Another comparison thread.

[mikey_p]

This time is 205 1.6 GTI Vs 205 1.9 GTI

I have the unfortunate branding of "21 year old male from Essex", not something the insurers like to hear. Insurance is therefore fairly high for both.

As an example Adrian Flux quoted me £1,400 fully comp with a few modifications (lowered, induction kit, uprated brakes, exhaust, basically what most GTI's have fitted as finding a standard one is tough). That was for the 1.9. For the 1.6 with all the same criteria and all the same mods from Adrian Flux I was quoted £1,038 fully comp.
(I also got a quote for a standard 1.9 GTI on confused for £948 which I thought was pretty good. Then adding the few modifications put the quote upto £2,700 )

As I have driven neither, do you think it is worthwhile paying the extra premium and getting the 1.9? Or is there not a whole heap different between the two? However I am going to use it as a daily driver for a while, and then slowely turn it into a trackday tool as i've been stealing my dads car for the past 6 years and I really should start using my own car.

Cheers in advance

[simes205]

1.6 is the more flexible engine, 1.9 is lazier.
1.6 doesn't have electric windows, half leather, rear discs or nice wheels. Mind you most got them in the end.

[sorrento205]

In my opinion, with 205s the way they are these days, youd be best advised to buy the best car you can afford. Something with a refurbished rear beam, regardless of engine size, would get my attention every time

[steve_d]

Have you tried MSM?
They cover many powerful kitcars so the level of your mods may not worry them as much.

Steve

[mikey_p]

Cheers. I have not tried MSM yet, never heard of them to be honest.

Also what is meant by a refurbished rear beam? (sorry bit of a mechanical numpty)

Seen a mk2 1.9 GTI with 88,000 miles on the clock that looks promising. completely standard too. May have a look at that soon.

[Rob_the_Sparky]

simes205 said:

1.6 is the more flexible engine, 1.9 is lazier.
1.6 doesn't have electric windows, half leather, rear discs or nice wheels. Mind you most got them in the end.

Eh? The 1.9 has the greater spread of torque but the 1.6 feels revvier. Surely the 1.9 is the more flexible of the two. Pulls from all revs but (generally) doesn't have the sparkle of the 1.6.

Rob

P.S. From experience it is possible to put some sparkle back into a 1.9 but it takes a while to get the tuning right (and clean injectors also help).

P.P.S. The 309 GTi is cheaper to buy and insure and more sure footed than a 205 (less likely to put you through a hedge). Ugly duckling by comparison but a phase 2 car isn't too bad, I was plesantly surprised how good they are. I've got 2 1.9 205s and a 309(for commuting).

Edited by Rob_the_Sparky on Monday 29th January 17:32

[bales]

Most people tend tend to say that the 1.6's aren't that far behind in straighline speed anyway as 1.9s very rarely make the proper power and a tired 1.9 probably has only about 5-10bhp more than a 1.6 if any really.

I don't know how true that is personally as I have a 1.9, but I like the power delivery of the 1.9 as it is torquey and you can drive it hard without having to rag the nuts off it and still make good progress.

[simes205]

Rob_the_Sparky said:

simes205 said:

1.6 is the more flexible engine, 1.9 is lazier.
1.6 doesn't have electric windows, half leather, rear discs or nice wheels. Mind you most got them in the end.

Eh? The 1.9 has the greater spread of torque but the 1.6 feels revvier. Surely the 1.9 is the more flexible of the two. Pulls from all revs but (generally) doesn't have the sparkle of the 1.6.

Rob
phase 2 car isn't too bad, I was plesantly surprised how good they are. I've got 2 1.9 205s and a 309(for commuting).

Edited by Rob_the_Sparky on Monday 29th January 17:32

Yep sorry, by using the word flexible I mean't more 'revy' bit like the Mi.

[mikey_p]

Well got rid of my old 1.6 slightly un-interesting Clio the other day, and purchased a Sorrento Green 1.9 205 GTI today

Loving it, tis a lot of fun, although i had to drive it back in the dark in rush hour today so was taking it easy, and will do for a while i think, it's strange how such a small car can be quite intimidating.

Spent a while with a mechanic friend checking it over and it seems in pretty good nick, 84,000 on a 1990 car which is fairly good, and is completely standard, which is what I was looking for.

A few minor problems such as glove box doesnt close, and the handle jobbie to close the door on the drivers side is hanging half off, . But can't imagine thats expensive to fix. Also the one problem that is a tad concerning is the front bumper has been replaced, and badly. It's obviosly been in a slight front-end shunt, but whatever owner it was got a front bumper off a red GTI and poorly painted it green. Didn't see any signs of major accident damage though so it's merely cosmetic.

Am very happy with it, can't wait to take it out in the light and in the dry

p.s. SorrentoGreen, are you SorrentoGreen on 205GTIDrivers.com as well? if so I was using (what I could remember from) your buyers guide. Very useful.

[sorrento205]

im on drivers as Bonzai, you may know me from my handy guides to fitting 307 hdi brakes amd Adobe Photoshop basics

congrats on the buy

[mikey_p]

sorrento205 said:

im on drivers as Bonzai, you may know me from my handy guides to fitting 307 hdi brakes amd Adobe Photoshop basics

congrats on the buy

Ah yes, the guide to fitting 307 HDI brakes was a very interesting read actually

I did however read the Photoshop basics article, that was quite interesting, although would be more interesting if I had a copy. I think the 205 will make a good getaway vehicle so i'll just do a smash n' grab on PC World and get myself a copy

I'll try and post some pics of the car tomorrow.

p.s. (again) is it usual to have a slight excitable twitch with the thought of "God I want to drive it RIGHT NOW"

[sorrento205]

for the first few months yes. Maybe it was just me but after a while i got sick of the not knowing if it was going to start/get me home etc etc. Though i can testify the Mi16 conversion is a good remedy for this

[simes205]

mikey_p said:

sorrento205 said:

im on drivers as Bonzai, you may know me from my handy guides to fitting 307 hdi brakes amd Adobe Photoshop basics

congrats on the buy

Ah yes, the guide to fitting 307 HDI brakes was a very interesting read actually
p.s. (again) is it usual to have a slight excitable twitch with the thought of "God I want to drive it RIGHT NOW"

I fell foul of Bonzai's little write up and have fitted those bloody brakes!!

Believe or not I'm 'Simes' on 205GTIdrivers.

I've been pottering around recently quite gently in the Mi or driving the CC. I went out briefly the other night in the Mi and reminded myself what happens after 4500rpm!!

Edited by simes205 on Wednesday 31st January 23:16

[_dobbo_]

mikey_p said:

p.s. (again) is it usual to have a slight excitable twitch with the thought of "God I want to drive it RIGHT NOW"

I've had mine just under 2 years, and I still get that. Plus everyone knows sorrento green ones are fastest.

[s33gav]

simes205 said:

1.6 is the more flexible engine, 1.9 is lazier.
1.6 doesn't have electric windows, half leather, rear discs or nice wheels. Mind you most got them in the end.

Is that actually true? My 1.6 had both and they were both as standard. '92 Phase 2.

[TECHNOPUG]

_dobbo_ said:

I've had mine just under 2 years, and I still get that. Plus everyone knows sorrento green ones are fastest.

This is indeed a scientific fact!!!