Buying a 205 gti

Firstly, I'm writing this guide to help people avoid falling into some pitfalls that i've encountered when buying and viewing 205's.

Bidding on a car that you have not seen is a big no-no.
Photos will not tell you how the car drives, handles or its structural condition.
The gti is becoming a bit of an old girl at this stage, also the demographic of the average owner is helping a slide in the quality of car....go see the car!!!.
The Gti is not the most robust of cars at the best of times and you will never find one that requires no work, if you do, by the time you have it in front of your house you will have found some niggle that requires your attention. Do not let this put you off ownership, these are fantastic cars which offer a driving experience which is hard to match.
Use your money on the best car you can afford, forget about ice,body kitsor boost valves ect, put the money into the car not the peripherals. It makes financial sense as aftermarket rubbish adds no value to your car. Good prices are paid by people who want original cars with history in pristine condition

So what to buy?

There are a couple of varients of 205 gti,

the 1.6 is a beautifully balanced car with a revvy engine close ratio box and cloth interior (except for limited editions), this model does not command the price premium of the 1.9 but in many ways is just as desirable.
The 1.9 has a lazier engine , which lets the torque do the work, ratios are longer, which makes motorway cruising that bit more enjoyable.
Then we have Dimmas, Turbo Technics conversions and mi16 conversions which go beyond the scope of this article.

The car you choose is up to personal taste and budget. 1.9 gtis in miami blue, steel grey and sorrento green are considered most desirable, non sunroof models are also a good buy as they are slightly stiffer and avoid the perenial peugeot sunroof problems.

Mileage and History.

Check the mileage, make sure it tallies, a gti with sub 60,000 miles should drive tight and relatively rattle-free,if youfind one with genuine proven history you are doing well. Take nobodys word on unproven mileage. Avoid cars with 6 plus owners like the plague, you will discover new bits of botched diy and modifications as time goes on. Go for original cars with a stack of paperwork, any gti which has been lavishly taken care of willl have this. Do not touch a car with no history, you are buying into an unknown, a bad 205 is not a economic restoration project at this point. Steer clear of body modified cars, they look awful, ruin the clean lines of the 205 and wiill be a pig to sell in the future. Most cars now have over 100,000 miles, i know some people will disagree with this, but buying a 205 with over 150,000 miles is a bad idea, full stop. Even well mantained cars will feel tired, have trim issues and a host of niggles. These cars are not built like golf Gti's and do not take the miles with the same grace.

Viewing the Car.

Step back and look at how the car sits, make sure its square to the ground. Open the boot and press down on the rear lip, the car should move cleanly down and then up, if you hear any noise chances are the back axle is on its way out, expensive repair at 400 plus. While you are at the back lift the boot lining and check for damp, if the underlay is wet it is either a sign or previus crash damage or a leakiing tailgate lock. Step back and look at the rear rear wheels, they should be at a right angle to the axle, if there is signs of excessive camber the back axle is most likely on its way out. These cars have all seen some action, a painted panel if well done should not turn you off, do check for filler. Laquer peeling is common especially on 91-92 cars, budget for painting, t-cut wont do jack. Check above the rear windows and look at the groove, this most likely will have a hairline crack, all cars over 60,000 will have it. The crack should not be too noticable, bad cracks can be due to crash damage. Exterior trim fades, it can be darkened using autoglym bumper care but this is only temporary, ensure trim is from same phase 205, post 1990 cars have black, earlier cars have dark grey. Mix and match trim hints atbozo repair using used parts. These trim parts are so cheap, dont buy a car which has mismatched trim, hints at a cheapskate owner, last person you want to buy a 205 from.

Rust!

This is now becoming a problem, cars were well galvanised from new. Crash damage and the elements are now causng the cars to show up rust spots. common places are the lower sills and wheelarches. Also check the inner wings and lower doors. DO NOT BUY A CAR WITH SUBSTANTIAL RUST!, something is wrong if there is.

Interior and Rattles,

The interior on these cars is seldom perfect, drivers bolster wear is common, fabric on 1.6 seats is thin and easily torn. This used to be an easy fix but good replacement interiors are becoming rarer and more expensive. Squeaks from the trim will be a constant companion so get used to it.

Engine and Box.

Engines good to 100k, stem seal wear and compression wear usually evident after this, watch out for blue smoke under acceleration. White smoke can indicate head gasket problem. Early jetronic system can have a lumpy idle, a characteristic of these cars. The later cat equiped cars have motronic management and are a little down on power, but in my opinion are a better proposition for trouble freeownership.

Gearshift should be quick and precise, sloppy change hints at worn linkage rods (easy fix), crunchy change hints at synchro ring problems, recon box about 200, loads of boxs availible used.

GO FIND A GOOD ONE!

A well sorted 205 is a fantastic proposition, its a rewarding driver and if well maintained will apperciate in value. Most are tired and worn, especially those on ebay. Buy with care and you will not regret it.

A Final Warning.

There are a couple of good specialists out there who can work wonders on a 205. However a good independant is probably as good a bet.

Many of the so called specialists are inherently dishonest or promise what they cannot deliver. Results are unproven and seldom satisfactory. Two such companies which I really cannot recommend are 205 Parts, who really don't seem to have a clue what they are doing and work out of a shed.

Lastly though is Andy Entwhistle of HighFlowheads , nice guy to talk to on the phone but really no deep mechanical knowledge or experience in proven modifications. Also no backup or assistance of any kind - shameful service really. I do not write this lightly, it has been a hugely costly mistake for me dealing with both of these companies, its really a case of buyer beware.

Before you decide to drop a lot on money on engine work for your 205, join one of the owners clubs and get recommendations from members , then make contact and ask for proven results and customer feedback. The little Pug has attracted many dishonest modifiers and tuners. Take nothing at face value.