| Product: |
Peugeot 205 |
| Date: |
03.09.03 (2014 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: comfy seats, ideal for scrap, err... thats it
Disadvantages: cant cope with bad weather, drank like a fish, sounded like a souped up tank, poor paint job, had to physically get out the car to whack the headlights to get mainbeam on, So old it was being to mould, although no rust funny enough....
I originally wrote this review awhile back in a total state of depression. My review, therfore was a bit, how should I say, negative. HOwever, my car owning life is on an up at the moment (touch wood) and Im starting to appreciate what I have and had in my life. And so, a more joyful look at my very first car...
Ive reviewed my second car so I thought it would only fair that I should review my first. Yes, I Tonie, owned a Peugeot 205 GL, I thank you....
When I first passed my test I was eager to get a car (who isn't?) so after a few days of moping about on Autotrader and Loot I decided that I wanted a Peugeot. Imparticular I wanted a 206, but unfortunatly my budget didn't go as far as 7 grand, so my next option was a 205. So, after more time on the net I found a F reg 205 GL for 350 pounds. Now I realise that the car wasn't worth that but I was young and naive, so sue me.
So I became the extremely proud owner of a battered, moulding 205. After a good, good clean and wax it actually looked pretty good, apart for the nearside wing and two passenger door (oh yes! It was a five door!) being a slightly darker blue than the rest of the car, it scrubbed up well. Other faults included when I first got it was a stiff clutch which had a very bad squiek about it, it guzzled petrol like there was no tommorrow, it had two keys for the doors and petrol cap, it had general wear and tear inside and a throaty rev that would put any boyracer to shame and was often confused with a souped up tank (even though it was only a 1.1). But I saw through these faults. It was MY car. And by GOD the seats were SOOOOOOO comfortable.
So, I loved and cherished that car. It was incredability easy to drive as it was box like in shape so it was easy to park and judge distances with. Visability was excellent as the windows went all the way to the edge of the doors and side bars. Handling was a bit heavy at low speeds but great at higher even though m
y one didn't have any power steering.
Now safety isn't the best feature of this car. Accident wise its like a steel box. The car may come out of an accident with minor damage but you're like to have made repeated contact with the interior of the car even with your seatbeat on. There's little in way of rollcages or airbags (especially in the older models like mine). Although I never had a theft attempt on my car I would still have to say that it probably wouldn't take long to break into one. Unless you get a newer model there are no alarms or immobilisers. It only has a steering wheel lock thats released with the ignition key (every car has this feature anyway, it just depends if its electronic or not). Older models really need a visable deterant like a steering wheel lock or a lovely little pitbull in the front seat with rabies. Models like the GL and Junior are less likely to get nicked as they dont appeal to the youth of today, its the likes of the GTi that are asking for it unless you have the aforementioned pitbull. Well, a alarm will do.
Mechanical wise these are great, Ok, they do develop problems but because theres very little electronics simple things can be fixed by a beginner with the help of a Hayes manual. However, saying this, alot do go wrong with these models. Clutch, alternators, batteries, you name it, it WILL go wrong unless you modify your 205, which actually renews almost the whole of the engine.
When looking for a 205, unless you want a GTi look for one that has low mileage for its year, typically for a F reg (1988) 60,000 is about average. Its a cliche but the "one lady driver" is a bonus. Also look for body rust, mine was actually rust free suprisingly for its age but rust on any car is a major problem unless you catch it early. Check out the clutch. If it stiff then you may have a major problem on your hands. Parts are pretty expensive for a car of this age and popularity so if you s
ee an abandoned 205 on the road, nick all the parts for it that you can (a spare back window washer motor is a must), but first check that its actually abandoned and not just a nasty looking, badly parked, student's second home (a current tax disk is always a good sign).
Other than that this is the business. It's a students car who hasn't got much money but still wants a good looking car. My car, incidently, was part exchange for a Ka for 500 pound (can you believe it I actually made profit on it!?!). During the last month of ownership the battery just wouldn't charge, the alternator and battery were renew to no avail, it spent nights on end plugged into the main on a battery charge which gave it enough juice to get started once, and once only. It hated the cold weather and would die on me unless I revved the hell out of it. So if you want a good looking car thats cheap to buy (not so cheap to run though) than this is the car for you. Enjoy!!
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