Is the 306 GTI-6 Peugeot's last great hot hatch? | PistonHeads

Should the 306 GTI-6 be mentioned in the same sentence as the Renaultsport Clios and Meganes? Could it be the most underrated hot hatch of the 20th Century? Cam finds out.
Massive thank you to ‪@Number27‬ for letting us drive his 306 GTI-6 and taking the time to chat to us on camera.
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[@al1356]

No way is this underrated by anyone who knows their cars. 106 Gti, 405 mi16 and this are all brilliant pugs from the same era.

[@batman291]

I totally agree. This model was very much appreciated at rhe time.

[@jamiegarrod2237]

Don’t forget the rallye models

[@milomms4869]

agreed, my 106 roams the backroads with just 60 horses

[@johannfindeis4421]

"desolate country road" my brother those roads are better than anything you will ever find in brazil, lovely video

[@PistonHeadsTV]

They were absolutely lovely roads, must admit. GTI-6 was the perfect car for it - thanks for watching! - Cam

[@fredericberthou]

@@PistonHeadsTVvos vidéos sont très bien , mais vous devriez inclure quelques minutes d’accélération supplémentaires car l’ennui s’installe un peu au bout d’un moment , plus de rythme est une bonne idée je pense 🤩👌

[@jackfalls1722]

I own its little brother the 1.8 XS 16V in black..... Only 13 left on our shores, rare beasty!!😁

[@DuttyDoogz]

I was forced to scrap my phase 1, 1.6xs-s was also black had all the Gti-6 trim. Cobra exhaust, tints all round lowered 30mm 🥲

[@Number27]

Great video, think you’re spot on Cam, thanks!! Have to say though I’ve driven a Rallye and unlike in the 205 and 106 in the 306 you can’t feel the difference at all. I’m not sure that 60KG difference was real. If it is I could not feel it.

[@PugEngineer]

I can 😉

[@asimmalik6378]

Quite right Jack. I've owned both and there is no discernable difference in the driving experience.

[@w1ldwesty]

Very tempted. Had one of these back in the day. I remember the dealer principle taking me out in his. First time he chucked it round a corner I was sold. Put a deposit down as soon as we got back to the showroom.

[@bigalalbig]

The Xsara VTS was really the underrated cousin of the GTi6 and all the better for it. Even more adjustable chassis, decent steering lock, more modern interior with a/c and dare I say it, rally heritage, *ahem*.

[@pixelbarnstudios2451]

+1 - I had a Xsara VTR (basically a VTS but with the 1.6 Saxo VTS engine) and that was such an underrated car. I'd have a Xsara VTS if I could find a decent one as I couldn't afford the insurance when I had mine...

[@rockyroad1780]

I’ve just bought a Xsara, mega cars!

[@Sc086]

Wasn't uncommon to "upgrade" the 306 GTi 20mm torsion bars with the 21mm ones from the Xsara VTS. Or to pinch the Xsara steering rack for a better lock to lock ratio

[@Carrera-gp9od]

I had a VTS , had a full devil exhaust on it de -catted . Great car .

[@friendlybucket7268]

dont find any on the DE market, sadge

[@andytait3262]

Interesting video/car, more of the same sort of thing please! Peugeot used to make some properly fun cars like this, still have very fond memories of my 205 GTI. . .

[@thedrivebygg]

I remember these back in the day, a cool car. I had the 106 sxi and both the 1.9 and 1.6 gti 205 cars, loved them all.

[@ryanjessop2419]

I have a 208 GTi atm and it's a great piece of kit. If you ignore the 07 series peugeot they've always had it. Would absolutely love the 306 gti6!

[@dgbservices6049]

Had a 208 too the Peugeotsport one. Epic car and I would have loved to have kept it had I not needed something more practical 😔

[@besagic]

i miss my gti6...thank you for the great video. It brings up sweet memories

[@samcourt6228]

The 306 is a good looking car, I think it’s aged really well. I learned to drive in a 306 D Turbo, so have a soft spot for the 306.

[@paulfowler6665]

I owned one of these exactly the same even the colour. Had it for a couple of years and loved it. Can't believe how rare they've become as back then one of my neighbours also had a GTi-6.

