What's the closest car to a modern Peugeot 205 GTi?

[white_goodman]

Sorry, I'm sure this has been done before but I owned a 1.6 GTi back in 2002-2004 and what blew me away was:

the instant throttle response and free-revving nature

steering dripping with feedback (unassisted)

playful demeanour i.e. you could steer it on the throttle and despite the widow-maker reputation, it never bit me.

I'll be honest, I have never felt as confident exploring the limits of a car as in that one, as I either get terminal understeer or snap oversteer in the case of an E30 325i (although I haven't owned many RWDers).

Lots of flaws of course. Loud, terrible to drive in traffic, made of cardboard, part-time electrics etc but wow, was it fun and although I have owned some other cars that I have enjoyed since, nothing has quite replicated it as a driving experience.

Does anything made in the last 10 years even come close? A Mk5 Golf GTI that I drove had a great chassis and a strong motor but an altogether less raw driving experience.

[white_goodman]

gl20 said:

OP - did you never feel lift off oversteer on your 205?* That certainly had some snap to it! Can't say I agree that it is the car I felt most comfortable exploring the limits in for that very reason but, notwithstanding that, I agree with all the rest. It was a great first car (1.9, owned 96-00) with amazing steering, flat in corners (but a comfy ride), great engine and decent brakes. I wish I held onto it.

• most memorable one for me was carelessly stamping on the gas on a soaking roundabout, big under steer, lifted off, even bigger oversteer, sliding toward a lamppost. Can remember staring through the left window as said lamppost came closer and closer, that's how sideways the car was. Thankfully, the grip came back just in time for the car to go straight again!

Oh yes. I am acquainted with lift-off oversteer on 205s but mine always remained adjustable and progressive and roundabouts were always good for some fun, even in the wet. Try to build up some understeer (which wasn't easy and required some commitment) and quite refreshing compared to the '95 Astra that preceded it, lift off to let the rear slide, back on the power to straighten it up and repeat as appopriate. Maybe it was because mine was a 1.6 it was a bit more forgiving or perhaps because I fitted it with some decent performance tyres.

I haven't driven a Twingo 133 or Swift Sport, so worth a go. Ignis Sport was incredibly firm. MINI ok. My wife had a Fiat 500 1.2. It was quite fun but the chassis and steering were flawed, so the 500 Abarth may be similar. An Elise is a very different type of car but always one that I thought that I would like and must try.

I really need to revisit the Clio 182, as I drove one once, disliked the driving position and found the engine a bit uninspiring. That being said, I disliked the Impreza the first time I drove one and now I love them.

How does the EP3 Civic Type-R compare?

I think the problem is that due to larger tyres, most modern cars grip and then grip some more and then understeer when you're going much faster.

Edited by white_goodman on Thursday 11th August 18:57

Edited by white_goodman on Thursday 11th August 19:01

[white_goodman]

routari said:

There's a well known roadster with an excellent chassis that you can balance and turn mid-corner with its very sensitive throttle. It also has famously great wheel feedback, and inspires huge confidence through the corners.
It has about the same power-to-weight, but with rear drive, an LSD and superior weight distribution and suspension configuration. It almost feels like trolling or a tired meme to suggest it, but after checking some dedicated 205 GTI forums in the UK and AUS, the people that own both on there seem to compare them very favourably to each other, with the 205 being more raw, and the roadster being more precise.
My own car is always a step into the unknown somewhat, with me inching up to the limit. In my experience driving a very lightly fettled roadster of the type I'm describing, it's so easy to find the limit, and although it's a slower car, I probably took some corners faster, just with how much feedback there was, and how much confidence the car gives you.


They're not for everyone, and also less practical than a 205 GTI, but you already know what car is being described, and the things you highlighted in the OP didn't mention practicality.

Sorry.

I'm not exactly sure. Are you talking Elise, MX5, MR2 or Caterham 7?

[white_goodman]

OK, thanks for all the replies. I'm surprised it took so long to mention the Fiesta ST and for sure, when it came out, I thought that yes, I would really enjoy that car but alas the price of entry seems to be around 10,000 pounds plus and my budget is considerably less. I would also love another 205 but not to use every day.

So, it has to look modern outside and in and be easy to live with but still offer some of the old school thrills of the 205. The Clio 172/182 by all accounts is perhaps the closest thing and I liked them when new but they're looking pretty dated now and nice ones are relatively expensive for what they are. So I think the ones I would like to try are:

RenaultSport Twingo (these seem really good value)

mk1 Suzuki Swift Sport (I test drove a 1.3 version when we got our 500 and I really liked it, it felt a bit like a non-retro MINI)

Supercharged MCS (possibly a convertible, as I have a soft spot for them)

Lupo GTi (I tried a Polo GTi and was unimpressed but I hear that the Lupo is better)

Any thoughts on these two? The Abarth Punto is pretty rare but possibly a better chassis than the 500 and the old-shape Fiesta ST150 was always criticised for its engine but by all accounts had a great chassis and still looks sharp.