Do i really want a 205 gti?

[scarble]

Erm.. ok.
Perhaps you should lrn2 google before posting irrelevant stuff? Also everyone's first car is s**t, at least mine oversteered.

[PaulG40]

I think the basic'ness and the rawness is what adds to the charm. I've got used to comfort now, but I still yearn after a Polo G40, I'm sure its handling and brakes as stock would irritate the life out of me eventually but it'd be acceptable and the rawness and fun factor is never lost, only regained!

[sjabrown]

Forgot to mention the almost complete lack of safety features. 205s crumple very well, unfortunately including the cabin!

[dai1983]

There's one near my mother that's been just sat there for years. I've had my sister go over and ask about if they want to sell it. It's the families son so I'm awaiting a reply. Hopefully no tax, no mot and non running so I should get it cheap if its not rotten. I do know it spent years in a garage then was moved outside recently The plan then is to either restore it to standard or, since I intend on using it mostly for drives with my young son, fit a cage for added safety.

[300bhp/ton]

veevee said:

It only felt raw due to less sound proofing, etc. What's your point?

If this is part of the appeal, then it isn't unique to the 205 and is pretty much an industry standard in this sector for this era of car.

Not trying to diminish what is a cult car - but it's just a hatchback, a mass produced one.

veevee said:

That is usually what makes cars 'feel raw'. Oh wait, as well as the low weight, great chassis, and excellent steering feedback.

The low weight is only low vs today's car, against contemporaries it's bang on the money for average or normal.

Same sort of story with the chassis and steering. Nothing wrong with them, but they don't really excel beyond believe. The chassis in particular has it's charms probably because of its simple rear suspension setup and general lack of sophistication. Again this isn't a bad thing, but it hardly is proof the 205 is the god of all cars either.

veevee said:

And, please point me in the direction of a V8 TVR for 2k.

Who said anything about £2k? I can't see anything in the op mentioning money.

But the PH classifieds seem to show a range from £1750 - £5750 with lots in the high 2's and mid 3k price range.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Category=us...


Which without knowing the ops exact budget, means this is not so a dissimilar price:

And certainly within haggling range.

Edited by 300bhp/ton on Thursday 20th June 08:02

[300bhp/ton]

rallycross said:

Do you really have to ruin almost every thread with your bullst?
If you've not actually owned one it might be better for everyone if you just kept off your keyboard, stick what you know from first hand experience- not cobbled together rubbish from reading about stuff and then repeating it all as gospel.

1. How do you know I don't have any first hand experience.
2. Don't be a total prat and tell me you've never commenting on something you don't own
3. WTF are you on about regarding anyhow? Just cause you don't like my opinion doesn't mean it isn't valid.

[IanMorewood]

Not sure I would have another one. Brilliant 25 years ago, but outshone by almost any hot hatch from the last 10 years and with the state of the roads your 205 would take a hammering.

[300bhp/ton]

First off, let me say I have no hatred against the 205 and I can see it could be a good pick under certain conditions. But lets not forget the op and thread, i.e.

"I’m thinking it’s an ideal toy"

Without knowing more from the op it's easy assume ideal toy means for enjoyment only and to hell with practicality.

To my mind a mass produced compact family hatchback has a bit too much practicality and compromises to be an ideal toy.

aka_kerrly said:

The 1.9 GTI can do 0-60 in less than 8 seconds, in 1988 this was considered rather fast, in 2013 a 208GTI with 200hp is supposedly going to be around 7 seconds - not exactly huge progress but crucially the 205 will FEEL far faster.

Certainly 8 sec 0-60mph is no bad figure, not even today. (Carfolio says 7.6 to 8.9 depending on year/engine).

But comparing it to a near £20k new hatch isn't what I'd call apples to apples. You'd need to compare to what other similar priced vehicles are available to the op to fulfil an "ideal toy" role.

Not knowing their budget, but assuming you'd realistically want £2-5k to look at 205GTI's means V8 powered TVR's, Impreza Turbo's, 200SX's, 7-alikes and a host of other vehicles. All in the 5 to 6 seconds 0-60mph range and all capable of being a lot faster.

[dai1983]

Sister rang to say cars not for sale, the search continues...