RE: Peugeot 208 GTI by Peugeot Sport: Spotted
Tuesday 23rd January 2018
It's a little irritating if you think about it. If you have forked out for a hot hatch, you'd hope that it would be the hottest version - but no. Manufacturers are now making you pay more for performance packs to 'unlock' the potential of their quick hatches. Fortunately, things are much more reasonable on the used market; take this 208 GTI by Peugeot Sport, which has lost over £8,500 in a year.
The normal 208 GTI isn't a bad car, but the Peugeot Sport version is so much better and the one to look out for. After a prolonged period away, the regular GTI showed that Peugeot really could make a good hot hatch again; the Peugeot Sport then proved that it could make a great one. While in future the standard GTI will be much more easily available, the 208 by PS is much more engaging to drive and worth the extra.
This example has thankfully been painted in one colour instead of the rather odd two-tone option Peugeot offered. You could have had the rear end of your 208 painted in a different colour, which made it look like a baboon's backside. Fortunately, this one is all orange, as you can probably see. Except for the brake calipers, which are red. Predictably. But that is at least how it came from the factory, and not done with some Halfords spray paint.
Peugeot 208 GTI by Peugeot Sport: Spotted
The Peugeot Sport 208 comes highly recommended new; but when it's lost a third of its value in a year...
So what is the 208 GTI by Peugeot Sport? It's a car we're big fans of on PH, so much so that we're running a long-term car. Compared with the standard GTI you get four-piston Brembo front brake calipers and larger discs, the ESP system has been recalibrated to be less intrusive, the suspension has been lowered by 10mm and the tracks have been widened, and you also get sticky Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres around your 18-inch alloy wheels.
And let's not forget that it comes with a limited-slip diff, unlike the Ford Fiesta ST, which uses its brakes to replicate some of what a mechanical limited-slip diff would do. This should help you out in wet conditions and prevent you from spinning away all your 208hp (or 205 imperial bhp; coincidence much?) in tight corners.
When you look at it, this 208 GTI is certainly worth a shout. OK, you can't get it in five-door form - like like you can with the Ford Fiesta ST - and it doesn't have the naturally aspirated engine or beautiful handling balance of the Renaultsport Clio III, but the 208 is a fine all-rounder at a very tempting price. Plus, this being an early 2017 car, you save £25 on your annual road tax compared with one registered after April 2017. We're all about saving money with this Spotted...
SPECIFICATION - PEUGEOT 208 GTI BY PEUGEOT SPORT
Engine: 1,598cc, 4-cyl turbocharged
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive, limited-slip differential
Power (hp): 208@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 221@3,000rpm
MPG: 52.3
CO2: 125g/km
First registered: Jan 2017
Recorded mileage: 15,000
Price new: £23,550
Yours for: £14,991
See the original advert here.
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Discussion
Test drove the 208 GTI, such a boring car. I appreciate this is a slightly uprated one but can't imagine it drives that differently. Very dull performance, even if it is fast. No noise from the exhaust, steering is too light. Comfy though, but you don't buy a hot hatch for comfort. Main thing that put me off was that steering wheel.... anyone who's driven a peugeot will know. I believe this is an issue with all their cars? Makes me think their main market, the french, are not human.
loskie said:
Loving the really squint number plate on the rear. Was Arnold Clark the supplier? This is one of their great traditions.
Evans Halshaw.This or an Up! GTI? (Let’s assume you’re paying cash & ignore the fact that the VW would be cheaper on a PCP as it’s new & VW Finance will do some subsiding)
It’s a real shame I’m not in the market for a newer car & that I need a larger car for all the stuff that having a toddler entails - I even like the colour.
It’s a real shame I’m not in the market for a newer car & that I need a larger car for all the stuff that having a toddler entails - I even like the colour.
Dale487 said:
This or an Up! GTI? (Let’s assume you’re paying cash & ignore the fact that the VW would be cheaper on a PCP as it’s new & VW Finance will do some subsiding)
It’s a real shame I’m not in the market for a newer car & that I need a larger car for all the stuff that having a toddler entails - I even like the colour.
Well, one of them has twice the power and has room to fit 1:1 scale humans in the back seats. They're not really similar cars except that they're sporty versions of regular cars.It’s a real shame I’m not in the market for a newer car & that I need a larger car for all the stuff that having a toddler entails - I even like the colour.
treeroy said:
Dale487 said:
This or an Up! GTI? (Let’s assume you’re paying cash & ignore the fact that the VW would be cheaper on a PCP as it’s new & VW Finance will do some subsiding)
It’s a real shame I’m not in the market for a newer car & that I need a larger car for all the stuff that having a toddler entails - I even like the colour.
