'Brand new' Peugeot 309 GTI heads to auction
A time warp classic that doesn't cost the earth? Such a thing still exists, perhaps...
Most of the 'nearly new' classics to crawl out from under covers in recent years have done so because their owners want to cash in on years of patience. But, if we're to believe the auction advert for the latest example of a time-capsuled classic, this Peugeot 309 GTI has acquired just 131 miles in 28 years simply because the owner didn't have much time to drive it.
Whether you buy that excuse or not, it means we're faced with an essentially brand new, barely-more-than-delivery-miles GTI. It's in showroom condition throughout, having been stored in a garage, so the red paint and black plastics have resisted fade entirely, while the original set of Goodyears have next to no wear (although they'll definitely need replacing thanks to their age).
Of the 98 registered 309 GTIs in Britain (according to How Many Left) we'd guess this is the most original, then. Perhaps it's even the world's most original, which you might think would thrust it into the realms of its technically similar sibling, the 205 GTI.
Yet despite sharing the hatchback's 132hp 1.9-litre four-cylinder engine and much of the accompanying running gear, 309 GTI desirability hasn't quite reached such heights. Prices have been comparably steady in growth, and the experts at Barons' Classic Winter Warmer sale, which will take place at Sandown Park on February 26th, expect this car to fetch between £8,000-£11,000 when it goes under the hammer. That's only a grand better than a 59,000-mile-old example was up for in 2016, and about £15k less than this sweet 205 GTI is up for.
Still, for someone looking for an investment it could be a shrewd buy because the apparent lack of growth in values might not last for long. As 205 GTI prices continue to rise, more and more people may turn to the technically-related 309 GTI. Perhaps, then, the 309 GTI's time is just around the corner.
It was still a hoot to drive and handled well on its lowered Eibach springs. Cost bugger all to run too and didn’t miss a beat (unlike the modified 205 it replaced).
Happy memories
That aside, it is still very much a one off. I think I'd rather have something that's done around 40k that I could put another 10 on without worrying about it.
It was lowered 35mm and was one f the best handling cars I have ever known as it was underpowered compared to the chassis limits.
now that is the understatement of the day - that must have been repaired by Stevie Wonder whilst Ray Charles was doing the final quality sign off.
It was still a hoot to drive and handled well on its lowered Eibach springs. Cost bugger all to run too and didn’t miss a beat (unlike the modified 205 it replaced).
Happy memories
The buying public certainly never took to its gawky looks though, that much is true. Meant you could get a nearly new one much cheaper than its more rounded little sister
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff