RE: Peugeot 205 XS | Spotted

[vdn]

My first car was one of these... a light metallic blue XS that to this day remains a highlight of my car history.

All of my mates wanted fancy looking body kit clad cars but for me it was about the drive... and these things are incredible, handling wise. The feedback is WOW!

[j555]

s m said:

Caddyshack said:

s m said:

Who hugely underrated and underestimated them out of interest?

On the basis of the reviews here you’d say they were quite appreciated by past owners. Contemporary press reviews gave them plenty of praise. People like Chris Harris have told us how great they are to steer.

Have they ever had a damning review?

The xs has lived in the shadow of the gti and rallye though from new to old, I would say.

I wouldn’t say they were hugely underrated and underestimated though - most warm versions of a car tend to live in the shadow of the faster hot version.
The XS lived and died within the lifespan of the GTi but every review I’ve seen of the XS said things like the XS was a great alternative to the GTi if you couldn’t go the extra money

I agree that reviews at the time seem to have been positive but that the XS has lived in the shadow of the GTi. People who have owned them also hold them in high regard, even compared to much more powerful and expensive machinery they may have moved on to.

The XS may however be completely off the radar of many people who either were not around in the 1980s, or have little interest in cars. I was only 7 years old when my G reg 205 was built, and by the time I really got into cars, it was more the 106 XSi, Rallye and GTi that caught my fancy. Not having read the reviews at the time, I was more aware of the 205 GTi and the XS was not really on my radar until friends talked about them and how they were a bit of an underdog, etc. Having looked into them, the simplicity, close gearing, responsive engine and light weight appealed.

Many non car enthusiasts will be aware of the 205 GTi, but an XS would probably not hold much significance. The XS also looks quite subtle without any wheel arch extensions, spoilers or alloy wheels.

[ballans]

j555 said:

I agree that reviews at the time seem to have been positive but that the XS has lived in the shadow of the GTi. People who have owned them also hold them in high regard, even compared to much more powerful and expensive machinery they may have moved on to.

The XS may however be completely off the radar of many people who either were not around in the 1980s, or have little interest in cars. I was only 7 years old when my G reg 205 was built, and by the time I really got into cars, it was more the 106 XSi, Rallye and GTi that caught my fancy. Not having read the reviews at the time, I was more aware of the 205 GTi and the XS was not really on my radar until friends talked about them and how they were a bit of an underdog, etc. Having looked into them, the simplicity, close gearing, responsive engine and light weight appealed.

Many non car enthusiasts will be aware of the 205 GTi, but an XS would probably not hold much significance. The XS also looks quite subtle without any wheel arch extensions, spoilers or alloy wheels.

I think they are very much a car of its time. In the early 90s GTIs we’re virtually uninsurable for young drivers (like me) so warm hatches were the only route into anything remotely sporty or fun.
It just so happened that the XS was brilliant to drive which is probably why they hold so much interest 30 years later. You would need to have driven one to understand though.
£9k is a huge amount to pay for nostalgia but I get it. These do still come up for sale occasionally and normally got for around £4kish which seems more realistic.
Does anyone know what that £16k Nova SR actually sold for?

[Caddyshack]

If / when speed limiters become a thing here and we are being held up by modern cars limited then I expect we will get our kicks from low power and light weight cars with no grip…these may be just the thing. We will want to bring back ditch finder rubber too.

[kinker_rocks]

Had a number of 205’s Had a red XS phase 2 took a lot of abuse. Was a great thing as a youngster.

Rarer than and XS there is an XT on eBay. Plusher seats. Also cheaper. Same TU engine. This looks very clean. Been so tempted.

I’ll just leave this link here:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265679306502?mkcid=16&a...

Edited by kinker_rocks on Wednesday 29th June 20:10

[Mallone]

Adored my old XS.

Had it for about 4 years whilst at Uni. It was a scruffy old thing close up. I ran it on a shoestring, thrashed it EVERYWHERE, and did about 60k miles in it bombing around the UK. Fondly remember the day it ticked over 200k. I still have the muscle memory of exactly how much choke it needed to start on a winters day!

The gearbox/diff let go one summer and needed a £150 scrap replacement, but it was otherwise bulletproof.

I sold it for about £300. One car I do regret letting go. Looks like it died in 2009. RIP H73 KPJ.

[Pnj2018]

Ah, I learned to drive (and passed my test) in a Peugeot 205 back in 1988, happy memories!!

[Hippea]

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



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

[MC Bodge]

Mallone said:

That looked great

[MrVert]

Great little cars, I had a 205 GT back in the day, the 4 door version of the XS.

Very chuckable, superb handling and a revvy buzz box of an engine.

Keep thinking about getting another as a project car.

[Luther Blissett]

Hippea said:

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



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

That looks to be a really nice example, and something of a bargain in the context of the one in the article.

[Rich Boy Spanner]

Sister had one in the 1990's. I spent an afternoon fixing the front fog lights. Turned out the relay for them was ingeniously placed underneath the washer bottle. Once cleaned up and fixed it was greeted by disappointment of 'oh, they don't work without the headlights on? I wanted to have them on with just the sidelights like all the other cars I see, looks really good'...

[MC Bodge]

Hippea said:

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



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

That looks great. Not a normal XS.

Maybe the OEM wheels would be a better choice?

[Turning Japanese]

Hippea said:

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



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

I've just put a deposit on this. My first French car and a long time looking. I'm strangely more drawn to these than the GTI. I always like an underdog.

[Hippea]

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...

I've just put a deposit on this. My first French car and a long time looking. I'm strangely more drawn to these than the GTI. I always like an underdog.

Congratulations! Please report back when you have it

[ballans]

Turning Japanese said:

I've just put a deposit on this. My first French car and a long time looking. I'm strangely more drawn to these than the GTI. I always like an underdog.

Well done! Please do a readers ride thread.

[Ken P]

Turning Japanese said:

I've just put a deposit on this. My first French car and a long time looking. I'm strangely more drawn to these than the GTI. I always like an underdog.

Enjoy! Highly unlikely that you'll be disappointed

[Turning Japanese]

Thank you everyone. Really excited to get it. Always wanted something old, French and light weight. Plan to use it as much as possible.

[j555]

Turning Japanese said:

Thank you everyone. Really excited to get it. Always wanted something old, French and light weight. Plan to use it as much as possible.

Excellent! It looks a nice car and I hope you have a lot of fun with it. I have a 205 XS and do think that looks like a good one with a few nice upgrades. Good luck with it.

Look forward to hearing your thoughts on it and how you get on in due course.

[Turning Japanese]

j555 said:

Excellent! It looks a nice car and I hope you have a lot of fun with it. I have a 205 XS and do think that looks like a good one with a few nice upgrades. Good luck with it.

Look forward to hearing your thoughts on it and how you get on in due course.

Thank you.