Peugeot 309 Gti Review

Overall Rating

The 309 is a solid drive. In petrol the vehicule is good, but in diesel it's even better, especially if you plan to use it for every day purposes. The 1.9 Diesel, despite its age, goes very well and provides very good speeds. The vehicule is comfortable for long trips for four adults, and even without power steering, handles pretty amazingly whether inside the city or on highway. It has enough torque to overtake some Golf TDI's in stop lights, enough power to overtake some 80s 7 series BMWs, and enough cylinders to keep it cruising at 160 kph all day. Of course, this isn't the smartest thing to do nowadays in a car without airbags in a world full of radar cameras, but it shows you how well the 1.9 Diesel can perform. My 309 has taken extreme driving beautifully with the engine, which was redone when it was bought in 98, never failing to start once even in the cold, and which simply worked like a wonder until it was sold. The seats are comfortable and the driving position is something not entirely perfect but its close enough for a second hand car, or probably a thousandth hand car by now. If you plan to buy a diesel, look for the GRD badge since it's the one with most accessories ( like power steering - sometimes, electric windows, power door locks - if they still work, two rear view windows, and sometimes air conditionning. ) Also, try the second generation 309's which should drive better and look better too ( from 1991 onwards in most countries ).

A warning obliged: do not take the 309 for spins beyond what it can handle. The 309 is a light front wheel drive. This means that the front wheels both control the steering and the power. This basically translates to ugly understeer if you brake in a curve, take on a turn without enough power, or decide you can do 360s in a car like this. But once you get used to the 309, you will very easily avoid any such manoeuvres which are somewhat on the extreme side of driving and can be costly ( I have been in two accidents that could have been fatal because of understeer linked to sudden maneouvres of the steering wheel at high speeds ).

The 309 is just an amazing car. It's old. It's cheap. It's economical. It's a sweetheart. Although it isn't exactly your state of the art honda civic or warrior Volkswagon Golf, it's a car that needs to be driven with heart and pride. Its looks are still hooking to the eye, and the interior still does the job without looking too antique, and it ages very well which means you can find one in very good condition for very little money. All this makes the 309 perfect for a first car or used car. You can use it for your groceries too, moving furniture ( ok, some furniture ), with its huge booth that can become even bigger with the rear seats folded, and what's more, it can still keep the pace with today's cars even though it's an 80s thing. Wonderful. If you plan to have a good time in one though, remember to keep your driving civilized since understeer can be sometimes a fatal issue. This was the first car I have ever driven ( legally ) and it will hold many beautiful memories. Check the tires for signs of wear and tear since this often means the chassis is bent or the car has taken a hard hit, which will affect an already questionnable steering. No signs of rust in my April 89 model when it was sold despite having been battered and bruised pretty badly and pretty often too, which means the car's original paint job was very good, so try to find one that hasn't been repainted. Check the seats since the 309's original have very uncomfortable springs that pop out with age. Also, check the electrics, the dashboard and instrument panel for missing 'pieces', and make sure that all of the accessories work ( power door locks, electric windows seem to be a hassle to fix, the blinker and light handle sometimes goes amiss, and of course you wouldn't want to drive a car with no wipers... ). Also, try the ventillation since some models have their motors worked out. Most 309's have had an accident so check for signs of repair: an accident that hasn't been properly repaired can cost you your life. Check and make sure that the car is level and not tilting more to one wheel either to the front or the rear, since this means the springs need replacement or that the car has taken a hit, a hard one, and that it will keep going sideways on the road. Try the car's handbrake too since it's known to give out eventually. If fumes come out when you start the engine, leave it alone, chances are sooner than later you will need to change the engine altogether or redo it, and this can be costly if you want it done properly. The brakes are also something that you need to check before getting into the driver's seat, without brakes the 309 is dangerous. If you plan to drive one, always plan your turns ahead, with breaking way ahead and then some throttle through the turn. Most highway exists you need to take at 40 or 50 since anything above is literally toying with death, and never let go of the steering wheel because sometimes it jumps and you can find yourself in a car doing slaloms in the middle of a busy highway. The handbrake, when its ageing, can be used for emergency braking or to help you correct understeer in emergency situations ( this has saved my life a douzen times ), but don't get too used to it either.