From all of the comments I've read on here they sound as good as I thought they were I'm just a little concerned about the steering lock because that's something she moans about on her Nissan.

The fuel consumption sounds like it's pretty good on these too which is a bonus What are they like on a motorway? She used to have an early xrdt that used to get blown about but I wouldn't expect the gti to be as bad.

I think she's buying the trader today and hoping to go and look at some.

Thanks

 

Steering lock is only a problem on right hand turns.
Only time I had an issue was 3 point turns/tight manouvers and the dreaded multi storey car park.
They are a nightmare if too tight, I've had to turn, reverse, turn again on every single upsection of ones before. You get a hell of abuse from other drivers. You learn to wait for a space near the bottom, or park elsewhere.

The gearbox is different to most cars, 1st is quite long, then you have 5 very close ratios. 6th is somewhere between 4th and 5th on a normal car, its not an overdrive. So you do feel as if youre constantly changing gear, great if in the mood, pain if not.

Cambelt is a problem on these, you will find many with replacement engines done by Peugeot, they need replacing every 36k not 72k Pug say.
Check aircon is ice cold, pipes and compressors go over time. From new they are ice cold, best a/c I've ever had.

 

I have one...it is advertised on Pistonheads...and they are GREAT cars...but I can say now that she wont live with the turning circle - it is truly appalling and my missus never stops complaining about it.

Causes some amusing situations in car parks where people wonder why you are driving at them and not (Seemingly) using full lock!

Clutch is heavy too - clutch cable runs next to the manifold so dries out. Gearbox a little notchy from cold.

In short...I love it....she hates it...

 

A new clutch cable transforms them, best £20 you'll spend

 

Is the steering on the xsi as bad? What power does the xsi put out?

 

About 135-6 ish

 

Why have cotton, when you can have silk

 

I thought it was about 130bhp ish. It's really not the same is it

 

Reading this has reminded me how crap the steering lock was on my old Rallye but its also reminded me they are though on the whole

 

No, the only reason the lock is poor in one direction on the GTi-6 is due to the massive 6-speed gearbox poking into the wheel arch, the 5 speed ones are ok.

The later XSi 16v is 137bhp

 

i had a 306 gti6 before the scoobs , cant say i noticed turning circle problem!
awesome engine box tho!
torquey as hell pulled up steep hills in sixth ,and from low speeds!
ratios close tho, but i found easier driving 1st,to 3rd ,then 6th.
might as well have sold other gears!

fuel consumption ****e though low 20s, not quite scoob territory but no blower dont forget!

 

You want to look out for radiators and heater matrix problems, overheating engine can be a sign that the radiator is on its way out (common problem) plus the heater matrix can have a similar fault, make sure it blows both hot and cold and doesnt put a nice greasy layer on the windows.

Tony (still has a 306)

 

Oh i should also put, that if there is a problem with the central locking and/or electric windows (just on the one side) this be a sign that the wiring into the door has gone brittle, you notice the black connection with the door open, there is a fix for it, you can buy a replacement part and fix it but lots of wires to sort out and can be a pain

Tony

 

If youneed a good turning cirle get an s16