Had an H reg 205GRD - I put 100,000 miles on it, then sold it to a friend who ran it to 320,000 miles, properly wearing it out. It's the only car i've owned that I wish i'd kept.
Had a L reg 205 1.8 diesel. Was epic on fuel. Was gutless when I drove it to Cornwall on the hills. Best part was when being tailgated by a BMW switching from 5th to 3rd and covering them in smoke
I’m pretty sure these later diesels had a taller final drive making them gutless as I took a box out of a Lreg & put it in a G reg & it slowed it up exactly the way the L reg was.
I treated myself to a new 205 XLD in April 1989...to use for work. Super little car, in every way, and totally reliable. 55mpg too. Sold it on at 350,000 miles, still going strong.
The 205 is arguably the best looking, well styled cars ever - iconic really. Fabulous design and handling - I’ve driven a few. Funny how cars like these, 106, 306, 405 and 406 were all fine riding and class leading for handling and ride thanks to PROPER engineering and not computers and tech. Cars have definitely gone backwards. Great review Ian
I had a 205gti 1.6 in white back in the day. Great car! Cars were so much more interesting in the 80s and 90s, they just all got so complicated and similar after that.
As a kid in the 90's, I used to sit in the boot in a red 205 when all the seats were filled. Often going on holiday to pontins in Wales, which at that time felt like visiting a foreign country (because Welsh).
@@peterw4338 You had it good, we had to sit on the roof while dad tried to throw us off on the sharp bends, and if we did fall of why he would reverse over us and murder us. You try telling the kids these days and they won't believe you. :)
@@PJBonoVox I had to crawl into the engine and make sure the valves kept in time as I was the musical one of the family. Always came out a bit oily, but life was tough when we were children.
Well done on keeping yours in such great condition! It doesn't even have the cracked dash that every 205 you see now has in the exact same place (inc mine). I'm still running my petrol 1.1 around after 18yrs. Love it.
Have owned a 91 1.9 gti for last 18years.Now in South West France going to classic meets and jollies out with a large group of car nuts.Registered with FFVE here so recognized as a classic. Will keep for a long time to come.
I must get around to reregistering my RHD 1991 1.6 automatic with the FFVE. Controle Technique less strict and only every five years 😉. I wish I could afford a GTI but prices have gone crazy! As for the stripped Rallye version...😳
Peugeot was always known for its supple, composed ride for decades, one reason you chose one. An amazing example, very well kept and looked after! Whilst driving, it didn't seem you were travelling at 60 mph at all! Glorious scenery; rolling green hills with some homes with an abundance of flowers 💐 that shows you summer is here, simply stunning! Also nice to see it also has good handling, a torqy diesel (we did have diesels in the 505, unfortunately not the 405, the final Peugeot to grave US 🇺🇸 soil) and a nice, comfortable interior! Another excellent review Sir HubNut!
Possibly the best supermini hatch, in the diesel versions anyway, with everything perfectly balanced and great toughness too. How I remember fierce Norfolk winters and warming/defrosting mine while eating breakfast. Then I was off in a warm car with clear glass and they never seemed to steam up. Peugeots lost their way after the 205 and became tacky and too reliant on bad electronics and I never went back to the brand.
I had a diesel one and was blown away by how comfy and smooth it was, and good on fuel, oh and they don't seem to rust! Interiors are a let down because of weak plastic and the heater controls often seem to pack in but still better than most other cars of the age and size. I later bought a Roland Garros 1.4 one, and I was astonished at how quick it was. You can keep the GTI. That Garros was plenty quick enough, and had the cheaper tax.
I had a 1983 205GRD, ran it until 1988, and sold it to a friend who ran it for a further 14 years. Without doubt one of my best purchases. I am 6’4” and I never felt cramped and I always enjoyed driving it. It was extremely refined and was very frugal. What a great little car.
Ditto 6’4” and enjoyed driving a 205 td down to Dorset for a few days in b&bs, back in the early 90s. Good memories of that trip, with the owner of the car, a woman who was due to be married in a couple of weeks. And not to me! Say no more.
Ian, I love the expression on your face when your driving a car that you are having a lot of fun in. You hide it quite well but having watch so many of your films it is something we Hubnut nuts spot. Great little cars, you really should have one on the fleet.
