Buying a 205 GTi - Any tips?
Discussion
Off to view a 205 GTi on Friday morning, decided to return to the Peugeot fold after a few years of driving around in old Fords. Very excited, my old 205 XS was fantastic and I only ever hear great things about the 1.6 and 1.9.
My Budget is around £1500 but I'm a bit worried that I'm only going to be looking at rotters at this level. Will that be the case at this budget? Not expecting cosmetic perfection, and not particularly fussy about spec, but something mechanically sound for the summer would be nice.
Anyone else got any tips to look out for on a 1.6 GTi? Should I be super wary of something already over 100,000? Anything else?
Any replies appreciated!
My Budget is around £1500 but I'm a bit worried that I'm only going to be looking at rotters at this level. Will that be the case at this budget? Not expecting cosmetic perfection, and not particularly fussy about spec, but something mechanically sound for the summer would be nice.
Anyone else got any tips to look out for on a 1.6 GTi? Should I be super wary of something already over 100,000? Anything else?
Any replies appreciated!
I sold my 1.6 with 120k miles on it and it was fine.
Apart from the obvious, check the metal coolant link pipe for corrosion. Its mounted on the left hand inner wing as you stand at the front looking into the engine bay. Its not a big issue but could haggle some money off if it needs doing.
A smooth idle when its warm is good to have. If its hunting again a good haggle point.
There shouldn't be any corrosion but worth paying particular attention to the front suspension subframe.
If you suspect its been stood for any length of time check the brakes aren't binding.
Water can sometimes leak in so ask the seller if thats been an issue.
The biggest thing is to make sure the rear beam bearings are OK. £300 plus to fix.
Good luck.
Apart from the obvious, check the metal coolant link pipe for corrosion. Its mounted on the left hand inner wing as you stand at the front looking into the engine bay. Its not a big issue but could haggle some money off if it needs doing.
A smooth idle when its warm is good to have. If its hunting again a good haggle point.
There shouldn't be any corrosion but worth paying particular attention to the front suspension subframe.
If you suspect its been stood for any length of time check the brakes aren't binding.
Water can sometimes leak in so ask the seller if thats been an issue.
The biggest thing is to make sure the rear beam bearings are OK. £300 plus to fix.
Good luck.
And the easiest way to check the rear beam is to look at the car from behind - if the tops of the wheels are leaning in to the car it's likely the beam has problems. Also try bouncing the rear of the car; creaking, cracking, groaning sounds likely indicate the beam needs a rebuild.
Best resource on the planet for these cars is forum.205gtidriver.com - you have to jump through some hoops to get registered but there's no question they can't answer.
Best resource on the planet for these cars is forum.205gtidriver.com - you have to jump through some hoops to get registered but there's no question they can't answer.
Realistically most cars are going to have knackered beams nowadays unless they've already been rebuilt, and people who have done that may expect over 1.5K for their car.
89/90 cars (G/H reg) cars seem to be the best for rot, the earlier and later ones do rust however. Look at the base of the B pillar, boot floor and front wings for rust. Front panel may be a bit rusty too. However, given the age they're by and large extremely good for rust, my G reg has never been near a welder and won't need to be for a long time.
Engines will be grumpy when cold, probably fine in this weather however. revs will fluctuate, and it's always a compromise choosing between decent cold running and a high hot idle or a nice low hot idle and spluttering when cold. Engine should be extremely responsive to the throttle pedal, 1.6 or 1.9. They do benefit from a really good service, taking off all the air pipes and cleaning them out. The manifold can crack, it's not the end of the world but worth looking out for, later ones are reinforced so don't do it - the branch closest to the gearbox is the one that goes.
Obviously check fluids etc.
K&N cone filter really helped my cold starting to be a lot smoother, quite a worthwhile mod imo.
Brakes are good, 1.6 calipers might make a funny noise if you've stopped and immediately reversed, it's the pads moving in the caliper but nothing to worry about. 1.9 (disc) handbrake can be a bit weak, it's a crappy design and the 1.6 is much better for it, but discs all round is cooler!
front calipers on the 1.6 and rears on the 1.9 are alloy, meaning the bleed screws get stuck and shear off. Replacements from any 306 fit perfectly and you can up the size of the disc giving a useful increase in stopping power (on the front) very easily. you can put the 1.9 calipers on the 1.6 if you keep the 1.6 discs too.
movement under braking is likely to be bushes, if these haven't been changed (front and rear) then it's worth doing them, tightens the old girl right up. clunking over bumps is likely to be ARB drop links, not the end of the world but it is an MOT fail and it's nice the be driving around without the car banging and clunking too much!
The power steering is excellent, although very weighty compared to modern cars and you get a quicker rack than the non PAS, so it's an option worth going for if you can. They can be retrofitted, however. Steering should be very direct and the nose will lunge right in to a corner.
Gearboxes and diffs are strong, just listen out for any loud whining or clunking obviously. gear linkages however do wear and end up feeling slack, you can get some great aftermarket linkages that are fantastic. Likewise engine mounts which are likely to be past their best.
Bit of a brain dump but that's about it really, good luck!
89/90 cars (G/H reg) cars seem to be the best for rot, the earlier and later ones do rust however. Look at the base of the B pillar, boot floor and front wings for rust. Front panel may be a bit rusty too. However, given the age they're by and large extremely good for rust, my G reg has never been near a welder and won't need to be for a long time.
