Peugeot 205 SR - I love my car, it's served me well.... (Peugeot 205)

Member Name: nsjthomas

Product:	Peugeot 205
Date:	06/11/06 (801 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Does what you need it to do; Cheap to run & maintain; Looks good for an old car

Disadvantages: No power steering; Brown Interior; My son thinks it's not cool!

I have an 1988 5dr 1.4L 205 SR and love it! It's the first car anyone in my immediate family has owned as my father and brother don't drive. It's economical to run at about 50-60mpg it's very nippy round town and does well on the motorway. It also handles the steep & twisty roads in rural areas with no problems.
The exterior is pretty smart given it's age and I'm quite loving razzing around in it. Looks a lot better than the equivalent Polo or Micra hatchback small car.
I love the very roomy interior, enough space for my son, the (large) dog and plenty of luggage. Even an 18" frame adults bike will fit in no problem with the seats down.
Insurance is cheap and because it's a 1.4L engine it's got good acceleration but I only have to pay the cheaper road tax fee.
I bought it in March 06 (with 62k on the clock and only the tiniest bit of rust on the wheel arches) when still a learner driver. I've put 5k miles on it since and the only problem (*see below) it's had was needing an ignition coil which I fitted myself (easy job) and only £25 for the part itself.
It's easy to pick up secondhand parts, most breakers yards will have what you want.
*Shortly after I bought it some of the local kids thought it'd be a good idea to put a hole in the petrol tank to steal the fuel, aren't they lovely!! A tank from the breakers yard was £35 but in the end I've patched it for less than a fiver and it's held up for the full 4 thousand miles I've put on it since passing my test in July. I'm sure the patch will need replacing soon or the other tank fitting. The good thing about it is that the 205 has a plastic fuel tank which once damaged won't rust and become worse.
There is a slight oil leak but (as most mechanics I've spoken have said) is pretty much par for the course with older cars. Despite this, it doesn't drink oil and will happily run for 100's of miles before needing topping up. I think I've only put a couple litres in so far.
I've replaced the coolant which is another easy job. The 205 vs a new car is easier to look after yourself, all you need to invest in is a Haynes manual.
As for extras, the car has a sunroof, rear wiper and washer (my friend's J reg Micra has neither) and I fitted a new stereo and speakers.
I hope it'll last me for a good long while yet and take me all over the country. If it doesn't then I'd definately be on the look out for the same again!!

Summary: A great old car, still loads of them about, parts are plentiful

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