My dad bought a 1990 pre-facelift GLD as a second car soon after I passed my test. Brilliant little car, loads of torque, excellent handling and never seemed to get less than 50mpg no matter how you drove it. I still miss it 30-odd years later.
Worked on loads of these. Ahh those were the days when you could change a headlight bulb in 30 secs and for a quid without having to remove the front wheel, wheel arch liner, front bumper, wing, bonnet, subframe, engine, transmission etc etc etc
My wife and I had three 205s at the same time … red 1.6GTI, black 1.9GTI and a black Cabriolet❤. Best small cars ever and nothing better than driving them from the UK to our villa in Italy and ‘burning the rubber’ racing along the autostrada between Genoa and Pisa, in the midst of Fiat Abarths on a stretch consisting of nothing but tunnels and viaducts. Brings back many happy memories of our ventures in a wonderful small ‘pocket rocket’ that has never been surpassed 🥳🙏
Have some great memories traveling hundreds of miles to Cornwall in the blistering summer heat in our 1.4 GR as a kid. I remember thinking at the time how good the ride quality was and appreciating the soft seats. She did like to smoke though!
Thanks Hub Nut this video brought back many memories as I learnt to drive in an 1986 GLD. A few years later I was looking for a diesel but bought a GTI instead, now i'm much older (and possibly wiser) I have a hankering for a 205 diesel again.
Had a diesel one of these for 10 years, 100,000 miles. Also had pleasure to own 309 GRD, my second best car. As stated the 1.9 diesel engine is a gem and a pleasure to drive.
I had a pre-facelift 205 GLD from 1985 with gingercators and a different dashboard and stalks, bought in 1996 for little money because my Opel Kadett was stolen. When the Kadett was retrieved with a broken steering rack (the thief did that to break the lock) I decided to give that car to a friend and keep the 205, despite it was a very very tatty car. With this car I learned to change oil myself and do bodgy repairs, one day I used a jump start cable to connect the battery ground to chassis because the ground cable connector had split in half. The engine was so lovely and kept running, started even at -15, I've driven it everywhere and only once broke down (quite spectacularly, with a short and an electrical fire). Eventually sold the car for 50 when MOT ran out and cambelt needed replacing.
These 205 diesels are great. I learnt to drive in one and it was such a forgiving little car to drive. All them years ago when reversing around corners was a thing that you learnt. Apparently not these days!!
I learned to drive in 2016 before they took away the reverse round a corner. Things have changed a lot since I passed my test actually, suppose I should be grateful!!
I had a 205 diesel 'junior' version for 10yrs. I loved it it was so simple to work on. The interior ended up falling apart but the engine had years more life in it. I believe there is a marinised version of the engine as well.
I've got a real soft spot for the 205, I used to lust after one years ago as a paperboy cycling past a 1990 black GTi every day. Ended up with a very un-Hubnut 208 GTi which is also a fantastic little car and I'm sure this is due to my childhood infatuation with the 205.
In my 30 years of driving I've never had a Peugeot,I've had Vauxhall's, Citroen's,Volvo's, Ford's,but all that is due to change,we are due to pick up a brand new 5008 GT,and I'm looking forward to it,can't wait...
I love these. My mum owned a petrol C plate one in the early 90s. It was the first car I drove solo after passing my test in 1992. It was a great little car. So easy to drive. I remember the sound of the engine. The styling still looks fresh. Will always be a great memory for me 👍
I remember taking a friend to buy a secondhand GRD about 22yrs ago. He was 23yo, had saved for ages and at the time it was his dream car. Same colour as well. He loved it. Personally I had a 1.1XL,, a 1.6GTI and a 1.9GTI. Pure joy.
Brilliant video Ian, your a fount of knowledge! Did my driving lessons and passed my test in a 205 GRD, in Bodmin, Cornwall - it was very smooth on hilly/twisty roads. Fondest memory is after passing the test, my instructor said, right now you’ve passed, I’m going to show you how you really drive this thing ….
just got a 1988 one of these (yesterday!), 198,000 miles, crunchy gearbox, bodywork and engine absolutely fine. going to hang on to it for another 6 years, when it becomes a historic vehicle.
