Is a Peugeot 308gti the answer?
Discussion
Right, the dad wagon is due to be retired due to ULEZ, diesel and the fact that I’ve convinced the wife that the ULEZ will potentially bankrupt us unless we change cars despite the fact I live outside London and I’m concerned about killing fluffy kittens with my current diesel Volvo D5.
I now fancy a hot hatch but I’m getting on a bit with a slightly dodgy back so I prefer something subtle looking that doesn’t have a rock hard ride.
I nearly convinced myself that a Golf Gti was the answer but then I remembered that I don’t really gel with German stuff (find them a bit cold) and I stumbled across the Peugeot 308 Gti that seems to tick a lot of boxes.
I’ve done a search and it’s generally positive but anyone got any recent feedback? Im aware of the mentally priced brakes so will need to keep £1500 on standby just in case but any other problem areas?
Willing to think of something else and the obvious alternative is the Megane 280 but they seem a little pricey still and I want to keep the budget below £20k if possible and preferably no older than 2016.
Anything else I’m forgetting?
Remember, SUBTLE styling (no Civics! - I’ve no interest in having to wear a baseball cap backwards in order to drive one), under £20k and not German (or VAG).
Ta!
I now fancy a hot hatch but I’m getting on a bit with a slightly dodgy back so I prefer something subtle looking that doesn’t have a rock hard ride.
I nearly convinced myself that a Golf Gti was the answer but then I remembered that I don’t really gel with German stuff (find them a bit cold) and I stumbled across the Peugeot 308 Gti that seems to tick a lot of boxes.
I’ve done a search and it’s generally positive but anyone got any recent feedback? Im aware of the mentally priced brakes so will need to keep £1500 on standby just in case but any other problem areas?
Willing to think of something else and the obvious alternative is the Megane 280 but they seem a little pricey still and I want to keep the budget below £20k if possible and preferably no older than 2016.
Anything else I’m forgetting?
Remember, SUBTLE styling (no Civics! - I’ve no interest in having to wear a baseball cap backwards in order to drive one), under £20k and not German (or VAG).
Ta!
Nope the 308 GTI is a peach of a car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107064...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107024...
The brakes won't be an issue for a while around 40k depending on your driving style apart from that there is no downside
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107064...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107024...
The brakes won't be an issue for a while around 40k depending on your driving style apart from that there is no downside
308 GTi’s are awesome, especially as they have good power and a low kerbweight. I think there is a buying guide on this site that is well worth checking out. Bear in mind the 270 version has very expensive Alcon brakes on the front, they are supposed to be really good though. Also, make sure you can get on with the touch screen climate controls, I realy didn’t like them.
I had a 308 as a hire car a year or so ago. My only comment would be to have a sit in one, to try the little steering wheel.
I didn't get on with it that well, as I found a lot of functions seemed to be hidden or tricky to access. Obviously not helped by only have a couple of days to get used to it.
It's possible it's just the way I like to sit in a car, that caused issue but I'd definitely recommend giving it a try, before you buy.
I should add mine wasn't a GTi.
I didn't get on with it that well, as I found a lot of functions seemed to be hidden or tricky to access. Obviously not helped by only have a couple of days to get used to it.
It's possible it's just the way I like to sit in a car, that caused issue but I'd definitely recommend giving it a try, before you buy.
I should add mine wasn't a GTi.
mondayo said:
I had a 308 as a hire car a year or so ago. My only comment would be to have a sit in one, to try the little steering wheel.
I didn't get on with it that well, as I found a lot of functions seemed to be hidden or tricky to access. Obviously not helped by only have a couple of days to get used to it.
It's possible it's just the way I like to sit in a car, that caused issue but I'd definitely recommend giving it a try, before you buy.
I should add mine wasn't a GTi.
Well, I’m off to test drive one later this week. I didn't get on with it that well, as I found a lot of functions seemed to be hidden or tricky to access. Obviously not helped by only have a couple of days to get used to it.
It's possible it's just the way I like to sit in a car, that caused issue but I'd definitely recommend giving it a try, before you buy.
I should add mine wasn't a GTi.