[@robinmarples5198]

The design, the size. Spot on. Made just right.

[@Stumpy77]

The 306 XSI (as Harris will tell you) was an absolute PEACH of a car. My old man had one on an M-plate that he let me drive (god only knows why) and I can confirm, it was an absolute joy to drive quickly in

[@bigphilswheels]

Yes, I can confirm that. I used to look after a pals XSi and he only pottered around in it. I gave it many a good thrash with his blessing and have to say I preferred it to my 205 GTi 1.6. It was less twitchy and rode far better, which meant you could go faster! Wish I had one tucked away!😢😢

[@W0o0dy]

Not sure if they put them on this, but Peugeot used to nake their own dampers so they could have a two stage set-up. Small high frequency stuff gets polished away by the first stage of the damper. The bigger bumps and thumps are dealt with by the second stage. It improved the ride and handling. Of course every wanna be boy racer threw them out but there is definitely something to the concept.

[@asimmalik6378]

Yep, the GTi6 came with Peugeot's own dampers. No longer available unfortunately

[@keefeeweefee.8714]

I’ve driven one of these. My mate had one. Such a great car to drive.

[@jimcarey1716]

its the last and the best peugeot ever made, no 106, 205 can go after it in any case. 306 is divine.

[@jarokenny]

fan of 306s here..owned 1.9D and 306 S16

[@geoffclarke3796]

Great cars. Have fond memories of my 1.9 205 GTI which I had back in the late 90's. A shame Peugot lost their way as regards making drivers cars after the 306 GTI-6.

[@cheffashaba]

I bought a 1997 306 new with the gutless 1.8 8 valve and 4 speed auto. Still to this day the most enjoyable car I have ever driven. Twisty back roads were an absolute blast. My current 2020 308 GT just doesn't have the same magic.

[@karlfontanari2169]

Bought one back in 2001 it was 1 year old and paid then £16K had it for three years and did 65000 miles without any issue, brilliant car, mid range very strong I remember, only sold it as I put so many miles on it, and had it in this colour, whoever gets this one will have a lot of fun!

[@flori5548]

I have a bright silver 2001 model year 1.8l 16V XS 5-door. Love it to death, looks, proportions, details, engine, feeling behind the wheel. My other car is a Porsche 911, and I genuinely get the same - if not more - pleasure from the 306.

[@russellmalone3532]

I used to love driving my mates GTI 6. I told her to keep it but instead she swapped it for a nearly new diesel Astra about ten years ago. Such a shame. Great little car. Also had 205 & 206 GTIs. Good memories ❤

[@craigy87]

Loved my diablo red 306 Gti-6 was my second ever car following a saxo VTR. Never let me down, it ended up staying at my parents after I had left home and they sold it on for peanuts 😢

[@RichEarll]

I had a 1999 China Blue 6 back in the day. Still miss it. ❤ In fact, I preferred it over my 1.6 and 1.9 205 GTI.

[@JCW-jx6ld]

I had a 106 RALLYE a 306 RALLYE and a 182 Cup which had by far the best lateral G .The 306 RALLYE was agile but a bit nervous at the rear .But it was a great car which I did over 60,000 miles in .

[@jimmer1976]

Lovely cars, had quite a few 306’s in my time but never the Gti 6. If I didn’t have a 309 Gti I’d be definitely looking for one of these.

[@jasoncooke1999]

I have a mint 306 Rallye in red… just for shows, superb car

[@ATomRileyA]

Awesome, always wanted one of those back in the day.

[@dutchschaefer5787]

I had 1 of these on on R reg. absolutely loved it.

[@patrickfarrell4751]

I had 1 of these at the end of the 90's...fabulous bit of kit!

[@mattiaslindgren7794]

I just bought myself a Peugeot 306 Montana Hatchback 1.8 16V 81kW,"1999" that I will use to and from work, I like the little car ^^

[@craigdrew9672]

I had an Astor grey GTI6 and loved the way it looked, sounded and handled. It was fantastic! But, i found the seat, or seating position, extremely uncomfortable on long journeys and it began to develop some annoying niggling issues which sadly put me off keeping it for very long.

