205 owners

[Poodle]

Hey folks, am looking for a car for my gf and could do with some help. We've got several options we're looking at atm, but this is the one i've got no previous experience with, so was hoping some of you kind people might be able to give me some pointers.

Would like a list of known issues and easy tests I can do to check for them if possible. I presume the usual peugeot issues apply - rust, wiring and rear beams, etc, any further instruction would be much appreciated, cheers!

[ginge191]

if you're buying a 205, be prepared to fix a LOT. In all honesty i'd recommend a similar engined 306, purely for a newer age, and similar price.

Honestly, you'll struggle to find a "standard" (by this i mean, a non forum/enthusiast) 205 which is in a reliable condition.

The NAD engines go on forever, i mean, forever! mine was on 210k? still strong on veg etc.

But yeh, rear beam/camber, brake lines, usual engine malarky, rear earthing issues (flashing indicator/brakes), let me know when/were you're going to look at one, i'll see if im around

[silverzx]

Kind of agree with Ginge on parts starting to wear and need replacing.

Otherwise been very happy with mine!

If your not all that bothered about it being a "205" then I'd also go for a 306 for the same reasons, cheaper, parts more available, more comfortable, higher build quality / extras.

[Poodle]

Yeah at the end of the day it's an old car, i expect to have to fix a lot.

We'll see, got a couple of months to play with yet, thanks for the advice.

[Dum-Dum]

Dans/Carlos's one went rusty under the rear seat first. IMO if its just for the missus id get a 106nad

[Poodle]

That's another option i'm considering, but there's bugger all about for reasonable money.

[Niall]

Ive heard they are very easy to turbo and take very well to it......

[Puggie]

Sure to god the 205 inca has to be quite rust free ?

[ozonehostile]

the last 205s were m reg, same as phase 1 306, the diesel ones, be it the 1.8 xud or nad are pretty solid, extremely simple to work on and then theres the epic handling of even the pov spec models.

if you can find a nice rust free one for decent money id say go for it, its only going to go up in value.

[ginge191]

then theres the epic handling of even the pov spec models.

Lol wut?! This is a lie! Pov spec handle like a barge; no ARB or drop links. To change them is a pita of which im in the process

[ozonehostile]

then theres the epic handling of even the pov spec models.

Lol wut?! This is a lie! Pov spec handle like a barge; no ARB or drop links. To change them is a pita of which im in the process

i still think a pov spec 205 handles better than the equivalent 306. in comparison to more modern cars then yes, they probably arnt that great but still pretty good fun.

i had more fun hooning a 1.4 about than anything else ive driven since

[ginge191]

then theres the epic handling of even the pov spec models.

Lol wut?! This is a lie! Pov spec handle like a barge; no ARB or drop links. To change them is a pita of which im in the process

i still think a pov spec 205 handles better than the equivalent 306. in comparison to more modern cars then yes, they probably arnt that great but still pretty good fun.

i had more fun hooning a 1.4 about than anything else ive driven since

Have to completely disagree; my 1.8nad was/is horrendous around corners, i owned an L reg, 1.4 pov spec 306 also, handled a hell of a lot better.
Yep, my 1.4 was probably more "fun" to drive because i was 17, but i'm older and wiser now, i guess....

[strictly_perv]

If you get a decent one then you won't have issues major, mine was a goodun' yes things needed changing ect but that was mainly down to me modifying it and putting extra stress on things. If I kept mine standard I reckon it would be as much or if not more reliable than a 306 if I'm honest. The only times it's broken down has been due to a stop solenoid wire and a split rad, but she is 21 years old!
But if it's for the missus then she would probably rather a 306 due to comfort and solidity ect. But if your after a fun cheap car not much can beat a boosted 205 in my opinion

[ginge191]

But if your after a fun cheap car not much can beat a boosted 205 in my opinion

Such an easy swap to do....

