Faults:

Absolutely nothing had gone wrong with this car in the time I drove it, and I really gave it a beating.

Mind you, the brakes seemed like they were sticking a little, not sure though.

General Comments:

I bought this car as a run around whilst my xsi 306 was off the road, I paid 400 for it with GTI wheels and mouldings, it looked gorgeous in red. what a rocket!! wiped the floor with 1600 GTI's and used to give the 1900s a run. it had a power boost valve, K&N filters and I think a high lift cam also, when the 306 was back on the road, it was no where near as fast, and that's a 2.0 16v!! and the noise from it, sounded like a jet plane. couldnt not recommend this car more highly, for the insurance, you will not find a better/faster car.

Faults:

Both suspension arms failed last MOT; made a huge difference to the handling when done.

Wear on driver's seat bolster.

Starter motor.

Differential bearings are starting to whine.

General Comments:

It goes like slippery snot. It's the twin carb model, which is apparently slower than the later ones, rubbish, but the MPG rarely sees the nice side of 35 MPG. It doesn't have much torque, but I'm often surprised when I look at the speedo.

It had GTI alloys fitted when I bought it, which help it to handle like no other car I have driven. Roundabouts and country roads especially bring a cheesy grin to my face.

It's bloody noisy above 75mph. Stick to country roads.

The interior is held together with sticky backed plastic. It rattles, but nothing falls off, but that's not why you buy a car like this.

The best £380 I have spent, and the insurance is dirt cheap (try Elephant.co.uk)

Faults:

Bad blue smoke, needed new piston rings and valve stems.

New head gasket and sump gasket required.

Two new tires needed.

New front disc's and pads.

New steering rack put in.

General Comments:

I haven't even pushed the car hard yet, I've got to wait till the new components wear in a bit, however the car takes off from the blocks insanely quick.

Interior fairly bland, but functional.

Brakes seem a bit poor maybe.

Only cost 200, about 250 worth of parts so it was really a bargain.

Faults:

The gearbox needed to be reconditioned.

A new clutch had to be put in.

General Comments:

Previously I owned a Peugeot 205 XE, which is a 1 litre manual, so stepping up to this was quite a difference. I have always been a fan of the Peugeot's, since I had the XE. They are about the best hot hatches you can buy for your money from manufacturer standard.

You can feel it has been breathed on by Peugeot from the factory as the performance is short of breath taking for a 1.4.

But have no illusions, this is by no means a Porsche, but it doesn't half go well for a little hatch. With 0-60 figures around 9.5-10.5 seconds it'll leave many cars standing.

The downside of this incredible acceleration is the gear ratios which will leave you at 3,900 rpm at 70.

When looking at the 205's be careful of collapsed brake hoses, engine mounts, clutch and gearbox noise and rattle. On the plus side, you will rarely find a very rusty 205.