[@steveskipper6473]

Harry's corner @6:31

[@jarokenny]

looked familiar

[@drewwagar]

I think most petrol heads are well aware of the Peugeot 306 GTI-6. :)

[@McLaren-so9xb]

One of the best hot hatch EVER 👏👏 the car got me into cars my dad had one but it was gold

[@frenchbred2081]

Awesome car, I have a lovely gti 6, s16 and 306 maxi rally car and it’s great to compare them all, so responsive and fun. Can’t see prices staying low for much longer. That exhaust is stock not stainless, and it’s a genuine flat pan exhaust just like it had from factory.

[@MrLg55555]

Nice collection you have there, but the Maxi really can't be included in the discussion or comparison with the Gti6 or S16... It's a beast on a whole new level... Quite possibly the finest handling tarmac rally car, especially in the hands of Gilles Panizzi , Didier Auriol and latterly Sebastian Loeb... I built a Gti6 to be the finest handling cross country car possible and as awesome as it was, it wasn't to be mentioned in the same conversation as the Maxi... By the way the Maxi is my favourite car of all time and I've owned some nice cars... Back in the early to mid 2000s I looked into having one built from scratch by Dimma, who built the Maxi for Peugeot, but the stumbling block was sourcing a really good engine and gearbox... The £250,000 price of the project wasn't an issue but the lack of the aforementioned engine/drive train combo meant I spent my cash elsewhere, due to lack of patience... I added another £80k and settled on a Carrera GT...

[@bentait7018]

Looks great - never tried one but it’s platform twin, the Xsara VTS, was a total hoot!

[@DontPanicDear]

I agree to an extent. Mine was brilliant for about two weeks from new, when it then went wrong for the new three years and Citroen couldn’t fix any of the faults with the suspension, engine, brakes, seats, trim, AC, or gearbox. Every time they tried, they made something else worse. Shortest honeymoon period ever, and I was too young and didn’t know I could have probably rejected it 😮

[@sullivan79]

Had a 208 GTI and it was great.

[@simonbarrett5624]

Did you see Harry going the other way?

[@ess6387]

Where?

[@ΛεωνίδαςΚουκουβάος]

Love my silver 306 with compomotive th2 wheels…looks crazy

[@976buster]

Damn such cars are a dying breed. In UK these gems still can be found

[@stevenhearnden6103]

I had a 306 Rallye. Even purer than the GTI. Had a 1.3 106 Rallye too.

[@Martin-Skovgaard]

Just got my 306 GTI last monday! YAY !!!

[@focusedman5759]

I had a H reg 309 gti for a year or so and it was a great handling, unfiltered and raw drivers car, then had a 406 coupe(not so great).

[@rhybo]

I had a 306 Rallye. Still regret selling it. Was a complete hoot to drive.

[@oliverp4115]

Love a 306 gti6. Haven't seen one for a while and haven't driven one for years. Here me out but the 206 gti 180 that came after was also awesome. No, not the 140 lacklustre one, the 180: breathed on by lotus and far superior to the normal 206 gti. Much maligned and everyone who hasn't driven one will tell you its crap and isn't a 205. Also got a soft spot for 276bhp 308 gti. Nice and understated

[@maimunrahman9635]

Always wanted to have a go in a GTI 6 as I do have a soft spot for them. I've owned a few slightly quicker cars such as couple of Civic Type Rs (currently got an FN2) and an Impreza WRX but I've got to tick one of these off my list. If anyone fancies letting me experience one even as a passenger let me know. Ive got to see what the fuss is 😁

[@joeroche552]

Saw so so so many of these broken down on the side of the road back in the day, I’d never get one. Used to love my old oil burner tho

[@TAURUSPLASTERING]

had one of these 11 years ago i had a mini cooper supercharger kit with basic internal upgrades ie rods, pistons, bearings and valvetrain thing was RAPID for a 2l hatch

[@tommyr7105]

The DTurbos were the 306 to have. Bosch pumps and the Garrett turbo. Turn the fuel up and disconnect the waste gate for a smoky riot. The suspension was it's downfall, the torsion beam rear axle would lose bearings on the arms and become slacks, likewise it would eat front ball joints giving it snap oversteer front and rear which was downright dangerous.

