RE: Shed of the Week | Peugeot 306 XSi
Discussion
Turbobanana said:
can't remember said:
Hot hatch? It's not even warm. Struggling to see how an old middle of the road Pug is worth more than £500 to anyone other than a collector of the beige.
I suspect you haven't driven one. Not so many years back, you actually had to "drive" cars to go fast. Now you simply need to "lease" cars with huge power outputs and auto / DSG gearboxes to go however fast you like, whenever you like. Just because it doesn't have 400bhp and do 0-60 in 4 secs doesn't make it bad. Things have moved on, that's all.skidskid said:
I loved mine! These have aged really well and I saw a 306 cab the other day for the first time in years and it looked so right.
I've said it here a few times before but I feel that that the 306 Cabrio is one of the best looking production cars made, let alone one of the best looking soft-tops. Not a bad angle on it.I've never had a 306 but I've had 3 ZX's over the years, and their very related. When I visit my dad out in the Lincolnshire fens it's been the only car I've had (since he's lived there) that I can drive at 50/60 on the fen roads without being bounced off it! Both Laguna's were iffy, and very quickly started to get unmanageable above 45, the Peugeot 406 was better but we were with both kids and a 406 estate full of crap so that helped...
ZX - 60, no bother! Must own a 306 one day, probably the XUD version though as I do have a soft spot for that engine and on my current commute it would be nice, the 1.4 ZX is ideal for commuting in medium traffic, but the XUD runs on veg...
ZX - 60, no bother! Must own a 306 one day, probably the XUD version though as I do have a soft spot for that engine and on my current commute it would be nice, the 1.4 ZX is ideal for commuting in medium traffic, but the XUD runs on veg...
We had an 1995 M reg XSI 3 door from more or less new, kept it for 3 years and it was an utterly brilliant car. Although as many have said it wasn't especially powerful it handled and rode beautifully in that classic French style..comfortable but precise. I'm not sure the Impreza Turbo that replaced it was a better overall car.
I liked everything about the 306 and it showed how utterly flaky and unpleasant my 309 Goodwood was in comparison.. Only things I remember going wrong was the oil filler cap letting go at Motorway speeds and having to get the bonnet sprayed under warranty as the paint (blue) was so soft. that was it though, utterly reliable.
I haven't seen a Ph 1 or 2 for years so guess most are long gone, always suspected the keypad immobiliser they had might cause a few headaches long term. Would I have another one, yes I probably would...they are a really great car.
I liked everything about the 306 and it showed how utterly flaky and unpleasant my 309 Goodwood was in comparison.. Only things I remember going wrong was the oil filler cap letting go at Motorway speeds and having to get the bonnet sprayed under warranty as the paint (blue) was so soft. that was it though, utterly reliable.
I haven't seen a Ph 1 or 2 for years so guess most are long gone, always suspected the keypad immobiliser they had might cause a few headaches long term. Would I have another one, yes I probably would...they are a really great car.
I had one of these, only a few years old with minimal miles and I will say it drove and steered beautifully. On the flipside it had a few random issues (a loose fusebox, occasional stalling when riving at about 25 mph, clutch cable snapped and best of all the driver's door fell off!). I liked it though, was well specced. If I recall correctly they have a piece of door trim carpet on the passenger side dashboard too!?
(When I say the door fell off I opened it one day and one of the door hinges sheared, leaving the door precariously wobbling on the other hinge so thankfully I was able to lift the door slightly and shut it!)
(When I say the door fell off I opened it one day and one of the door hinges sheared, leaving the door precariously wobbling on the other hinge so thankfully I was able to lift the door slightly and shut it!)
can't remember said:
Hot hatch? It's not even warm. Struggling to see how an old middle of the road Pug is worth more than £500 to anyone other than a collector of the beige.
I’d agree with you, but then we’d both be wrong.It wasn’t that long ago that breaking the 150 BHP barrier was the preserve only of sports cars.
I learned my craft in low powered, naturally aspirated pugs. No turbos, no AWD, no driving aids. Just super handing. It was all about good road positioning and maintaining momentum.
Above all, it was fun and put a smile on your face. Sub 150 BHP is still relevant today..... probably more so than the latest crop of 400 BHP missiles that require no effort or input whatsoever.
I’d take a fair guess that you’ve never driven one. Give it a go..... it might surprise you!
