RE: PH Heroes: Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9
Discussion
Yep a great article that's got me all misty eyed and excited enough to log in and post! 
My first 205 GTi was bought in 1997 aged 20 and funded completely by my student loan. I'd say it was the major reason I had to retake the first year! Regrets? None, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
It was a red 1986 1.6 with the shorter ratio GR1(?) gearbox which made it rocket off the line. Extremely sure planted in the corners unless of course you lost your botle and lifted off!
205 GTi is the hot hatch king IMHO which is admittedly biased. Also liked the Astra GTE 16V. Loved the grunt and the way it accelerated whilst you watched the digital dash seemingly guessing the speed... 12... 26... no, 33, hang on, 44, lets call it 52?
My first 205 GTi was bought in 1997 aged 20 and funded completely by my student loan. I'd say it was the major reason I had to retake the first year! Regrets? None, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
It was a red 1986 1.6 with the shorter ratio GR1(?) gearbox which made it rocket off the line. Extremely sure planted in the corners unless of course you lost your botle and lifted off!205 GTi is the hot hatch king IMHO which is admittedly biased. Also liked the Astra GTE 16V. Loved the grunt and the way it accelerated whilst you watched the digital dash seemingly guessing the speed... 12... 26... no, 33, hang on, 44, lets call it 52?
Also had a 1.6 and 1.9- both black. The 1.6 had no sunroof and was probably the sweeter handling car. No doubt about it though I prefered the 1.9's punch, brakes and general lariness.
At one point I owned both a MKII Golf GTi and the 205- the Golf sat there until the battery went flat because the 205 was so much more fun.
At one point I owned both a MKII Golf GTi and the 205- the Golf sat there until the battery went flat because the 205 was so much more fun.
I've only ever driven the 1.6GTi model and I loved it! It was my mates car and he didn't really like it as I remember. Watching him drive it though, I could see why. His driving style was very 'flat' if you like, as if he was driving a modern peugeot 308 or something (couldn't resist a dig ).
IMO the 205 was a car that you had to lend yourself to completely. It fitted me like a glove and I loved chucking that excellent chassis around with that throttle response, nice gearbox and ratios, the quick - feelsome steering (non PAS in his car) just added to a fantastic mix.
Brilliant cars!
).IMO the 205 was a car that you had to lend yourself to completely. It fitted me like a glove and I loved chucking that excellent chassis around with that throttle response, nice gearbox and ratios, the quick - feelsome steering (non PAS in his car) just added to a fantastic mix.
Brilliant cars!
I hardly ever post on here as I mostly read at work, but when I saw this I had to comment.
Loved my '91 "H" 1.9 GTI in metallic grey, just like the one in the photographs.
Pre-cat model as I was told that from "J" onwards had cats and reduced the bhp.
I went from a mint low mileage white AXGT into this, so although the 205 was like a driving in a tin can compared to modern cars, it was a step up from the AX, expecially in performance.
The only downside to the car was a piston ring failure (I think I bought a lemon) which was cured by a replacement engine from Coventry Pugeot Specialists, don't know if they still exist, but their workshop was pretty cool for a pug enthusiast at the time. Various GTI's and Mi16's in various states of undress. They asked me if I wanted a Mi16 engine in there instead, but I couldn't stretch my budget to have it done, so a straight swap was done instead.
Since then I've owned a Corrado G60 a '02 Clio 172 and a '06 BMW Z4 3.0si. Out of all of them the 205 has given me the most enjoyment from a car. The BM straight 6 was a better noise, but for overall grin factor the pug wins everytime.
I sold the pug, which was mint at the time to a young kid who probably couldn't afford the insurance. One month later he had dents in both doors and the offside wing. Two months later he had stacked it.
My daily driver now is a boring C220 Cdi sport and there's nothing sporty about a 2008 diesel auto merc saloon. I'm thinking more and more about getting a little fizz bomb to tool around in and the 205 is at the top of the list along with a MK2 Golf Gti in oak green with big bumpers.
Loved my '91 "H" 1.9 GTI in metallic grey, just like the one in the photographs.
Pre-cat model as I was told that from "J" onwards had cats and reduced the bhp.
I went from a mint low mileage white AXGT into this, so although the 205 was like a driving in a tin can compared to modern cars, it was a step up from the AX, expecially in performance.
The only downside to the car was a piston ring failure (I think I bought a lemon) which was cured by a replacement engine from Coventry Pugeot Specialists, don't know if they still exist, but their workshop was pretty cool for a pug enthusiast at the time. Various GTI's and Mi16's in various states of undress. They asked me if I wanted a Mi16 engine in there instead, but I couldn't stretch my budget to have it done, so a straight swap was done instead.
