Faults:

Starter motor failing when purchased.

Clutch needs changing.

Front brakes need changing.

Bolster on driver's collapsing.

Rear suspension squeaking.

Split coolant hoses (x2) and corroded coolant pipe.

General Comments:

Engine is awesome for its size and only 8 valve, gearbox keeps revs high in engine's power band (above 5000RPM to rev limiter) - very close gearing, but short 5th gear is pain on motorway.

Handling is light, sharp and very responsive with very well controlled body roll, will out handle much bigger/sportier cars. However, although it is one of the best handling hatches ever made the handling is not for novices at it's limits, as it's handling is not neutral on the limits - lifting off the throttle brings the rear end tighter into line, but lifting off too much results in the rear end breaking away (many 205 GTi's crash going in the wrong direction!)

Apart from it's performance as a car it's very similar to a normal 205, interior doesn't wear too well under heavy use and can start creaking/rattling, but the car is perfectly practical otherwise.

Steering can be heavy around town esp. if oversized tyres are fitted.

They are perfectly reliable if maintained properly and regularly.

Brakes are very good, but in comparison to the speeds it's capable of and its handling abilities one could say they are not 100% in sync. but that's just my opinion depends how you drive really.

Sometimes you need a blast in the country to remind you of what the car's all about if you spend too much time driving in towns!

Faults:

New brake discs at 42000 miles.

New clutch cable at 50000 miles.

Nothing else.

General Comments:

This was a very reliable little car. The little 1.0 litre engine started first time, every time and never gave any problems.

It was very slow, and very noisy. The 1.0 litre engine was definitely too underpowered for this car. Very economical though: It consistently achieved 45mpg.

Handling was very good with bags of grip and good body control. It is easy to see why the 205 is legendary for its handling. No power steering meant the steering was very heavy.

Not very well made with brittle interior plastics and the body panels were made from very thin steel so picked up dents and dings very easily. The red paint wasn't good either, being very easily chipped. The 205 generally felt flimsy and unsafe.

Very basic indeed. The Trio was a special edition based on the entry level 205. Trio spec added a sunroof, cassette player, and three coloured stripes down the side!

It was primitive for sure, but served me well and never missed a beat.

Faults:

Front right drive-shaft snapped.

Slight smell of neat petrol through the air vents.

Rattles from the interior panels and dash.

Horrendous insurance!! :- (

General Comments:

The car goes like a rocket and handles like a go-kart.

Just keep your foot down in each gear till you reach the red-line then drop it one and it will pick up like metal-detector bloke after a day at the sea-side. You can embarrass some much bigger cars and smaller ones like the 106 XSi, the full range of Saxos, the AX GT and many more. However don't try it on with the 1.9 because it will eat you.

It does have a high ratio gearbox though so the top-speed is about 110 unless you want to thrash the life out of your engine. This is enough, however, to make a quick getaway and steak your claim.

Keep your pug UN-modified and it will look a lot better. Especially when wasting the plasticized Ford Orions and Vauxhall Astra's. Show the boys what they should drive, with no need for extra spoilers and tinted windows.