Had several 306's including one with well over 200k on it. All have felt much better than my Clio 172 or Megane 225, rode properly, were indestructible and were the best looking hatch of the era to my eyes. Would love another one if there were any good GTI-6's left alive! Although Renaultsport cars did pick up where Peugeot stopped trying to build hot hatches they never had the flowing feeling you get from a 306 when pushing on a B road and feel altogether more compromised although they are objectively "better" and much faster.
Although not as fast as any modern hot hatch but far more fun because you can rag them on a country road without being flung off the road by a pothole or having to reach the cars limits by going a million miles an hour.
Although not as fast as any modern hot hatch but far more fun because you can rag them on a country road without being flung off the road by a pothole or having to reach the cars limits by going a million miles an hour.
Probably one of the best looking hatches of all time, the slight flare to the front and rear wings is sublime and provided probably the best looking hatch derived convertible as most were pretty gawky/ugly, the 306 convertible looked properly stunning.
Only ever had a 309 myself, my dad bought it from a salvage place for £104, it needed a bonnet and a grille., and to be rid of mounds of dog hair, became a sort of family pool car and everyone loved it, a 1.3 "Look" with a clattery engine but this is what the French were really good at, good handling, nice ride, basic transport with a bit of charm and way more panache than say an Escort of the time.
Good shed.
Only ever had a 309 myself, my dad bought it from a salvage place for £104, it needed a bonnet and a grille., and to be rid of mounds of dog hair, became a sort of family pool car and everyone loved it, a 1.3 "Look" with a clattery engine but this is what the French were really good at, good handling, nice ride, basic transport with a bit of charm and way more panache than say an Escort of the time.
Good shed.
can't remember said:
Hot hatch? It's not even warm. Struggling to see how an old middle of the road Pug is worth more than £500 to anyone other than a collector of the beige.
Could this be the most off the pace comment? Completely at odds with every other comment so far haha.Great shed, from a time when power wasn't everything and fun was.
Like others, I do prefer the earlier cars, as I think they looked a touch more aggressive, but the 306 was a lovely looking thing and has stood the test of time well. It's very obviously an old design, but still a handsome one.
I know someone that's building a 306 with the Maxi body panels and a naughty, throttle bodied engine in it, I am super jealous of it.
I'm not sure the XSI was meant to be a hot hatch was it? The S16 and GTI-6 filled those roles, while the XSI was a more accessible, slightly less powerful version. In comparison to what else was around at a similar time (130-odd bhp Ecotec Astras, 115bhp Escorts), it fitted in fairly well in terms of performance, while the GTI went against the Astra GSI, Escort RS2000 etc etc.
It's all about context.
I know someone that's building a 306 with the Maxi body panels and a naughty, throttle bodied engine in it, I am super jealous of it.
can't remember said:
And you'd be wrong on most counts. An old girlfriend of mine had one and whilst I would concede that it held the road well I wouldn't consider it a hot hatch in any shape or form. It was dog slow. I'm guessing the cars I bought (never leased one in my life) around this period gave me higher expectations. Each to their own.
So is it that the 306 was slow, or that you had driven faster cars and struggled to look at the 306 objectively? I'm not sure the XSI was meant to be a hot hatch was it? The S16 and GTI-6 filled those roles, while the XSI was a more accessible, slightly less powerful version. In comparison to what else was around at a similar time (130-odd bhp Ecotec Astras, 115bhp Escorts), it fitted in fairly well in terms of performance, while the GTI went against the Astra GSI, Escort RS2000 etc etc.
It's all about context.
DrSteveBrule said:
I've said it here a few times before but I feel that that the 306 Cabrio is one of the best looking production cars made, let alone one of the best looking soft-tops. Not a bad angle on it.
Agreed. For a convertible based on a normal car, it was a great looking thing.Mike335i said:
can't remember said:
Hot hatch? It's not even warm. Struggling to see how an old middle of the road Pug is worth more than £500 to anyone other than a collector of the beige.
Could this be the most off the pace comment? Completely at odds with every other comment so far haha.Great shed, from a time when power wasn't everything and fun was.
I had a 'moment' like this within hours of picking mine up. Approaching a well-sighted, deserted roundabout, I could see it was clear, so went in a bit quick. Lifted as I turned the wheel to the right, and next thing I know, I was travelling in near perfect lane position on my chosen (straight ahead-ish) exit, but facing completely the wrong direction. Squeaky bum moment, but no damage other than to my pride. A hurried three point turn, and I was on my way.
