 309 was a great handling package. It's really no worse looking than Escorts of the same vintage. Also not very pretty.
Steering, brakes and driving position were all excellent, even on the more humble versions. Space efficient and genuinely comfortable for four people too.
What sucked was build quality. Most people reported water leaks. Apparently the rear light cluster apertures didn't match up with the lights themselves. My started to suffer engine problems after only around 25,000 miles. Also CV joint failures after less than 6 months.
Steering, brakes and driving position were all excellent, even on the more humble versions. Space efficient and genuinely comfortable for four people too.
What sucked was build quality. Most people reported water leaks. Apparently the rear light cluster apertures didn't match up with the lights themselves. My started to suffer engine problems after only around 25,000 miles. Also CV joint failures after less than 6 months.
That wasn't rescued from shed status - shed status is somewhat better that it was!!!
Nice to see it restored - I find it hard to believe there are as many as that left tho, I've not seen a 309 in a year - a GTi in longer and a Goodwood in a decade!!!
205s are now getting into silly money - this may be a harder 'sell' but it's no doubt rarer and probably more interesting as a result. I drove both back-in-the-day and the 309 was probably a better steer (the driving position worked a bit better for me - more space etc - tho the interior is f
king awful)
p.s. a month ago there were two 405 Mi16x4s on eBay - that's a MUCH rarer car (most MI16s were scrapped for their engines which went into 205s) - someone needs to get onto this preservation thing because Peugeot stopped making good cars after the run of 205/309/405/306
Nice to see it restored - I find it hard to believe there are as many as that left tho, I've not seen a 309 in a year - a GTi in longer and a Goodwood in a decade!!!
205s are now getting into silly money - this may be a harder 'sell' but it's no doubt rarer and probably more interesting as a result. I drove both back-in-the-day and the 309 was probably a better steer (the driving position worked a bit better for me - more space etc - tho the interior is f
king awful)p.s. a month ago there were two 405 Mi16x4s on eBay - that's a MUCH rarer car (most MI16s were scrapped for their engines which went into 205s) - someone needs to get onto this preservation thing because Peugeot stopped making good cars after the run of 205/309/405/306
Thanks for the kind comments gents.
I'll post some mid-build pictures up later in the week.
It is in for it's MOT tomorrow and I must confess I am terrified of it getting chips once I start to use it.
It will be at the Manchester Classic and NEC classic show too later in the year if you fancy a look over it.
I'll post some mid-build pictures up later in the week.
It is in for it's MOT tomorrow and I must confess I am terrified of it getting chips once I start to use it.
It will be at the Manchester Classic and NEC classic show too later in the year if you fancy a look over it.
roland82 said:
I saw it at Goodwood too. Best thing on the Pug stand in my opinion. Well played mate, I think we need to do everything we can to preserve classic metal.
Was it last year they had a 205 gti on the stand? Salesman kept coming over to me telling me how great the 208gti was when all I was interested in was looking at the 205 not the 208 with dodgy paint.My first car was a 205 Roland Garros so you could say I have form when it comes to metallic green limited edition Pugs!
I remember hearing that an Mi-16 engined Goodwood was for sale locally at the time but I decided to be sensible and replaced the 205 with a Golf GTI 8v instead.
I enjoyed thrashing that around but imagine the fun I'd have had in the Goodwood? Silly boy!
I remember hearing that an Mi-16 engined Goodwood was for sale locally at the time but I decided to be sensible and replaced the 205 with a Golf GTI 8v instead.
I enjoyed thrashing that around but imagine the fun I'd have had in the Goodwood? Silly boy!
Ahhh fond memories...
My uncle still has a 309 GTi-16 that he's had as long as I can remember (20-odd years) ... didn't know they were continent-only, although that would explain why it's a left hooker! Never seen another, and was always a favourite car of mine when i was young.
Lovely job on the restoration!
My uncle still has a 309 GTi-16 that he's had as long as I can remember (20-odd years) ... didn't know they were continent-only, although that would explain why it's a left hooker! Never seen another, and was always a favourite car of mine when i was young.
Lovely job on the restoration!
The UK ad from 1989. Sums the handling up nicely!
http://youtu.be/VIX3IFgcu0c
http://youtu.be/VIX3IFgcu0c
Edited by Baz Tench on Tuesday 11th August 00:15
I had three 309's in a row and loved every one of the 250,000 miles I covered in them.
So, whilst we seem to be posting nostalgic photos, here's mine from nearly 25 years ago...
I never had a Goodwood, but I do remember the Motor Show when it appeared for the first time and absolutely loved it. I actually still have the brochure from that very day.
You've done a great job OP.
So, whilst we seem to be posting nostalgic photos, here's mine from nearly 25 years ago...
I never had a Goodwood, but I do remember the Motor Show when it appeared for the first time and absolutely loved it. I actually still have the brochure from that very day.
You've done a great job OP.
I owned one brilliant car not only was the handling as good as any current hot hatch but the ride quality was smooth not rock hard which seems to be a thing of the past today, I also saw it down at good wood and it really showed how bloated cars have become too wide and big park this next to a new Astra and you won't believe size difference even though they are from the same segment .
Snubs said:
Fantastic work, but why fit presumably non-OEM heated seats to a concours standard car that will only be used in the summer? Why not keep it original 
This.Impressive rebuild, but really confused by the desire for heated seats in a summer only car. Nice in the bleak midwinter on a daily driver, but don't see the logic here.
Stunning looking motor! I always wanted a Goodwood, and almost bought one in the late 90's. It is a shame there are so few left now, but there are a few of us die hard 309 lovers out there keeping our old motors on the road.
This is mine the day I collected it from the bodyshop after a full respray (and some new panels):
This is mine the day I collected it from the bodyshop after a full respray (and some new panels):
Congratulations on a fine restoration. Its a great result given the car was clearly "on the cusp" and a testament to your unflinching commitment! Its a tough decision to make, when a great but unloved car spends time in the years when they need lumps of money spent but before they become fondly remembered, hence more valuable and so financially viable to restore. How many great cars have slipped away in this space? I know my BRG V12 XJS did.
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