Peugeot 306 GTI-6 or MK3 GTI ... Choices Choices

[Trigga]

Ok so i started my search off with full intentions of getting a Mk3 GTI and nothing else came into the picture as ive always wanted a GOLF since i was a teenager but 2 months of searching later and having only looking at 3 golfs so far ( On a budget of 2k and im after a black 3 door only ) none of which were worthy of my 2 grand, frustration has began to kick in and im feeling myself being drawn towards the 306 GTI-6, which seems to be a nice little (fast and stylish) motor and a good one can be picked up for around 1500-2k quite easily.

 I suppose my question is has anybody owned both or drove both of these cars ? What are the pros and cons of each ? I know at the end of the day it comes down to personal preference but i just need some second opinions to help with my decision. Thanks

[BigDaveC]

A peugeot is a nice quick car, but it ain't a Golf ! Spec is the biggest difference i guess, but the Pug has more electrics to go wrong ! and they will....!
They have good engines, but so do a lot of other cars.
You may regret buying a French peice of poo.....!

[charri42]

No comparison in the driving stakes - the 306 is a proper hot hatch.

However, they are also prone to major failures (engine / transmission) and all the other niggles you would also get with a mk3 gti. Also worth considering that shagged out suspension gear on a 8 year old 306 may well ruin the once sublime chassis.

If you get a good one (BIG IF!!), and enjoy driving the twisty lanes, the 306 is the one. The Golf is probably a better ownership proposition - and its a Golf 

PS - also conside an earlier (phase one) 306 XSi

[BobbyT]

the 306 gti-6 was ment to be one of the best all round hot hatchs of the 90's! good engine and with the six speed box you have a real scorcher, the only thing with pugs is the build is pritty poo but if your after a hot hatch then it is the one to go for, but if your after a well built respected motor get the mk3 and tune it! or get the 306 keep it a year then get a vr6! 

[mowgli]

You're in luck, I've had both!!! 

Well, I've had 4 Mk3 GTis, a 306 GTi6 and a 306 XSi so here goes;

The Golf is better built, no question but the 306 beats it on the handling stakes easily.  The GTi6 is real fast, feels very light on the road but is actually slightly heavier than the Golf.  If you go for the GTi6 ignore the tyre pressure recommendations and drop them by 2 psi all round for better feel.  The car can get a bit unsettled after fast progress through a tight S bend, Skip Brown (THE Peugeot/Talbot guru based on the A49 between Tarporley and Warrington) has known them go off into the scenery backwards but only when giving it loads, and I mean LOADS.

Head gaskets can be a problem at about the 50K mark for some reason, getting a non thrashed example is the tricky bit.  You could always look out for the rallye version (6 speed, no aircon, windy windows, 100KG ish lighter) or the earlier 306 S16 which doesn't get the 6 speed box and only has 155 brake, the later GTi6/rallye get 167 BHP.  Whilst we are talking about the gearbox, because of the lengthening of the gearbox to accept the extra cog it ruins the turning circle so parking can be a real pain.

I think at this point I'm really supposed to say get a VR6 or Golf GTi 16v, but why not have a look round and see if theres something that suits you better.  Probably the best option is to go for the later XSi with the 16v engine, shouldn't of been thrashed so much, still gets great handling and will be cheaper to run and insure.  For the money you want to spend you might be getting into a world of trouble and credit card bills with the GTi6.  Lovely cars though.

[AudiA8Quattro]

Should be able to get a vr6 for 2k now, if you look around enough.

[Len]

The Peugeot is the better car!
But not as reliable and an absolute PUG to work on! And if ya dont do the work yourself then its expensive!

So no contest really - Find that Golf!

[Trigga]

Thanks alot ppl, some great advice on here as always. I would still really love to find a Mk3 that i like ( I dont know why but no Mk3 GTI ever looks the same does it lol) but i have to broaden my horizons slightly as i HAVE to have a car by the 8th of August ( New Job etc )

. I think your right on the GTI-6 front most of you, at under 2k i will struggle to find an unraped example and with it being a rare car it may be expensive and slightly more difficult to find parts if anything goes wrong ? but boy it would be fun to drive. A good VR6 for 2k would be very lucky aswell, alot of the OK examples are still fetching 3k plus ( In my area anyway), dont get me wrong i would love a VR6 but i think a more solid MK3 GTI would be the safer and cheaper option for around that price range.

 A good call on the XSI 16V i am certainly going to have a look at that model now aswell or im even thinking of the diesel turbo ( if i can find one with air con) as i will only be keeping it for a year or so, untill i have enough money for my MK4 GTI    So hopefully either of these cars mentioned will still hold there value in a years time.

 Cheers again dudes !!

 P.S , Im off to have a look at this MK3 this afternoon , sounds quite promising but the only thing is its a 5 door when id prefer a 3 ,,, ohh well beggers cant be choosers. What do you think ?

 http://users.autoexposure.co.uk/classicdd.cfm?Account=AETA62419&VehicleID=AETV825744&Photo=http://users.autoexposure.co.uk/is/remotemanaged/AETA62419/AETV825744_1a.jpg

[mowgli]

1997 P VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 2.0 16V GTi 5 DOOR..RAC INSPECTED 5 Door Hatchback
BLACK METALLIC, 118732 Miles, GREY CLOTH SPORTS SEATS,AIR CONDITIONING,SERVICE HISTORY,ELECTRIC GLASS SUNROOF,ELECTRIC WINDOWS AND DOOR MIRRORS, SONY CD SOUND SYSTEM,DRIVERS AIRBAGS,ALLOY WHEELS,POWER STEERING,ABS,REMOTE LOCKING AND ALARM,HPI CERTIFICATE,MOT TESTED,RAC INSPECTION REPORT,A VERY GOOD GENUINE GTI!!!, £2000

If you want a good reliable motor that you can have a laugh in and not worry about it breaking down you might just of found it.  It looks OK that, std looking with full service history would be exactly what I would look for but check the aircon and sunroof bit as I've never seen one with both but that doesn't mean they don't exist.  Good luck, haggle them down a bit if poss.

306 DT's or the HDi's??  The HDi's are very good, only 90 bhp but loads of torque.  I've got a Seat Toledo 110 TDi and its pretty good through the gears and gives 51 mpg, which is nice.

[DazVR6]

iv got 97 5 door 16v with both factory fitted sunroof and aircon.