Faults:

Alternator had failed before I purchased the car, causing the headlights to flash. Very distracting.

Dashboard lost an electrical ground, therefore the lights started to behave randomly.

Left radiator fan bearing has failed, acquired a scrapper one for a fiver... ten minute fix. (Not had a problem with the right fan yet, but I've got a spare lurking for if it goes)

Radiator bottom hose split on motorway, didn't notice any problem till the failed radiator fan started screeching... had a very narrow escape because the water pressure lamp had blown, due to the aforementioned alternator failure. Another trip to the scrap yard solved that one.

General Comments:

This car has had quite a few things failed on it. I bought it knowing full well that it was a high-mileage shed, but it didn't deter me because I never use garages anyway. (Except for MOT's and the like :) )

Why did I take the chance on it, even with the mileage? Simple really, the guy only wanted £250 for it.

The DTurbo version of the 205 seems to be a very hard car to come by, and now I know why! This car is absolutely amazing! Full GTi trim, sports seats, alloys, S/Roof, the lot! In the end, the gamble seems to have paid off, because its SO quick!

Will out accelerate almost any wide-bored nova or Saxo, and is even quicker than the 1.4l petrol version of the 205.

Watch out for insurance though, it's a group 8... *ouch*

In my opinion though its well worth the money, cos when that 'charger kicks in it really flies. (Does 50mpg on the motorway too!)

Faults:

Very little.

In its last MOT, it needed only a new brake pipe, new handbrake cable - the mechanic commented on how clean and well preserved it was, especially considering the relatively high mileage.

Parts are cheap and easily available, but if you find one that's been well looked after you shouldn't need many!

General Comments:

This is the perfect first car. I bought it for 470 quid, and am still delighted with it a year later.

It still runs extremely smoothly (averaging 45mpg), and because it's so light (and low-geared), even the 1.1 engine makes it quite nippy around town. By way of comparison, the new 1.1 206, its spiritual successor, is considerably slower 0-60.

Admittedly noise damping technologies have progressed somewhat since the 205 was introduced, and it can be quite noisy on the motorway... though it's more than happy cruising at 85mph (with plenty more "go" left in it), and plants itself on the road very well.

Handling is good, although there's a little too much body roll - but after all, this isn't a performance car, and it makes the ride very supple around town.

The driving position is excellent, and the seats extremely comfortable, even for long journeys.

Economy is excellent - 45mpg is easily achievable, even when driven quite hard.

The only annoyances are a slightly cheap/fragile interior, and having to reach so far down to operate the radio.

Overall, it's a superb car for next to no money. Very high recommended.

Faults:

Blown Head Gasket (Twice)

CV Joints Creaking.

New Exhaust.

Drained Cooling System.

General Comments:

Good first car, nippy and handles well. Will begin to cost money as it gets older. Prone to overheating. No temperature gage means head gasket failure is a big problem.