1990 Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9i petrol from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

High perfomance, fun, good value but temperamental and not entirely reliable

Faults:

Clutch slip got progressively worse, had to replace.

Muffler rusted through, exhaust system needed replacing.

General Comments:

I love the way this car goes, when it goes. The problem is how often it goes, it plays up when wet and has required two expensive pieces of work withing the first 8 months of ownership. Hopefully these are beyond me now and I can get back to enjoying it as a toy, although I may just get the belts done to be on the safe side.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th July, 2000

4th Jun 2001, 10:57

I do not belive you have ever owned a 205 GTi as they are very reliable, I have owned one for 6 years and have never had any problems. I find your report inaccurate and un-true.

28th Oct 2001, 13:36

Hehehe, he wouldn't be the only one to have problems with his GTi, loads of people seem to, however mine has been almost totally reliable in the 20 months I've had it, needing only a driveshaft, alternator, battery, and other minor things (1989 1.9), and I thrash it everywhere!

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1990 Peugeot 205 1.6 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

You'll be better off with a 206

Faults:

This is actually my second 1.6 auto, first one had a carb. problem. It used to stall all the time and I thought I'll get a younger one but still the same problem. Second car now is a write off because it stalled on the motorway. Other than that the usual; pads, discs and regular visits to local garage to clean the carb.

General Comments:

If you gonna buy a Pug don't buy an automatic 205(with the exception of 205 gentry 1.9 limited edition, only 400 made it to the UK). You are gonna be better off with something else. Also the local garage tells me that it is quite common for 205 carb auto models to stall. Doh!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 28th April, 2000

1990 Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 petrol from Australia and New Zealand

Faults:

Eratic idling seems to occur due to auto choke cutting out too early.

Windscreen glass thin & prone to cracking.

Red paint a definite no no in New Zealand sun due to fading.

Goes through tyres very quickly.

Needed head work after leaded petrol phased out last year.

General Comments:

Top car, purchased on reputation for handling & I haven't been disappointed.

However, idle should have been better sorted for a modern car, fuel consumption appalling, Pirelli 185 tyres expensive, and not suited for stop-start city traffic. Standard exhaust strangles power, and engine needs more poke in the lower rev band.

Also, in NZ the car is classified as 'high risk' for insurance purposes, making them virtually uninsurable if you are under 25 (cost me a bundle).

Parts prices very high due to freight.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th June, 1999

5th Mar 2003, 08:40

The standard exhaust doesn't strangle power as you say, not with the UK car at least. It is generally believed that the standard exhaust fitted by Peugeot is the best exhaust for the car. Well known tuners such as L.A.D recommend the standard exhaust is not replaced with so called performance systems as this does nothing for the power output, it only makes the car more noisy and boomy at motorway speeds.

13th Nov 2003, 17:13

I agree, the standard exhaust in no way strangles power. I have an Mi16 engine fitted to my 205 and it still produces all 160bhp that the engine is meant to.

The NZ/Oz/Japanese spec 205 1.9 is down on power on the Euro ones. Not sure why, but it is quoted at 105 bhp against 130bhp for the euro one.

1990 Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 petrol from Australia and New Zealand

Faults:

Just the things that you would expect for a car of this age.

I have had to replace a few little things, but that's life.

Wear & tear is normal on any car.

General Comments:

The dogs when it comes to handling.

Cheap to run 30+ MPG.

Quick little car.

If you want a fast car & good handling around bends as well as straights then buy a Peugeot 205 GTi (1.6 or 1.9).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th April, 1999