Which hot hatch?

Author
Discussion

Tmrtom

Original Poster:

106 posts

102 months

Friday 3rd June 2016
quotequote all
Currently own a VW golf mk5 gti, which I love. However, before this I have always driven Peugeots (106 xl, then 106 quiksilver, then 207 gt hdi, then 407 se hdi) and after 9 months of German ownership I'm definitely missing a bit of French in my life.

My dad has worked for Peugeot since 1995 (and previously for Vw/audi) and I grew up in a stream of Peugeot company cars (plus old VW's were always a fixture).

I'd like to get a hot hatch as a second car - probably Peugeot but I've always loved hot Renault's as well - budget 2k max.

What would you get and why?


ajh38

883 posts

157 months

Friday 3rd June 2016
quotequote all
It depends what you want, you could still get a reasonable 205 1.6 GTi at that money but I'd probably be on the look out for a 306. You could get a really nice one of those for £2,000. They're going to gradually creep up in value now, if they haven't started already.

I've been sorely tempted by them of late, trying to resist the urge! People rave about the Rallye and quite rightly so, but I think I'd rather have the few extra mod cons that the GTi-6 has to offer.

The slightly more modern 206 180 is also a good car in its own right but does get slightly overshadowed by the Clio 1*2. I had a 180 and loved it, the seats are fantastic but I will confess to having a rather large soft spot for the 206 in general as I had a few in my youth and this may cloud my judgement slightly.

daemon

36,736 posts

204 months

Friday 3rd June 2016
quotequote all
A Clio 182 will run rings round a 206 180.


t4thomas

394 posts

173 months

Friday 3rd June 2016
quotequote all
I can thoroughly recommend a series 1, 106 Rallye.

tonyb1968

1,156 posts

153 months

Saturday 4th June 2016
quotequote all
Forget the 206 GTI 180, lovely engine, crap car, the 306 GTI/Rallye are better cars to buy.
Difficult to get a good 306 now frown so I would add the Renault Clio 182/Cup/Trophy to the list.

ajh38

883 posts

157 months

Saturday 4th June 2016
quotequote all
This one looks like a reasonable prospect and with a bit of haggling you could get to nearer where you want to be.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000-PEUGEOT-306-2-0-GTI...

ETA In a very period colour too!

Edited by ajh38 on Saturday 4th June 09:54

Tmrtom

Original Poster:

106 posts

102 months

Saturday 4th June 2016
quotequote all
Thanks for the advice so far. My dad used to get taken to test drive events on track and he always said the 306 gti6 was one of the best ever cars for handling. Only thing putting me off is that there don't seem to be any nice examples left in my budget and the fact that size wise it is similar to my mk5 gti. Don't know if I fancy something smaller for a bit more difference. Really fancy the 205 gti but again price may be an issue.

Interestingly even the Peugeot staff didn't like the 206 gti 180 (although many maintain the standard 206 was one of the best ever models). Shame as I have fond memories of the 206 wrc cars (the silver one and then the red and white one).

The other one I'm really tempted by is the 106 gti or s2 rallye. Bring's back memories of my first 2 cars and I had a poster of one from the showroom on my wall as a teenager. Again, like the 306 not many left in decent knick.

Not in a rush anyway, but going to start looking out for all of the above and see what comes up. Anything else people recommend - a fun exercise if nothing else!

Tmrtom

Original Poster:

106 posts

102 months

Saturday 4th June 2016
quotequote all
Thanks ajh, I love the moonstone 306. I read somewhere 306's are quite likely to get borked engines compared to some of others listed here - does anyone know much about that?

ajh38

883 posts

157 months

Saturday 4th June 2016
quotequote all
As far as I know it's the cambelts which are the issue. Many have suffered from bent valves due to cambelt failure. People seem to say change it every 40k but others recommend as little as 25k. If I bought one I'd have it changed straight away just to be on the safe side.



Edited by ajh38 on Saturday 4th June 10:16

daemon

36,736 posts

204 months

Saturday 4th June 2016
quotequote all
ajh38 said:
As far as I know it's the cambelts which are the issue. Many have suffered from bent valves due to cambelt failure. People seem to say change it every 40k but others recommend as little as 25k. If I bought one I'd have it changed it straight away just to be on the safe side.
Likewise with the Clio 1X2. It needs done at 72K miles and is £500+ from an indy to do as its normal to do the dephaser pulley & water pump at the same time. Make sure there is EVIDENCE of it being done.



