Peugeot 205 Gti Review

Overall Rating

Abundance of energy.
Reliability.
Extremely precise handling. Brakes, steering etc.
Economy.
Massive "Fun Factor" which never fades.
Build quality

Fuel Gauge stopped working. (probably my fault again!)

Ladies and gentlemen!
I bought my 1.9 Peugot 205 Gti new, in Saudi Arabia in 1993. At the time l was working for a Saudi Oil Company, on the east coast of S.A.
I drove it in and around the Eastern Province of S.A. in 40-plus degrees. No problems at all, the A.C. worked impeccably and the car started up each day at the first turn of the key. Extreme Test number 1. Passed 5 Star. In 1995 i drove my car back to U.K. overland from the east coast of S.A. 1,600 kilometers to Jordan. Over very bumpy, unmade roads part way along the TAP Line (Trans Arabian Pipeline) the speedometer cable stopped working. It had jumped out of its housing. A quick pull on the cable from under the bonnet cured the problem immediately. Not the car's fault, mine. Passed through border control and flew through Jordan, excellent roads en route for Syria. Filled the tank for the umteenth time but fuel economy brilliant!
Passed through border control into Syria and again, the "Pug" was in its element on the wide Syrian highways. After stopping part way on a wide section of the highway to take some photos of villagers, made contact with the Syrian "Highway Patrol" who were really good fun to talk to. The exclaimed their surprise at the fact when l explained to them l was driving all he way back to U.K. in this little "Peejoo"(their pronunciation), wished me God's blessing and sent me off with a salute.
Crossed the border into Turkey and proceeded up quite high mountain passes and down the other side quite scary at times but the Gti took everything in its stride, brakes, steering, handling, impeccable!
Same story: Turkey, Greece and after the car ferry from Igoumenitsa(Greece) to Brindisi (southern Italy) and through the border at Ventimiglia, into France. Beat up through France to Cherbourg in time to get the 5 p.m.ferry to Poole. Up to the M4 and then down to Wales. Total mileage; 8,500 kilometers (5,000 miles) in four and a half days!!! At every stage, the Gti never murmured, got on with the job happily and, considering the incredible amount of varying conditions, fast roads, mountains, sharp bends etc, this Gem of a car kept me safe and secure, even though it was put to extreme tests many times en route. Later that year in November, the 205Gti was driven to Sweden, where l stayed through a Swedish winter until february. Typical temperatures ranging from minus 10 degrees C to minus 25 degrees C (often minus 30C). Ice, wind and snow!
There was no space in the garage so the Gti had to stay outside even at night under 5/6 inches of snow. All throughout these extremes of climate and temperature changes, the car started up first time, with the heater clearing the screen and warming the interior in a matter of minutes. Now that is a car worth talking about!!
The car has only covered 42,000 kilometers(25,000(ish) miles, serviced at Canterbury Motors Peugeot agent where the cambelt was changed by request. And that's it! The car is now with me in my garage here in Southern France and still on Arab plates.
The idea of this "travelogue" is to point out the incredible features of this time-defying classic of all time. I defy anyone to deny that my 1.9 Gti has proven it can handle anything that has been thrown at it with safety, security and confidence. As the Swedes do, my 205Gti will be buried with me when l go to the happy racetrack in the sky!