Faults:

Front shocks replaced once, rear shocks twice.

Alternator rebulit at 100,000km.

New water pump at 120,000km.

Seats front & back badly worn. Original material very fragile.

Twin Webber's require constant & expert tuning to keep them on the boil.

General Comments:

I've driven quite a few "hot hatches" from the 90/s and without a doubt the 205 Rallye is the most satisfying driver's car of the lot.

It's not the fastest hatch in a straight line or even around corners, BUT it wipes the floor against any other front wheel drive hatch when it comes to driver involvement, pure FUN.

Best times are slow to medium corners (when safe to do so!), sideways, car balanced on the throttle, the un-assisted steering talking to you all the time. Not a motorway cruiser!

Beware that you have to treat this car with respect or it will bite you. Not recommend to someone who's just tossed away their "L" plates.

Lastly make sure the shocks absorbers are in tip top condition (especially the rears) otherwise you WILL lose it.

Faults:

Normal maintenance (oil, filters, drive chain). Cheap if you don't use genuine parts.

Cooling tubes replaced.

Engine starter fixed (100 €)

Seats got soft and my back sinks in it.

Some dashboard parts got loose or badly fixed.

General Comments:

It's a love it or hate it car. Being a convertible, it's very nice to drive around and it has a 1.6 engine with 105 HP(from 1989 on they delivered 115 HP) which responds very quickly to the throttle. Good torque allows fast accelerations even in 5th gear from 60/70 km/h. Of course it has short gearbox and revs a lot in 5th gear if you want to go over 120 km/h. With 16 years, still reaches 185 km/h and produces an enchanting exhaust metallic hoarse grunt at low revs.

But with engine noise (at high speed), canvas roof whistling (it's a convertible), tight sport seats and no power steering, it can get really uncomfortable.

On bumpy roads produces noises everywhere.

The suspensions give priority to comfort. Are too soft for a cabrio, making it swing in corners.

The Pinifarina style makes it timeless.

Inside, you have stylish sport seats and red upholstery.

Complete dash with all the information.

All in all, it's a great to drive around convertible, not suited for highways or high speeds, with affordable fuel consumption (under 10l/100 km combined) and not expensive maintenance - specially if you use non genuine parts.

Faults:

Some oil trying to escape from a very hard place to find.

General Comments:

It's a real machine, but a 1.9td engine and an intercooler was the best thing I added to it.

Faults:

One rear shock absorber "died" with 40.000 km.

Problems with some overheating, changed the temperature valve and the thermostat, got better, but not enough.

Problems with the brakes as well.

General Comments:

Very easy to drive, very comfortable, especially on rough roads, economical but not very reliable.