Engines will be grumpy when cold, probably fine in this weather however. revs will fluctuate, and it's always a compromise choosing between decent cold running and a high hot idle or a nice low hot idle and spluttering when cold. Engine should be extremely responsive to the throttle pedal, 1.6 or 1.9. They do benefit from a really good service, taking off all the air pipes and cleaning them out. The manifold can crack, it's not the end of the world but worth looking out for, later ones are reinforced so don't do it - the branch closest to the gearbox is the one that goes.
Obviously check fluids etc.
K&N cone filter really helped my cold starting to be a lot smoother, quite a worthwhile mod imo.
Brakes are good, 1.6 calipers might make a funny noise if you've stopped and immediately reversed, it's the pads moving in the caliper but nothing to worry about. 1.9 (disc) handbrake can be a bit weak, it's a crappy design and the 1.6 is much better for it, but discs all round is cooler!
front calipers on the 1.6 and rears on the 1.9 are alloy, meaning the bleed screws get stuck and shear off. Replacements from any 306 fit perfectly and you can up the size of the disc giving a useful increase in stopping power (on the front) very easily. you can put the 1.9 calipers on the 1.6 if you keep the 1.6 discs too.
movement under braking is likely to be bushes, if these haven't been changed (front and rear) then it's worth doing them, tightens the old girl right up. clunking over bumps is likely to be ARB drop links, not the end of the world but it is an MOT fail and it's nice the be driving around without the car banging and clunking too much!
The power steering is excellent, although very weighty compared to modern cars and you get a quicker rack than the non PAS, so it's an option worth going for if you can. They can be retrofitted, however. Steering should be very direct and the nose will lunge right in to a corner.
Gearboxes and diffs are strong, just listen out for any loud whining or clunking obviously. gear linkages however do wear and end up feeling slack, you can get some great aftermarket linkages that are fantastic. Likewise engine mounts which are likely to be past their best.
Bit of a brain dump but that's about it really, good luck!
Late to the topic but most cars will have a few electrical gremlins but although french the electrics are easy to sort. The only thing that doesn't work on mine is the clock - amazingly if it didn't work I've now managed to fix it. And find a friendly dealer and they'll be able to sort most parts.
Slight hijack here!
Might have a look at this 1.9 205 GTI
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2792002.htm
Does the front suspension look a little high?
Might have a look at this 1.9 205 GTI
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2792002.htm
Does the front suspension look a little high?
Gibbyo said:
Slight hijack here!
Might have a look at this 1.9 205 GTI
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2792002.htm
Does the front suspension look a little high?
Looks about standard, although someone might have fiddled with the rear beam - they can be set to any height whatsoever quite easily, so not the end of the world - might even be a sign the rear beam has been apart for maintainance, which would be a bonus.Might have a look at this 1.9 205 GTI
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2792002.htm
Does the front suspension look a little high?
Looks pretty clean actually.
shalmaneser said:
Gibbyo said:
Slight hijack here!
Might have a look at this 1.9 205 GTI
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2792002.htm
Does the front suspension look a little high?
Looks about standard, although someone might have fiddled with the rear beam - they can be set to any height whatsoever quite easily, so not the end of the world - might even be a sign the rear beam has been apart for maintainance, which would be a bonus.Might have a look at this 1.9 205 GTI
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2792002.htm
Does the front suspension look a little high?
Looks pretty clean actually.
Allow - £200-300 for a full rebuild and bargain from there. That's the exact same mine looked like when I bought it. Took four years for the beam to finally fail, but I should have had it done earlier.
HereBeMonsters said:
I'd say at that mileage it's never been rebuilt. If the "good points" in the ad are things like "tyres have tread" and "parcel shelf intact" then you can probably bet he'd put if the rear beam had been rebuilt.
Allow - £200-300 for a full rebuild and bargain from there. That's the exact same mine looked like when I bought it. Took four years for the beam to finally fail, but I should have had it done earlier.
Fair point but my rear beam caused an MOT fail at 80K - you just can't tell, and the previous owner owned it from 1991 - 2010 apparently, so may have had the work done!Allow - £200-300 for a full rebuild and bargain from there. That's the exact same mine looked like when I bought it. Took four years for the beam to finally fail, but I should have had it done earlier.
Either way it's impossible to tell from photos, and budgeting for a rebuild is wise anyway.
I bought a 205 GTi last year.
After a long search, found an immaculate late ('91), 1.6, low mileage, full history, totally original,rust free - a real gem. The 'cognicenti' recommended to find the best example, whether 1.6 or 1.9 (both good), but avoid power steering and abs if possible.
Took lots of advice and really delighted. It's only a fun car but brings a smile to my face everytime I drive it.
Would recommend a really good 205 GTi to anyone - but search carefully - there is a lot of rubbish out there.
After a long search, found an immaculate late ('91), 1.6, low mileage, full history, totally original,rust free - a real gem. The 'cognicenti' recommended to find the best example, whether 1.6 or 1.9 (both good), but avoid power steering and abs if possible.
Took lots of advice and really delighted. It's only a fun car but brings a smile to my face everytime I drive it.
Would recommend a really good 205 GTi to anyone - but search carefully - there is a lot of rubbish out there.
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