205 GTI: What do I look for?
Discussion
I am looking for help on what to look for when buying a 205 GTI i have servarall articals from different books however they do all say slightly different things, if there is anyone out there who ownes one i would like to hear what kind of things too look out for, i have to go for a 1.6 as the insurance for the 1.9 is far to expensive but any help would be great. I already own a 306 D-turbo so i am fairly custom to the brand and blood line of the 205 but still would like to hear any storys.
Sorry for any spelling mistakes
Regards
Low Pro
Sorry for any spelling mistakes
Regards
Low Pro
you need to get over to http://www.205gtidrivers.com/index2.html and digest the forum, if it happens its happened there.
fredd1e said:
you need to get over to http://www.205gtidrivers.com/index2.html and digest the forum, if it happens its happened there.
As above.Rust - apart from the inner wheel arches, boot floor and bottom of the B-pillars any other significant rust is a good pointer to abuse or crash damage. They are remarkably rust resistant cars.
Suspension - front suspension strong, rear beams do go done. Rear beams can be replaced easily. They ride very well on the original set-up - I'd avoid lowered cars.
Brakes - 1.6 run rear drums, 1.9 rear discs. 1.9 handbrakes (on the rear discs) tend not to work well.
Engines - reasonably strong. Watch for any burning oil (pistonrings). Should pull cleanly through the rev range. 1.9 feels lazier than the 1.6.
Electrics - more problematic. Erratic idle especially when cold is to be expected. I own one that doesn't do this, and have owned 3 that do! The interior clock is unlikely to work reliably. Look for butchered ignition looms and poorly fitted immobilisers.
In summary it depends what you are wanting - expect to pay good money for a clean original car on it's original engine. Project cars are cheap and track cars are variable.
Suspension - front suspension strong, rear beams do go done. Rear beams can be replaced easily. They ride very well on the original set-up - I'd avoid lowered cars.
Brakes - 1.6 run rear drums, 1.9 rear discs. 1.9 handbrakes (on the rear discs) tend not to work well.
Engines - reasonably strong. Watch for any burning oil (pistonrings). Should pull cleanly through the rev range. 1.9 feels lazier than the 1.6.
Electrics - more problematic. Erratic idle especially when cold is to be expected. I own one that doesn't do this, and have owned 3 that do! The interior clock is unlikely to work reliably. Look for butchered ignition looms and poorly fitted immobilisers.
In summary it depends what you are wanting - expect to pay good money for a clean original car on it's original engine. Project cars are cheap and track cars are variable.
I had a 1.9 and the lump idle is a "feature" of the car. The amount of car reviews I read all commented on it. Its not good in traffic as you tend to kangaroo along.
In general they are fairly solid cars. A lot have been in accidents though, so do the usual checks under the bonnet to look for accident damage.
They do rust around the back, the boot area etc. The handbrake on the 1.9 is a bit sketchy, but new cables and an overhaul of the brake calipers can fix that.
In general they are fairly solid cars. A lot have been in accidents though, so do the usual checks under the bonnet to look for accident damage.
They do rust around the back, the boot area etc. The handbrake on the 1.9 is a bit sketchy, but new cables and an overhaul of the brake calipers can fix that.
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