Help On What Car To Get - Williams or 205 GTI
Discussion
Hi,
I am considering buying a 'Sunday car' for the summer to mess about with while I am off university but am really confused about what to get. Inspired by a past EVO magazine article on 'Front Runners' I have narrowed down to either a Clio Williams 2 or 3 or a 205 GTI 1.9. Both seem to cost around the same to insure on a limited mileage (5000) policy and I am guessing there wouldn't be much in it for running costs?
I am looking at Williams cars around the £2.5k mark which seems to get me a nice 94-95ish higher mileage example? An 'F' plate 205 GTI has however come up reasonably close to me for around the £1.5k mark. The car is claimed to be in good condition with most parts that seem to need sorted (brake pipes, tires, exhaust) being done. It has done over 120k with no engine work though apparently starts on the button and pulls cleanly with no smoke, etc. Only spot of rust is along the lower edge of the drivers door. The car has no tax however. Described as not showroom but in great condition. Is the price fair?
Basically do I get a Clio Williams or the 205? Or do I get the Peugeot this year and the Williams next
Any help appreciated,
Mark
I am considering buying a 'Sunday car' for the summer to mess about with while I am off university but am really confused about what to get. Inspired by a past EVO magazine article on 'Front Runners' I have narrowed down to either a Clio Williams 2 or 3 or a 205 GTI 1.9. Both seem to cost around the same to insure on a limited mileage (5000) policy and I am guessing there wouldn't be much in it for running costs?
I am looking at Williams cars around the £2.5k mark which seems to get me a nice 94-95ish higher mileage example? An 'F' plate 205 GTI has however come up reasonably close to me for around the £1.5k mark. The car is claimed to be in good condition with most parts that seem to need sorted (brake pipes, tires, exhaust) being done. It has done over 120k with no engine work though apparently starts on the button and pulls cleanly with no smoke, etc. Only spot of rust is along the lower edge of the drivers door. The car has no tax however. Described as not showroom but in great condition. Is the price fair?
Basically do I get a Clio Williams or the 205? Or do I get the Peugeot this year and the Williams next
Any help appreciated,
Mark
Edited by mark_mcd on Wednesday 30th May 13:01
£1.5k for a 205 with no tax is towards the high end for a private sale even in good nick. If it really is good with low owners / nice interior, £1200 would be OK.
I'd be looking to get it for £900 though. How long is the MOT.
If the Willy does'nt stretch the budget too much I'd go with that. They will probably both need something doing at some time and they would both be easy to sell when / if you want to move on.
Have a drive of both see which you prefer.
I'd be looking to get it for £900 though. How long is the MOT.
If the Willy does'nt stretch the budget too much I'd go with that. They will probably both need something doing at some time and they would both be easy to sell when / if you want to move on.
Have a drive of both see which you prefer.
Thanks for the reply 
205 has 10 months MOT on it. Haven't looked into how much it would be to tax. Interior meant to be good but couple of holes in drivers seat from cigarette burns (though the owner says they must be really old as no other signs of past smoking owner). I too thought £1500 was a bit on the steep side. Seller has some old MOT's, V5 and reciepts from various past servicings so some history.
Anyone any idea how much light rust on the sill would cost to fix?
If I got it for nearer the £1k mark I recon it would be a better bet over the Williams?
Cheers,
Mark
205 has 10 months MOT on it. Haven't looked into how much it would be to tax. Interior meant to be good but couple of holes in drivers seat from cigarette burns (though the owner says they must be really old as no other signs of past smoking owner). I too thought £1500 was a bit on the steep side. Seller has some old MOT's, V5 and reciepts from various past servicings so some history.
Anyone any idea how much light rust on the sill would cost to fix?
If I got it for nearer the £1k mark I recon it would be a better bet over the Williams?
Cheers,
Mark
I don't know the Williams but 205s are old cars and they wll need maintenance. I'd imagine that the Williams will be more reliable as it is newer.
Are you interested in working on the car? From what I've seen under the bonnet of a Clio they will be an absolute nightmare to work on. The 205 isn't the best but the Clio looked far worse for space under the bonnet.
£1500 is too much for a car without real work done. The bits that need attention at this age will be engine, rear beam, most suspension rubbers, etc. Forget the condition of things like the exhaust, they are very cheap and easy to change. If it has not been done then the rear beam WILL need rebuilding, this can be quite expensive (£200-300) but is actually easy to remove and replace.
Which is best for you will depend on what you want from the car. I'd not buy a 205 if you want something you just want to drive and pay someone else to look after.
Rob
Are you interested in working on the car? From what I've seen under the bonnet of a Clio they will be an absolute nightmare to work on. The 205 isn't the best but the Clio looked far worse for space under the bonnet.
£1500 is too much for a car without real work done. The bits that need attention at this age will be engine, rear beam, most suspension rubbers, etc. Forget the condition of things like the exhaust, they are very cheap and easy to change. If it has not been done then the rear beam WILL need rebuilding, this can be quite expensive (£200-300) but is actually easy to remove and replace.
Which is best for you will depend on what you want from the car. I'd not buy a 205 if you want something you just want to drive and pay someone else to look after.
Rob
1500 does seem high, my 1.6 j-reg cost £1400 three years ago. As to which one to buy, the 205 looks better but the clio is faster, never driven a clio so can't compare handling, if it was me i'd by a 205 but only because i like them.
for £1500 i'd want a j-reg 1.9 in top condition not an f that has rust on the sill.
sill re-spray should be around a couple of hundred depends on how much rust there is.
for £1500 i'd want a j-reg 1.9 in top condition not an f that has rust on the sill.
sill re-spray should be around a couple of hundred depends on how much rust there is.
Edited by C2996 on Wednesday 6th June 14:30
Have a look over www.the80semporium.co.uk, good guy to get advice from and he may have a gti/williams in stock.
Rob_the_Sparky said:
There is a Skip Brown car in stunning condition for sale on 205GtiDrivers, talk to Feb.
Yes, this car is lovely, I've been in it and I have to say it's one of the nicest you'll ever see. I remember the guy who owned it before was also a club member.Edited by Rob_the_Sparky on Monday 11th June 12:38
well im in a similar position..except i have owned a 205gti 1.9 with a 1.6 gearbox...i paid 900 squid for it and it was T&T had full leather and was ultra reliable and body was very very good for a D reg!
now i own a Lancia Delta but need a more economical car..(one that does more than 25mpg!!!)
so... do i go for a 205 mi16? or a Clio williams?? ive even considered a Toyota Starlet GT turbo 1.3!! they are supposed to be ultra quick, reliable, and cheap to run....
can anyone offer advise please??
now i own a Lancia Delta but need a more economical car..(one that does more than 25mpg!!!)
so... do i go for a 205 mi16? or a Clio williams?? ive even considered a Toyota Starlet GT turbo 1.3!! they are supposed to be ultra quick, reliable, and cheap to run....
can anyone offer advise please??
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