308 GTI revisited
Discussion
Never really paid a lot of attention to these until recently,spotted one on the M6 with it's lowered stance and Q-car potential. What a great looking thing ! So a test drive came next,having had umpteen German cars over the last couple of decades I was really open and receptive to a complete change and the performance stats certainly looked promising. Also remembering 90's Pugs,company car 405's and of course benchmark 205GTi and how engaging and responsive they always were. Is it a return to form ?,not 'arf. Picked a 270 model,that Torsen diff is astonishing - you have to keep remembering this is only a 1600,(FFS !!) and the ride is really supple considering suspension settings and wheel/tyre combo. And of course those Alcon brakes ! Steering feel the worst point (but aren't all electric assisted cars like this now ?), perhaps but the most fun I've had in a while.
So my question is,since depreciation on 2016 MY cars has hacked half off the new price,are the 270's starting to look like a shrewd buy (There are tons for sale,maybe why that's why you don't see 'em ?) Has anyone had one longterm to comment ?
So my question is,since depreciation on 2016 MY cars has hacked half off the new price,are the 270's starting to look like a shrewd buy (There are tons for sale,maybe why that's why you don't see 'em ?) Has anyone had one longterm to comment ?
Dinlowgoon said:
Never really paid a lot of attention to these until recently,spotted one on the M6 with it's lowered stance and Q-car potential. What a great looking thing ! So a test drive came next,having had umpteen German cars over the last couple of decades I was really open and receptive to a complete change and the performance stats certainly looked promising. Also remembering 90's Pugs,company car 405's and of course benchmark 205GTi and how engaging and responsive they always were. Is it a return to form ?,not 'arf. Picked a 270 model,that Torsen diff is astonishing - you have to keep remembering this is only a 1600,(FFS !!) and the ride is really supple considering suspension settings and wheel/tyre combo. And of course those Alcon brakes ! Steering feel the worst point (but aren't all electric assisted cars like this now ?), perhaps but the most fun I've had in a while.
So my question is,since depreciation on 2016 MY cars has hacked half off the new price,are the 270's starting to look like a shrewd buy (There are tons for sale,maybe why that's why you don't see 'em ?) Has anyone had one longterm to comment ?
I've had mine for just over a year now. 10,000 miles, 2 track days, plenty of traffic jams, and a few (but not enough) country road blasts. Took a long way home today after dropping the step daughter off at the airport and came home via the back roads. The car is fairly docile up to about 3,000 rpm and then it comes alive. It is a great car to drive. Fairly simple compared to others, i.e. no different drive modes and a simple, but good, manual box. It handles great, the engine is fantastic and likes to rev and the steering very precise. But the reviews will tell you all of that, and I may be a little biased...So my question is,since depreciation on 2016 MY cars has hacked half off the new price,are the 270's starting to look like a shrewd buy (There are tons for sale,maybe why that's why you don't see 'em ?) Has anyone had one longterm to comment ?
Mine is a 2016 model, which was a year old when I bought it and a great price. The depreciation hit the first owner as looking at the prices these go for now, I've not lost that much after a years ownership.
In my year of ownership, I've had two new front tyres, front brake pads and a service. I was a bit nervous about the reliability given that the engine's power output is massive for its size. But the engine is well tested, having been used in the RCZ R previously. Plus, Peugeot Sport didn't just fit a big turbo, they also used fully forged parts in the engine, strengthen the gearbox etc. I've probably averaged around 33mpg. On Peugeots website there is a tool to determine the fuel consumption based on your driving - its seems fairly accurate.
The front brakes worry me, at my recent service Peugeot reckoned next year it will need new discs and pads - quote, £1,750!!. I'm currently searching for a cheaper alternative in readiness and changed the pads to hopefully extend the life of the discs.
Back seat legroom is not massive and if you have children in child seats then the design of the (excellent) front seats doesn't help. My wife moans at the single cupholder in the front and the ride being too hard for her to text easily while I'm driving, and the glovebox is a joke. But the boot is big for a hatchback and the car has survived many trips to the tip.
So in my view, yes, they are a very shrewd buy, quite understated and rare, but at the same time practical, very quick (search for Bradley Philpot at the nurburgring on youtube), and fun to drive. Take it for an extended test drive as the driving position is not for everyone, and check the wear on the front discs. Peugeot has built a bad reputation over the last 10 years, but its latest cars are all really good and the image and reputation can only improve. Both the current 208 and 308 GTi's get good write ups as do the 3008 and 5008 cars.
Decided in the end to just see what screamed out on a daily basis in the way of deals and not be too fixed,depreciation is fierce on these. The red is like a TVR paint,'pops' in direct sunlight then almost goes burgundy when the dusk hits ! Really excited about this,harks back to Mk2 16V Golfs I had back in '90's (on acid !). Another gratuitous pic 
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