Well, one of them has twice the power and has room to fit 1:1 scale humans in the back seats. They're not really similar cars except that they're sporty versions of regular cars.It’s a real shame I’m not in the market for a newer car & that I need a larger car for all the stuff that having a toddler entails - I even like the colour.
I think that the nearly new part of the market is where the balance of risk or depreciation (still plenty to fall though) is good for a cash buyer compared to brand new & offers savings over the total amount you pay over the PCP life time.
Dale487 said:
An optioned up Up! GTI is going to be the same money, list - (almost) everyone seems to love the Up! GTI (not that I blame them) & this ties in with the thread of new on a PCP vs old for the same money too.
I think that the nearly new part of the market is where the balance of risk or depreciation (still plenty to fall though) is good for a cash buyer compared to brand new & offers savings over the total amount you pay over the PCP life time.
well an optioned up Dacia Duster is the same as a Mazda MX-5, it doesn't make them competitors.I think that the nearly new part of the market is where the balance of risk or depreciation (still plenty to fall though) is good for a cash buyer compared to brand new & offers savings over the total amount you pay over the PCP life time.
treeroy said:
Test drove the 208 GTI, such a boring car. I appreciate this is a slightly uprated one but can't imagine it drives that differently. Very dull performance, even if it is fast. No noise from the exhaust, steering is too light. Comfy though, but you don't buy a hot hatch for comfort. Main thing that put me off was that steering wheel.... anyone who's driven a peugeot will know. I believe this is an issue with all their cars? Makes me think their main market, the french, are not human.
Go on, tell us how you couldn't see the dials. treeroy said:
Dale487 said:
An optioned up Up! GTI is going to be the same money, list - (almost) everyone seems to love the Up! GTI (not that I blame them) & this ties in with the thread of new on a PCP vs old for the same money too.
I think that the nearly new part of the market is where the balance of risk or depreciation (still plenty to fall though) is good for a cash buyer compared to brand new & offers savings over the total amount you pay over the PCP life time.
well an optioned up Dacia Duster is the same as a Mazda MX-5, it doesn't make them competitors.I think that the nearly new part of the market is where the balance of risk or depreciation (still plenty to fall though) is good for a cash buyer compared to brand new & offers savings over the total amount you pay over the PCP life time.
treeroy said:
Test drove the 208 GTI, such a boring car. I appreciate this is a slightly uprated one but can't imagine it drives that differently. Very dull performance, even if it is fast. No noise from the exhaust, steering is too light. Comfy though, but you don't buy a hot hatch for comfort. Main thing that put me off was that steering wheel.... anyone who's driven a peugeot will know. I believe this is an issue with all their cars? Makes me think their main market, the french, are not human.
The PS version is quite different to the cooking GTi - think GT3 vs normal 911 - up rated and lowered suspension, bigger wheels, stickier tyres, better brakes, LSD and bucket seats. It's not perfect by any means (the steering wheel design is stupid but you can live with it) but after 18 months and 16,000 miles I really missed mine - felt much more special than the Leon Cupra 300 I have replaced it with.I would wager that in 10+ years time it will be very sought after, much like the Clio Trophy...
Fastlane said:
The PS version is quite different to the cooking GTi - think GT3 vs normal 911 - up rated and lowered suspension, bigger wheels, stickier tyres, better brakes, LSD and bucket seats. It's not perfect by any means (the steering wheel design is stupid but you can live with it) but after 18 months and 16,000 miles I really missed mine - felt much more special than the Leon Cupra 300 I have replaced it with.
I would wager that in 10+ years time it will be very sought after, much like the Clio Trophy...
Don't doubt it will be worth more, but look at the clio trophy the cars are very similar. Having slightly better brakes doesn't make it a different car dude. I also don't doubt that it is more interesting than a VAG Snorebox GTI.I would wager that in 10+ years time it will be very sought after, much like the Clio Trophy...
I found the car very dull, anyway. just my opinion.
I can't say its a car I warm to if I'm honest.
From the front especially, the 208 lacks character and looks rather dated now and its certainly not in any way iconic like the 205 GTi was in its day.
And the interior is just bizarre - the solution to a problem who asked for exactly?
Now if they made a re-imagined 205 GTi....then they might have my attention
And before someone says its can't be done - Mercedes reinvented the G- Wagen as a modern car, so this should be easy!
From the front especially, the 208 lacks character and looks rather dated now and its certainly not in any way iconic like the 205 GTi was in its day.
And the interior is just bizarre - the solution to a problem who asked for exactly?
Now if they made a re-imagined 205 GTi....then they might have my attention
And before someone says its can't be done - Mercedes reinvented the G- Wagen as a modern car, so this should be easy!
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