205 gti replacement
Discussion
Another one of those annoying what car threads.
I am looking to replace my rather lovely 1.9 GTi with something that I can use in the rain and that is just generally a bit newer and more practical. It must be said however the 205 was faultless last week on a 5 day trip to the ring.
So anyway I have a e46 330i sport touring that I share with my old man and this is a great car hampered by a terrible auto box so I was wondering if the replacement for the 205 could be found in a manual 330 coupe... any thoughts (question mark doesnt work sorry).
Whilst I admire the Clipsport models they dont feel as special as the 205 and I cant get on with the driving position so they are out but I could be tempted by a bit of Vtec...
Any suggestions would be great, but the criteria are a good chassis, decent power to weight and a proper drivers car.
Any advice would be fantastic!
My car for reference....
I am looking to replace my rather lovely 1.9 GTi with something that I can use in the rain and that is just generally a bit newer and more practical. It must be said however the 205 was faultless last week on a 5 day trip to the ring.
So anyway I have a e46 330i sport touring that I share with my old man and this is a great car hampered by a terrible auto box so I was wondering if the replacement for the 205 could be found in a manual 330 coupe... any thoughts (question mark doesnt work sorry).
Whilst I admire the Clipsport models they dont feel as special as the 205 and I cant get on with the driving position so they are out but I could be tempted by a bit of Vtec...
Any suggestions would be great, but the criteria are a good chassis, decent power to weight and a proper drivers car.
Any advice would be fantastic!
My car for reference....
To the OP....I hate to say it, but there just isn't a replacement for the 205 GTI. I've tried many times over the years to find one, and just keep coming back (I'm now on my 7th!).
The closest I came to finding a replacement was a 172 Cup. But ultimately, even though it had (almost all) the driving dynamics of the 205, it just didn't have the 'spirit'.
The closest I came to finding a replacement was a 172 Cup. But ultimately, even though it had (almost all) the driving dynamics of the 205, it just didn't have the 'spirit'.
I agree there isn't a direct replacement for the little 205. But what you'll lose in rawness you'll get something that's a bit more rounded.
The things i've considered to replace my 205 are : integra type r (although still very raw car), subaru impreza, accord type r, civic type r, the s2000 interested me too.
Although i might just garage my 205 and get something boring for the winter.
The things i've considered to replace my 205 are : integra type r (although still very raw car), subaru impreza, accord type r, civic type r, the s2000 interested me too.
Although i might just garage my 205 and get something boring for the winter.
Hammy13 said:
May I suggest a 206 GTI 180? Decent handling, pretty nippy and they make a great noise!
This in either 134 or 180 bhp guise is dire. The 205 was top of the game and possibly only the R5 had it on straight line speed whereas the 206 is pretty much last choice frankly a metro on the way to the scrap yard in the sky would be a better choice.
Slow 5 speed poor handling fugly crap handling - a very very poor car one to avoid.
I have said something similar on different thread - think I upset an owner of said car but fact is its a s
te car. Also whatever you do keep the 205 it's only going up in value.
Here's the thing - NOTHING made since your 205 will offer what it offers without some degree of compromise.
You appear to want a more comfy and practical car - so I suggest you focus on that and forget about what your 205 does.
Buy a barge - revel in the waft - get the 205 out at the weekends for actual driving fun (or when the barge needs your wallet emptied into it again!)
End of Barge/Shed information message
You appear to want a more comfy and practical car - so I suggest you focus on that and forget about what your 205 does.
Buy a barge - revel in the waft - get the 205 out at the weekends for actual driving fun (or when the barge needs your wallet emptied into it again!)
End of Barge/Shed information message
Welshbeef said:
Hammy13 said:
May I suggest a 206 GTI 180? Decent handling, pretty nippy and they make a great noise!
This in either 134 or 180 bhp guise is dire. The 205 was top of the game and possibly only the R5 had it on straight line speed whereas the 206 is pretty much last choice frankly a metro on the way to the scrap yard in the sky would be a better choice.
Slow 5 speed poor handling fugly crap handling - a very very poor car one to avoid.
I have said something similar on different thread - think I upset an owner of said car but fact is its a s
te car. Also whatever you do keep the 205 it's only going up in value.
Sure, keep the 205 for a bit of weekend fun - as you say values will only go one way for a good one, but I can't agree it's the better car out of the examples you give. If you have any experience of driving both the 205 and R5 really hard you'll know they are both seriously flawed. The 205 suffers from almost uncontrollable oversteer and severe brake fade and the R5 has viscious torque steer and a truly horrible on/off all or nothing turbo boost. Both our 205 and numerous 5 turbos have tried to kill me on several occasions - wringing the 206's neck down a twisty B road really proves how much of an advance it is over the earlier cars.
Jaguar steve said:
You've owned both and done tens of thousands of miles spread over a number of years in each? Yes? I have. The 206 is an all round better car than the 205 IMO. It handles much more predicitably on the limit, has higher outright levels of grip, vastly better brakes and a £30 quickshift kit transforms the sloppy gearchange. Both have typically lightwight - as does the R5 too - French build quality, our 205 and 206 GTi both had/have more rattles than Mothercare and so have all the several dozens of 5 turbos and earlier 5 Gordinis I've driven even when brand new.
Sure, keep the 205 for a bit of weekend fun - as you say values will only go one way for a good one, but I can't agree it's the better car out of the examples you give. If you have any experience of driving both the 205 and R5 really hard you'll know they are both seriously flawed. The 205 suffers from almost uncontrollable oversteer and severe brake fade and the R5 has viscious torque steer and a truly horrible on/off all or nothing turbo boost. Both our 205 and numerous 5 turbos have tried to kill me on several occasions - wringing the 206's neck down a twisty B road really proves how much of an advance it is over the earlier cars.
So all the reviews of both versions of the 206 GTi were wrong then?Sure, keep the 205 for a bit of weekend fun - as you say values will only go one way for a good one, but I can't agree it's the better car out of the examples you give. If you have any experience of driving both the 205 and R5 really hard you'll know they are both seriously flawed. The 205 suffers from almost uncontrollable oversteer and severe brake fade and the R5 has viscious torque steer and a truly horrible on/off all or nothing turbo boost. Both our 205 and numerous 5 turbos have tried to kill me on several occasions - wringing the 206's neck down a twisty B road really proves how much of an advance it is over the earlier cars.
Generally "a big disappointment" was the view and there was no reason to choose it over the competition.
405dogvan said:
Here's the thing - NOTHING made since your 205 will offer what it offers without some degree of compromise.
You appear to want a more comfy and practical car - so I suggest you focus on that and forget about what your 205 does.
Buy a barge - revel in the waft - get the 205 out at the weekends for actual driving fun (or when the barge needs your wallet emptied into it again!)
End of Barge/Shed information message
Agree.You appear to want a more comfy and practical car - so I suggest you focus on that and forget about what your 205 does.
Buy a barge - revel in the waft - get the 205 out at the weekends for actual driving fun (or when the barge needs your wallet emptied into it again!)
End of Barge/Shed information message
Chrisw666 said:
Welshbeef said:
So all the reviews of both versions of the 206 GTi were wrong then?
Generally "a big disappointment" was the view and there was no reason to choose it over the competition.
You're on form again then? Generally "a big disappointment" was the view and there was no reason to choose it over the competition.
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