Heard mixed reviews about the layout of the dash and you either ‘get it’ or you don’t apparently.
Getting quite excited now…
You are not going to get the same build quality at a German car, no matter what owners claim but French cars have come a long way since the 90's when they were tin cans on wheels.
I would imagine the infotainment and nav is going to be pants compared to the iDrive in the BMW but you are not paying BMW prices so there we are.
On the upside they are fair quick. Obviously you need to test drive one, that goes without saying but we have a 330D X Drive which is fairly rapid and a 308 GTI had no problems keeping up with us when booting it on a dual carriageway.
If I were looking at a hot hatch myself and had ruled out Golf R / S3 due to price or them being a thiefs wet dream, the 308 GTI would be in m top five of cars to look at.
I would imagine the infotainment and nav is going to be pants compared to the iDrive in the BMW but you are not paying BMW prices so there we are.
On the upside they are fair quick. Obviously you need to test drive one, that goes without saying but we have a 330D X Drive which is fairly rapid and a 308 GTI had no problems keeping up with us when booting it on a dual carriageway.
If I were looking at a hot hatch myself and had ruled out Golf R / S3 due to price or them being a thiefs wet dream, the 308 GTI would be in m top five of cars to look at.
I had the admittedly less exciting 130bhp petrol 308 from 2018 on a two year lease. It wasn't far off 30k miles when returned.
I had no quality issues, rattles or problems in general during the lease period other than a couple of scrapes on the diamond cut wheels.
I feel like I'm in the minority, but i did enjoy the smaller steering wheel set up once I got used to it. I personally thought the interior in general had a more appealing design than most of the VAG/BMW equivalents, comparing to the MK7.5 Golf/Leon or the previous gen 1 series. The glass roof definitely helps.
Regarding infotainment, fair point the touchscreen climate controls are less intuitive than physical knobs/buttons, but I got used to that pretty quickly. The 308 also has Android Auto/Car Play - no doubt having Google Maps on the main screen is an improvement over manufacturer sat nav systems (said as a current idrive6 sat nav user).
I had no quality issues, rattles or problems in general during the lease period other than a couple of scrapes on the diamond cut wheels.
I feel like I'm in the minority, but i did enjoy the smaller steering wheel set up once I got used to it. I personally thought the interior in general had a more appealing design than most of the VAG/BMW equivalents, comparing to the MK7.5 Golf/Leon or the previous gen 1 series. The glass roof definitely helps.
Regarding infotainment, fair point the touchscreen climate controls are less intuitive than physical knobs/buttons, but I got used to that pretty quickly. The 308 also has Android Auto/Car Play - no doubt having Google Maps on the main screen is an improvement over manufacturer sat nav systems (said as a current idrive6 sat nav user).
valiant said:
Well, I’m off to test drive one later this week.
Heard mixed reviews about the layout of the dash and you either ‘get it’ or you don’t apparently.
Getting quite excited now…
I really like the dash layout and the small steering wheel and they seem pretty well screwed together too. Good luck with the test driveHeard mixed reviews about the layout of the dash and you either ‘get it’ or you don’t apparently.
Getting quite excited now…
I own a Golf GTI and was very close to purchasing a 308GTI after a thorough test drive.
308GTI is a brilliant car and I really rate it and the build quality matches my Golf.
Very comfortable, seats where amazing and better drive as well when pushed. Handles B roads better and is very agile. Feels very up for it and is happy to be pushed while the GTI likes to be smooth and drive at 80% or gets a bit flustered.
I felt the brakes are really over hyped for on the road and the price of replacing them I couldn’t justify for the performance. Didn’t think they were anything special despite being massive.
It’s a Peugeot so will depreciate a lot quicker than a Golf. I’d maybe test drive a Cupra against the 308GTI personally.
Brilliant cars that are real hidden gems. I lost out by not pulling the trigger.
308GTI is a brilliant car and I really rate it and the build quality matches my Golf.
Very comfortable, seats where amazing and better drive as well when pushed. Handles B roads better and is very agile. Feels very up for it and is happy to be pushed while the GTI likes to be smooth and drive at 80% or gets a bit flustered.
