Peugeot 309 GTi
Discussion
Posted this yesterday but didn't appear to actually post 
Essentially, I'll be looking to get something semi-classic (and cheap) over the next few months providing work goes how I'm planning it to. I do love 80's hot hatches anyway, but the 309 GTI seems curiously overlooked? A grand or so seems to get a good usable one and 2.5k a pretty nice one ready for a few track days and the like.
I was wondering, is there any particular reason that they're so overlooked when compared to the 205, or is it just the status of the 205 when in actual fact, the two cars are pretty similar?
Any input from owners/ex-owners would be brilliant, these have really caught my eye recently. Getting quite excited, finally at the point where it isn't just 'dreaming' in the classifieds 
Essentially, I'll be looking to get something semi-classic (and cheap) over the next few months providing work goes how I'm planning it to. I do love 80's hot hatches anyway, but the 309 GTI seems curiously overlooked? A grand or so seems to get a good usable one and 2.5k a pretty nice one ready for a few track days and the like.
I was wondering, is there any particular reason that they're so overlooked when compared to the 205, or is it just the status of the 205 when in actual fact, the two cars are pretty similar?
Any input from owners/ex-owners would be brilliant, these have really caught my eye recently. Getting quite excited, finally at the point where it isn't just 'dreaming' in the classifieds I think it is pretty much just a status thing, the classic one is the 205 GTI, but the 309 is pretty much identical except its slightly heavier, a little uglier and has a longer wheelbase; I think actually some folks even prefer the way the 309 drives, slightly friendlier on the limit by all accounts and less edgy. Personally, I'd prefer a 205 but really if a 309 is a lot cheaper then in some ways it could be a no-brainer.
The 309 was always overlooked in a way. But if you're looking to make progress and have a great car then it's surely a great choice, the longer wheelbase tamed some of the lift of oversteer that the 205 suffered from. Overall, probably a better car and certainly a better buy on a pound for pound basis. They seem fairly rare though, so hopefully they're not a nightmare to run.
Baryonyx said:
The 309 was always overlooked in a way. But if you're looking to make progress and have a great car then it's surely a great choice, the longer wheelbase tamed some of the lift of oversteer that the 205 suffered from. Overall, probably a better car and certainly a better buy on a pound for pound basis. They seem fairly rare though, so hopefully they're not a nightmare to run.
Can't imagine them being a nightmare, apart from a few body panels I can't see that there will be much difference?TameRacingDriver said:
Can't imagine them being a nightmare, apart from a few body panels I can't see that there will be much difference?
I was thinking in terms of parts. The 205 GTI seems well supported for now with aftermarket parts but will that market last forever? I expect buying OEM parts for these old Peugeots is probably difficult now. I honestly prefer the way they drive over the 205. "Tame the lift off oversteer" well I usually dont drive with lift off oversteer in mind so I never noticed a difference. They do seem nicer weighted and im pretty certain I could go round most corners faster in the 309.
All the important parts are still easy enough to find so go for it.
All the important parts are still easy enough to find so go for it.
vit4 said:
and 2.5k a pretty nice one
That is awesome, if I had the cash and space, that would be mine now. 
Finding one will be the problem, when was the last time you saw a 309 gti on the road?
They never sold in huge volumes and once they got old there was never the following the 205 gti has built up, so most of them have gone for parts/to the srap heap.
I had two and they were both very good, but my 205 gti 1.9's hold a much warmer memory, and I would rather run around in a 306 gti-6 for £1k than an old 309 gti.
They do have better handling than a 205 1.9, my F reg 309 gti had koni's, a super chip, exhaust, K&N etc and at the time (1995) it felt really quick, and was great on roundabouts/B roads.
They never sold in huge volumes and once they got old there was never the following the 205 gti has built up, so most of them have gone for parts/to the srap heap.
I had two and they were both very good, but my 205 gti 1.9's hold a much warmer memory, and I would rather run around in a 306 gti-6 for £1k than an old 309 gti.
They do have better handling than a 205 1.9, my F reg 309 gti had koni's, a super chip, exhaust, K&N etc and at the time (1995) it felt really quick, and was great on roundabouts/B roads.
I had 2 205GTi's, a 1.6 & a 1.9 and a couple of 309GTi's, I much prefered the whole driving experience of the 309's, they felt more stable, seemed to be more neutral handling and generally more comfortable all round. The one thing I really noticed with all those old Peugeot GTi's was the massive variation between the power they produced, there were some (at the time) very fast 1.9's and some much slower 1.9's- a few of us owned GTi's at the same time & the fast ones were considerably quicker than the slower ones!
As has been said, rust will be an issue along with finding a straight rear axle!
As has been said, rust will be an issue along with finding a straight rear axle!
miniman said:
vit4 said:
and 2.5k a pretty nice one
That is awesome, if I had the cash and space, that would be mine now. Have to say I reckon there's some kudos in going for the 309 over the more obvious 205, particularly now they're even rarer than they were when new.
350Wedge said:
Any excuse to post a photo of my old Goodwood
Sold it 2 years ago now but when I got it it only had 26k on the clock. Needless to say it was a very tidy example, there are a few out there but not many!!
That is gorgeous! Only Goodwood for sale looks a bit of a pup, but I guess they'd be perfect Sold it 2 years ago now but when I got it it only had 26k on the clock. Needless to say it was a very tidy example, there are a few out there but not many!!
Quite interesting feedback; general concensus seems to be as good as the 205, if not better, and rarer too. God I hope work comes together
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