Arguably more practical, rarer and some would say better looking than its smaller (and more famous) 205 GTI stablemate, the 309 GTI was fun for all the family, combining a highly acclaimed 1905cc XU9 engine and a two or four-door body shell with four seats and an impressively spacious boot, it was the do-all hero for those looking to own a ‘hot’ Peugeot yet still be able to carry out family duties when required.

This particular 1989-registered example remains wonderfully original throughout, and has proven itself to be reliable and dependable whilst in the care of the current owner, with numerous trips from St Albans to Bristol and back under its belt, and covering on average another 100 miles per month whilst in its current custodianship.

It also benefits from significant recent expenditure on its mechanicals (more on that later) and can boast a squeaky-clean MoT certificate until May 2023, meaning all this 309 requires is some fuel and a new owner, and then it’ll be ready to enjoy for many more miles of fun.

Purchased by the current owner in September 2021, it would appear that this five-door 309 GTI had been in long-term ownership across just three owners from new until 2021, and remained in the Shrewsbury area from new until 2013, when it moved down to the High Wycombe area, and latterly to St Albans with the current keeper.

Whilst in its current ownership, this French icon has proven to be wonderfully reliable, starting on the button and quite happily behaving itself on the run, at speed and around town, with numerous long journeys under its belt in the last few months.

Prior to being purchased by our vendor, the car received a new clutch at 71,000 miles, and new rear discs and pads, new front tyres and a new battery in August 2021.

Whilst in the care of our vendor, the mechanical aspects of the vehicle have received further fettling and upgrades, with the following works carried out:

The car also received work to the front of the offside inner wing for corrosion-related issues, with any rot cut out and replaced with new metal, before being sprayed and sealed.

Unfortunately, other than the above, little is known about the vehicle’s prior history, though the vendor certainly has no grumbles about how the car has performed during his ownership, nor does he see any reason this 309 wouldn’t continue to be a reliable and useable modern classic for the next owner. 

  

Step inside this 309 GTI and you’ll find yourself transported back to the heady days of the 1980s, with loud music, big hair and even louder seats - just look at that multi-coloured velour!

The good news is that the cabin has fared very well indeed over the years, and remains in great condition throughout, displaying only light commensurate wear-and-tear in keeping with its age and mileage.

In terms of major issues, the only things we feel are worth highlighting are a stain on the front passenger seat base (caused by oil, according to the vendor) and some corrosion on the inner edges of the boot aperture, which is apparently a common trouble spot for these 80’s legends. The vendor also notes some missing/damaged parcel shelf clips and hinges and some small marks on the steering wheel resulting from a stoplock.

Elsewhere, there is some commensurate wear - such as sagging/bunching on the front seats, marks to the inner door sill areas, scuffs to the rear plastic section of the centre console and a few other small ‘scabs’ on the metalwork, but overall the interior presents amazingly well, and it is always good to see one that hasn’t been ‘modified’ by previous owners, and remains largely as Peugeot intended other than a period Fisher radio unit and stoplock steering wheel lock.

It should also be noted that the dashboard is free of any cracks or sun damage, and up above the headliner is taut throughout, whilst the sunroof is in full working condition and water-tight.

The vendor reports no faults from any of the systems, gauges or switchgear within the vehicle. 

On the outside, this 309 GTI is showing its age a little more, and has clearly been previously owned by an amateur detailer who has attacked the paint with good intentions, but over-enthusiasm has caused some burnt paintwork and a finish that isn’t quite showroom standard.

The good news, however, is that other than a brace of small dents and dinks, there is no major accident damage or mis-aligned panels, nor any missing trim, badges or plastics.

All of the side windows retain their registration etchings, which is a good indicator that the vehicle has never been broken in to - always a bonus with any ‘hot’ cars from the 80s or 90s. 

Unfortunately, along with the results of a poor detailing session, the paintwork also exhibits some lacquer peel (nearside rear wing) fading, ‘orange peel’ effect and some bubbling patches around the vehicle. There are also a couple of small corrosion marks, most noticeable on the offside rear wing and on the upper offside and nearside edges of the boot.

There also appears to be some form of overspray / paint marks visible around both sets of window trims, though the exact cause of these is undetermined.

It should also be noted that the front panel below the badge / radiator emblem has suffered an impact at some point, which has damaged the fibreglass insert, bumper support bracket and radiator core fins, though the radiator does not leak and this has not adversely affected its operation. Given that the front number plate bears the mark of another motor factor (whereas the rear shows the supplying Peugeot dealer) the vendor suggests that the damage likely occurred at some time between 1989 and 2013.

Along with the aforementioned Fisher stereo fitted in the 90s, this 309 GTI also sports another period modification in the form of a Magnex stainless-steel back box, which the vendor reports rasps nicely but doesn’t cause any issues.

All four wheels are in presentable condition, and - more importantly - wrapped in nearly-new rubber, though a refurbishment wouldn’t go amiss. 
 
 Interestingly, there is also a matching spare in the tray under the boot, along with three spare Speedline wheels in various states, ripe for a restoration.

Under the bonnet, the rev-happy 1.9-litre inline-four is reported to be in rude mechanical health, and generally presents well for its age, with only some light pitting/surface corrosion visible to the various fixtures and fittings, commensurate with the vehicle’s age and mileage.

As far as we can see, there are no signs of any oil or fluid leaks, and the vendor reports that there are no known mechanical or electrical issues with the vehicle, and it has never let him down during his ownership. 

Underneath, the chassis shows some typical ‘bloom’ and cracked paintwork, but nothing that should set any alarm bells ringing, and the most recent MoT is valid until May 2023, with no advisory items noted.

Offering ready-to-use enjoyment but with plentiful potential for further aesthetic restoration and improvement, this is a wonderfully useable, solid and mechanically proven example of the often-overlooked 309 GTI, offering all the thrills of the much-loved 205 GTI with added practicality and rarity - what’s not to like?