My father in law ran a 3 door 205 base diesel for years, and was always pleased with it. I bought a 309 base model diesel and ran it for 4 years, including towing a caravan all over England and Wales. A plain, simple, reliable car that did everything I asked of it.
Ian, just bought a 1991 Aussie Spec Peugeot 205 Si last week for Zacky our 12 year old whom you met here in Sydney. He is going to make it a rallye spec and use it to compete in Junior Motorkhana's here in Sydney. Have a post up on the AS forum. Great review, my sister had a 205 GRD back in the early 90's! Take care
I remember my friend having one while we where at school together. Every time I've driven a small Kubota powered tractor I think of what an amazing human being Mark was. The gutless diesels take me right back
Very informative! Love the snippets of engineering trivia (diesel engines don’t produce intake vacuum like petrol engines do) Your background knowledge impressive, please do more!
I had one of these as a brand new company car back in 1988, it was a base spec 2 door XLD in red. My own car leading up to this was a yellow Opel manta 1.9 Berlinetta SR. Which I sold on getting the company car. What a fall from grace I first thought! How wrong I was. The 205 was an excellent little car, I was out on the road with my job, doing 45,000 miles a year and the Peugeot hardly missed a beat, it wasn’t sluggish at all as the car in reality was very light weight with modest power. The handling was surprisingly good and on twisty lanes etc was great! I covered about 140,000 miles trouble free miles in 3 years with just normal servicing, with just the heater motor requiring replacement under warranty . Oil changes were every 6000 miles as I recall. After three years I changed my job function within the company and the company gave me the car for free. I kept it as my daily car until it was 10 years old and by then it had covered over 260,000 miles. The engine never missed a beat and the car was still on the original clutch when I sold it. Looking at your review brings back many happy memories of a truly excellent little car. I bet the turbo diesel version of it was a hoot to drive. As a point of interest, I borrowed my brothers new 205 1.6GTI, when my 205 diesel was a couple of years old, although the GTi was obviously a lot quicker, it was a nervous car in comparison to the diesel and the steering required a lot of correction on uneven roads, including motorways. I actually preferred the 205 diesel on long drives! Thanks for the review!
this brings me back to my childhood when my parents and grandparents owned a pair of 205s.one was a 5 door GLD and the other was a GRD both 5 door hatchbacks with the same diesel engine.very happy memories
These were everywhere when I was young!! The village publican had 2 in a row, a B reg GRD followed by a D reg GRD that he had for years!! The Vicars wife had one, a J reg GLD.....Blackshaws in Derby and Appleyard in Chesterfield couldn’t pump them out quick enough........
Great video Ian, always had a love for the 205 since working at a Peugeot Talbot dealer in 1989 washing cars. I now own a 1.1 petrol and it is fantastic in all the ways you describe, even without power steering. Sacre numero!
The first car I owned. It was a 5dr 1992 Junior 1.8 diesel with power steering and a pop up sunroof and denim seats! Fitted a Clarion E950 mk2 head unit with clarion rear speakers, loved it!
First diesel car was a 205 GRD. Great car even had my own diesel tank and bought fuel in bulk. Later on oldest daughter had a 205 GLD ( wee Pete ) who remained in the family for years. Sadly missed
If only Peugeot made cars as good as this now. I had one many years ago same spec as this one. 60 plus mpg very reliable and once you got the hang of it good fun to drive. I used it for courier work oil and filter every 2 weeks. Coolant flush every 3 months. Front pads 120k clutch well it was on the original one at 350k when it hit by a truck and written off. Had a 1.9 405 diesel estate after that.
I am glad you have found one the best French diesel cars. The only thing that ever went on mine was the diesel fuel shut off valve leaked. I had a Peugeot 306 Hdi diesel estate in which I had the best driving experiences of my whole driving life. Cornering on rails.