Since then I've owned a Corrado G60 a '02 Clio 172 and a '06 BMW Z4 3.0si. Out of all of them the 205 has given me the most enjoyment from a car. The BM straight 6 was a better noise, but for overall grin factor the pug wins everytime.
I sold the pug, which was mint at the time to a young kid who probably couldn't afford the insurance. One month later he had dents in both doors and the offside wing. Two months later he had stacked it.
My daily driver now is a boring C220 Cdi sport and there's nothing sporty about a 2008 diesel auto merc saloon. I'm thinking more and more about getting a little fizz bomb to tool around in and the 205 is at the top of the list along with a MK2 Golf Gti in oak green with big bumpers.
I agree with all the positive comments. 205 GTi a brilliant car and seeing the pictures brings back fond memories, except for the obligatory lift-off oversteer spin (last car I've crashed). I can believe it is more alive and exciting than current hot hatches, but wouldn't want to experience a proper crash in one.
I still think the Williams was a better car - but I preferred the GTi to the normal 16v Clio.
I also think that the alloys on the 1.9 are some of the best-looking alloys ever made. Still look great today.
I still think the Williams was a better car - but I preferred the GTi to the normal 16v Clio.
I also think that the alloys on the 1.9 are some of the best-looking alloys ever made. Still look great today.
anything fast said:
shame modern peugeot's are as about as sporting as a stroke...
2.0 16V Mi16 conversion anyone?
Saw several very fast ones leaving scoobies for dead at santa pod last year.. made my smile!
If I remember correctly you could also supercharge the Mi16 engine. I remember in the mid 90's before Max Power magazine became a chav bible they had a 205 with a supercharged Mi16 engine in it. I knew the car as it was local to me. It was a minter in miami blue.2.0 16V Mi16 conversion anyone?
Saw several very fast ones leaving scoobies for dead at santa pod last year.. made my smile!
The car shown above in Gruber's post is ideal for me, if I had a spare £6.5k I would get it. The colour (sorrento green) is rare a rocking horse s
t.
Galaxy Bob said:
anything fast said:
shame modern peugeot's are as about as sporting as a stroke...
2.0 16V Mi16 conversion anyone?
Saw several very fast ones leaving scoobies for dead at santa pod last year.. made my smile!
If I remember correctly you could also supercharge the Mi16 engine. I remember in the mid 90's before Max Power magazine became a chav bible they had a 205 with a supercharged Mi16 engine in it. I knew the car as it was local to me. It was a minter in miami blue.2.0 16V Mi16 conversion anyone?
Saw several very fast ones leaving scoobies for dead at santa pod last year.. made my smile!
The car shown above in Gruber's post is ideal for me, if I had a spare £6.5k I would get it. The colour (sorrento green) is rare a rocking horse s
t.300bhp/ton said:
I'm sure these are capable cars although I have to say I don't get them or really see the appeal of them at all. They certainly don't appeal visually inside or out either.
But glad for diversity, it'd be a boring place if we all liked the same things.
Just think what you could have done to that TVR had you been in one of these rather than your Smart!But glad for diversity, it'd be a boring place if we all liked the same things.
Fantastic cars, a true gem all-round, handling, grip and outright speed. I wouldn't have liked to be in a crash in one as the panels were wafer thin, but they didn't seem to get crashed much even by boy racers due to the way they stuck to the road, even in the wet. Mate had one slightly modded with exhaust, K&N, strut brace etc, think he still regrets selling it to this day.
ETA: would be Miami Blue for me
Edited by geeteeaye on Tuesday 29th March 13:58
300bhp/ton said:
I'm sure these are capable cars although I have to say I don't get them or really see the appeal of them at all. They certainly don't appeal visually inside or out either.
But glad for diversity, it'd be a boring place if we all liked the same things.
Ever driven one? Unassisted steering and razor sharp throttle response along with lightweight and lift off, on demand oversteer. How anyone wouldn't like that is beyond me.But glad for diversity, it'd be a boring place if we all liked the same things.
It's also a practical every day car- loaded mine with building materials when I was doing up my house more than once.
I recently bought a Mi16 205GTi thinking it might make a nostalgic alternative to a new Renault 200 Cup. Unfortunately, age and the fact that it had been fettled by a succession of tinkerers left it somewhat wanting in the reliability department. Also, handling has moved on in the last twenty years and the Clio certainly clings on the corners with more enthusiasm.
But, it was blisteringly quick, though, and makes me think the 200 could do with another 100 horses...but at least it starts.
But, it was blisteringly quick, though, and makes me think the 200 could do with another 100 horses...but at least it starts.
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