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.
Join the debate
Sundym
I'm a heretic!
FM8
Sundym wrote:
No, you're not. I never really got these. Great to drive in their day and genuinely quick, but like you say, very tinny. I bought a 2 year old one back in 1991, only had it for 9 months, too tinny, too many problems and everyone want to nick them back then, can't remember how many times I had to repair the doors and windows following breakins. Went from the 205 to a BMW 325, felt like a tank in comparison, just as fast, trouble free and a lot cheaper to insure.
FMS
Sundym wrote:
Of course you did...rest of us know you are typing with the benefit of...hindsight, cos you always knew what was best, by looking into the future...shame you haven't done similar things with the national lottery...or have you and just kept it to yourself...?.
Peter Cavellini
Taking the plunge......
As said, continual fettling replacing, upgrading, if your into that then you’ll not wince at the costs, are the6 better than their grand children?, I don’t think so, but hey, your not buying them to beat the young ones, your buying it to enjoy.
mfe
Mature=boring
macaroni
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.
Andrew 61
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.
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