Running this car day to day

[Baryonyx]

I noticed this car in a thread a few days ago. Now, some will remember the thread as the OP stated his dad was slagging off his 'chav cars', one of which was a 309 GTi. He then posted a picture of this car:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2711125.htm

Anyway, I've been looking at that advert since (and before the original thread was posted). Is this car useable on a day to day basis, given that the advert says it's running on bike carbs? How long would they go without needing tuned? I imagine the ride would be pretty stiff too, with alloy bushes at the rear?

And would that cage obstruct your view out past the A pillar?

[Pothole]

You'd want to sort out that rear ride height. Looks st and would probably handle like a lame dog, too.

[Chrisw666]

I've read somewhere bike carbs are a PITA when it's cold, that car has also been for sale since Noah was a lad so is either overpriced or the automotive equivalent of aids.

I'd go for the former as the 309 isn't a bad car, but you could pick a solid one up for around £1000 and spend a bit modding it.

[Baryonyx]

Yeah, it has been for sale for a while. I'd love a 309 GTi like that that hadn't been messed around with. The ride at the back I thought looked a bit low, and the bike carbs could be a real problem if they go out of tune. I bet they sound great though!

Such a shame there are so few 309 GTi's around now, as there must be a better one than that somewhere.

[Occam's Razor]

Advert said:

JUST PASSED A NEW MOT

....as opposed to an old MOT?

I've always prefered the 309 over the 205. Agree with the rear ride height though, I wouldn't fancy going quickly along a bumpy bit of road with it that low...anyone for pogo-ing?

[HereBeMonsters]

The rear ride height shouldn't be a problem if the beam is good - you can just jack it back up a couple of notches.

[Baryonyx]

And I suppose with the amount of time spent modifying that car, it wouldn't be sitting there with a knackered back axle!

[HereBeMonsters]

Occam's Razor said:

....as opposed to an old MOT?

I've always prefered the 309 over the 205. Agree with the rear ride height though, I wouldn't fancy going quickly along a bumpy bit of road with it that low...anyone for pogo-ing?

It doesn't have rear springs - torsion bar with shock absorbers, semi-trailing arms. The bump-rebound is far more affected by the width of the beam than the ride height.

[Baryonyx]

HereBeMonsters said:

It doesn't have rear springs - torsion bar with shock absorbers, semi-trailing arms. The bump-rebound is far more affected by the width of the beam than the ride height.

So based on that, it might not be undriveable down a B road?

[Fleckers]

i would not want to drive in a crash helmet all day though cos that will be the only thing from stopping you breaking your head on that roll cage

i would ask your insurance for a quote on the car then then again wiht a fitted cage......

[Baryonyx]

Do you reckon in a crash your head will be going straight for the A pillar? In my experience of looking at crashes I've rarely known someone's head to hit the A pillar if they were strapped in. The wheel if they've got a belt on, or the windscreen if they haven't.

Or do you think because the cage is a few inches wide of the A pillar it would present a serious risk of head injury in a crash?

[Fleckers]

my last crash i bashed my head along top of door / roof between A and B due to the impact, yes I was belted in

However in day to day driving how many times do you hit a bump and and move inside the car or the car is unsettled and you move about ?