Do i really want a 205 gti?
Discussion
I’ve always had a thing for them since I was a youth and having just built myself a garage at home I’m thinking it’s an ideal toy for my criteria, simple to work on, lots of parts available, cheap and seem to be depreciation proof
If a bit of a hot hatch fan and not long sold my 172cup turbo, my only concern is that it’ll not live up to the hype in my head! (You should never meet your hero’s as the saying goes)
I fully understand it won’t be a patch on the clio but the gti’s are still held in quite high regard with enthusiasts
If a bit of a hot hatch fan and not long sold my 172cup turbo, my only concern is that it’ll not live up to the hype in my head! (You should never meet your hero’s as the saying goes)
I fully understand it won’t be a patch on the clio but the gti’s are still held in quite high regard with enthusiasts
brianb said:
I’ve always had a thing for them since I was a youth and having just built myself a garage at home I’m thinking it’s an ideal toy for my criteria, simple to work on, lots of parts available, cheap and seem to be depreciation proof
If a bit of a hot hatch fan and not long sold my 172cup turbo, my only concern is that it’ll not live up to the hype in my head! (You should never meet your hero’s as the saying goes)
I fully understand it won’t be a patch on the clio but the gti’s are still held in quite high regard with enthusiasts
There is nothing wrong with meeting your heros, just don't pre-delude yourself about what they are, their age, construction and performance. Be realistic and they will not disappoint. Believing they are something they are not, is only ever a recipe for disappointment.If a bit of a hot hatch fan and not long sold my 172cup turbo, my only concern is that it’ll not live up to the hype in my head! (You should never meet your hero’s as the saying goes)
I fully understand it won’t be a patch on the clio but the gti’s are still held in quite high regard with enthusiasts
And on that note, I know the rep the 205 has and I know they are liked by many. But lets not forget without the peppy engine it's just a rather plain, built to a budget, French shopping car.
And along these lines, ok it might have been peppy in it's day, but it really isn't that quick. And it only really felt raw due to less sound proofing and low NVH levels.
None of this makes it a bad car, but ask yourself, if it was a 1.2 or a 1.5d 205 would it still appeal? And remember the sort of money you are maybe looking at could buy you something like a V8 powered TVR.
Stop asking questions and go buy one.
I got to go in an Evo for the first time a few months back (I've been longing after one since the Evo VIII V Lambo clip on Top Gear when I was 13) and my brain farted when it took a corner. It defied physics, I intend to buy one ~January
brianb said:
(You should never meet your hero’s as the saying goes)
It depends if your hero is actually awesome or not.I got to go in an Evo for the first time a few months back (I've been longing after one since the Evo VIII V Lambo clip on Top Gear when I was 13) and my brain farted when it took a corner. It defied physics, I intend to buy one ~January
300bhp/ton said:
There is nothing wrong with meeting your heros, just don't pre-delude yourself about what they are, their age, construction and performance. Be realistic and they will not disappoint. Believing they are something they are not, is only ever a recipe for disappointment.
And on that note, I know the rep the 205 has and I know they are liked by many. But lets not forget without the peppy engine it's just a rather plain, built to a budget, French shopping car.
And along these lines, ok it might have been peppy in it's day, but it really isn't that quick. And it only really felt raw due to less sound proofing and low NVH levels.
None of this makes it a bad car, but ask yourself, if it was a 1.2 or a 1.5d 205 would it still appeal? And remember the sort of money you are maybe looking at could buy you something like a V8 powered TVR.
It only felt raw due to less sound proofing, etc. What's your point? That is usually what makes cars 'feel raw'. Oh wait, as well as the low weight, great chassis, and excellent steering feedback.And on that note, I know the rep the 205 has and I know they are liked by many. But lets not forget without the peppy engine it's just a rather plain, built to a budget, French shopping car.
And along these lines, ok it might have been peppy in it's day, but it really isn't that quick. And it only really felt raw due to less sound proofing and low NVH levels.
None of this makes it a bad car, but ask yourself, if it was a 1.2 or a 1.5d 205 would it still appeal? And remember the sort of money you are maybe looking at could buy you something like a V8 powered TVR.
Lots of people rate the 1.4 and 1.6 too, as well as the diesels TBH, a decent example of any will command a much higher price than an equivalent car from another manufacturer.
And, please point me in the direction of a V8 TVR for 2k.
Do you really want a 205 GTi?
If you value air conditioning over nippy performance, then no.
If you value electric windows over road holding, then no.
If you value serene progress over handling, then no.
