1988 Peugeot 309 GTi review from UK and Ireland

Rear wheel bearing failed - water got into the bearing and the grease turned to lard.

Cam belt change (precautionary)

Rear dampers need replacing.

Lesser known brother to the legendary 205 gti, the 309 shares the same engine and a similar chassis. The weight penalty does slow the car slightly, but also provides a useful size boot, and enough space that you can fit back seat passengers in. The stealth factor can work both ways. The 309 is a frumpy looking car, and admittedly not as pretty as the 205, but at the same time no-one realises just how quick it is until they lose you on a back road.

I bought the car to use for road rallying, and it performs superbly. Handling is taut, and although the rear dampers need replacing (despite only being 18 months old), it sticks very well round the corners.

The 1.9 is a nice torquey engine pulling well from 3000 rpm (my old 205 XS needed thrashing and only really went from 4500), with sensible gear ratios so that motorway crusing isn't too unpleasant.

Like all French cars, the trim has fallen off (or plastic cracked), but every time you get onto a twisty B-road you forget all the problems and enjoy the fun of driving!

Although not the quickest hot hatch in a straight line, I think any of the latest generation would struggle to lose the 309 down a twisty b-road.