Faults:

Both front drive shafts replaced.

Both front anti-roll bar drop links replaced.

Distributor cap, leads & spark plugs replaced (Car bought as a non runner-this was the problem)

Car also has typical 205 GTI running faults - high idle revs and occasional misfire in 3/4th gear when engine under load.

General Comments:

205 GTI's come with reliability faults, and it's always the injection electrics, but this is irrelevant to owners as once you drive one you realise what a fantastic car it is, we also have a brand new Corsa SXI in the family and even though it's technology is 10 years ahead of the 205's, it's always, always the Peugeot keys I take.

The downside of the near perfect engine/chassis blend is a bumpy ride and a revvy engine drone on long journeys.

Faults:

These are the problems that the car had when I purchased it:

Front brake pads too low.

Front brake discs too low.

Rocker cover loose and leaking oil.

Rear brake cylinders leaking.

Rear wheel bearing seized.

General Comments:

When you are buying a Peugeot 205 GTI you should already be aware that things are going to go wrong with it and it will be comparatively expensive to maintain and insure. 205 GTI drivers do not care about these things because they become trivial as soon as you turn the key. It is a fantastic car and nobody has made one like it since. We know its not a sensible car to buy, but if you want sensible, fuel economy, boot space and a nodding dog go and buy a Daewoo not a 205 GTI.

Highly recommended.

Faults:

The seats were not in great condition when I first got the car so I had a vinyl 1/2 leather-look re-trim done on the front seats. However, recently the rear seat has started to wear through and that'll need to be sorted before I come to sell the car on later this year.

I put on a Pipercross free flow air filter which now means the carb freezes over at about 75mph in freezing fog, but the difference in engine note (and maybe power - but I can't remember what it was like before) is great. It now roars at high revs and it's not a manufactured exhaust sound, but induction.

Otherwise the car has been running great for 4 years, but it has been regularly serviced.

General Comments:

Absolutely perfect first car. I got it when I was 18. It was a lucky find (I just drove past it on the forecourt of a Ford dealer) but I didn't want to be stuck with one of those run-of-the-mill first cars like a 1.1 Fiesta or Nova. I wanted something a bit different that wasn't going to cost me a packet to insure or run. I'd looked at a 106 Rallye around the same time, but it was nearly double the price, more expensive to insure and a bit more 'broken in'. I'd say the 205 has fairly high performance (for it's size) and easily insurable for those young ones among us.

Nowadays though it's got far more competition as a first car and it feels a bit dated inside (it's noisy and squeaky compared to newer cars). If you absolutely must be a little different from the rest then try and find a 205 Rallye. It'll be hard work (as there aren't that many of them) but it's worth it. Just make sure you look after it and keep it in tip top shape. I don't want to ever see one in my local scrap yard.