1986 Peugeot 205 GR 1.4 petrol

Summary:

Good cheap motoring

Faults:

Front disks rust and have to be replaced every 2 years.

Drive shaft UJ's wear out; have to be replaced when noisy.

Compliance bushes - every other year.

Dash rattles - always.

Oil leaks - Drive shaft oil seals, cam cover, sump bung.

Rust behind headlamp.

Petrol in carburettor evaporates when engine is very hot.

Alternator diode pack.

Spline on gearbox input shaft rounded off.

Trim round gearlever has never fitted.

General Comments:

I had this car to do the 80 mile round trip to work each day. It has done this for 6 years, and only broken down 3 times in 150,000 miles.

It's very economical, but gets through front suspension and brakes like service items. If it was not bio-degrading, I would keep it longer.

This car can fit very large items in it; 38 inch wide screen TV and 1 tonne bags of garden waste.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th June, 2008

17th Aug 2013, 01:54

236K? Wow! Just shows long journeys are the key to longevity in almost any car.

1986 Peugeot 205 Automatic 1.6

Faults:

Not good starter, especially in the winter. The engine was noisy - sounded like a diesel.

General Comments:

We loved our 1.6 automatic, it was really fun to drive, not very economical, but a great car.

Then we bought a new 206, which was big disappointment. If you have a 205, then look after it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 7th July, 2006

1986 Peugeot 205 GR 1.4

Faults:

1.9 GTI alloy Wheels rubbing on the inside of the rear arches of my 5 door.

General Comments:

How do you stop it?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th May, 2002

1986 Peugeot 205 GLD 1.7 diesel

Summary:

A nice reliable little runner

Faults:

Reverse light switch needed replacing when I bought the car.

Exhaust needed changing 2 weeks ago because of a 5 cm split in it.

A little bit of rust that had spread around the arches.

The car was broken into via the window and the stereo stolen.

General Comments:

A very nice car to drive. It handles well and for a diesel it is quite nippy.

The seats are comfortable and the leg room is enough for a 6 foot 3 inch tall person.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th June, 2001

21st Jun 2001, 15:11

This car also wheel spins very good as well.

28th Jul 2001, 18:26

I certainly know this is a nippy car, it once had 5 people in it and still pulled off amazingly well.

7th Sep 2002, 15:22

After driving other 1.8 diesels, I was immediately shocked by the acceleration of this car. The power:weight ratio is exceptional.

11th Oct 2003, 05:44

Hey, I also have a 205 1800 gld and think it is a very nice car. But I would not consider it to be "nippy" or even mildly exciting to drive.0-60 in 13 seconds, that's slow.

Rich.

5th Dec 2004, 10:44

This car has been in my family for over 12 years now and has never failed us. Starts first time, every time... without fail. Both myself and my sister learned to drive in it. Its had bumps and knocks, but just keeps going. I often travel 300 miles on weekends along motorways and it has no problems at all. The one I have is the actual car featured in What Car? magazine years ago. Unfortunately the water pump is on its way out, so with a lot thought, I have decided to retire the little diesel : (If anyone from What Car? reads this and wants to do a '18 years later' review... please say so, she needs a proper send off.

25th Apr 2005, 16:28

It is very fast for a 1.8 diesel, especially considering it was in production around 15 years ago and not meant to be a high performance vehicle. Many average modern cars have a 0-60 time slower than this.

1986 Peugeot 205 GTi 1.6

Summary:

A vivid experience, try it at least once

Faults:

You name it! If it could go wrong it went wrong. Radiator, hoses, thermostat, gear linkage (made out of bits of old coat hanger!!), clutch, 3rd gear went (because of the clutch!), speedo, accelerator jammed, speedo never worked properly - common to all 205 GTi's!! Shall I continue?

General Comments:

Despite all of the above problems you should have a go in one of these at least once in your life. Crash test and emissions regulations have outlawed hot hatches, as light and as responsive as this. When it goes, it really goes! but at other times it is just frustrating. Beware the torque steer and mad lift off over-steer, otherwise you will end up in a ditch somewhere. Unreliable, unruly but still, unbelievable fun.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th March, 2001

1986 Peugeot 205 GT 1.4

Summary:

Insurance friendly GTI worrier

Faults:

Brake servo needed replacing, difficult to pin-point as a fault.

Split return pipe, probably caused by over-revving (oops!).

Tatty seats, leaking aerial mount.

General Comments:

Spirited performance for insurance friendly non-GTI. Not very keen below 3,000 rpm - but will pick up fast. Will go to 8,000 if you're willing to hang on.

Steering can be heavy at low speeds, but direct for corner chuckability.

Keen to wheelspin in the wet.

Twin Webbers need looking after, doesn't use a drop of oil or coolant between services. Fuel economy not great though.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th December, 2000

1986 Peugeot 205 GT 1.4

Summary:

A lively hatchback that's not a GTi

Faults:

Tatty seats.

Oil leak.

Needed a new clutch and braking system, can't complain for its mileage!!!

Very unreliable in the wet, too many puddles and it cuts out.

Twin-carb balancing can be a problem, especially if one gets clogged.

General Comments:

A cheap and lively 'warm' hatch. Low insurance and fun to drive. Even though it's a high mileage car it still goes well.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd November, 2000

1986 Peugeot 205 GE 1.0 petrol

Faults:

The usual from a 2nd hand car in city driving.....clutch, brake master cylinder.

General Comments:

Parts slightly above average prices, could do with more power, comfortable interior and useful space. Slightly excessive body roll.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th March, 1998

1986 Peugeot 205 GR 1.4 petrol

Faults:

Mainly wear and tear. Shock absorbers, new brake discs, new exhaust, new clutch.

General Comments:

Extremely reliable. Never once failed to start although often reluctant when cold and damp. Paintwork starting to go but structurally sound. Over 80,000 on the clock mostly short town trips and still going strong.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd November, 1997