Peugeot 205 Gti Review

Overall Rating

Cheap, Handling is on the ball. Fast and light and still has great street cred. The best hot hatch of the 80's.

Learn mechanics as some firms charge loads. Heater goes sometimes. You either love it or hate it and I love it.

I bought a 1.9 GTI on an F 1989 (133,000 miles) for my first car. I wanted a fast car and didn't really mind about the insurance as fast is better than slow. I'm 19 and I pay £2600 insurance 3rd party only with admiral. This car was rapid, beating Escort RS Turbos the lot and the car was standard. I had a few problems at first,
1)Laquar on roof come off
2)Dry bearing in crankshaft, making a sweaky noise
3)Fuel gauge playing up
4)Heater motor not working

I thrashed this motor around Romford, Southend, Thurrock and it handled like a go kart, I beat an Impreza round bends once but it was close. A knocking sound from the n/s wheel started and the car was idleing really rough but I took no notice. I put on a max flow induction kit and this baby was even faster. I was losing water by the day and before I knew it a month after I had bought it a pipe split and it overheated. I put a new pipe on which went to the cold water valve and topped up and carried on. I was travelling down the M25 The night after I got the hose and it lost power and come to a standstill. I tried to start it and it was not having none of it. I rang the recovery and waited to get picked up. He managed to start it with the jumpers and the bottom end had blown up and the alternator had gone, I was in a world of shame having paid £460 for it. I had to get another car but I fell in love with mine and I had to get it going. I rang around and got a Brand new recon engine fitted for £1000. It come with a 5 yr guarantee as long as I take it back there to get serviced. The car was running so smoothly it was like it come out the showroom, but the car was still idling funny and it still is to this day, the breather pipes have been cleaned and so have the injectors so I don't know what it is. The clicking from the wheel was still there so I put in a driveshaft and the clicking went. The car is holding back a bit but with a little bit of messing about I'm sure I can get the thing as fast as it was when I first got it. I love this car and all other 205 GTI's, there the nuts.
If you need cheap parts try GSF, they're well cheap. If you wana know the firm about the new engines then email me on lombardo_001@hotmail.com.

Respect to all 205 gti owners.

Members' Comments onlombardo's Review

• wotthedickens on 21st Jun 2007

  I myself have a lovely little H plate 1.6 GTI. Bright cheery red with a pug body kit (fitted at birth). She's my first car too, I wasn't interested in having a poor car to bomb around in, always been a proper motor enthusiast. 'Her Majesty' as she's known, is typically fussy when it comes to new parts. I'll only let one mechanic touch her. You want to talk about quick..shes faster 0-100mph then my fellas 4.6l '99 Mustang GT. She's quicker then my mates Golf VR4 and blows anyone in a Saxo with a massive body kit and a loud tail pipe out of the water, leaving only embarrassment to those left in her wake. And doubly embarrassing because I'm a lass.
  
  Currently her maj is undergoing some restoration works in time for next years showing season. She recently went to the local newark classic car show where she sat next to a mint Reno 5 and a very nice capri. Lots of attention was given to the 3 and loads of peeps took her pic. Course I left grinning like a mental patient.
  
  Shes recently had...new leads, dizzy, sparks, starter motor, track rod end, bearing, cooler pipe, fuel pipe among others. Now shes wingeing for a new alternator. She will be having a new coat of cherry in the new year and her front seats a good going over.
  
  Note to anyone wanting to buy a 205 GTI - do it, its the most rewarding car you will ever purchase. Lots of work if you want to keep them in excellent condition, but well worth it. I bought mine for a grand and at 85,0000 on the clock I knew it was worth it, now shes worth double and climbing. At 17 years old no one can say shes not a classic car. I love my little baby, I've vowed never to sell her , give her away, break her or scrap her. Its a thoroughly rewarding car, even my fella will give up a day in his 'stang to have a 15 min drive in maj - and thats saying something.