6:30 : In the huge engines list for the 205, you can add the Simca/Talbot (Poissy) pushrods engines: the 1.1, 1.3 (205 XA, commercial type) and 1.6 (205 GTX). These are same engines found in the Talbot Horizon/Solara, earlier Peugeot 309 and some Citroen C15). The 1.9 XUD diesel has been mounted in the 205 in some countries like Germany, instead of the 1.8 XUD, because of emission norms. At the end, the 205 had 21 different engines, that's insane. 8:55 : The GR is the mid-specs. 3 doors / 5 doors versions : base trim : XE / GE, low trim : XL / GL, mid trim : XR / GR, high trim : - / SR, sport trim : XS / GT. Great video with very accurate information ! Please do a video with the Turbo-D version !
We had an A reg 205 GRD as a replacement for a Golf diesel - a huge improvement, comfortable, much quieter, faster it was altogether brilliant. Followed that with a 1.6 GTI - great to drive but frustrating in that I always seemed to get caught behind less capable machines! Another GRD followed that and finally the best of the lot, the 205 diesel turbo which we had for 100K miles. Nothing matched them.
I have a 205 junior diesel with power steering what a luxury. Always had a passion for 205s as it was my childhood family car we used to get 5 of us a dog and luggage and drive from Lincolnshire to Bude Cornwall every year for a weeks holiday, good times
My father had a white 205 cabriolet CJ 1.4 bought new between 1989 and 1994 in the south of Paris, where I lived then with my family. What a wonderful car it was, I loved it.
The first car I had after passing my test (I had cars before passing too) in 2003 was a 3 door 1989 1.1L 205 XL. It was great fun to drive. Had a dented door near side and a replacement door with slightly different trim on the offside. Was brilliant to drive. The trim in the one you tested is so reminiscent of mine in the interior. One of the favourite I've owned.
My friend David had this exact car - the same size of diesel engine, manual transmission. He loved it, and thought it the best car he'd ever owned. Given that he at one point had no less than 4 Aston Martin Lagonda Rapides, I would say this says much for the superb Peugeot 205.
Watching Ian re-discovering a classic is such a pleasure -- especially as he is so damned honest. British manufacturers in the late-'80s and '90s had tried the goodwill of those of us been loyal and when family meant that I had to put aside my MG and Triumph salad days I owned a couple of Renault 5s which I enjoyed but silencer rot and gear lever problems were too much to bear. After a small accident in my classic Beetle [preserved for special days] the fixing mechanic lent me a very weird Citroen Ami Super Estate which was exciting, fun and very tough (it could even tow cars of Cortina size) but its eccentric appearance did not appeal to 'others'. Enter the 205s -- his and hers -- from new every 2 years for many years and what Ian states here is bang on. The non-turbo had truly astonishing versatility and felt like a bigger car to drive over long distances, which my work involved. I recall freezing East Anglian mornings when I started to make breakfast, switched both cars on and was away before the others finished breakfast and could get into a toasty car -- by which time I was well into my journeys through challenging conditions with a feeling of solid security while bigger cars wallowed on ice and in slush. The 205 demisters were unlike anything on any other car and in summer the venting was solid -- inclusive of pollen filters which also caught insects. The perfect all round car with decent spurts using the gearbox and they never gave uneven brake pad or tyre wear. My last 205 was a a turbo and had the oomph but was not overall better than the non-turbo as long as one knew how to use the gearboxes and kept the cars serviced. Peugeot's successor cars lost the magic and tended to be too low to the ground as well as having distracting toys and niggling electronic faults and I eventually changed to Japanese then Korean brands to keep in touch with cars being servant not master.
I had 20 years of Peugeot XUD powered estates. 305,405 and406. One of the worlds best Diesel engines. I drove a couple of diesel 205s before that, which is what turned me on to them. 3000 rpm at 80 mph ( indicated). Relaxed cruising.
I love my 205 1.1XR, even more than my 2CV. I pulled it out of a damp garage after it had been sitting for 15 years. A drop of fuel in the carb and it fired straight up. It’s only done 22k miles and is lovely to drive. Brilliant cars, great review 👍🏻
I drove one of these once, back when they were rather new. Absolutely lovely car. A family member ran one for ages. Don't know how many kilometers she ended up putting on that car, but it must have been several houndred thousands. If i remember correctly the car reviewers loved them too. I'd struggle to run one now. Don't think it's special enough to be the special car, and wouldn't want to run it as a daily for safety reasons. But i do have a lot of love for them. I enjoyed watching this. Brought back memories :)
Another great review. One of my first jobs when at college in 1995/1996 was delivering car parts for a firm of motor factors. They had a fleet of 205 vans and I got the oldest. Over 200k on the clock. Loved it on the lanes of the Hants/Sussex borders. Never let me down.