[@blooter6360]

Had a couple they were good little hatches but ironically I preferred the D-turbo models they made got the day they had good tourque

[@andyburton8346]

Some years ago I had 405 Sri my mate had the MI16 totally different car all together and I also had 205 gti plus S1 106 Rally in white L reg but the pedals where very small and close together

[@snbala]

Not a Peugeot fan but these have aged well, they look great. Compared to the 207/307/407 that came years after, these were night and day in looks.

[@opencurtin]

We had a 306 back in 98 unfortunately it was a bad car from day one cutting out in traffic and awful electrical issues had to be gotten rid of in fast order but it did look very well .

[@procta2343]

are you joking about it been underrated? These were very well sort after, and held the value very well buddy! When they were starting to clock on. I still happen to own the HDI variant. The one that was underrated was the 206, going on how great these were and the 405, 406 and 106 GTi. 206 holds the crown, of been their last great hot hatch, due to the fact it was still production and a GTI version was launched after the 106 and 306 bit the dust.

[@clownworld-honk410]

Nice. I used to own a 206GTI 180. Not perfect but under rated. Always in the shadow of the Clio but, in real world conditions, a better car in many ways. It suffered from being the car that didn't quite match the 205GTI.

[@oliverp4115]

Just posted the same comment. Is a case of those who know, know. All you heard was "it's not a 205, too safe etc" cracking car the 180, still cheap enough as nobody cares.

[@cliveturner7643]

Had a 306 xsi. Superb. Loved it. Then all the electrics decided they'd decide when to work or not!

[@leemiguel3437]

Lived on Dhekelia garrison in Cyprus when I was a kid and one of the soldiers on the base bought a gold GTi 6 when they first came out….I used to ogle at this thing constantly. Then his neighbour bought a new 3dr Impreza STi version 5…🤯

[@knighty6988]

I love my 308 GTI, many owners do….so I’d say not Pugs last Hot hatch!! 👊🏼🔥

[@unclebanga5976]

Agree. The 206 rc I've heard is pretty decent too, as well as the 208 gti bps. But I would say that in a world class comparison I think the 205 gti and 306 gti6 are the standouts from Peugeot. Honourable mention to the 106 gti as well 💚

[@Bongo4611]

308gti is a special car, So much grip, so lightweight, it's so underrated

[@steveberridge4648]

Think what he is saying is that the 208/308 gti great as they are didn’t top the class in their day whereas the GTI-6 is the last Peugeot that did just that - it topped its class from 1996 to 2000….

[@SimonLX]

😂 It's not even in the same category of car

[@robertgarage6902]

Memories 😊 I had a P reg TD in this colour delph blue… I think - baby blue was her name

[@Simas306]

LHD versions were called S16 in Europe. Owned exactly same spec like in video for 3 years. Absolutely loved it, great car out of the box for daily use, fast road and some trackdays. My favourite manual gearbox of all cars I drove, long first gear with closely stacked 2-6 like in a race car.

[@asphalthedgehog6580]

No, in the Netherlands it was a GTI.

[@Simas306]

@@asphalthedgehog6580 Strange, mine had only S16 badge on the right side door, it was phase3 2000 model and there were a few others I've seen with S16 badge in 167hp 6speed trim.

[@paulmichael3844]

Always wanted one but wanted the 106 gti even more because it was just so small

[@Moestuin2023]

I had a 306 once. Never again. The amount of problems the car gave me was so frustrating I ended up selling it with a loss. This, after I spended to much money on all the repairs.

[@timmyreeves9170]

Yep and i have one in diablo red ruddy love it mines a p reg

[@mousecat9398]

I had one with an old sausage stuck behind the heater grill going moldy.

[@ronaldnolan9036]

Owned the 306 Blvard best car I ever had.

[@davyboy888]

Great car... but against a 182 which one do we think is the better car ?

