RE: Peugeot 306 GTI-6 | Spotted
Discussion
It's a hatchback, it's lukewarm, back in the day it was considered an escort alternative due to its larger than 205/Golf Gti size. Personally I'd say it was in a larger car category than the smaller GTIs, and not as nippy, and not really competition. A few engine conversions were performed replacing the standard 205 Gti plant with the 306 engine.
I loved mine, I owned one from ‘98 to 2003 and I think it still struck the balance between entertaining handling, grip, and ride comfort better than anything I’ve driven since. Fantastic steering too. I’d had a 1.9 205 GTi before it and for me the 306 was a much better all round car. Such a shame mine met an undignified end when my ambition exceeded my talent on a damp Staffordshire roundabout and it exited at some speed through a nearby hedge.
I’m not the biggest fan of this colour - Diablo red would be my choice - but in every other respect it looks a safe place for your weekend drive money. Seriously tempted..
I’m not the biggest fan of this colour - Diablo red would be my choice - but in every other respect it looks a safe place for your weekend drive money. Seriously tempted..
I'd love to snap that up. When I was buying my first car in 2002 I tried my very best to get the man maths to justify buying a 2.0 XSi but I just couldn't afford the insurance, I couldn't find any used 1.8 XS's for sale so I had to settle for a Fiat Bravo 1.8 HLX instead.
But the GTi 6 was the car I always wanted back then. They still look great even now. I even think the colour is a good choice as it's of the period.
But the GTi 6 was the car I always wanted back then. They still look great even now. I even think the colour is a good choice as it's of the period.
The combination of a long first and really close 2nd-5th and an engine that was particularly 'cammy' made a wonderful combination. Mine was a little too low which resulted in poor rear end damping / wheel control, this meant I had a few classic bouncing rear end moments on bumpy B roads!
(Yes, it had Morettes, I like period mods!)
(Yes, it had Morettes, I like period mods!)
TrotCanterGallopCharge said:
bumskins said:
'Saffron' is the one colour I don't think I would have..! 
Sure it's nice to see nowadays amidst a see of monochrome, in the same way it's nice to see a Phoenix Yellow E46 M3. Would I own one though? Never.
Agreed, anything 'brown', 'dark orange', or dealer advert 'blaze yellow', just says 'rust' to me, or something that's passed along a digestive tract.Sure it's nice to see nowadays amidst a see of monochrome, in the same way it's nice to see a Phoenix Yellow E46 M3. Would I own one though? Never.
Would like to try out the car, looks a lot of fun, but not in this colour. Glad it exists for variety though.
Owned one back in the early 00's.
Sold my Impreza P1 as it was to expensive to run. So this replaced it.
Test drove a W plate (pale blue) 306 GTi so one of the last of them. But also an Integra Type R & a Corrado VR6.
Integra was still to hardcore but was all or nothing in the engine. Similar to P1 but without the pace. Corrado felt nose heavy despite the reviews. Was like a never meet your hero's.
306 GTI was bought.
Great allrounder with lovely ride/handling balance.
First car in that sector with a 6 speed too.
As I owned at the dawn of the car forum was the reason for my user name 'Not a Diesel'. As there were so many of the Derv ones that looked identical.
Alloys a pig to balance though.
I think like so many of these cars best to own a nice one in period. Use it don't molly coddle it & move on.
For my money I would have the newest Clio 200 2.0l I could find. That would do everything the 306 did a bit better (except maybe ride) for half the age/hassle.
Sold my Impreza P1 as it was to expensive to run. So this replaced it.
Test drove a W plate (pale blue) 306 GTi so one of the last of them. But also an Integra Type R & a Corrado VR6.
Integra was still to hardcore but was all or nothing in the engine. Similar to P1 but without the pace. Corrado felt nose heavy despite the reviews. Was like a never meet your hero's.
306 GTI was bought.
Great allrounder with lovely ride/handling balance.
First car in that sector with a 6 speed too.
As I owned at the dawn of the car forum was the reason for my user name 'Not a Diesel'. As there were so many of the Derv ones that looked identical.
Alloys a pig to balance though.
I think like so many of these cars best to own a nice one in period. Use it don't molly coddle it & move on.
For my money I would have the newest Clio 200 2.0l I could find. That would do everything the 306 did a bit better (except maybe ride) for half the age/hassle.
A 19 year old me lusted after one of these, more than just about any other car, I loved them.
On an open road with no traffic these are an awesome steer.
In the real world with traffic, where you need to overtake cars doing, lets say close to legal limits, then I find that is where you really wish for more power and torque than these offer.
I had an incredible amount of want for one of these back in 1996 I think it was. They are still right up there with being my absolute favourite hot hatch even now. I'd love a go in one.