I had two 205s both 1.1s with no power steering but was so jealous of the people who had the diesel because it had so much torque. My brother actually bought a 1993 Diesel 205 in 2015 and I had it for a week. It was amazing and hardly used any fuel no matter how hard it was pushed. The only downside was a drivers door seal that was knackered.
I had a 205gld so lower spec. Plainer trim, no central locking no power steering, and a lovely maroon in colour. I used to commute in it, 125miles a day 5 days a week, for 3 years. Filters changed every 5000 miles, to keep me running. The handling was amazing, I overtook an xr4i on a bendy road once
Always loved the 205's, simple yet rugged little cars. I've got a beige '90 205XL 1.1 myself (with the old style rear lights). Bought it out of pure nostalgia, as my grandfather had a white '89 205XL 1.1 back in the day. Absolutely love it to bits.
A BX diesel, just with less hydraulics and kilos: Must be good! Loved the torque in the BX. I owned an fuel injected 1360cc 205 cabrio a few years ago, wow it could drive!
Awww man... this has really made me miss my old 205 XS T-T F808LTA was fantastic, an absolute hoot to drive! And so sooo comfortable. It had the best seats i have ever experienced in a car hands down.
;) Hey Jack, she's being used daily, replaced the clutch last month as it completely failed on me, turns out it had quite a cheap one! put a nice LUK one in and drives like a new car. Also took the blue cue ball off and got an original replacement (have kept it though) ha. And various other bits and bobs, just hooning it everywhere, the carb runs perfect. have plans to get a respray at some point. After a month or two of buying it, i realised at some point it had a door replacement ha, it's a slightly different silver, but all good. hope the rover & the saab are going well! Chris
PS, the seats.. drivers bolster has started to tear :( but i have found both driver and passenger replacements (after months of searching) so i'll be testing my upholstery skills later this summer ha!
@@cchris-yw7ei Aww man fantastic to hear from you!! I was secretly hoping you would see this haha. I miss that XS so much! Ah, sorry about the clutch! It always had a very low biting point but I felt like it just needed adjusting. Glad the carb is good as I rebuilt it not long before selling it as carb troubles did plague me throughout my earlier ownership . Haha yes I remember, the drivers door is a slightly different shade and was pretty much the only bit of the car that had any bubbling. Glad you got the original knob! It was somthing I always ment to get but never did. I had grown to like my little gearstick beanie lol. Yeahhh the seats were a little frayed, but man were they comfy. I would go as far to say the best seats I have sat in a car. So comfortable and supportive! The saab got back on the road about a month after you bought the 205 had a lot of fun with that, another great car. So frekin weird but I now truly know what build quality is! But that has gone also now haha and replaced with another old Rover, a 1990 416GSi which is very much a project. Somewhere along the line I have ended up with a tatty Suzuki Cappuccino as well, purchased with the funds from the 205 actually... (although, between you and me.. and everyone else reading this XD I much prefer the 205 belive it or not) The red Rover i had when you collected the 205 is still going strong, although it has developed a coolant leek after a hoon over the hardknott pass last week but I have a new rad to sort that. I would go on but I am sure this is quite long enough! Thank you so much for responding it has truly made my week! Hope to catch you again possibly at a hubnut social, Jack.
"Some blanking plugs to remind you of what you haven't got". A splendid metaphor for life in general.
Had an H reg 205GRD - I put 100,000 miles on it, then sold it to a friend who ran it to 320,000 miles, properly wearing it out. It's the only car i've owned that I wish i'd kept.
Yep great engine. I have an Auncle that worked for Perkins and said that Peugeot diesel was the engine to have at the time.
