Used Peugeot 205 review

There are two probable scenarios if you’re shopping for a Peugeot 205 GTI. One is that you already across its iconic status as a much-loved hot hatch originator and you’re an enthusiast buyer. The other is that, because of the first point, you’re probably willing to cop some of hardship in owning a tired old classic or willing to pay what it takes to buy a peachy example.

Tyre-kickers probably know what the fuss is about. For those who are otherwise curious, here’s the score.

The British Mini redefined small motoring as far back as the 1960s. And come the 1970s, with an oil crisis gripping Europe, both Germany’s Volkswagen and France’s Peugeot lobbed smart, modern, small and compelling front-drive hatchback models in Golf and 205, respectively. And taking a leaf from Mini Cooper, each came in a hottie version, both called GTI, albeit with Peugeot using a lower-case ‘i’.

France produced all manner of 205s between 1983 and 1998, in hatch, convertible and panel van guises. Including the legendary mid-engined Group B rally homologation special, the 205 Turbo 16. But the 205 wouldn’t arrive in Australia until 1987, exclusively in GTi guise. A more pedestrian Si hatch variant joined the hot hatch locally in 1991, essentially creating a slim two-version Aussie line-up.

A feisty engine, uprated suspension, sport accoutrement atop fetching European styling, the original 1.6-litre GTi was a revelation, both leaner and keener than its key rival from Volkswagen. But that was Euro version that lobbed in 1984. By 1986, a larger 1.9 arrived with both engines offered overseas, though only the 1.9 was sold locally.

Sadly, the Aussie 1.9 was neutered thanks to local emission laws around 1986’s onset of unleaded petrol. Our versions made just 75kW (and 142Nm) at a time when Euro got 96kW and 85kW from its newly (1987-) revised big-valve 1.6. Bugger. Five-speed manual was par for the 205 course.

The initial run of local GTis had all the looks of the Euro counterparts and maintained its wonderous handling in translation. However, spec was trimmed down a bit to fit a price point – $29,500 as of its October 1987 launch – and the diluted shove was deemed to be something of a disappointment.

In the conversion to right-hook, it was decided that Aussie spec could fit air-con or power steering but not both, and many early examples lack the latter. Power windows, central locking, a cassette player and 14-inch wheels: these were the mod cons for lightweight and sporty hatchback fun back in the late ’80s.

The 205 GTI became measurably better in 205’s mid-life update in 1991. Outputs ‘jumped’ to 90kW and 152Nm. And from hereon in, both air-con and power-steering was standard. This year also marked the arrival of the cheapy Si to go up against the likes of Corolla, Laser and Pulsar.

The 205 Si’s charm was its three-door format. But at more than $23k for the manual and over $25k for the auto, it wasn’t cheap. Further, it’s two-valve 1.6 petrol four wasn’t nearly as contemporary in tech as some Asian rivals. It did fit much of the standard features offered in the pricey GTi its Japanese rivals couldn’t match for similar outlay, though the French build quality wasn’t much to rave about.

The pick of the 205 litter is easily the later GTi stuff, from when the update lobbed in 1991 to when the axe came down in 1994. It would be a long while, until 2013’s 208 GTi, before Peugeot would hit its stride again anywhere near the front of the hot hatch pack.