Braymond 4 Posted April 21, 2017 Thought Id make a little introduction as I'm delighted to say I'm in the market for a 205 GTi once more. I had one about 12 years, and in fact my very first car some time before that was a little 205 Style too. Since then I've owned a Williams Clio, and then a 306 Rallye which become quite a project over 5 years. In fact I recognise a few names here from the 306GTi-6/Rallye community. Since the Rallye, I've been steering an S2000, which will remain my daily steer whilst a little 205 sits in the garage quietly putting on money...I hope. Off to look at car this afternoon which appears to a good buy. Wish me luck More anon... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Telf 222 2 Cars Posted April 21, 2017 Welcome. Only my opinion but buy it and drive it! I dunno if prices have peaked but buying for investment seems a waste of a car. There is a lot of garbage out there that's overpriced -especially by so called specialist dealers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
soundguy 13 Posted April 21, 2017 (edited) Don't know about you but I was a bit surprised at the 'rawness' when I first drove one. When I say a bit suprised, thought I'd made a big mistake buying one actually (although the throttle response was like nothing else I'd experienced). However in the coming weeks that thought was permanently banished. So after 12 years what will you be saying to the seller? 'it's just like I remember it, SOLD' or 'you know what, I think I'll pass'! Let us know how you got on. Edited April 21, 2017 by soundguy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Braymond 4 Posted April 22, 2017 Don't know about you but I was a bit surprised at the 'rawness' when I first drove one. When I say a bit suprised, thought I'd made a big mistake buying one actually (although the throttle response was like nothing else I'd experienced). However in the coming weeks that thought was permanently banished. So after 12 years what will you be saying to the seller? 'it's just like I remember it, SOLD' or 'you know what, I think I'll pass'! Let us know how you got on. What struck me most was how poor the brakes were, but I perhaps I just wasn't getting behind them enough, as the components a relatively new. It's hard to compare today's experience with that of 12 years ago. At the time it was about the best, most capable car I'd driven, but with the passage of time of course the bar gets raised. But I wasn't going there to test a contempary sports car, so it's kind've irrelevant. But I didn't buy it. Yet.. There's a few little niggles, as you'd expect, but mechanically and bodywork-wise it's pretty tidy, which are my primary concerns. It's got a big exhaust that would have to go, one of the headlights is a bit loose and there's an aerial at the rear of the roof; left over from a car phone that needs to go but will leave a hole - and I don't know enough about bodywork to know how easily this can be filled/sprayed without leaving a witness. My main niggle though, is the fact I sort of wanted a 1.9, and prefer some of the facelift features and trim colours associated with a later phase. "So buy a later one", I hear you say. Sure, but the fact remains this is tidy example I can just afford, so im weighing up mild preference against perhaps a smart buy. I slept on it. It didn't bring clarity... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gaz205 50 Posted April 22, 2017 I wanted a 1.9 badly, but only because that's what everyone seems to want. Nowadays it's hard enough to find a solid example let alone in the colour year and engine spec you want. Performance let's be fair from either engine is pretty avg by today's standards. If you've viewed one with that few niggles in your budget then buy it!! Trims can be dyed, indicatior lenses can be changed, wheels swapped etc. A fill n Spray Job on the roof will be no harder than on a brand new car. I'd say go for it ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Braymond 4 Posted April 22, 2017 I wanted a 1.9 badly, but only because that's what everyone seems to want. Nowadays it's hard enough to find a solid example let alone in the colour year and engine spec you want. Performance let's be fair from either engine is pretty avg by today's standards. If you've viewed one with that few niggles in your budget then buy it!! Trims can be dyed, indicatior lenses can be changed, wheels swapped etc. A fill n Spray Job on the roof will be no harder than on a brand new car. I'd say go for it ! Sound advice I'd say. Thanks buddy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,621 Posted April 22, 2017 (edited) brakes are far from poor, you should try a comparative vw of the same era!! I think you are mistaking over assisted modern brakes vs good brakes that you can feel and modulate without relying on sophisticated esp systems Edited April 22, 2017 by welshpug Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Braymond 4 Posted April 22, 2017 Ahh are you the same Welshpug from the 306 community? The patronising tone feels familiar :-D 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
