Thinking of getting a 306 - I'm I mad?

[TheFungle]

Currently driving around in a leased 208 GTi, I've had it for 18 months and it's an enjoyable car to run, if not the last word in driving finesse.

A purchase of a new house has led to new spending priorities so I'm looking at running a cheaper car for at least 12 months - or until the novelty wears off!

As tempting as a 306 GTi would be I'm trying to stay away from a 'hobby' car, I'd much prefer car that's just for getting from A-B.

Would a 306 HDi be an absolute money pit? Ph3 models still look fresh and the chassis is as good as it has ever been.

I feel like I've landed straight back in 2001 with the world of cars to choose from

[Shore]

I think someone has put something in your pint.

[TooMany2cvs]

TheFungle said:

Would a 306 HDi be an absolute money pit?

I've put 15k on its sister, a ZX TurboD, in the last year...

The original HDi is a rock-solid lump.

[Palms]

Had many 306's and loved them all.
The 2.0 hdi is a very good strong engine and should see moon miles and apart from basic wear and tear i never had any problems.
Just make sure you dont buy a shed and you will be fine.
Also get a stage 1 remap taking it from 90bhp to 120ish makes it alot more fun to drive and gives better mpg

[greenarrow]

Great cars the HDIs, but I remember being disappointed with the handling of a base model 306 HDI when I was looking back in the day, and frankly how slow it felt through the gears.- admittedly it had only done a few hundred miles and a higher mileage one I also test drove felt a bit better..so I think after a 208 GTI it will feel really slow, things have moved on a lot over the years.

So I would look out a D Turbo model which I believe has stiffer suspension. Great looking car and with a remap will give a lot of fun. Actually weighs less than a 208 GTI too, which says something about how lardy cars have become over the years. I know someone who sold one of these for about £150 3 or 4 years ago, with only 60,000 miles on the clock, which was criminally cheap.

[angels95]

Bought a 306 D Turbo (the old 1.9) as a stop-gap nearly three years ago. Ended up putting 54k miles on it and keeping it right up until last month, and now I've got a GTI-6!

I swear by these 306s! They don't seem to rust and they handle really well. I am now in a position where I could buy a newer car if I wanted, but I'm much happier in an old Pug!

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

We're on our second DTurbo at the moment. The first cost £750 to buy and went from 130k to 170k miles with not much more than routine servicing. This second one was cheaper to buy at £500 with 100k miles, but has needed brakes, a clutch and some suspension to get it up together.

I'd expect to get through the next couple of years with no more big bills though - any money saved by running it just goes straight to keeping the 540i going.

Entertaining handling, good looks, decent ride, 40mpg if you thrash it and 60mpg if you don't - apart from the lack of image, what's not to like?