23 Aug 01
Prices: £2500-£16,500
Engines: S16 - 1998cc, 155bhp, four cylinders; GTi-6 - 1998cc, 167bhp, four cylinders
Check for: Accident damage and dodgy history, oil and coolant leaks, electrical problems, suspension trouble, uneven throttle response, poor starting
A more grown-up - and more expensive - choice, the 306 is the car you buy when you have children or want to look more respectable, but are still fond of your 205GTI. The family person's 205GTI, if you like. The now-superseded 306 was never the most modern car in its class, even mid-'90s, but has always been one of the best driver's cars in the small family sector. On paper, the hotter versions in the range don't look amazingly quick, but make no mistake: they're storming performers, with lively, high-revving engines and super-sharp handling.
The first hot 306 was the S16 which, as its badge suggests, is a 16-valve, 2.0-litre, 155 bhp version. Costing from just over £15,000 new, this sprinted from 0-60 mph in 8.4 seconds, a fair bit quicker than the eight-valve XSi models, although these are also quite popular.
Standard equipment on the S16 included front electric windows, remote central locking, an electric sunroof, bigger wheels, lower stiffer suspension, a deep body-coloured front spoiler, side sill extensions, a rear spoiler, sports seats, part-leather upholstery, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and an alarm. It had a five-speed manual gearbox, standard ABS from 1995 and a driver's airbag from late 1994.
In mid-1996, the S16 was replaced by the first small, family-sized car to have a six-speed gearbox, the GTi-6. This model also had a bit more power than the S16, uprated to 167 bhp, although it produced 0-60 mph acceleration in a marginally slower 8.5 seconds. The upholstery was upgraded to a suede-leather combination; late cars got air-conditioning.
Purists will sneer slightly and say that the only 306 to have is the stripped-out 306 Rallye model, but these are very sought-after by enthusiasts and not cheap by any stretch of the imagination. Nonetheless, the 306 S16 and GTi-6 remain extremely credible purchases amongst Those Who Know, if that sort of thing matters to you.
Links:
Road Test: Peugeot 306 GTi-6
Guide to checking out a used car
Mug's guide to tuning: More bhp for your bucks