Edited by daemon on Saturday 4th June 10:20

tonyb1968

1,156 posts

153 months

Saturday 4th June 2016
quotequote all
The cambelt change on the 306 gti started off at 72k then they put out a tech bulletin and dropped it to 36k (4 years).

tortop45

434 posts

167 months

Saturday 4th June 2016
quotequote all
Tmrtom said:
Currently own a VW golf mk5 gti, which I love. However, before this I have always driven Peugeots (106 xl, then 106 quiksilver, then 207 gt hdi, then 407 se hdi) and after 9 months of German ownership I'm definitely missing a bit of French in my life.

My dad has worked for Peugeot since 1995 (and previously for Vw/audi) and I grew up in a stream of Peugeot company cars (plus old VW's were always a fixture).

I'd like to get a hot hatch as a second car - probably Peugeot but I've always loved hot Renault's as well - budget 2k max.

What would you get and why?
Can,t understand why your asking other people its what ever YOU like as you will be driving it.................

Tmrtom

Original Poster:

106 posts

102 months

Saturday 4th June 2016
quotequote all
I'm asking for advice and ideas to help inform my potential decision.... thought that was what this forum was for.... but don't worry I won't buy anything I don't want.

Furyblade_Lee

4,112 posts

231 months

Saturday 18th June 2016
quotequote all
If you don't want to venture on a racetrack and just want a mad little fun road car then you won't go far wrong with a S1/S2 Rallye 106. I'd advice get a standard one and keep it exactly that, and it will be a great investment.

If you want to go on track also then certainly a 172, 182, 306 Gti-6 or Rallye would be better as they have enough power to keep up with others. Again, I would reccomend but as clean and standard car as possible and it will hold its value or rise. Just factor in quite a few quid if the Clios need a cam belt and dephaser...

If you want to go on track more often then look at a track oriented car already done, there are some great little track spec Frenchies out there for a couple of thousand , but some of the magic in the road may have been lost with the tweeks.

Have fun with whatever you choose, I love a Frenchie!!



Jaguar steve

9,232 posts

217 months

Sunday 19th June 2016
quotequote all
206 GTi is a horrid car IMO. Mrs JS regretted buying her almost new one within weeks and we were both happy to see the back of it when it went.

Although completely lacking feel all I can say in a positive light is it handled well. The rest of it was absolute rubbish and a huge dynamic disappointment that go nowhere near deserving the GTi badge on the boot.

manthos8

13 posts

101 months

Friday 24th June 2016
quotequote all
I'd get a 306 gti 6 reviewed as one of the best hot hatches of all time for performance and I just so happen to have a very good condition standard one that I will be selling the next few weeks

Tmrtom

Original Poster:

106 posts

102 months

Friday 24th June 2016
quotequote all
I may be interested manthos - although currently moving house - can you give me some more details?

manthos8

13 posts

101 months

Sunday 26th June 2016
quotequote all
It is a 1998 nile just under 130k really good straight body it has a mint interior no rips or tears, it has a straight very good condition low mileage beam, I have done full cambelt kit water pump everything at 110k, just done a service, literally 50 miles ago I put a brand new clutch cable, valeo clutch and lightweight billet group n rich w flywheel, it even has standard tape player with 6 cd changer in boot, new p bushes, ph3 crystal lights and fogs I'm sure I've forgotten a thing or too I have spent loads on it.

call if you want a better chat 07505210654

DRL

19 posts

126 months

Thursday 30th June 2016
quotequote all
On the gti 180..I have owned one since Friday.It is my first french car, and I bought it because I needed something that day, and on the isle of man at short notice the options are limited. I didn't love it, but it did grow on me a little bit. What I will say is that I picked one up in excellent condition, with major work done and several upgrades for under 1k. Tax transfers here, and that was still on it. The sound system was top notch. 2004 with 80k.

I had been looking at clios for a while, and everyone on here talks them up. Under 1k there was little. Even at 2k I was looking at worse odds. It may not be a comparable car, but your money will stretch further.

Maybe I am just weird, but I would probably have another puma before buying an early fiesta st. Cheap fun should be both cheap and fun.

Boring_Chris

2,348 posts

129 months

Wednesday 6th July 2016
quotequote all
If you go for a 106 be prepared for every mechanic you encounter to twist and moan about having to work on them!

Seriously, I've had mind 4 years and, whilst it's great fun, nobody is ever happy to see it!