Most modern classics need a wealth warning but it’s fair to say the value of a sound Peugeot 205 GTi 1.6 or 1.9 is only going one way, and it isn’t down. For now at least, starting prices for clean runners have settled at around £4000. (We found a tidy 1989 1.6 with 113,000 miles, new parts and a long MOT for £4k.)
From here, they go all the way to £43,000 for a one-owner 1991 1.6 with 17,000 miles. In 2017, everyone was in a tizz about a 1989 1.9 with 5726 miles that fetched £38,480 at auction. The year before, the record was £31,000. You see our point?
Fortunately, around £5000 to £8000 should be enough for a solid GTi and £12,000 to £15,000 buys a good, low-mileage car with history.
Having bought your GTi, however, don’t think you’ve got a classic you can run on a shoestring. As Martin Thompson of Peugeot Racing Developments explains, a 205 GTi requires continual attention.
“A 205 won’t look after itself,” he says. “You’ll find yourself tinkering, renewing, upgrading…”
He should know. He has a 6.0 V12 GTi and another powered by a Renault Mégane RS Mk2 2.0 turbo engine. Some owners replace the 205’s 1.9 eight-valve engine with the closely related 1.9 16v Peugeot 405 Mi16 unit, with 158bhp. In 2012, GTi specialists Pug1Off released a 195bhp version powered by an uprated 2.0-litre 16v engine from the Peugeot 306 GTi-6. They still have plenty of donor engines and ’boxes available.
The 205 GTi was launched in 1984, powered by a 1.6-litre engine, which made 103bhp. Not much by today’s standards, but the little car weighed just 850kg. Two years later, in 1986, power was increased to 113bhp, but at the same time, the kerb weight swelled to 900kg, blunting the car’s performance slightly. For this reason, the first version is the purist’s choice.
Also in 1986, the 1.9 was launched. It produced a modest 124bhp (later versions with a catalytic converter dropped to 120bhp), but thanks to the engine’s increased stroke, it was torquier. The 1.6 feels revvier, but being eight-valve affairs, both have bags of go from the start.
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An important car in it's day.
I looked at one at the time and the test drive proved it was up to the positive press comments. It did feel a bit small for my everyday needs and so I bought a 1.9 309 Gti which replaced a mk1 XR3i.
Many cars from the 80's will not, unsurprisingly, meet today's expected standards of build and quality feel but it does miss the point.
A 205 has little of a modern cars ability to mask performance and a connected, seat of the pants, feel. You either appreciate that or not.
As a weekend car a nice 205 Gti or similar should provide an entertaining, and possibly educational, ride.
How refreshing...
to read this article about actually having fun in a car, rather than another e-SUV.
I'm a committed 205 fanatic, having owned, restored, modified and tracked many over the years.
Fabulous cars with a dedicated following, still usable today.
As for the Golf-fans claiming they are tinny...first thing I look for in a fun hot hatch - build quali...yyaaaawwwwn.
Mature=boring