PH Carpool: Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9
A much loved hot hatch icon, not many 205 GTIs have had quite this much adoration...
Nick McConnell
Car:
1988 Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9
Owned since:
2008
'Clean' doesn't do Nick's 205 justice
All sorts of cars from Fiesta XR2i, Vauxhall Calibra, Modified Rover 620Ti (250hp and kept eating gearboxes), MR2 Turbo, 406 GLX with £10K of ICE install, '99 Audi A6, Saab 93 TiD, Audi A4 Avant...
Why I bought it:
I bought Pugly the 205 for a couple of reasons. Firstly I always wanted one, secondly I had just come out of a long term relationship and needed something to keep me occupied so what better reason to buy a toy/project - not that us men need a reason!
What I wish I'd known:
How naughty you become when you get behind the wheel! Good 205 GTIs are alive and make you do naughty things. My good friend has a 1.6 GTI and it's the same for him! Nice open roundabout ... damp or dry a good excuse to tripod round it or encounter the wonderful lift off oversteer!
No, he hasn't married it, though it is love
It's raw, basic and mechanical. No PAS, ABS or traction ... pure driver skill and enjoyment. I love the fact that the car will always bring a smile to my face even if it's just a trip down to the supermarket or a Sunday afternoon countryside blast - it just makes you smile and feel happy! I also love the attention it gets. Everyone seems to have a soft spot for the GTI. I even got pulled over once by the police because they just wanted a look at the car!
Things I hate:
The air circulation/fan ... it's pants but that's about it!
Costs:
205 GTIs are not dear to run. On average I get about 25-26mpg out of a tank of super unleaded. Parts wise, well, thankfully it doesn't break that often and if it does I have a trade account at my local GSF. Also the local Peugeot dealers normally help me out and offer some discount! Pugly isn't my daily car and lives in the garage most of the time.
Even Clarkson is a fan of Nick's 205
Pugly the 205 has been all over the place! She is used on track, me and Sarah (now my wife!) did a road trip in Europe back in 2009 where we did 1,100 miles in four days including a "fairly spirited" lap of the 'ring. Pugly didn't miss a beat and the only thing that went wrong was an indicator bulb blew. She is already a bit of a media star in that she was used by Performance Tuner Magazine (now defunct) and Auto Express for features. Mr Clarkson has also used her (and the 405 Mi16) recently for the filming of his Christmas DVD. Peugeot UK also seems to like borrowing her for shows etc and there is a rumour that she will be taken for the local and national launches of the 208 GTI next year. Peugeot UK always looks after her and lends me something nice; last time it was a brand new RCZ that Sarah got to use for the week as I was out of the country with work!
What next?
Well, having just restored her at the start of 2012 (see the standalone thread for the full story) I have some planned maintenance on Pugly planned for this winter including new shocks all round, new discs and pads and some braided hoses. I will probably change the bottom end shells just as a preventative measure. Oh and I am having the wheels refurbished.
Restoration blog reveals depth of Nick's affliction
Pugly will be hitting the tracks next year too as well as making appearances at as many PH Sunday Services as possible.
Not forgetting my other project for 2013 - Molly the 1993 Ph2 405 Mi16. Keep your eyes open for the thread on the forum.
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I have never driven a 205 GTI, nearest I came was my dad buying a 305 GTX which had the carb version of the 1.9 engine rather than injection. The car handled very well too but I believe from those in the know the 205 GTI was definitely in another league.
For me, the owner has the right attitude for classic car ownership, use them, thrash them occasionally and look after them. I hope you have many years of fun and adventures ahead of you!!
I have never driven a 205 GTI, nearest I came was my dad buying a 305 GTX which had the carb version of the 1.9 engine rather than injection. The car handled very well too but I believe from those in the know the 205 GTI was definitely in another league.
For me, the owner has the right attitude for classic car ownership, use them, thrash them occasionally and look after them. I hope you have many years of fun and adventures ahead of you!!
The 309 was the better handling car, similar in feel to the TU engined 205's. The 309 GTI had lighter steering and better chassis response due to the better weight distribution. It was ugly though so although I've driven and owned just about every version I kept the 205 gti with the Mi16 engine. Looks matter
The 309 was the better handling car, similar in feel to the TU engined 205's. The 309 GTI had lighter steering and better chassis response due to the better weight distribution. It was ugly though so although I've driven and owned just about every version I kept the 205 gti with the Mi16 engine. Looks matter
Few years ago I had a 1.9 CTi (convertible) with Gutmann tuning.
Wider wheel Arches like the "Rally T16S", duplex exhaust with 4 tailpipes, etc..... a dream in white.
When I look at the photos today - I think the tuning looks a little bit ridiclous and overstated...it was the spirit of the time ;-)
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