Peugeot 205 (1983 - 1997)
MODELS COVERED: 3 and 5dr Hatchback, 2dr Cabriolet (1.0, 1.1, 1.4, 1.
6, 1.8 diesel, 1.8 turbo diesel [Junior, Style, XE, XL, XR, GL, GR, Sceptre, XS, XT, GR, SR, GT, CJ, CJ Junior, GTI, CTI, Style D, Junior D, D, XLD, GLD, GRD, TD, Turbo D, XRDT, STDT, GRDT])
BY JONATHAN CROUCH
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By anybody's reckoning,
Peugeot's 205 ranks as one of the key small cars of the last 20 years. It proved that superminis could not only be practical but fun too. Around a decade and a half after it was originally launched, Peugeot was still making it and it was on sale here until 1997. So, as you might expect, there are still some good examples on the used market.
A little car that's miserly at the pumps but a whole lot of fun out on the open road. Not much to criticise in terms of packaging, though some of the trim is rather flimsy.
With a car that has as long a history as this one, you can obviously pay what you like and get what you pay for. Realistically, try not to go any further back than a 90G or 91H-plater in which case you can expect to pay up to £400 for an entry-level XE 1.0-litre three or five-door hatchback; you might even find yourself a 1.1-litre XL example for £450.
Trim levels range from Junior and Style to XL, XR, GL and GR. The 1.4-litre cars are normally worth around £1-200 more and the 1.6-litre normally aspirated models are also worth a slight premium though there aren't many about. Most 1600s were sold with fuel injection in the world-acclaimed GTi line-up. Be careful here; many GTis will have been thrashed. Then of course, there was the GTi 1.
9 for many, the ultimate 205. The same comments apply as to the 1.6. A 92J or 93K-plater will set you back between £500 and £1,000 depending on condition and mileage.
The GTi 1.9 may be the best 205 but the diesel variants almost certainly represent the best buy. Most came with the PSA Group's proven normally aspirated 1.8-litre diesel and, again, there's a huge range from which to choose. Buying a later car is not such an issue here; the diesel 205 tends to go on forever if looked after well. As a guide, a 1990G entry-level three-door will cost you from £500 and a 96P-reg as much as £1,200. Best of the diesel bunch, not surprisingly, is the relatively rare and rapid turbo diesel which arrived in 1991; youll find it with a variety of trim levels including Turbo D, Sceptre TD, XRDT, STDT and GRDT at prices starting from around £600.
There are plenty of poorly maintained examples around, many older ones have creeping rust (check around the window seals). Check for deteriorating alloy wheels, clutch wear, worn rear shock absorbers and scored brake discs. Cars that have not been properly serviced with the approved solution and make of anti-freeze may have suffered corrosion damage to the engine which will be pricey to put right. Check exhaust emissions for blue smoke which may indicate engine wear.
Knocking noises are a sign of camshaft wear on higher mileage examples. Bear in mind too that some earlier small engine models had their gearbox located in the sump,
Mini-style, where it was difficult and costly to repair.
(based on a 1990 205 GTi 1.9) A clutch assembly is around £120, a full exhaust approximately £200 (without catalyst), brake pads are around £42 front and £42 rear. An alternator is around £120, pay about £120 for a starter motor, up to £130 for a radiator and £40 for a headlamp.
All the engines on offer feel perky even the normally-aspirated diesels. The chassis helps too; you can really throw this car around if you want to. Unlike most other superminis, the 205, rather than being a domestic appliance for the road, is a car you can really fall in love with.
The 205 still makes plenty of sense as a first car or an extra family runabout, just as it did when it was launched back in 1983. Find a good one and youll wonder how others cope in their contemporary Fiestas and Metros.
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