Faults:

Drive shafts began to knock after about 50000 miles of hard acceleration.

I neglected to change the cam-belt and it blew after managing a distinguished 115000 miles.

The driver's side floor flooded and the sills filled with water in wet weather.

I never found the leak even after removing the dashboard.

General Comments:

I loved the snappy performance of this car. It was great for brisk motoring around B-roads, and from my (rose-tinted) memory it handled like a dream.

Looks-wise it was a lovely little number in 'topaz' metallic blue.

0-60 mph in about 10 seconds from 85 PS, five well chosen gear ratios, and just 815 kg kerbside weight. I never did drive this car properly, it just begged to be blasted. It's a bit of a shame really, 'cos it was well clapped-out when I sold it.

Oh, and I replaced it with a 106 diesel. Strange choice, that?

Faults:

Clutch went at 65,000 miles.

Gearbox 98,000 miles.

Rust on rear arches 110,000 miles.

Erratic revving all the time.

Rattles constantly.

General Comments:

This car has been well looked after and has been in the family from new and I've owned this for many years and its been a joy to drive it every time.

Handles really well on those twisty B roads, but watch out for the lift-over steer. Caught me out a few times, but you will get used to it.

Extremly relible if looked after well enough.

These cars are not very well built, but you have to take the rough with the smooth.

If you buy one of these car, you`re in for a treat.

Faults:

Broken down several times, seems to be an electrical fault (engine doesn't even turn over)

Got Broken into.

Insurance is a killer.

Noisy interior (rattles)

General Comments:

My car broke down on the way home after I first picked it up, and its broken down a couple of times in the first couple of months. It has been broken into, costs me £48 a week insurance, and has generally been quite a bit of hassle. BUT, I wouldn't change this car for the world. When you're on the open road, it's an absolute pleasure to drive. Very quick and handles amazingly. Riding in other hot hatches seems labored after driving this rocket. I'll find myself taking the longest possible routes home, just to drive it for a bit longer. I'd recommend this car to anybody.

Faults:

The seats on the older models especially the drivers side suffers from bad bolster ware down the left side so it need attention. Exhaust was blowing at 129000 miles and was replaced with a magnex system which second hand cost less than a new system from a dealer. Faulty earth on the fuel pump led to starting difficulties along with worn CV gaiters for the MOT. Rear lights needed rewired for MOT and reverse lights have become intermittent. Electrics do tend to become troublesome on higher mileage cars. Engine is solid though, especially if regularly changed with synthetic oil, I use Castrol Magnatec and change every 5k. Especially if you drive them hard. Front tyres ware quicker than the rear so change them over every 3 months to have an even ware distribution..

General Comments:

This is the second 205 I have owned and generally speaking its small frustrating things that are at fault and not major work such as the cylinder head etc. The car can be expensive to work on. For example to get to the starter you have to remove the Inlet Manifold. The clutch can be an expensive part to replace if going to a garage, mainly for labour. The Car handles very well, like a go-cart, but beware in the the wet as the 1.9 with rear disc brakes can be difficult to control at speed getting thrown into corners. My car is a 1988 model 1.9. This was intentional as I didn't want a model after 92 as they have catalytic converters that reduce the car by 10 brake which caused a reduction by 1 second on the 0 -60 time. Do not buy a car that is burning or leaking oil especially on a 205. Burning oil means worn oil or piston rings that really means your engine is going to the big party in the sky. Expensive to get fixed unless you can do it yourself. If this happens uprate the engine to a GTI6 306 2.0 or the 406 SRI turbo. These are the best modern equivelents. The seats on the 205 are very comfortable and keep you locked in, however the car is French and does suffer from those irritaing rattles. For the money you will pay if you find a good one, you will have the best hothatch ever built, my friends have have Renault 5 Turbos, Corrado VR6s, Mitsubishi Evo 6s, Saxo VTS'S all perhaps faster, but not as much fun or as much value for money as the 205.