Faults:

I have owned this car for nearly 6 years and it has cost me very little.

1 battery.

2 exhausts.

8 tyres.

Honestly, it's the only money I've ever spent on my 309, it goes through the MOT every year with very little ever done. It's always had its services & I've always kept it clean & tidy.

General Comments:

A good solid car, quite economical to run, 11 years old and still no rust. If they still made them now I'd buy one!!!

Faults:

Bottom end not very strong - blown twice.

Syncro in 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears.

Exhaust manifold crack.

General Comments:

Great handling, even better when lowered, oversteer easy to control.

16v engine accelerates much better from 1st gear to 2nd uphill compared with the 8v GTi.

Could do with another gear on motorways.

Faults:

Leaking radiator.

Handbrake cable is not strong enough.

Sometimes there is creak in one of the back springs.

Pretty noisy inside from the engine and because of the plastic.

Too much smoke when at full throttle.

General Comments:

Actually it is a best car for a student! There is enough space inside for 4 people. But it will be narrow for 5.

The biggest advantage that 309 has is that it is a very economical car. It is only 6-6.5l in the city and about 5l on the highway.

Very good behaviour on the road. Soft suspension. It is very simple to drive.

Good acceleration. But at speeds about 130 km/h it becomes instable.

It is almost ten years old, but the paint is as on a new one.

Faults:

Not much considering the age and miles.

Rear brake cylinder (1).

Front brake calliper (1).

Handbrake cable.

Brake pads and exhaust.

A flying rock broke the windscreen.

Needed a new fuel pump to cure WOT misfire.

Short in engine wiring loom burned some important cables (ignition, starter motor and alternator). Sounds bad, but costs nothing to fix if you can solder!

The tappets go rattly after about 5,000 miles, but you can ignore them for another 10,000 miles 'till the noise gets unbearable!

General Comments:

The first car I've ever owned that's gone significantly over 100k. It still feels "tight" and is good for another 100k.

Reasonable performance and good economy.

Comfortable enough for long motorway journeys.

The cabin is a bit tacky, but the seats are comfortable and the controls all work well.

I'm so impressed, I just bought a 406 to keep it company. That's nice too.

Faults:

Leaking radiator.

Oil leak.

Both drive shafts.

It does not like ticking over and will cut out every time you come to a junction.

General Comments:

It goes like a demon. For its size it will surprise a lot of people. The mechanic at the garage took it out and when he got back he checked the engine size with me because he said it 'Goes like a bloody rocket!'

Faults:

Alternator - replaced with one from a scrapyard for £18 - done easily personally.

Oil leak - as expected in this model but nothing serious.

Poor suspension - this is only due to the age of it and will not be expensive to repair.

Distributer water penetration - deep puddles caused the engine to cut out but it was so rare that I just sprayed WD40 on it and the engine would start instantly.

General Comments:

The 309 is a reliable and affordable car which has never given me any starting problems. The engine does give quite a tappety sound when idling, but this is usual and nothing to worry about. Parts are always cheap, and the car is easy to work on yourself, even with little experience. Although at present this car needs its suspension renewed, I've had a 309 before and they handle really well. I find the car a pleasure to drive, with an excellent gear shift - feeling light but sure.

This is my second 309 and I'd buy a third!