RE: Peugeot 205 XS | Spotted

[ReverendCounter]

Turning Japanese said:

I always like an underdog.

sous chien, peut-être?

Anyway, you should dig out the thread of PHer formerly known as Prince Rupert who documented his 205 light restoration. No end of snapped bolts etc (since changed his username, can't remember to what). Good luck!

[Turning Japanese]

Hippea said:

Just popped up on eBay, had lots of work done recently



https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155055825141?hash=item2...

So I picked this up on Monday and I couldnt be more happy. Its so raw and pure, the smells, sounds and vibrations. Its a sensory overload. From what I remember of my dads Caterham many years ago, this feels like the Caterham hatchback! It makes you realise just how far modern cars have come, and how disconnected they have become.
The steering is bloody heavy at low speed and the engine feel quite dull but get it up to speed and evrything comes alive. I love the fact that you feel like your going really fast even at 40mph and the short gearbox needs constant work. Its the perfect car for the country lanes I like to drive around Thame.

I had planned to keep this long term and try and use it all year round but its in too good condition to use it through the winter and the reality is I probably wouldnt want to. So I plan to use it this summer as much as possible and enjoy it and then think about moving it on before winter.

Anyone considering one of these should definitely go for it, I cant imagine you'd be disapointed. Id love to do a comparison between this and a 1.6 GTI if anyone has one?

[J4CKO]

Turning Japanese said:

Hippea said:

Just popped up on eBay, had lots of work done recently



https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155055825141?hash=item2...

So I picked this up on Monday and I couldnt be more happy. Its so raw and pure, the smells, sounds and vibrations. Its a sensory overload. From what I remember of my dads Caterham many years ago, this feels like the Caterham hatchback! It makes you realise just how far modern cars have come, and how disconnected they have become.
The steering is bloody heavy at low speed and the engine feel quite dull but get it up to speed and evrything comes alive. I love the fact that you feel like your going really fast even at 40mph and the short gearbox needs constant work. Its the perfect car for the country lanes I like to drive around Thame.

I had planned to keep this long term and try and use it all year round but its in too good condition to use it through the winter and the reality is I probably wouldnt want to. So I plan to use it this summer as much as possible and enjoy it and then think about moving it on before winter.

Anyone considering one of these should definitely go for it, I cant imagine you'd be disapointed. Id love to do a comparison between this and a 1.6 GTI if anyone has one?

Looks ace, so much work gone into that, seems a more realistic sort of price range, gets a bit serious paying 9 grand for one, but at that money, should you want to move it on you wont lose anything.

[Husaberk]

"The steering is bloody heavy at low speed and the engine feel quite dull "

Wonder if the wider GTI alloys are to be blame here as I'd never say mine's steering was all that heavy and the engine was lively from all revs in an almost Italian like fashion but it was running the OEM steels.

[anonymous-user]

Husaberk said:

"The steering is bloody heavy at low speed and the engine feel quite dull "

Wonder if the wider GTI alloys are to be blame here as I'd never say mine's steering was all that heavy and the engine was lively from all revs in an almost Italian like fashion but it was running the OEM steels.

If it was mine I would definitely want it on a set of the original steel wheels. I agree with everything you say, I seem to remember mine was very lively. especially when you put your foot down and the second choke opened.

[r1ch]

Turning Japanese said:

I love the fact that you feel like your going really fast even at 40mph and the short gearbox needs constant work. Its the perfect car for the country lanes I like to drive around Thame.

Fair play, looks like a nice one, and still cherry red rather than a bit orange. I was wondering, has it had a respray in the past?

It always seems you're "busy" when driving a 205, it requires your attention to get the best of it and I think that is one of my favourite aspects down a country lane.

Enjoy it anyway, I'm sure you will!

[Turning Japanese]

Maybe I should return it to the original steel wheels, which I dont have. Do you know if they were specialy made for the XS or just generic steel wheels? Also does anyone know the dimensions?

[vdn]

I had an XS and it also was on 1.6 GTI wheels. Still a ton of fun and I think it looks better.

Enjoy it as is and if you really want it original, just keep an eye out with an eBay alert set to 'XS 205 alloys'.

[rallycross]

I’ve driven a few 205 xs on standard wheels and the steering is heavy at low speed as most things were back then pre pas.

Sad to say the last 205 XS I had got scrapped after I pulled the engine out to put it in my hill climb Ax Gt what a shame! That was nearly ten years ago when they were sub £500.