However, if you value great car dynamics over creature comforts the yes, definitely! You may have to put up with the car inexorably divesting itself of its trim but the 205 GTi is one of the few over steering FWD cars on the planet. I warrant that it will feel more 'alive' and agile than most things you will have driven and is guaranteed to produce more smiles per mile than almost anything else. But, beware, if you have a penchant for lifting off when things get a bit hairy in the twisties then you'd better be on your game to catch the tail as when it breaks away, as it surely will, it will do it with quite a snap!
The 1.6 is a little better balanced than the 1.9 but I'd go for a 1.9 as, on balance, the affect on dynamics is negligible and the extra oomph is worth it. Don't expect it to be fast compared to modern day efforts but it will ably demonstrate how 'lardy' the modern metal has got.
If you value air conditioning over nippy performance, then no.
If you value electric windows over road holding, then no.
If you value serene progress over handling, then no.
However, if you value great car dynamics over creature comforts the yes, definitely! You may have to put up with the car inexorably divesting itself of its trim but the 205 GTi is one of the few over steering FWD cars on the planet. I warrant that it will feel more 'alive' and agile than most things you will have driven and is guaranteed to produce more smiles per mile than almost anything else. But, beware, if you have a penchant for lifting off when things get a bit hairy in the twisties then you'd better be on your game to catch the tail as when it breaks away, as it surely will, it will do it with quite a snap!
The 1.6 is a little better balanced than the 1.9 but I'd go for a 1.9 as, on balance, the affect on dynamics is negligible and the extra oomph is worth it. Don't expect it to be fast compared to modern day efforts but it will ably demonstrate how 'lardy' the modern metal has got.
300bhp/ton said:
There is nothing wrong with meeting your heros, just don't pre-delude yourself about what they are, their age, construction and performance. Be realistic and they will not disappoint. Believing they are something they are not, is only ever a recipe for disappointment.
And on that note, I know the rep the 205 has and I know they are liked by many. But lets not forget without the peppy engine it's just a rather plain, built to a budget, French shopping car.
And along these lines, ok it might have been peppy in it's day, but it really isn't that quick. And it only really felt raw due to less sound proofing and low NVH levels.
None of this makes it a bad car, but ask yourself, if it was a 1.2 or a 1.5d 205 would it still appeal? And remember the sort of money you are maybe looking at could buy you something like a V8 powered TVR.
Do you really have to ruin almost every thread with your bullsAnd on that note, I know the rep the 205 has and I know they are liked by many. But lets not forget without the peppy engine it's just a rather plain, built to a budget, French shopping car.
And along these lines, ok it might have been peppy in it's day, but it really isn't that quick. And it only really felt raw due to less sound proofing and low NVH levels.
None of this makes it a bad car, but ask yourself, if it was a 1.2 or a 1.5d 205 would it still appeal? And remember the sort of money you are maybe looking at could buy you something like a V8 powered TVR.
t?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.
Buy one, spend money on the suspension if it hasn't had it done recently. Then enjoy. Still one of the best cars I've owned in terms of outright fun. Mind you when I was bought my two examples you could get a late, low mileage minter for 2-3 grand. I dread to think what they cost these days.
300bhp/ton said:
And on that note, I know the rep the 205 has and I know they are liked by many. But lets not forget without the peppy engine it's just a rather plain, built to a budget, French shopping car.
And along these lines, ok it might have been peppy in it's day, but it really isn't that quick. And it only really felt raw due to less sound proofing and low NVH levels.
None of this makes it a bad car, but ask yourself, if it was a 1.2 or a 1.5d 205 would it still appeal? And remember the sort of money you are maybe looking at could buy you something like a V8 powered TVR.
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.And along these lines, ok it might have been peppy in it's day, but it really isn't that quick. And it only really felt raw due to less sound proofing and low NVH levels.
None of this makes it a bad car, but ask yourself, if it was a 1.2 or a 1.5d 205 would it still appeal? And remember the sort of money you are maybe looking at could buy you something like a V8 powered TVR.
OP: If you find a good one which has had money spent on suspension, brakes, steering refurbishment/upgrades combined with a good engine and paintwork you will be able to enjoy it for months over the summer and sell for the same or more. There is good demand for excellent examples.
Go for it, I can honestly say its the only car that I regret parting with. I was doing a 60 mile a day commute in mine and whilst it's not what the car was designed for I enjoyed every minute of it. I only sold mine because I don't have space for two cars, and I felt it was wrong to be racking up the miles in what is a true hot hatch icon. Everything about it felt right, instant throttle response, keen to rev engine, direct steering, pocket sized, lightweight, and that twitchy but controllable on the throttle back end that constantly reminds you of its presence when pressing on. I'm a massive fan and if I ever have the space for a second car I will be in the market for another.
