is a 205 for me?

[reece4]

hi guys,

Ive been looking into buying something a bit more retro and fun to drive. so being 21 naturally Ive found a soft spot for the Peugeot 205 gti.

i have been informed a friend of a friend has one garaged (with the 1.6 engine) so i was really just hoping for any advise on bad bits too look out for and if anyone has ever owned one, what they wee like to drive etc...

any response appreciated,
cheers Reece

[zeXile]

cant really advise you what to look for when buying, but if its been looked after the 1.9gti is a brilliant car, driven one of my friends loads of times and love it! i imagine the 1.6 is just a fun but a little less powerful

[chriscoates]

My dad has had 2 1.9s and a 1.6. My advice to you is to go for the 1.9 as the engine is a much better unit, but also be very careful not to buy a money pit because that's exactly what he did when he bought his second 1.9 a few years back. They are fantastic cars though!

[rt106]

I've owned several over the years and much prefer the 1.6; ultimately it's slightly slower than the 1.9 but it's revvier and a more exciting drive, it's more rewarding to drive hard. The engine size isn't the only difference, the chassis are set-up differently too.

Having said that, given the age of these cars the best advice has to be to find the best example regardless of engine size. In good condition they're both absolutely cracking little cars. Most signifciant problems to look out for are rear beam problems (look for evidence of a rebuild) and corrosion on the inner wings on later models. Everything else is fairly cheap and simple to fix.

[fel71]

Try and find a 1.9, they are a much better drive, buy as original as possible with as much history as you can afford, i would not buy one that has been changed in any way i.e a 1.9 engine in a 1.6 car etc. As its over 20 years old better check for rust (its french), check for cam belt change and condition of rear beam. I could not recommend one more highly, if you buy a good one it will probably be the best car you ever own, it is for me, i only drive about 2000 miles a year in mine and every mile is fantastic. Buy,Buy,Buy, before they become unaffordable, they can only go up in value. IMHO.

[Daxed]

Take no notice of the 1.9 being the only one to go for. The 1.6 is a wonderfully engaging car as well.

Head over to http://www.205gtidrivers.com/ and click on 'Articles', you will find some buying guides.

Good luck.

[darren9]

I've been contemplating the same and there are a few 205GTi owners/ex owners on 306gti6.com so I asked on there and got these responces ...

[quote] "roland rat" Rust rust and more rust!

Need to check in the engine bay around the front panel/under the headlights for grot,also where the b pillar is welded onto the sill,check the sills,under rear carpet,under fuel tank,boot floor etc.

Also check the beam isnt collapsed/siezed as so many are these days.

If its stood for some time check the brakes/brakelines and fuel lines.

Basically only buy if you fancy doing a full resto on it :lol
[/quote]

[quote]"cahillscornerflag" Mainly rust and rear beam as has been said, although 'F,G and H plates are known to withstand moisture better for some reason.
The engine, gearbox, diff are relatively strong if they've been looked after. Also Electrical gremlins, things like a corroded brown multi-plug and bad engine earths cause all sorts of drama, but are easily sorted with a wire brush and some wd40.
[/quote]


I've decided against it, there seems to be 2 sorts of 205GTi ... cheap ones which would need a full restoration and expensive already restored ones.

I decided I couldn't afford 3k+ for a restored one and I couldn't afford the time and god knows how much £ for one which needed restoring.

I'm going to view a 306GTi6 instead.
I love mine, but i can live with all it's 'niggles' :lol
[/quote]

Edited by darren9 on Tuesday 17th May 22:04

[reece4]

cheers for all the responses both for and against buying them and on engine size. i think i might take the plunge and see what happens with the 1.6.

thanks again guys

[sleep envy]

Yes YES YES!!

Buy one!

[Haribo Man]

Best car I have ever head and during a short stint delivering new cars the 205 still put a smile on my face more than anything I drove. It was rattly, didn't idle properly, trim fell off but was a right hoot. I still hanker after one and will probably get another in the not too distant. Mine was a 1.6 and just wanted to rev and go. You won't be disappointed with either engine.

I need to get one soon as prices only appear to be heading one way!

[shalmaneser]

BUY ON CONDITION NOT ENGINE SIZE!!!!

That's about all there is to it, really. Expect it to be a bit of a rolling restoration, but if you're careful and replace bits as and when the cost of the parts won't be too much, and the rate they're appreciating right now will mean you may even make some money on it if you keep it largely original!

89/90 (G and H) cars seem to be the best for rust. Chech under the boot floor, the bottom of the B pillar, and the front wings in the engine bay.

[robert78]

I have a road legal 205 which I use for motorsport....it has an Mi16 engine, 400lb spring coil overs, uprated everything...its far from a standard 205 now, but great cars! Watch out for seized rear beams, crash damage, and loos!! (lift off oversteer!)

[sjabrown]

Brilliant cars - I've owned 3 so far and am not far from buying another. Definitely buy on condition. I'd say go for one as original as possible. The common rust places are inner wings, bottom of the B pillar and on early cars (up to D reg) just about anywhere else. F,G and H reg ones seem to last best for some reason. Electrics are tempremental but fixable. Water tends to find it's way in from various bits of trim and collects in the rear footwells - look for holes drilled to let it escape.

Engine-wise they are pretty strong but valve stem seals tend to go after 90,000 upwards - blue smoke on idle/after start up is the clue.
Gearboxes - watch for crunching into 2nd which is a sign of worn synchros, selection problems are the linkage which is an easy and cheap fix.

And contrary to popular belief these cars can idle correctly and smoothly from cold. Mine sits at 1000rpm smoothly from first turn of the key.