It was a lovely thing to exploit though, once you realised it was there. The lift off oversteer wasn't a binary thing, and you could play with the throttle to adjust the line of the car in the corner. I can still remember that lovely feel through the seat, as the rear end faithfully responded to a little lift, or pulled back in line if you planted throttle. It made you feel like you were really driving the thing. The front end was brilliant as well. Understeer just didn't happen unless you were absolutely taking the p*** with the speed as you turned in. Even then, you could counter it to a degree with the throttle. Typing this, I do wonder about rose tints, but of all the cars I've had, I still remember this one. And like all Pugs of this era, you got the same basic balance in a standard 1.4, albeit with a lot more body roll.
The Focus had the same lovely front end, but was much more stable and less responsive to throttle changes. Safer, but nowhere near as much fun. The damping also wasn't a patch on the Pug's. I remember the XSi rode the bumps brilliantly, and never seemed to get flustered by poor road surfaces.
Great cars.
It was a lovely thing to exploit though, once you realised it was there. The lift off oversteer wasn't a binary thing, and you could play with the throttle to adjust the line of the car in the corner. I can still remember that lovely feel through the seat, as the rear end faithfully responded to a little lift, or pulled back in line if you planted throttle. It made you feel like you were really driving the thing. The front end was brilliant as well. Understeer just didn't happen unless you were absolutely taking the p*** with the speed as you turned in. Even then, you could counter it to a degree with the throttle. Typing this, I do wonder about rose tints, but of all the cars I've had, I still remember this one. And like all Pugs of this era, you got the same basic balance in a standard 1.4, albeit with a lot more body roll.
The Focus had the same lovely front end, but was much more stable and less responsive to throttle changes. Safer, but nowhere near as much fun. The damping also wasn't a patch on the Pug's. I remember the XSi rode the bumps brilliantly, and never seemed to get flustered by poor road surfaces.
Great cars.
I'm proud to say this is mine.
As mentioned the towing eye is welded on to these so it's attached yes but it's impossible to detach.
It's had most of the common issues done, the fan resistor, there are no airbag lights, the front suspension did pick up advisories for play but I can't find any excess play (or certainly feel any while driving!) So I put it down to a slightly tight tester. But as I've just done a full front suspension on my wife's Saxo Vtr for very little even if in a couple of years work is needed it's not going to break the bank.
The interior is lovely on this car, it drives fantastically and to be honest for the money only an mx5 (and a fairly ropey example at that price) can touch it for putting a smile on your face, I'm no french car obsessive but they really got it right on these. To be fun though and able to carry 4 adults and a load of bags is what makes it, it's fun and practical, that's why they sold so damn many of them.
As mentioned the towing eye is welded on to these so it's attached yes but it's impossible to detach.
It's had most of the common issues done, the fan resistor, there are no airbag lights, the front suspension did pick up advisories for play but I can't find any excess play (or certainly feel any while driving!) So I put it down to a slightly tight tester. But as I've just done a full front suspension on my wife's Saxo Vtr for very little even if in a couple of years work is needed it's not going to break the bank.
The interior is lovely on this car, it drives fantastically and to be honest for the money only an mx5 (and a fairly ropey example at that price) can touch it for putting a smile on your face, I'm no french car obsessive but they really got it right on these. To be fun though and able to carry 4 adults and a load of bags is what makes it, it's fun and practical, that's why they sold so damn many of them.
StoatInACoat said:
Although not as fast as any modern hot hatch but far more fun because you can rag them on a country road without being flung off the road by a pothole or having to reach the cars limits by going a million miles an hour.
It's nice to see so much love for these still. I was the lucky owner of M682UBM for a good number of years, after an AX14TZS (the warm brother of the AX GT) it was a logical progression. Checked, and sadly last MOT'd in 2009.
It was the less revy 8v engine in the early ones, but as others have said, 125BHP back in the mid 90's wasn't too shabby.
My current run-around is a Mk7 Fiesta Ecoboost 125 which is only slightly heavier, similar power, and has a compliant ride, but it doesn't have the same level of engagement as the XSI. So much for progress!
It was the less revy 8v engine in the early ones, but as others have said, 125BHP back in the mid 90's wasn't too shabby.
My current run-around is a Mk7 Fiesta Ecoboost 125 which is only slightly heavier, similar power, and has a compliant ride, but it doesn't have the same level of engagement as the XSI. So much for progress!
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