An Auncle gives you an Aunt and an Uncle all in one. 😆
@@peterriggall8409 Funny you say that. Mum had the 1.6 GTi , we loved to floor it 🤫
@@peterriggall8409 yeah. Auncle is all inclusive 😅
@@kamrankhan-lj1ng Ahh, very politically correct in these modern enlightened times. Go to the top of the class.... :-)
Had a L reg 205 1.8 diesel. Was epic on fuel. Was gutless when I drove it to Cornwall on the hills. Best part was when being tailgated by a BMW switching from 5th to 3rd and covering them in smoke
I used to do that to a 1.9gti driver in my R800 VM diesel, every weekday morning. Magic.
I’m pretty sure these later diesels had a taller final drive making them gutless as I took a box out of a Lreg & put it in a G reg & it slowed it up exactly the way the L reg was.
Oh yeah,that smoke screen tactic is very useful,drop a gear,floor it "oh sorry,I was trying to speed up like you want me to do". 😂
I have an early 1990 GLD on a G-plate and it's relatively fine up hills.
@@davidfos84 It's all a matter of expectations.
Considering the age, that car is in lovely condition.
Used to own a 205 'Style' diesel. Can confirm, it was a fantastic little car.
I treated myself to a new 205 XLD in April 1989...to use for work. Super little car, in every way, and totally reliable. 55mpg too. Sold it on at 350,000 miles, still going strong.
The 205 is arguably the best looking, well styled cars ever - iconic really. Fabulous design and handling - I’ve driven a few. Funny how cars like these, 106, 306, 405 and 406 were all fine riding and class leading for handling and ride thanks to PROPER engineering and not computers and tech. Cars have definitely gone backwards. Great review Ian
I had a 205gti 1.6 in white back in the day. Great car! Cars were so much more interesting in the 80s and 90s, they just all got so complicated and similar after that.
I agree. Modern cars especially suv's are over electronic designed and all look so boringly similar.
True, I had a 1.9 GTI, great fun. Many fond memories. I’ve had newer, faster cars, but they haven’t made me love them.
@@coldhell3580 and me. Also the once proud owner of a 1.9Gti. 130bhp in a small light car like that? No wonder they like the clappers🙂👍
I drove one of these to the South of France and back a few times. Brilliant on the autoroute and did 50mpg no matter how you drove it.
As a kid in the 90's, I used to sit in the boot in a red 205 when all the seats were filled. Often going on holiday to pontins in Wales, which at that time felt like visiting a foreign country (because Welsh).
Sit in boot? You were lucky, we had to sit on t' bonnet and mop windscreen when it rained.
@@peterw4338 You had it good, we had to sit on the roof while dad tried to throw us off on the sharp bends, and if we did fall of why he would reverse over us and murder us. You try telling the kids these days and they won't believe you. :)
@@andycleary6209 Pathetic. We used to have to wrap ourselves round the moving tyres.
@@PJBonoVox I had to crawl into the engine and make sure the valves kept in time as I was the musical one of the family. Always came out a bit oily, but life was tough when we were children.
Hubnut at his absolute best. Informative, entertaining and passionate.
Always thought the 205 was a near perfect piece of design, they have never managed to recapture that magic formula.
Many thanks to Ian for showing an interest in my car, and for being so positive about it!
It's in absolutely gorgeous condition Jet, and as Ian says, they are just a joy to drive. You still see so many of them on the road in France
Well done on keeping yours in such great condition! It doesn't even have the cracked dash that every 205 you see now has in the exact same place (inc mine). I'm still running my petrol 1.1 around after 18yrs. Love it.
Do you still own it? It's a good one alright!
@@mattc1984 Indeed, it's my daily driver, which does seem something of a shame given the condition, but it brings a smile to my face most days.
Have always loved the 205. Such a smart, practical and thoroughly brilliant little car
Have owned a 91 1.9 gti for last 18years.Now in South West France going to classic meets and jollies out with a large group of car nuts.Registered with FFVE here so recognized as a classic.
Will keep for a long time to come.
I must get around to reregistering my RHD 1991 1.6 automatic with the FFVE. Controle Technique less strict and only every five years 😉. I wish I could afford a GTI but prices have gone crazy!
As for the stripped Rallye version...😳
Peugeot was always known for its supple, composed ride for decades, one reason you chose one.
An amazing example, very well kept and looked after!
