DRIVEN: The Peugeot 205 GTI - Hot Hatchback King? (1990 1.6 Road Test)

[@JohnnyPaton]

Saw one just yesterday. A “H” reg in red. Bloke driving it was obviously reliving his youth and had the biggest grin on his face ever.

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Good man!

[@mickdunn4023]

My dad had a 1.9 405 when I was 8. Got my first car at 17.. a 1.1 205 trio sx, fitted an xs engine then got a 1.9 gti when I was 19 back in 2003 and fitted it with an mi16. Almost 20 years on now with a wife and 2 kids but I'm happy to say that after more than a decade without a 205 and at a time when they are out of reach for so many. I'm lucky enough to have a 1.6 gti at work and a 205 gti6 in my garage.. drove it today actually : )

[@morkelork4730]

These 80s Peugeots (and Citroëns) were great.... And not just the top-spec ones, either! My 205 is a mere 1.1L model with all of 60 hp when new- and it is still a riot. The soft suspension rolls about, but will keep on gripping! The steering feels utterly fabulous, and the wheel-on-each-corner layout makes it extremely easy to flick about. Only the brakes could be better, and with a 1.1, getting up to speed requires patience and some thinking ahead All in all, even the most basic 205 is a fun driver's car.

[@davidbrooks187]

I learnt to drive and passed my test in a Peugeot 205 diesel in 1988. Always had a soft spot for the Peugeot 205s. The 1.9 GTI was a beast.

[@anakinskywalker4113]

Yes it definitely is every single modern vehicle post 2000 is absolutely stuffed full of heavy, unnecessary & utterly useless computers that serve no purpose. There are only a few items that are needed ABS brakes, Airbags & a decent sound system. Everything else is not necessary. This is a proper drivers car & I absolutely adore it. It’s just a pity I’m in Australia where these things are astonishingly rare.

[@marky9117]

I was just thinking that’s Weetslade Road near Killingworth, Newcastle upon Tyne! Then I looked up the auctioneers. That road was on my route to work when I was 18 in my 205 1.9GTi. It’s fair to say I’d have fun along there. 😄 I’ve just bought a 1.9 GTi like my old one. I’m 44 now. Loving it! 😎 And yes they are the best hot hatch. I owned them all back in the 90’s. There’s a reason why I’ve chosen the 205 as the one to revisit and keep for good. 👍🏻

[@matty6848]

My uncle used too have the 309 1.9 GTi and it went like crazy as well as the look. Great looking car even by today's standards.

[@carlkeig5640]

Yep 1.9 309 gti was the better car in my opinion,my friend had one and my girlfriend had one,I've never been a car since that felt so special, the 309 is massively over looked though 😔

[@David_H-73]

205, Sacre Numero. The car that almost single handedly saved peugeot from bankruptcy and lead the way through the 80's and into the 90s. As has been said you can have a lot of fun in a 1.1 petrol, but I do have to agree about the light weight build and cheap( but still attractive) interior. Even the Metro had a higher quality interior though to be fair peugeot did spend a lot more on rustproofing the bodywork. The 205 was always on the pricey side, but many thought it was worth it. Thanks for continued 205 content.

[@markonmotoring]

I've always been firmly in the Renault 5 camp but have long suspected that the 205 was possibly the best car in the segment in the 80's. They have aged exceptionally well, especially the face lifted dash. The XS I think could be a real gem as they are light and supposedly almost as quick as the 1.6 GTI. They also have the deeper front bumpers and fog lights so look a bit like a GTi but without the side spats. It is said that the 1.9 GTi was used as a benchmark when the hot versions of the MK1 Clio were being developed. I've recently reviewed a very late 5 door 1.1 205 Mardi Gras with only 40k miles on the clock. I can honestly see why people remain so fond of these cars.

[@mattd8097]

Love my little 1.9 so much fun . Lot more entertaining than most modern cars.

[@retrooutput]

I recently picked up what I think is my 30th 205. I never seem to go long without one. I used to favour the petrol ones but I must say that the diesel ones, especially the turbo charged one are my pick of the bunch these days.

[@jonathang9983]

Super car. A car I have always wanted to own, sadly never will. A decent one in original condition is pretty rare. If you do find one……you need wedges of cash.

[@andrewmarsden1970]

Dreamed of owning one in 91 when I was 21. Or an AX GTI.

[@DavidMorley]

Great cars. But I still rate the xr2. Weighs the same with a touch less power but fun factor similar.

[@wessmith3161]

I owned the 205 in 1.6 form and the phase 1 5 GT turbo back in the early 90's, the pug is probably just about the better car but the 5 was more fun, trust me!

[@rasherbasher8203]

Greatest hot hatches ever. Definitely in the top ten. The king🤔 still a classic..❤

[@jimmyquinn9639]

Nice car good video 🚗🚙🚘👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@davidvanhansen]

And now the Citroen AX GTI!

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Got one we can borrow…? 👀

[@vidsinmotionchannel]

Rarer than hen's teeth nowadays.

[@Everything_Evan]

They are gorgeous soo good looking.

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

They drive like they look!

[@GPH2474]

Having owned both the 309 gti was a better car imo. 205 marginally quicker, but power is nothing without handling, and the 309 did that better, and was more exclusive while being more practical.

[@carlkeig5640]

Very nice to hear someone rooting for the 309 GTI, far more stable, fantastic ride and handling, even felt special just sitting in one standing still,my girlfriend had a black F reg phase 1 in the early 2000s, still regard it as the best hot hatch I've ever been in

[@bojanstojanovic5465]

XS is better in handling than gti.

[@gaddmeister]

I test drove one against the golf and it was rattly, tinny and harsh in comparison. It was the 1.9, however, the golf won. Even my two GT Turbos were more refined.

[@alfamonk]

to be fair that looked like a well-used example, compared to the pristine Golf.

[@bojanstojanovic5465]

that is the purpose of the car.

[@project9320]

Yes.

[@paultasker7788]

Which is the best one. The 1.6 or 1.9?

[@marky9117]

Owners of each one will say their model is best. 1.6 is a bit revvier but 1.9 has the nicer wheels, half leather trim, rear discs etc. These days just find a good one and buy it. Neither will disappoint. Although neither are fast by todays standards, they’re still great fun on the right road. 👍🏻 I’ve bought a black 1.9 as that’s exactly what I had as an 18 year old in 1995.

[@k205DT]

309 GTI next???

[@WeBreakGTi]

Where’s the astra gte 16v ?

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Give it 50 more comments and we’ll see…

[@MrArte23]

1.9.thats what you need

[@MrArte23]

german golf R.I.P

[@Steve-nu8xt]

XR3i more Essex 🇬🇧

[@amnril]

Nice enough but back then, the guys from the rally clubs were choosing Peugeots, mainly 205’s but also the 309GTi. My first company car was a 205gti, another guy chose the same, another the R5 Turbo and two others had MK4 XR3i’s. Both the XR3i guys wanted the 205’s after borrowing them.

[@Captain_Scarlet_SIG]

I always thought they looked pretty cool but let down by poor build quality, the purists no doubt would prefer the 1.6 which is supposed to be more agile. As I remember the Golf was the one people really wanted but most ended up with the XR3i which just didn’t have the performance of the Golf or the 205.

[@bojanstojanovic5465]

Fully galvanised body is not a poor build quality, especially in later versions, you probably think of some part of enterior plastics.

[@foziyacaabi3004]

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