Thinking of..

[AndyBe]

...buying a 206 GTi, 2.0 - 2001 (or thereabouts) to use primarily as a commuter (600km a week). Some occaisonal 'other' use. Before I go and look at a couple, has anyone any advice on what to look out for - something specific to these cars/models ?

[Defcon5]

They are generally regarded as inferior to the competition. A colleague had one and hated every minute of it,

[AndyBe]

Defcon5 said:

They are generally regarded as inferior to the competition. A colleague had one and hated every minute of it,

OK - but what about the competition ? How inferior ? I think I'm also looking at the wrong car to use as a commuter. But I can't help it. I need something a little better than the Escort TDi I'm commuting in at the mo'. I still need something a little sportier for those occasions when I'm not commuting (even though I have something else I can use for that ). What problems do these cars have ? (206 GTi's)

[Defcon5]

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=...

What do you want out of the car?

[AndyBe]

That was a pretty useful read. Early rotting exhausts on the GTi for example.
I'm looking for something to commute in. But something also a little more exciting. I've got mostly straight roads with just a little bit of twisty. Since it's a commuter it needs to be reliable. As I said 600km every week. Then I'll also use it for other trips. I'm just, sort of, kind of, bored of driving the TD Escort.

[Defcon5]

Any ideas on a budget?

[AndyBe]

Budget is around the price you'd pay for an 01 206 GTi.''

ETA - but budget isn't the question. Problems on 206 (and especially GTi's, is).

Regular servicing and repairs is no problem for me to carry out. I'm just looking for (as a first time potential peugeot owner) things I need to look for. I've never owned a Frenchy before.

Edited by AndyBe on Saturday 25th July 01:36

[Defcon5]

Problem wise, all I know is what happened to the one my colleague had - the standard exhaust needed replacing, which I think is very common. It also had a long standing series of electrical problems ranging from indicators and mirrors not working to the car not starting due to ECU problems.

Performance wise, its in the Fiesta ST/Lupo GTI/106 GTI area, more of a warm hatch - certainly wont be competing with anything with a Renaultsport badge, quite why they only gave it 135bhp from the 2.0 engine is beyond me.

Never driven one, but I given this comes from the people who gave us the 106 and 205 GTI I would hope it is pretty good

[dannytherev]

Defcon5 said:

Problem wise, all I know is what happened to the one my colleague had - the standard exhaust needed replacing, which I think is very common. It also had a long standing series of electrical problems ranging from indicators and mirrors not working to the car not starting due to ECU problems.

Performance wise, its in the Fiesta ST/Lupo GTI/106 GTI area, more of a warm hatch - certainly wont be competing with anything with a Renaultsport badge, quite why they only gave it 135bhp from the 2.0 engine is beyond me.

Never driven one, but I given this comes from the people who gave us the 106 and 205 GTI I would hope it is pretty good

Problem's I know of with the 206GTI are as follow's as mentioned the exhausts rot the Cat can need changing main problem is electrics the climate control can go haywire if it does that's expensive ,ecu's can go wrong as mentioned
Performance wise it's not that quick have driven several 206XSI's 1.6 16v 110hp vs 206GTi 135hp no much difference really and the XSI's are much better on fuel

[joyce]

just get 172 sport top car

[mrdelmonti]

As well as actual reliability problems there were design issues too, over longer journeys you might find your back and neck hurt, this is because the pedals are slightly offset meaning you twist your body slightly to operate them, also visibility in heavy rain is reduced due to the fact that the wipers are still set up for a LHD meaning half of the drivers portion of the windscreen doesn't get touched by the wipers.

[AndyBe]

mrdelmonti said:

As well as actual reliability problems there were design issues too, over longer journeys you might find your back and neck hurt, this is because the pedals are slightly offset meaning you twist your body slightly to operate them, also visibility in heavy rain is reduced due to the fact that the wipers are still set up for a LHD meaning half of the drivers portion of the windscreen doesn't get touched by the wipers.

Well those problems probably won't apply to me since I'll be buying a LHD car (driving on the continent)
I'm still undecided. I'm going to have a look at this little GTi. But then also in the running is a Saab93, a Mondeo, a Punto, a Celica, a Focus and a Polo ???
I'm not spending big money, and at the end of the day it's a car I really don't care about, but I need to care about it in as much as I'm going to spend a lot of time in it.