[ozonehostile]

Lol wut?! This is a lie! Pov spec handle like a barge; no ARB or drop links. To change them is a pita of which im in the process

i still think a pov spec 205 handles better than the equivalent 306. in comparison to more modern cars then yes, they probably arnt that great but still pretty good fun.

i had more fun hooning a 1.4 about than anything else ive driven since

Have to completely disagree; my 1.8nad was/is horrendous around corners, i owned an L reg, 1.4 pov spec 306 also, handled a hell of a lot better.
Yep, my 1.4 was probably more "fun" to drive because i was 17, but i'm older and wiser now, i guess....

i guess it depends on or own perceptions of fun, i find it quite thrilling to driving a small underpowered car right on its grip limits, i don't know a huge deal about what spec was fitted to what model of 205, but the 205 i used to drive was a 1.4 roland garros edition on a single carb (really pokey little motor imo), but been a roland garros it may have had some uprated components borrowed from better spec 205's, for example it had the gti clocks with rev counter and the gti seats just trimmed in white leather so perhaps had some other bits that made it handle particularly well.

i can guarantee it wasn't modified or updated by the previous owner as it came from an old man who owned it from new and he knew bugger all about cars, he even tried to fix the laquer peel with a spray can lol

[Poodle]

205s do handle better than 306s imo, probably got a lot to do with them being ~300kg lighter lol. As ozone says, i'll be looking for an investment as much as anything if i get a 205, will almost certainly be an stdt, but we'll see.

Sure to god the 205 inca has to be quite rust free ?

Keh?

[THE_Liam]

I'd say a 205 edges a 306 on handling, I'd say its more down to wheelbase than weight, they change direction so quickly it's unbelievable. Although, I reckon the 106 is even better, my 106 GTI was the best FWD car I've ever driven by far handling wise, that's not the point though.

There's an old kid near me selling a 3 door 1.8 NAD for £400 in pretty good nick, might be a bit far for you though mate.

[miles]

306's handle better when the suspension is sorted, std trim there's not allot in it and I've driven them since 1988 in all forms and hold records in racing them (306's).
A 306 will be cheaper to buy but maintenance is the same on both really now with Beams and rust showing on them all, Best years of the 205 where between 1988 and 1990 early 91, after that they went down hill big time in paint and rust

[silverzx]

I like mine, just needs lowering considerably!!

[Dangti6]

the last 205s were m reg

Not true. They continued to make them later than that

[kernow_joe]

mines an m reg, and on the outside looks all god, but check under the seats as mine has 2 considerable holes where there should be brake line mountings

[THE_Liam]

the last 205s were m reg

Not true. They continued to make them later than that

Yeah, there were a few sold on a P here and theres a lot of N plate cars about. Last GTIs were L platers though.

[kernow_joe]

the last 205s were m reg

Not true. They continued to make them later than that

Yeah, there were a few sold on a P here and theres a lot of N plate cars about. Last GTIs were L platers though.

I just drove past an N reg one

[THE_Liam]

Not true. They continued to make them later than that

Yeah, there were a few sold on a P here and theres a lot of N plate cars about. Last GTIs were L platers though.

I just drove past an N reg one

What, GTI?!?!

[kernow_joe]

Yeah, there were a few sold on a P here and theres a lot of N plate cars about. Last GTIs were L platers though.

I just drove past an N reg one

What, GTI?!?!

it had gti wheels and looked clean/looked after, also it was red (these are all very usefull facts)
may have been a gti may not have been, it was red though

[THE_Liam]

I just drove past an N reg one

What, GTI?!?!

it had gti wheels and looked clean/looked after, also it was red (these are all very usefull facts)
may have been a gti may not have been, it was red though

Probably wasn't a GTI, maybe a reshell. I know the last UK GTIs were L plate but it could have been an import. I remember a guy who ran the Motosave near me had a Japanese import, it had AC, heated leather, PAS and it was an auto! That was a '91 though...

[procta]

classics monthly has a 30 years of the pug 205 article worth a read.

[THE_Liam]

Bought it while I was on holiday for beach reading, purely because of that article. I even caught my lass reading it saying "That's nice, you should get one"...

[kernow_joe]

Bought it while I was on holiday for beach reading, purely because of that article. I even caught my lass reading it saying "That's nice, you should get one"...

I've got a lovely one no rust at all honest

[THE_Liam]

Bought it while I was on holiday for beach reading, purely because of that article. I even caught my lass reading it saying "That's nice, you should get one"...

I've got a lovely one no rust at all honest

Bollocks you told me the floorpan was rusty outside the tye! Plus I want petrol, probably 1.9 GTI