I always remember a 306 d Turbo giving me a really hard time in the XR4x4 on my way to Scarborough years ago as well. We were going up quite a steep hill and he booted it and the car just shot off up the road, and I had a right job on keeping up with him! Good times.
I always remember a 306 d Turbo giving me a really hard time in the XR4x4 on my way to Scarborough years ago as well. We were going up quite a steep hill and he booted it and the car just shot off up the road, and I had a right job on keeping up with him! Good times.
Took out eleven cars for a drive on a leasing company promotion day in the mid-90s; the stand-out car was the 306XSi for its handling. The quicker version would be very tempting - if you did 30k miles in it and lost half your money, that's not such a bad deal. And at 60k miles, it's not like you would think twice about taking it out.
Such simple, aesthetic pleasures. Clean lines, proportionate and designed/built to do exactly what it should without frivolity or faff. So different from today's bulbous, heavy, wasp-faced, sharp edged, goping monstrosities. Yes BMW I'm looking at you in particular.
Can't elegance and charm still fit with all the electronic wizardry and safety features demanded by modern driving?
Can't elegance and charm still fit with all the electronic wizardry and safety features demanded by modern driving?
DriveSnowdonia said:
Used to own a 205 Gti for 5 years and then due to the mileage I was doing at the time, and an accident in the 205, moved on to a 306 DTurbo.
Controversial comment, but the DTurbo was every bit as good as the 205 to drive, just different in terms of power delivery. Felt plenty rapid at the time and I believe that an intercooler could easily be added to tern up the wick a little. Drove both a 306 Gti and a Rallye on test drive but neither car convinced me to part with the DTurbo. Those who know, know.
I'd agree.Controversial comment, but the DTurbo was every bit as good as the 205 to drive, just different in terms of power delivery. Felt plenty rapid at the time and I believe that an intercooler could easily be added to tern up the wick a little. Drove both a 306 Gti and a Rallye on test drive but neither car convinced me to part with the DTurbo. Those who know, know.
I was a Peugeot sales exec for the last of the 205s, first of the 306s. The DTurbo was probably the pick of the range at the time, achieving way more than its 90-odd bhp would suggest. And 50+mpg, all at Group 5 insurance (old ratings of course).
They had a standard intercooler, by the way.
TrotCanterGallopCharge said:
bumskins said:
'Saffron' is the one colour I don't think I would have..!
Sure it's nice to see nowadays amidst a see of monochrome, in the same way it's nice to see a Phoenix Yellow E46 M3. Would I own one though? Never.
Agreed, anything 'brown', 'dark orange', or dealer advert 'blaze yellow', just says 'rust' to me, or something that's passed along a digestive tract.Sure it's nice to see nowadays amidst a see of monochrome, in the same way it's nice to see a Phoenix Yellow E46 M3. Would I own one though? Never.
Would like to try out the car, looks a lot of fun, but not in this colour. Glad it exists for variety though.
Behold! The Most Overrated Hot Hatch, Ever. (Maybe..?)
Sampled several GTi-6s in 2003, all with c.45k miles.
Yes, they looked cool, the 6-speed ‘box was a great USP and the handling / ride was great. But…
The steering felt inconsistent, bodyshells flexed, the cabins were self-disassembling, and despite pukka FSHs, all the engines generally felt shagged.
Then tried some Mk3 16Vs (ie, the real GTI w/ 150bhp). Sure, they’re fugly inside and out, only has a 5-speed ‘box and cheapo OEM springs / dampers. But…
Engines with 70k still felt fresh and revved sweetly, bodyshell stiffer, steering consistent, cabins rattle-free, and the so-called ‘lardy GTI’ was actually c.80kg lighter than a GTi-6.
FWIW, I went for a Mk3 16V. But fitted a Bilstein kit that was more supple with less roll compared to OEM.
Sampled several GTi-6s in 2003, all with c.45k miles.
Yes, they looked cool, the 6-speed ‘box was a great USP and the handling / ride was great. But…
The steering felt inconsistent, bodyshells flexed, the cabins were self-disassembling, and despite pukka FSHs, all the engines generally felt shagged.
Then tried some Mk3 16Vs (ie, the real GTI w/ 150bhp). Sure, they’re fugly inside and out, only has a 5-speed ‘box and cheapo OEM springs / dampers. But…
Engines with 70k still felt fresh and revved sweetly, bodyshell stiffer, steering consistent, cabins rattle-free, and the so-called ‘lardy GTI’ was actually c.80kg lighter than a GTi-6.
FWIW, I went for a Mk3 16V. But fitted a Bilstein kit that was more supple with less roll compared to OEM.
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