[@mt23289]

90,s to the early 2000,s Peugeot,s we’re class 👍

[@poosh6529]

Actually, the ultimate palette cleanser is a Citroën C1.

[@petea7323]

Do these suffer from the old rear beam problems?

[@jamespearson7001]

Had a black One for 10 years, pulled like a train

[@rideroundandstuff]

Why did you remove the Peugeot Logo from the steering wheel in some shots?

[@liammcphail2990]

I'm looking for power steering pipes for my Gti6 any help

[@J2I3H]

Its a really handsome car the 306, the engine is also used in the 206rc right?

[@yobama8344]

nope different engines, the one in the 306 is the older XU10 while the 206 rc came with it's successor, the EW10.

[@stephenobrien8895]

Please explain how it is underrated when it arrived in the same ara as the focus and golf but didn't take off?

[@ThomasDoubting5]

The Peugeots of this and slightly early are awesome . I

[@valhakun]

Well, 206 RC was really good, too 😐

[@granerdong7111]

My Mk1 gti6 p207gef was awesome. Wish I could get another

[@bertygonzalis]

I have it! It's stashed away until it is economically viable to restore, which it now probably is. I paid £300 for it with a blown head gasket, I fixed it, drove it for a few years then got a company car and it just sat in my garage. Still runs and drives but has been SORN for years now and will need a full restoration.

[@mickwrinkles2318]

The lefthand version of the 206 RC is miles better than the 306 GTI. Better brakes, better steering feel, better engine, more revy, more power, much better Recaros, less weight. The UK righthand versions are horrid, but the lefthand version runs rings around the 306.

[@Spark972]

The only french car I wanted back then, but it was so expensive, I went with Honda... 😅

[@taxus750]

Any 306 was a good drive, never mind the GTI-6.

[@gulfstream7235]

Lol. You're absolutely right. Had a 1.4, it was a gutless engine and the electrics were dodgy as F, but the handling through the bends was superb.

[@robinmarples5198]

208 gti bps . And even more the 308 gti.

[@jaxonbrown3625]

Is this the route that Harry Metcalf uses on his tests? Looks familiar

[@lambrosstamos4494]

The 306 Maxi, one of the better rally cars.

[@BionicRusty]

My mate had one of these, another mate had a Talbot Sunbeam Ti and I had a 1990 XR4i. The GTi-6 was an awesome and coveted car, as was the Sunbeam.

[@chrisr1254]

Looks a bit rough for something which is about to get sold, it wouldn't have taken much effort to bring that up to scratch. Wheel refurb, new wheel bolts, the foglights have corroded, the battery / ECU cover is missing. So many little easy jobs. "I didn't want a project car, but I am selling one at auction with PistonHeads"

[@pixelbarnstudios2451]

I'd hardly call adding some plastic caps / repainting some wheel bolts being a 'project'. This is such a clean example (I know, I've seen it in person). It's had a respray, reupholstering the seats and has had everything done that it needs. Perhaps with the exception of £2 worth of spray paint and a plastic cover... Not exactly a deal breaker but if it offends you so much you don't have to buy it 😂

[@chrisr1254]

@@pixelbarnstudios2451 Way to prove my point. Why go to the extent of a full respray if you're not going to bother with the glaringly obvious, easy to fix cosmetic stuff? It's lazy and that lack of effort makes any potential buyer question what else has been ignored. As a former 306 owner, I would consider the paintwork and interior the least of my concerns on a GTi6. Moreover, close attention should be paid to the engine - cambelt, head condition, water pump - does it tap? Then there's the rear beam bearings and bushes. It's had a blowover, sure, but it remains very much a project based on this video and should be sold as such.

[@asimmalik6378]

Good luck finding a battery cover 👍

[@pk-dn5sj]

2015 308 Gti 270bhp forged engine on 19's with mechanical Limited slip differential and 380mm!! front brakes...trust me this is a real GTI😅 And yeah it weights 1200kg😂😂😂 The most underrated hot hatch out there for sure...this car is properly quick Broad monster

[@MrLg55555]

1315kg kerb weight😉... Really nice car and indeed it is quick, handles really well and only underrated by those who don't know... However, there are a number of supercharged Gti6s floating around that would be its match... Low boost 260bhp cars would be a good match up or the high boost cars running 370+ bhp, along with suspension and brake upgrades would be more than capable of leaving most trailing on demanding roads... A friend has a 306 Rallye running around 395 bhp at the wheels and it is devastatingly fast on any road, yet it never draws unwarranted attention... Really beautiful car...

