1991 Peugeot 309 GTi 1.9

Summary:

Fast piece of crap

Faults:

Well I've only had the car three months and its been an absolute nightmare.

All the normal items fuel pressure reg, starter motor, breather hoses, brake pads.

Very noisy rear suspension. Just found out that the engine has been previously modified (different bottom end).

General Comments:

Very heavy on fuel & engine oil.

This car achieves around 25mpg driven sensibly and that's 4 star alternative.

I am now going to cut my losses and purchase a smaller, cheaper to run car.

Don't buy an older performance 205 or 309 GTI with too many owners and too many modifications.

Believe me, it's cost a lot of time and money to find this out.

For me this has been a harsh learning lesson considering this is my 8th car, and I'm over 30 years young. Well I think we all get stung at least once within the second hand car buying market.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 1st September, 2001

1st Dec 2001, 10:14

Your problems sound familiar, but 70k is a difficult time of life for any 309. The rear trailing arm bearings and damper bushes are probably gone, the inlet manifold is probably full of oil breather deposits (makes a big difference), the mixture and timing may have been poorly adjusted (crucial on all 1.9's) and the piston rings don't like too many cold starts. All of these things are DIY if you're keen, but if you're not you'll have to turn your back on a great mix of true "handling" and practicality for not a lot of money.

3rd Jul 2005, 15:44

Pity you feel that the modified car you purchased was to blame for your bad purchase in the 2nd hand car market. A standard 309 gti unmodified is a rare car I know, but if you try one they are a fantastic handling and quick understated car. Perhaps get somebody to help you buy a 2nd hand car next time rather than blame you bad judgment on a car that is value for money in sports performance.

1991 Peugeot 309 GTi 1.9

Summary:

Underrated rocket

Faults:

Fitted new starter motor, vacuum advance, fuel pressure regulator & serviced the car.

General Comments:

Very fast car. Keeps up with Punto GT Turbos. Beats most other so called hot hatches.

The car does 30mpg.

Plenty of knocks, squeaks and rattles, but fun to drive.

Excellent road handling. Brakes are good.

Find a good car breakers yard for spares. Don't use the main dealers.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 20th July, 2001

1991 Peugeot 309 GR 1.9 diesel

Summary:

Boring beige bombproof bargain

Faults:

Broken glove box lid.

Loose drivers door.

Brake discs & pads overheated (too thin) @ 98,000 miles.

Drivers seat knackered.

General Comments:

This car has been completely bombproof and has never failed to start.

Economy not as good as I expected because the auto choke stays on for about 25-30 miles from startup, but on a long journey it's superb.

Ride, steering and handling are very good (more grip and faster steering than my old Mini) but it is just so dull. The interior is brown and the exterior is beige, it's just extremely boring and I want a MK2 Golf Driver. In red.

It's a shame its so boring cos it could make 200,000 miles easy. Performance is better than you'd expect for a diesel, but it's no ball of fire. Very practical and it only cost £900 and for that I got PAS, central locking, sun roof and leccy windows. Hoping to sell it for a grand.

If you want a very good car and aren't bothered about looks there's none better for the money, if you want excitement look elsewhere.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st March, 2001

10th Oct 2003, 10:52

A diesel with a choke? I think not...

1991 Peugeot 309 GRDT 1.8 diesel

Faults:

After getting the car at 38,000 miles all filters were changed, oil changes were done, K&N filter put on, and a new cam belt.

Good car up until 92,000 miles, regular oil changes had been done every 4,000 miles along with filter and a new radiator at 70,000 miles.

At 92,000 miles exhaust went - not bad for an 8 year old exhaust, but then the turbo went and the head gasket and then the cylinder head. Peugeot's are crap to work on.

General Comments:

Although good on fuel, attaining 60 to the gallon was not hard. But the replacement of parts offsets the cost of the gains of fuel consumption. I've had Peugeot's all my life and am finally gonna go Japanese. Stuff the French.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 24th October, 1999

30th Nov 2003, 16:09

I also have a diesel 309 - the naturally aspirated type though. I feel that this comment is also a bit of wingeing about a £60 piece of metal that you expect to go at some point. I think this guy was lucky to get 8 years out of it, most people are lucky to get 18 months. I think a thing more to grumble about is the head gasket etc.