Thanks for the answers.

[mrdelmonti]

AndyBe said:

mrdelmonti said:

As well as actual reliability problems there were design issues too, over longer journeys you might find your back and neck hurt, this is because the pedals are slightly offset meaning you twist your body slightly to operate them, also visibility in heavy rain is reduced due to the fact that the wipers are still set up for a LHD meaning half of the drivers portion of the windscreen doesn't get touched by the wipers.

Well those problems probably won't apply to me since I'll be buying a LHD car (driving on the continent)
I'm still undecided. I'm going to have a look at this little GTi. But then also in the running is a Saab93, a Mondeo, a Punto, a Celica, a Focus and a Polo ???
I'm not spending big money, and at the end of the day it's a car I really don't care about, but I need to care about it in as much as I'm going to spend a lot of time in it.

Thanks for the answers.

Sorry yes, didn't notice that.

[terryb]

I thought you meant a 205 GTI - now that is a great car

If you want a car to enjoy driving, then I would look at an 02 Civic Type R. Don't know what your budget is, but a Clio 172/182 would be better than a 206 GTI too. In fact I think pretty much any other hot hatch from the same era would be

[Thejimreaper]

I used to sell Peugeots. I had a GTI for a couple of months as my co car, and to be honest it was fairly dull. Fuel consumption is not good either, bearing in mind what the car gives you in return for its drink problem.

Overall mate, I would say look elsewhere.

[Bourj]

The 206 In general gets poor reports, but this seems to be reflected in second hand prices and comparing cars in the same price brackets is far more logical. I have had my 206 for over eight years 40K miles. 1 new battery, 1 set of brake disks and pads and one mid section of exhaust and its on its third set of tyres. Oh and one ball joint, which was probably due to my car being lowered and driving on particularly bad roads. That’s all the issues I have had and its not been expensive for said parts. Up until yesterday I have done all the servicing myself. It’s never failed an MOT or (touch wood) ever let me down. All the above was done on advisory apart from the battery failing, which was my fault. Put it in the garage with the lights on and got out of the car through the roof and so did not activate lights on warning because I didn’t open the door. Yes my car is the girly CC version so loads to go wrong and heavier than the hatch. I get comments all the time about French engineering, but I also own a German coach built vehicle which in two years of ownership I have paid out far more in servicing repairs on the German engineered section.

Having also had a Saxo VTS, whilst owning the 206 I can categorically say that the 206 2.0l is on a par performance wise. The 206 just feels a little more lardy and lacks feedback, acceleration is the same and the brakes are better on the 206. The 206 is better equipped and with far more torque it can overtake far easier. The gearbox is very well siuted to the torque band of the engine. We also found the MPG was better on the 2.0l 206 compared to the Saxo and future tax bands are also lower, although the 206 2.0 is still pretty high tax.

It may not be a car you want to do track days and hence probably not a true "pistonheads car", but on roads it will easily keep up and get you ahead in most traffic. Yes the plastic trim is dated now and the wipers are set up for LHD, but it doesn’t affect the driving experience or praticalities.

I have also been looking for a commuter car with a bit of fun and test-drove a new 1.8 MX5 roadster. I decided my car was far better for my purposes being far quicker. So I have just had the cam belt changed, whilst this was being carried out I had a 1.4 206 courtesy car and could not believe that the 1.4 felt just as good in accelerating as the MX5. I am now considering getting another 206 to commute because they are so cheep now for the kit you get and because I do not want to put loads of miles on my CC or on a new car. If the 206 suits your purpose for the price do not be put off. If you can compromise on a higher price get a Clio. If you can compromise on kit and want feedback get a VTS or 106 GTI.

If you are looking for a 2001 then go for an X reg as you should pay less car tax per year in the future. GT versions are the same as GTI, but have the deeper bumper. Makes the car uglier, a good thing as it’s too pretty as standard IMO. Just try and get one that has been well looked after. Check the exhaust, check all instrument warning lamps are functioning and ensure the cam belt has been changed recently. Servicing is supposedly 2 years 20K, but I do oil changes far more regular with good quality oil. I have heard of tappet sticking issues IMO its due to poor quality oil and lack of oil changes.