[Garett]

Mine was on the Gti pepperpots same as yours and I swapped them for 106 Rallye steelies, maybe an option for you. It was lively regardless but as it was a Rallye rep thought it deserved the wheels too! Enjoy, I do miss mine and the rawness of it.

[Turning Japanese]

Garett said:

Mine was on the Gti pepperpots same as yours and I swapped them for 106 Rallye steelies, maybe an option for you. It was lively regardless but as it was a Rallye rep thought it deserved the wheels too! Enjoy, I do miss mine and the rawness of it.

Did you find they changed the steering at all? I'd definitely welcome a bit less weight in the steering.

[Garett]

Turning Japanese said:

Did you find they changed the steering at all? I'd definitely welcome a bit less weight in the steering.

It was 15 years ago now so I can't really remember, they were the same 14" diameter as I kept the tyres so dimensions are probably very similar.

[MC Bodge]

Garett said:

Mine was on the Gti pepperpots same as yours and I swapped them for 106 Rallye steelies, maybe an option for you. It was lively regardless but as it was a Rallye rep thought it deserved the wheels too! Enjoy, I do miss mine and the rawness of it.

[Ken P]

Turning Japanese said:

Did you find they changed the steering at all? I'd definitely welcome a bit less weight in the steering.

Chances are you're just used to modern over-assisted steering. I'd say, just drive it a bit more - you're arms will soon get used it

When I jump back in our GTi after not using it for a while I notice the steering being heavy. The more I use it the less I notice it - every drive is a work-out in an older car, just part of the charm

[Garett]

Was good to see one of these being used at a local hill climb event yesterday at Scammonden, not sure where it placed in the end but it went pretty well and looked very tidy.

[B'stard Child]

P. ONeill said:

Great little cars, 1.4 twin choke could scare the life out of a lot of the more popular hot hatches of the day in the traffic light GP. I had a 205 Lacoste. Same car with a little bit more bling.

I had the Lacoste too bought it at 6mths old - great little car and one of a very few that that I really missed when it went



Fragged in 2003 by the looks of things on DVLA

I've had other warm/hot hatches since but none have matched the steering feel and ability to fine tune the line thro a corner with the throttle

100% would love have another just for a fun thing for back roads

[P. ONeill]

B'stard Child said:

P. ONeill said:

Great little cars, 1.4 twin choke could scare the life out of a lot of the more popular hot hatches of the day in the traffic light GP. I had a 205 Lacoste. Same car with a little bit more bling.

I had the Lacoste too bought it at 6mths old - great little car and one of a very few that that I really missed when it went



Fragged in 2003 by the looks of things on DVLA

I've had other warm/hot hatches since but none have matched the steering feel and ability to fine tune the line thro a corner with the throttle

100% would love have another just for a fun thing for back roads

I must have a look for a photo of mine. It was on the BBC NI news, I’d love to see that again.

Pound to a penny says your sunroof leaked. They all did.

[B'stard Child]

P. ONeill said:

I must have a look for a photo of mine. It was on the BBC NI news, I’d love to see that again.

Pound to a penny says your sunroof leaked. They all did.

It’s the only picture I have of it - a scan of an old print I found when sorting out some old photos.

Sunroof - Never leaked a drop in the 4 years I owned it - I always thought the vac sealing system was such a clever system

[s m]

B'stard Child said:

P. ONeill said:

I must have a look for a photo of mine. It was on the BBC NI news, I’d love to see that again.

Pound to a penny says your sunroof leaked. They all did.

It’s the only picture I have of it - a scan of an old print I found when sorting out some old photos.

Sunroof - Never leaked a drop in the 4 years I owned it - I always thought the vac sealing system was such a clever system

I do remember the “swoosh” noise as I shut the sunroof on my old 309gti - also had the vacuum seal

In fact, none of the factory sun roof cars I ever had have leaked ….even the 30 plus year old ones.

The only ones I’ve had that leaked were non-factory aftermarket sunroofs

[P. ONeill]

s m said:

I do remember the “swoosh” noise as I shut the sunroof on my old 309gti - also had the vacuum seal

In fact, none of the factory sun roof cars I ever had have leaked ….even the 30 plus year old ones.

The only ones I’ve had that leaked were non-factory aftermarket sunroofs

Mine was factory but leaked like a sieve, but luckily only on the drivers side. My then girlfriend approved.