Faults:

Hot water matrix hose split twice.

Stitching on driver seat coming slightly undone, but fixable.

Rev counter ceased working recently.

General Comments:

The 205 1.9 GTi is a very rewarding car to drive. I have not driven a car that can match the handling or poise on a twisty back road. The 1.9 is the definitive hot hatch, it has power, poise and everyday usability that is difficult to match even by today's standards.

I was very lucky to pick mine up for absolute bargain money with a mind-bendingly full service history and 1 owner from brand new with the original dealership finance form still to hand showing what he paid, how and when. It has a host of extras including a factory sunroof, power steering and full stainless steel exhaust.

The car is chipped and tuned, but has not had the pants thrashed off it and still drives as new. The additional tuning and chipping enables it to comfortably match a Civic typeR to 100mph and goes on to roughly 135mph top end.

It is very thirsty and needs constant love and attention, but, if you are lucky to find one in similar condition to mine just buy it and maintain it as best you can. It will become a classic and will be worth a lot of money in the not two distant future.

Should you sell, provided you have not abused it, you will get back what you paid for it.

Faults:

Head gasket blew 2 months after I bought the car.

Engine died and had to be replaced.

Battery - similar story to engine.

Alternator (I think that's how you spell it, the bit that charges the battery) - had to be replaced.

Seats loose.

Back bumper collapsed unexpectedly (Possibly someone drove into it, not sure)

Front indicator light broke (bad driving not badly made)

General Comments:

When the car is not in the garage being repaired it runs beautifully.

However, it is expensive in terms of repairs, and seems to continually have something wrong with it.

The dealers themselves are expensive so I have found local garages are best for repairs.

The major problem I have with the car is that it has a manual choke, yet I know of cars 5-10 years older than mine with automatic chokes. A manual choke is a pain if you have left the car for a short period of time, and seems to have no real purpose other than to annoy the owner!

However, It's worth buying if you can put up with its unreliability and can afford the repairs, it genuinely runs really very nicely when it is running well. However, I am going to sell up and buy a 306 I think!

Faults:

Supplementary Air device ceased to function.

Passenger seat loose.

Rear suspension mounting rubbers perished.

Wheels poorly balanced.

Brake calipers seized.

Rear wheel bearings rusted to shaft.

Drivers seat bolster collapsed.

Anti roll bar drop links replaced.

Exhaust and other consumables replaced.

Oil filler cap fractured.

Heater matrix leaks.

Radiator Leaks.

0.5 Litres of oil per 500 miles.

Water leaks into passenger floor are.

Doors dropped on Latches.

Rear hatch seal collapsed.

Air filter housing straps broken.

Exhaust Manifold cracked.

General Comments:

I wish I had bought one years ago - I could never afford one, then when I could, I bought what I thought were better cars, they weren't. Bought this one on a whim and although it had plenty to keep me busy for a while its the most fun car I have owned.

Handles superbly.

Still feels Quick and tight now minor niggles sorted.

Easy and cheap to maintain with good parts availability.

10 Minutes with screwdriver sorts most rattles and aperture leaks.

If you drive to work on a small road buy one and smile.

This car is a classic. Please make another one peugeot.