1999 Peugeot 206 GTi 2.0
Summary:
206? I should have bought a Fiesta Zetec S or another Focus Zetec
Faults:
Engine sounds noisy on start up, but does fade somewhat after a while, and the exhaust brackets snapped off.
Seat are starting wear a little (around the rib cage area).
General Comments:
The 206 is a good looking small car and I consider it to be one of the better looking super-minis available (much better than the modern Peugeot's, even if it is ever so slightly girly).
The interior of the car is quite well laid out; you can adjust the steering wheel rake, but not reach, and you can't adjust the height of the seat either, but it is just adequate. There isn't enough room for your feet really (but that is being a little harsh seeing as this is a relatively small car).
The seats are quite comfortable and supportive (GTI has half leather and alcantara also)... the dash is the main let down; while it isn't ugly, it is just poor quality plastic.
The performance was good, and overtaking was made quite easy due to the 2.0 engine, but it isn't a rocket ship. While I say it was good, any small car with 130bhp should be pokey. It can even be called economical if you keep it below 3500 revs (this is a warm hatch, so I doubt that you'll be doing that often though).
The poorest aspect of the car is the handling. In the dry it is a chuck-able car up to 55mph-ish, but over those speeds it feels a little unstable (the car just feels like it isn't heavy enough) and on a wet road its almost laughable. It wheel spins without any provocation, and under-steers at every corner like the french little piggy that it is.
I do get the impression that the engine isn't the strongest in the world, and after 80 odd thousand miles I'm expecting something to go on it fairly soon... fingers crossed though.
In conclusion, it isn't an awful car, but there are much better packages available, and the thought of paying £14k for a new one seems crazy (I wouldn't have considered a 206 normally, but this one was at a very low price).
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 12th December, 2007
18th Oct 2007, 20:44
So you drove a whopping 2,000 miles, and had all of this to say?
I have a severe stomach condition (not going into) and this is by far better seat comfort than my other cars i.e. Polo, Punto, 106.
Your three main points: dials not lighting up bright enough for you, bearings, and more lights not bright enough for you; is that really that bad for a 30k car? Look to Rover, or earlier Mazda; after 30k basically you need to look at at least a new head gasket or even a new engine rebuild. Are you moaning about a couple of LEDs and some wheel bearings! For a car around £13k new, you cannot get a better car in terms of look, handling, speed & performance. Or maybe a Clio 172 but you need be drunk to be seen driving one, and oh wait, that's illegal! You are right on one thing though. It goes well.