Peugeot 309 1.6 SRi 5d (1988/F) Owner Review
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Economy
Value
Cheap car for a 1.6 injection in practically mint condition, fast motoring. Plenty of room for passengers, luggage and ICE, (loads of boot space for subs/ amps etc).
Costs
Fuel economy is satisfactory. Many replacement parts are cheap & readily available. No problems with bits falling off, in my opinion a solid car. Radiator & ECU can be costly, so check for leaks and engine starting.
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On the road
Driving
Great road response feel through the steering. NonPAS a bit heavy [only noticeable at very slow speeds like parking]. Fun car to drive. Good car for motorway driving too.
Performance
The 1.6 SRi - Nippy, exciting acceleration considering age of vehicle [pulls away from the lights leaving a satisfied grin on your face]. Good motorway power too.
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Living with it
Reliability
Initial problems with engine cutting out for first five minutes of use until engine has heated up [possible cause, faulty ECU sensor]. New radiator and FNS caliper fitted after 69k miles. Make sure you replace the timing belt. Otherwise no problems.
Image
Dated looks, but if kept clean and subtle mods are made [change of aerial, Gti bumper fitted as it has recesses for spotlights and is cheap] can make the car look nice. SRi has pepper pot style alloys already, but can look better with alternatives.
Comfort
I have found the vehicle comfortable even for long distance trips [300+ miles] bit noisy, but hey, maybe some extra sound proofing might suppress the engine and road noise.
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Security and Service
Security
Fitting a good alarm system may help. The SRi has central locking so could be wired for example to a Clifford alarm system that operates your locking and alarm together with a small remote. Lack of sporty looks with out Mods unlikely to attract attention.
Service
Poor. It is an old car so in my experience Peugeot dealers are not interested in helping you & will take you to the cleaners to solve engine problems. Find an experienced mechanic who does not require a computer to work out you have a flat tire.
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Problems and Ownership
Problems
Engine
After 69k miles radiator required replacing due to leaks causing overheating. Initial problems with the engine silently cutting out when braking to a stop until engine temperature had warmed up after which it ran perfectly.
Other
Worn caliper & wheel bearing replaced, centre section and back box of the exhaust replaced. In my opinion this is standard wear and tear for a car traveling 100 avg miles a day.
Ownership
Did you buy the car new?
Used
Would you buy the same model again?
Yes
Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?
Yes