Faults:

You name it! If it could go wrong it went wrong. Radiator, hoses, thermostat, gear linkage (made out of bits of old coat hanger!!), clutch, 3rd gear went (because of the clutch!), speedo, accelerator jammed, speedo never worked properly - common to all 205 GTi's!! Shall I continue?

General Comments:

Despite all of the above problems you should have a go in one of these at least once in your life. Crash test and emissions regulations have outlawed hot hatches, as light and as responsive as this. When it goes, it really goes! but at other times it is just frustrating. Beware the torque steer and mad lift off over-steer, otherwise you will end up in a ditch somewhere. Unreliable, unruly but still, unbelievable fun.

Faults:

Brake servo needed replacing, difficult to pin-point as a fault.

Split return pipe, probably caused by over-revving (oops!).

Tatty seats, leaking aerial mount.

General Comments:

Spirited performance for insurance friendly non-GTI. Not very keen below 3,000 rpm - but will pick up fast. Will go to 8,000 if you're willing to hang on.

Steering can be heavy at low speeds, but direct for corner chuckability.

Keen to wheelspin in the wet.

Twin Webbers need looking after, doesn't use a drop of oil or coolant between services. Fuel economy not great though.

Faults:

Tatty seats.

Oil leak.

Needed a new clutch and braking system, can't complain for its mileage!!!

Very unreliable in the wet, too many puddles and it cuts out.

Twin-carb balancing can be a problem, especially if one gets clogged.

General Comments:

A cheap and lively 'warm' hatch. Low insurance and fun to drive. Even though it's a high mileage car it still goes well.

Faults:

The usual from a 2nd hand car in city driving.....clutch, brake master cylinder.

General Comments:

Parts slightly above average prices, could do with more power, comfortable interior and useful space. Slightly excessive body roll.

Faults:

Mainly wear and tear. Shock absorbers, new brake discs, new exhaust, new clutch.

General Comments:

Extremely reliable. Never once failed to start although often reluctant when cold and damp. Paintwork starting to go but structurally sound. Over 80,000 on the clock mostly short town trips and still going strong.