Faults:

Alarm system needed attention.

A few minor trim squeaks and rattles within.

General Comments:

For what it is (ie a non-GTi) this car is fantastic in all respects. Goes, handles and stops better than almost everything else in its class.

The engine, though only up 12 horses on the 8-valve (pre-1998) model at 135 BHP (16V) against 123 BHP (8V), feels so much more willing than its predecessors. Though not a huge injection of power, the difference is noticable, if only due to the different characteristics of using sixteen valves.

Away from the lights, the XSi is able to embarass more exotic machinery (in name and reputation at least...), such as the Golf GTi 2.0, BMW 318iS, Audi A3 1.8T Sport, Ford Focus Zetec 2.0i and other so called 'sporty' machinery, all of which is very interesting considering the XSi is not even the pinnacle of the 306 range, this title being reserved for the scarily quick (and scarily hard to insure) 167 BHP GTi-6.

Although timid and easy to drive around town and at low speeds, I assure you that when you feel this engine come on cam at around 3250 RPM, then hear it scream up to the redline tearing at the tarmac, it's hard to stop yourself from grinning like the village idiot.

However, that said, it's not the grunt of the XSi that captivates you most when you first have a go - it's the handling. It is simply sublime, from the minute you hit your first hard corner to the minute you first kick the tail out, you will be laughing like a drain. This car understeers and oversteers completely on demand, though never takes you by surprise. The steering is meaty, loaded up with chunky, connected feel, you know exactly what each tyre is doing on the road below. This chassis talks to you in a way that would make a rally co-driver feel inadequate.

On the downside, the gearbox, while full of deliciously 'clunky' feel, can occasionally balk between 2nd and 3rd, a problem compounded by attempting fast, violent upchanges. However, with a deft touch and a little patience, this is easily overcome, and will not be a problem to someone who likes to drive their car with a little consideration, even when caning it!

The original equipment Pirelli P6000's wore out not too long after I got the car, a combination of vaguely hooliganistic driving and ignorance that the fronts would happily light up in third... I replaced them with a set of Toyo T1S's, a tyre which I and many friends have used before, and if anything, these cheaper tyres enhanced the handling of the car even more, even if they don't look like they have quite as much shoulder as the Pirellis, making the puny 15-inch wheels look even smaller in the arches. But you won't worry too much about look once you have a shot of one of these, believe me!

The rear brake pads wore out after 14000 miles, which I feel is acceptable if not brilliant, but £70 replaced these at an official Peugeot dealership, which is a fair price.

Servicing must be carried out every 9000 miles, which is not really acceptable in these days of 20000+ mile intervals on hot hatches, but it helps to remember that the 306 design and engineering is almost a decade old now... However, Peugeot has recently introduced a new official servicing schedule for 3+ year old Pugs, which gives cheaper, fixed price servicing on all older Peugeots, and saves a worthwhile amount when compared to the original servicing prices (ie £100 vs. £160 for an intermediate service).

Finally, the jewel in the crown of 306 ownership - insurance. Compared to the GTi brigade, this car is much more economical to insure. Most of the GTi's and similarly fast small/medium cars tend to weight in at group 14-15, reflecting the GTi name, desirability to thieves, and performance. The XSi is obviously less appealing to the thieving scumbags than the GTi-6, and enjoys similar performance to latter day hot hatches, and all this for group 11 insurance, which means that at 23 years old, with one years full NCB, I am able to comprehensively insure my car for a smidge over £700.

I truly hope this review can gain Peugeot's current light-middleweight champion a few more fans before the 307 steals it's reign :o)

Faults:

Front tyres had to be replaced (not the cheapest, shop around!).

Had to get the tracking done as the car pulled to the left slightly.

Replace a few wiper blades.

Slight wind noise from the doors, more so on the passenger side.

General Comments:

Have had the car for three months and it is a very nice sporty hatchback. Better build quality than the older 205 GTi's but could be a little better.

Only wear and tear components have been replaced, but they pretty much needed doing when I purchased the car.

The gear box can be stiff into 2nd from cold. Have found that leaving the car for a few minutes to warm up gets around this.

Be prepared for this car to fly when the rev counter gets above 3000RPM.