What Car? Q&A - Peugeot 306 GTi-6: value for money?

Q: I have seen a Peugeot 306 GTi-6 for sale at £4295 with 72,000 miles on the clock. Is this a good car at a good price?
Neil Shields, Shropshire

A: The What Car? Used Car Price Guide indicates that a 1999 example is worth £4145 with 7000 fewer miles, so we would advise that you have some room to haggle.

The GTi-6 was the quickest 306 that Peugeot produced. It produced 0-60mph in 7.2 seconds and a top speed of 140mph was enough to show a clean pair of heels to the Golf GTi when the GTi-6 was launched in mid-1997.

The car was set apart from its sporting predecessors by a six-speed manual gearbox, leather and Alcantara interior, and distinctive five-spoke alloy wheels.

The 2.0-litre engine returns an average of 30mpg, produces 167bhp and the GTi-6 attracts a hefty group 15 insurance rating.

What Car? voted the car Hot Hatch car of the Year in 2000. We identified the responsive steering and close ratio gearbox as the areas in which the GTi-6 is particularly gifted. Be warned, however – this 306 is noted also for its inclination to oversteer when driven enthusiastically.

When it was launched, the stripped-out version of the GTi-6 – the 306 Rallye – was cheaper and therefore more desirable. This car is 16kg lighter and does without leather trim, air-conditioning, CD player and electric windows.

When hunting around for a used example, there are a few areas that the 306 can fall short.

Be sure to check all electrics are in working order, that no smoke comes from the exhaust on start-up and that the tyres are not worn unevenly. However, a good example should provide lots of entertainment for both novice and expert driving enthusiast alike.

Citroen’s answer is the Xsara VTS, ranging from £2295 for an R-reg example to £7745 for a 54-plate vehicle. Other cars in your price range are the Golf GTi 1.8, Rover 25 GTi 1.8, Ford Puma 1.7 and Renaultsport Clio 172 2.0.