Try one first. There is a huge difference between a good one and a bad one.
I think I have a good one. The suspension is tight, engine mounts fresh, I can feel the back end loading up in the corners, the engine is clean and smooth. It's not been modified in any way and I think they're best as the factory intended.
Not good cars for motorway journeys though. 70mph is >4000rpm. But on single track or a twisty B road they are brilliant.
Some parts are starting to become scarce, and a lot of shells have had abuse. Buy a good one and it'll reward you with a lot of driving pleasure.
I think I have a good one. The suspension is tight, engine mounts fresh, I can feel the back end loading up in the corners, the engine is clean and smooth. It's not been modified in any way and I think they're best as the factory intended.
Not good cars for motorway journeys though. 70mph is >4000rpm. But on single track or a twisty B road they are brilliant.
Some parts are starting to become scarce, and a lot of shells have had abuse. Buy a good one and it'll reward you with a lot of driving pleasure.
Garvin said:
Do you really want a 205 GTi?
If you value air conditioning over nippy performance, then no.
If you value electric windows over road holding, then no.
If you value serene progress over handling, then no.
However, if you value great car dynamics over creature comforts the yes, definitely! You may have to put up with the car inexorably divesting itself of its trim but the 205 GTi is one of the few over steering FWD cars on the planet.
This guy, I suspect along with most respondents, has no idea what a 172 Cup is If you value air conditioning over nippy performance, then no.
If you value electric windows over road holding, then no.
If you value serene progress over handling, then no.
However, if you value great car dynamics over creature comforts the yes, definitely! You may have to put up with the car inexorably divesting itself of its trim but the 205 GTi is one of the few over steering FWD cars on the planet.
Admittedly the lardarse does have electric windows and even mirrors! However it has no AC, no TC, no ABS and unlike the non-Cup 172 has no xenons and hence no light washers and oh by the way it will definitely oversteer but then so did my K10 Micra ffs, actually my Micra was more oversteery than a 118d (that's RWD BTW
)205 will probably make you feel like you're going faster because of the skinny tyres. Less likely to understeer when you put the power down too (on account of not being quite so grunty as the Clio)
Go buy one and let me know how it compares, thanks.
If you were coming from something like a bm or merc I'd say no because the build quality isn't great on the pug.
Years back I had a 205 gti ,.6 a 306 gti 6 and a 16v gte Astra,I test drove the 1.9 gti for a friend and to this day I can't remember anything that has such response from the accelerator pedal. I loved it.
Get one and long as you buy right you'll never lose on it because they'll always be an old fart like me who will buy it
Years back I had a 205 gti ,.6 a 306 gti 6 and a 16v gte Astra,I test drove the 1.9 gti for a friend and to this day I can't remember anything that has such response from the accelerator pedal. I loved it.
Get one and long as you buy right you'll never lose on it because they'll always be an old fart like me who will buy it
scarble said:
Garvin said:
Do you really want a 205 GTi?
If you value air conditioning over nippy performance, then no.
If you value electric windows over road holding, then no.
If you value serene progress over handling, then no.
However, if you value great car dynamics over creature comforts the yes, definitely! You may have to put up with the car inexorably divesting itself of its trim but the 205 GTi is one of the few over steering FWD cars on the planet.
This guy, I suspect along with most respondents, has no idea what a 172 Cup is If you value air conditioning over nippy performance, then no.
If you value electric windows over road holding, then no.
If you value serene progress over handling, then no.
However, if you value great car dynamics over creature comforts the yes, definitely! You may have to put up with the car inexorably divesting itself of its trim but the 205 GTi is one of the few over steering FWD cars on the planet.
Admittedly the lardarse does have electric windows and even mirrors! However it has no AC, no TC, no ABS and unlike the non-Cup 172 has no xenons and hence no light washers and oh by the way it will definitely oversteer but then so did my K10 Micra ffs, actually my Micra was more oversteery than a 118d (that's RWD BTW
)205 will probably make you feel like you're going faster because of the skinny tyres. Less likely to understeer when you put the power down too (on account of not being quite so grunty as the Clio)
Go buy one and let me know how it compares, thanks.
t she had ever had the misfortune to drive. Hid it the garage and refused to drive it until she had to return it. Has a lot of taste and self respect my Missus!Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff