Faults:

Cracked exhaust manifold.

Failing alternator.

Starter motor often not engaging.

Leaking doors.

Drive shaft failure.

Loose/broken passenger seat.

General Comments:

In the 6 months that I have had this car there have been several quite pricey faults to contend with which was quite disappointing for a car of it's (relatively) young age.

However despite it's faults I still have a soft spot for it due to it's superb responsiveness and handling.

The handling of the car is quite unlike anything I've ever felt before. The only more responsive car I've ever driven was a Mini, but that was responsive in an almost terrifying way, whereas the Peugeot just inspires confidence - you can plough it into just about any corner at just about any speed and it will take it in its stride.

Performance too is more than acceptable - for the smaller engined (1.6) GTI it is still remarkably rapid and pulls very nicely even after this many miles. The engine may be a little rattly when cold, but it growls nicely when it has warmed up and leaves most of your sad XR2 and Nova SR boys for dead at the lights ;o)

The overall styling of the car is elegant and slightly aggressive - it still looks quite fresh and modern for a design of such advancing years (in GTI guise anyway, although the non-GTI 205s are looking more than a little dated nowadays). However the interior is a little gloomy and of dubious build quality - a rattle-and-squeak-fest no less, and the seats are not exactly comfortable on longer journeys.

Peugeot dealers are a (not very funny) joke and seem to know little if anything about the car - however there are many enthusiast garages and small independent garages that will happily keep your relatively straightforward mechanics in good shape so this is not really a problem.

Faults:

So far the car has been good apart from the few things you would expect of this age:

Brake pads and shoes.

Wheel cylinders.

Brake pipes.

Throttle switch.

Uneven idle.

Indicator stalk.

I'm a mechanic by trade so I have taken care of these problems.

General Comments:

The car is nice and in A1 condition, it drives like new and the engine is still sweet even with the high mileage.

I have fitted a performance exhaust, K+N air filter, performance brakes and I lowered the car by 60mm.

It handles superbly and will be even better when I get new 16" alloys with good tyres.

Faults:

Clutch cable snapped.

Clutch wore out.

Brake pads wore out.

General Comments:

This, ladies and gentlemen, could possibly be the best first car of all time.

Decided early on in my life I wanted a 205, I was appalled when I tried to get insured for a GTi. On paper, the only alternatives were the GT and XS models. Both posted identical figures for performance/economy, but had different engines fitted, though both displaced 1.4 litres.

However, the GT, while a fine looking car in its own right, had five doors, and therefore less 'GTi-a-like' credability. The XS however, was the full monty three door, missing only the plastic arch extensions and lower rear apron from it's more powerful cousins.

On driving it for the first time, I realised why 205's have been so popular from their introduction in 1986. The acceleration is just amazing from the 1.4 litre engine, getting up to 50 mph every bit as fast as the 1.6 GTi, before the larger engined car can use its midrange grunt to out-torque the XS. Top end speed is bordering on ridiculous for the engine size, topping out at just over 110 mph, almost perfectly at the redline. Peugeot's engineers must have spent a while getting those gear ratios so perfect.

But the XS is not just about speed - the handling of the car is just beautiful, it can be thrown into roundabouts and sharp corners, and the impression is always that the car can handle more than you can give it. Body roll is well controlled while cornering sharply, and it will not show any lift off oversteer until it is pushed as hard as possible in the wet, which most people wouldn't do anyway.

The brakes are adequate for the size of car, but do have a tendency to overheat when pushed ultra hard, though again this is only when pushing the car to its limits.

The bodywork and fitting are obviously not up to Teutonic standards, but as French cars go, this is one of the better built examples when compared to its equivalents, such as the Renault 5.

Overall, a car which impressed me no end, and I would heartily recommend it, first car or otherwise.