I felt the brakes are really over hyped for on the road and the price of replacing them I couldn’t justify for the performance. Didn’t think they were anything special despite being massive.
It’s a Peugeot so will depreciate a lot quicker than a Golf. I’d maybe test drive a Cupra against the 308GTI personally.
Brilliant cars that are real hidden gems. I lost out by not pulling the trigger.
I like these too and would consider one as an upgrade to my fiesta ST if I really needed 5 doors.
The cost of those front brakes is off putting but I do wonder if there is an easy solution. Surely you could just fit the brakes from the 250bhp model which must be good enough for road use? Or an aftermarket alternative? Why would you need to spend 2k on Alcon?
The cost of those front brakes is off putting but I do wonder if there is an easy solution. Surely you could just fit the brakes from the 250bhp model which must be good enough for road use? Or an aftermarket alternative? Why would you need to spend 2k on Alcon?
Just to round out this thread and to thank you for your insights and also to try and help any pher doing a future search, I went to test drive it today and bloody hell! it’s good.
Car was nicely prepared and waiting for me and thanks to COVID, was allowed out on my own rather than have a salesman accompany me on some predefined route for 5 minutes so I was able to test it on a variety of roads and boy, does it fly! Have to be a little careful planting it from a standstill as it tries to scrabble for grip but once you’re moving and get above 3k revs it really moves. Handling is pretty taut and corners can be taken with confidence as the bucket seats hold you firmly in place. Gearbox is a delight with a slightly long throw but from doing my research I expected this and it’s a very minor gripe. The ride is excellent. Considering it’s riding on 19s and the suspension is pretty firm, it rides nicely even over rougher surfaces and I reckon will be comfy over longer distances.
Build quality seems pretty solid with nice soft touch points. Some hard plastics in places but overall it’s a nice place to be. Infotainment screen was responsive but I wouldn’t want to try and type in an address on the sat nav on the move - it really is point you’re finger and hope it lands on the right icon. No creaks or rattled and all seemed as solid as my Volvo.
I was expecting the worse with the interior but it simply works with the small wheel and looking over it rather than through it. It probably helps I’m tall but I felt immediately comfortable with viewing the instruments. Coming from the Volvo where they’ve used the blueprints from the Titanic steering wheel to copy, it felt small to hold but you quickly adjust.
Brakes worried me but here’s the clincher, the dealer had recently replaced the entire front brakes! Pads, discs and callipers - over £3k worth! Sadly because of this they wouldn’t budge a penny in price but I’d already bought it in my head by then.
Anyway, deal done. Pick it up next week.
Can’t f
king wait!
Car was nicely prepared and waiting for me and thanks to COVID, was allowed out on my own rather than have a salesman accompany me on some predefined route for 5 minutes so I was able to test it on a variety of roads and boy, does it fly! Have to be a little careful planting it from a standstill as it tries to scrabble for grip but once you’re moving and get above 3k revs it really moves. Handling is pretty taut and corners can be taken with confidence as the bucket seats hold you firmly in place. Gearbox is a delight with a slightly long throw but from doing my research I expected this and it’s a very minor gripe. The ride is excellent. Considering it’s riding on 19s and the suspension is pretty firm, it rides nicely even over rougher surfaces and I reckon will be comfy over longer distances.
Build quality seems pretty solid with nice soft touch points. Some hard plastics in places but overall it’s a nice place to be. Infotainment screen was responsive but I wouldn’t want to try and type in an address on the sat nav on the move - it really is point you’re finger and hope it lands on the right icon. No creaks or rattled and all seemed as solid as my Volvo.
I was expecting the worse with the interior but it simply works with the small wheel and looking over it rather than through it. It probably helps I’m tall but I felt immediately comfortable with viewing the instruments. Coming from the Volvo where they’ve used the blueprints from the Titanic steering wheel to copy, it felt small to hold but you quickly adjust.
Brakes worried me but here’s the clincher, the dealer had recently replaced the entire front brakes! Pads, discs and callipers - over £3k worth! Sadly because of this they wouldn’t budge a penny in price but I’d already bought it in my head by then.
Anyway, deal done. Pick it up next week.
Can’t f
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