142 Miles from New: 1991 Peugeot 309 GTI
Every now and again, you come upon a low-mileage time capsule that doesn’t make much sense. In Europe, the Peugeot 205 GTI was one of the most iconic hot hatches, right up there with our own Volkswagen GTI and Acura Integra from the heyday of the sport compact wars. Plenty of enthusiasts attempted to keep their 205s in tip-top shape knowing the cars would become future collectibles, but the same could not be said for the sedan-bodied 309 GTI. Yet here on eBay UK is a specimen with under 150 – yes, 150 – original miles, surely making it the most original car left in existence. The asking price is approximately $35,547.
The 309 was originally conceived as a replacement for the Chrysler-Talbot Horizon, and featured many carry-over components from other “shared” models, such as the doors and floorplan from the Peugeot 205 and the engine range from the Horizon. You can see some awkwardness in the design as a result of this approach, with the rear hatch looking like it was designed separately from the rest of the car. Of course, the GTI spec is what most enthusiasts wanted in a Peugeot, and the company didn’t mess with what had proven to be a winning formula in hot hatch development: upgraded Speedline wheels, firmer suspension, rear spoiler and front air dam, leather steering wheel, and more.
The fact that this GTI seemingly went right into storage before seeing much in the way of road use is surprising, only because the 309 didn’t exactly achieve “hero” status like the 205 did. It wasn’t destined, seemingly, to be an instant collector’s item, so you have to wonder why this one ended up in a bubble. The 309 was loved by the motoring press at the time, much like the 205, with a healthy 130 horsepower under the hood and deft handling that the GTI range had become known for. The asking price here doesn’t seem out of line for what likely is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the diehard Peugeot fan, but I suspect it will take some time to find the right buyer.
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Comments
This would be fun to have in my garage. Looks like a stubby 405. I knew these has the 1.9 engine that was standard in the 405. 130hp is a good number for a 2-valve engine for its time. I think the 405 Mi-16 had similar power on our shores and that was with the 16 valve engine. I would not pay the asking to own one. 35K can buy a lot of cool cars but if it were money no object then yes. Why not!
The 309 is just an uncanny parallel-universe thing, with its’ 3-box proportions and being an embiggened 205 and the Horizon’s replacement, like the 3-box hatchback cut-down K-car Dodge Shadow/Plymouth Sundance. Rumor has it that those were even down to get a bubbleback hatch like this car’s but Iacocca himself ordered the flatter rear glass and more notchback profile.
Back in the day, this was an embarrassing car to own. It signaled that you wanted to be cool, but that you had no real clue. Only the ones who didn’t know better bought a Simca-engineered 309.
Oh, did I mention that my little sister’s first boyfriend drove a 309GTI?
Sorry, that may be your opinion, but it´s not really fair. I do agree, the 309 isn´t something I would rush to buy, but it was a good car in context.
In fact, the 309 was introduced by Peugot after the 205, in a slightly higher market segment. Simca had nothing to do with the 309, having been a dead brand for over 10 years at its launch. All the parts were Peugot by then, even if the 309 had been originally intended to sell as a Talbot.
Not as good-looking as the amazing Pininfarina-designed 205, this particular car is the (rare but less attractive) 5 door version – most 309 GTis were 3 doors. The car always did well in group tests against other hot hatches, particularly praised for its handling.
The best 309 GTi was LHD only and fitted with the 160bhp 16v engine which went into the 405 and Citroen BX (which the 2005 chassis could not handle). That version, 309 Gti-16, was a real rocket and did very well in class in racing and rallies in Europe.
This car is a unicorn, quite a cheap exhibition piece for a British museum, but better to spend 25% of the ask on a good driver.
As I understand it, the 309 was an almost fully developed replacement for the Talbot Horizon when Peugeot bought Chrysler Europe for £1. They then put Peugeot running gear in it and it just never quite worked right. The fact it was actually a Talbot is the reason given for why the 309 was out of sequence in the Peugeot numbering system.
Further proof that ANYTHING with low mileage has (perceived) value🙄
Wait! That’s not a 1983 Ford Escort 4dr?
Sorry, couldn’t help it . . .
No pics of the interior/dash or anything. Neither here or on ebay.
Kinda strange !