205 GTi - Would I really Enjoy It ?

[Geneve]

20 years + since their heydays, if I bought a good 205 GTi today, would I be impressed or disappointed ?

I drive uber-efficient German performance cars day to day, but I'm looking for a fun 'toy' that feels light, responsive, with great steering, that puts a smile on my face, and I can do a few Junior Track Days with my son. It also needs to be practical enough for the occasional trip.

Or, would the novelty soon wear off, and I'll find I've got a rattly old French car that is slow, wheezy, and troublesome?

It still gets highly rated in the media, but is it justified ? Views sought.

[TEKNOPUG]

It's the purest "hot-hatch". If anyone made a similar car today (not that they would be allowed to) - it would be the "insert model" super-light R Xtreme. No matter how much power, grip, 4WD, mechanical/electric diffage you add to a car, it's no replacement for adding lightness and direct, point & squirt handling.

[trickywoo]

The 205 is a great car. I had one and would do again.

But from what you have said I think you might be happier with an Integra Type R.

[Old Merc]

The 205 was the best GTI ever and the best club rally car ever. BUT! as you say 20years past the prime.Try finding a good one will be hard,if you do it will be a great little fun car.

[Kitchski]

If you're into German stuff I can't see you being impressed with froggie tin to be honest, they're like chalk and cheese.

How about a mk2 Golf GTi?

[TEKNOPUG]

Kitchski said:

If you're into German stuff I can't see you being impressed with froggie tin to be honest, they're like chalk and cheese.

How about a mk2 Golf GTi?

True, a 205 is MUCH better than a Mk2 Golf

Try a 306 if you want something a little newer. Not as raw but slightly more forgiving that a 205.

[kayzee]

I just bought a R5 GT Turbo for some old skool fun, always wanted one

[Geneve]

Thanks.

EVO did a test to find the best fwd car ever and the Integra came top, but somehow just a bit too efficient and 'japanese'. Still tempted by the 'old school' 205 GTi - which also did well in the test. (only other consideration is a rwd E30 3i8i/325i Sport)

A 205 GTi wouldn't be replacing my 'Teutonic' transport, so I would be able to enjoy it in isolation.

But, it must be a really good, original, well maintained, rust free, example - ideally low mileage, post-'90.

Where are the best ones hidden?

[TEKNOPUG]

Geneve said:

Thanks.

EVO did a test to find the best fwd car ever and the Integra came top, but somehow just a bit too efficient and 'japanese'. Still tempted by the 'old school' 205 GTi - which also did well in the test. (only other consideration is a rwd E30 3i8i/325i Sport)

A 205 GTi wouldn't be replacing my 'Teutonic' transport, so I would be able to enjoy it in isolation.

But, it must be a really good, original, well maintained, rust free, example - ideally low mileage, post-'90.

Where are the best ones hidden?

Why Post '90? There is a good chance that they will come with PAS (not great unless you have a slippy-diff) and ABS - which is rubbish.

They don't rust (apart from around the battery and after poor body repairs) so that's not really an issue. I wouldn't get too hung-up on trying to find the perfect car. The suspension and brakes are cheap and easy to replace and will make the car drive like new. Better to spend £1k on a car and £2k on an overhaul than £3k on an unknown car. Plus there are hundreds of after-market tuning parts that you'll be interested in if you want to track it.

[Simes205]

www.205gtidrivers.com

89-90 the best built cars, later ones rust and the paint is generally awful.

I don't often drive mine, but when I do whether it's a quick hack down to Goodwood or 1000miles across Europe it puts a large smile across my face.

Light
Great throttle response
Agile
No driver aids
No safety to speak of
Noisy
Mine has a smidge over 200bhp / ton

Fun!

Edited by Simes205 on Tuesday 22 June 20:50

[Rollcage]

Old Merc said:

The 205 was the best GTI ever and the best club rally car ever. BUT! as you say 20years past the prime.Try finding a good one will be hard,if you do it will be a great little fun car.

Really?

Not the Escort then?

[Geneve]

Thanks for the advice so far.

Take the point about pas, abs, etc. But, I do have a thing about 'low mileage', 'low no. of owners' and 'originality'.

This is the kind of thing I really like http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1814201.htm

Pity she didn't order a GTi

[Kitchski]

Be silly to pass on a potentially nice car just because of some numbers on a bit of paper. Lots have years have passed since these cars were built, i'd take each one on it's own merit.

[Simes205]

Geneve said:

Thanks for the advice so far.

Take the point about pas, abs, etc. But, I do have a thing about 'low mileage', 'low no. of owners' and 'originality'.

This is the kind of thing I really like http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1814201.htm

Pity she didn't order a GTi

Low mileage ones doesn't mean they are any better cared for. they also tend to be very overpriced.
These cars don't need ABS or PAS, although both were an option (the ABS is crap).
Find a G or H plate with around 80,000 miles on it.
Register on 205gtidrivers.com, the best resource for these cars on the internet.

[hotmelt]

You will enjoy it if: you drive it like a modern car so not thinking on crash protection. Second if chassis and steering box is in original state. Third if you have patience for minor investment and mechanics.

[rb5230]

although lightweight and chuckable being obvious pros, i never really got on with the 205 gti, hugely overated in my opinion although i know i am in the minority around here.

rattley, rusty (contrary to the view of a previous poster i have known lots to be full of rust), not very fast, and unless it has undergone a full restoration or been sat in a garage most of its life most parts will be well past their best.

[fredd1e]

If you
a) get a good one with maintained chassis/engine (siezed /collapsing rear beams are common and tired engines likely)
b) appreciate it is 20years old
then yes
however if you expect modern performance hatch go then you'll probably be disapointed, even lancia's integrale is struggling with that comparison these days .
I had nice one as a filler car a few years ago and I liked it but didnt lurve it. Miami blue 1.9 pre cat with full leather and sunroof.
They do feel fragile and you might worry about bending it and destroying a classic in the making (if not already)

Finding a good one that isnt overpriced or just tarted up bodge is the hard part.

[A205GTI]

Fantastic fun, mine is my 2nd car, ignore number of owners(Mine has had 9!) try and get an unmolested one(very hard admittedly) a decent one will be around 1500 to 2500 dependant on variables. mine ive had for 2 years(Bought of brother) with 120k on the clock but FSH. In that time I have replaced one bolt, 2 x headlights and that is it. I have driven from the UK through Europe in winter without any problems. If you want some B road fun get one, I get more looks and apreciating glances in this than any other car Ive owned,

wouldnt change it for the world.

[Rollcage]

Simes205 said:

Geneve said:

Thanks for the advice so far.

Take the point about pas, abs, etc. But, I do have a thing about 'low mileage', 'low no. of owners' and 'originality'.

This is the kind of thing I really like http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1814201.htm

Pity she didn't order a GTi

Low mileage ones doesn't mean they are any better cared for. they also tend to be very overpriced.
These cars don't need ABS or PAS, although both were an option (the ABS is crap).
Find a G or H plate with around 80,000 miles on it.
Register on 205gtidrivers.com, the best resource for these cars on the internet.

I wouldnt fancy much town use in a 1.9GTi without power steering though - they are VERY heavy without it.

[TEKNOPUG]

I'd advocate PAS if you fit an LSD, as the PAS acts as a steering damper.