Peugeot 306 GTI-6
The Peugeot 306 GTI-6 is often cited as the finest front-wheel-drive car of the 1990s, and for good reason. Peugeot had an extraordinary knack for creating hot hatchbacks with sublime handling characteristics, and the 306 GTI-6 represented the pinnacle of this art. The car used PSA's proven 2.0-liter XU10 16-valve engine producing 167 horsepower — not the most powerful in its class, but the delivery was superb, with a willing, revvy character that rewarded enthusiastic driving. The six-speed gearbox (rare in this segment at the time) had a slick, precise shift action that became a benchmark for the class. But the 306 GTI-6's true genius lay in its chassis. The combination of MacPherson struts at the front and Peugeot's proprietary torsion-bar independent rear suspension created a car that combined remarkable body control with supple ride quality and extraordinary grip. The steering communicated every surface change through the driver's palms, and the car's balance on turn-in was simply magical — it turned into corners with a eagerness and precision that made every B-road an event. Despite its excellence, rising insurance costs and the arrival of the 206 brought the 306 era to an end, but it remains a benchmark against which every subsequent hot hatchback is measured.
Check for rust in rear beam mounts, sills, and front subframe. The XU10 engine is robust but check for head gasket weep. The six-speed gearbox is the car's highlight — it must shift cleanly. Underseal can hide significant corrosion. Rallye and S16 variants are also highly sought. Avoid cars with modified suspensions that destroy the standard car's magic handling.
The 306 was produced at Peugeot's Sochaux plant. The GTI-6 variant was available from 1996 onwards, replacing the earlier 2.0 GTI. Over 2.8 million 306s of all variants were produced.