[@pk-dn5sj]

Yeah. Out from the box the 308 270bhp it's proper weapon. I've had it for 2 day as promotion from Peugeot and I've burned 2 petrol tanks...I've hunted everything...1200kg it's just so light...the amount of grip them 19's sticky rubber gives YOU... Really impressed

[@MR-GTI-180]

Your forgetting one car...the 206 gti180..i like the 306 gti-6 but i love my 206 gti180 even more if you ever get the chance to drive a gti180..take it n trust me its fun to drive 😁

[@thelanehunterdevon1664]

Where can I buy those performance tyres?

[@Number27]

Hilarious! They’re Pirelli’s and this spec is the only tyre you can buy in the correct size. All the others are a lower profile which alters the way it drives from original. They are absolutely fine.

[@MiniEggs1999]

Not quick but still the best handling car I have ever owned. Unfortunately the cam belt snapped on mine at 55k otherwise I might have kept it

[@redlineste4283]

Last of the decent Peugeots before the styling by Wallace and Grommet era.

[@RS4B7BLACK]

206 gti 180 in my opinion had both

[@93455Driver]

Had 306 XSi, great car 3 door...only 167hp but so much fun to drive. Totally unreliable and I forgive every issue.

[@jackfalls1722]

was that a XSi with a GTi-6 Engine swap?

[@93455Driver]

@@jackfalls1722 Do not recall, just remember it was light, great gearbox, great handling, and loads of fun on a back road. I dumbly swapped it for a Mk4 VW Golf GTI which was built like a tank but not the best handling car.

[@johnbritton895]

Had the s16 myself.... There wasn't a month went by it never needed money spent.. LOL

[@MrLg55555]

I wish he wouldn't talk about the 306 Maxi in such frivolous terms... To say that the Gti6 is close to the Maxi in handling terms is not even stretching the truth, it's total make believe... I owned a 306 Gti6, the 9th last built car and spent a considerable amount on suspension, braking and wheel upgrades to turn it into an awesome handling b road car... It's easily the fastest and best handling car I've owned when driving cross country and I've owned quite a few that had top speeds way higher than the 6 and price tags on a whole new level, but the 6 was devastatingly fast on the roads it was built for... It was like driving in a larger version of a race go kart... Flat through the corners whilst always staying in the left lane, no lift off oversteer to talk of, even if you tried to provoke it, brakes that would remove the speed quickly and with no fading, but as good as it was it was nowhere near the abilities of a 306 Maxi...

[@camtait]

I only said the engine’s revvy nature made me feel like I was in a 306 Maxi - not that it’s literally on par with a 306 Maxi! 😂

[@MrLg55555]

@@camtait, the rev happy nature of the Gti6 engine is a long way short of the Maxi engine... I get what you are saying, but the difference in performance is huge... One car is decently quick, while tother is supercar quick... I would have loved my 6 to have the urge of a Maxi at similar engine revs...

[@johnbumstacker]

Agreed.

[@jakkeeurodancer7005]

did everyone forget his twin brother citroën ZX 2.0 16V ? , even a little lighter then the peugeot

[@Lotuz-mk1xv]

I had a blue one with black leather interior. Nice car, but compared to my previous cars (106 1.6 8v Rallye/106 1.6 16v Sport/Clio Williams) that were light and nimble, the ZX was rather heavy and didn't feel sporty enough to me. I would probably appreciate it more nowadays.

[@jakkeeurodancer7005]

@@Lotuz-mk1xv I came from a BX with 1.9d , so my zx was for me already more nimble but i understand what you mean

[@thestig6078]

Find another! :)

[@bingoberra18]

How many of these have been scrapped for the engine going into a 205 GTI

[@georgel3657]

Nobody gonna mention the nose bogie in the opening shot?