Whilst driving, it didn't seem you were travelling at 60 mph at all! Glorious scenery; rolling green hills with some homes with an abundance of flowers 💐 that shows you summer is here, simply stunning!
Also nice to see it also has good handling, a torqy diesel (we did have diesels in the 505, unfortunately not the 405, the final Peugeot to grave US 🇺🇸 soil) and a nice, comfortable interior!
Another excellent review Sir HubNut!
These are such superb cars,no matter what variant but my favourite is the diesel
Possibly the best supermini hatch, in the diesel versions anyway, with everything perfectly balanced and great toughness too. How I remember fierce Norfolk winters and warming/defrosting mine while eating breakfast. Then I was off in a warm car with clear glass and they never seemed to steam up.
Peugeots lost their way after the 205 and became tacky and too reliant on bad electronics and I never went back to the brand.
I had a diesel one and was blown away by how comfy and smooth it was, and good on fuel, oh and they don't seem to rust! Interiors are a let down because of weak plastic and the heater controls often seem to pack in but still better than most other cars of the age and size. I later bought a Roland Garros 1.4 one, and I was astonished at how quick it was. You can keep the GTI. That Garros was plenty quick enough, and had the cheaper tax.
I had a 1983 205GRD, ran it until 1988, and sold it to a friend who ran it for a further 14 years. Without doubt one of my best purchases. I am 6’4” and I never felt cramped and I always enjoyed driving it. It was extremely refined and was very frugal. What a great little car.
Ditto 6’4” and enjoyed driving a 205 td down to Dorset for a few days in b&bs, back in the early 90s. Good memories of that trip, with the owner of the car, a woman who was due to be married in a couple of weeks. And not to me! Say no more.
After the Alfa 164 I was beginning to worry we were beginning to lose you to the Clarkson fraternity, but I'm glad to see we're back on track 💪
No he just wanted to drive something that sounded so immense 😂
Ian, I love the expression on your face when your driving a car that you are having a lot of fun in. You hide it quite well but having watch so many of your films it is something we Hubnut nuts spot. Great little cars, you really should have one on the fleet.
Had a 405 back in the day, my mate had the 205 and 309.All brilliant diesels.Would have another 405 today if a decent come up.
My dad bought a 1990 pre-facelift GLD as a second car soon after I passed my test. Brilliant little car, loads of torque, excellent handling and never seemed to get less than 50mpg no matter how you drove it. I still miss it 30-odd years later.
Worked on loads of these. Ahh those were the days when you could change a headlight bulb in 30 secs and for a quid without having to remove the front wheel, wheel arch liner, front bumper, wing, bonnet, subframe, engine, transmission etc etc etc
The RHS bulb you can, but the LHS you've got to undo two bolts and move a electrical control box out of the way. That takes about five minutes.
My wife and I had three 205s at the same time … red 1.6GTI, black 1.9GTI and a black Cabriolet❤. Best small cars ever and nothing better than driving them from the UK to our villa in Italy and ‘burning the rubber’ racing along the autostrada between Genoa and Pisa, in the midst of Fiat Abarths on a stretch consisting of nothing but tunnels and viaducts. Brings back many happy memories of our ventures in a wonderful small ‘pocket rocket’ that has never been surpassed 🥳🙏
Suitcase engine? The mechanics at the Peugeot dealer I worked at had a different name for it, 'The w*nker on its back' being my favourite.
Have some great memories traveling hundreds of miles to Cornwall in the blistering summer heat in our 1.4 GR as a kid. I remember thinking at the time how good the ride quality was and appreciating the soft seats. She did like to smoke though!
Thanks Hub Nut this video brought back many memories as I learnt to drive in an 1986 GLD. A few years later I was looking for a diesel but bought a GTI instead, now i'm much older (and possibly wiser) I have a hankering for a 205 diesel again.
I did all my driving lessons and test in one with the 1.8 diesel. Such a super reliable car, the seats are so comfortable too.
Had a diesel one of these for 10 years, 100,000 miles. Also had pleasure to own 309 GRD, my second best car. As stated the 1.9 diesel engine is a gem and a pleasure to drive.
I had a pre-facelift 205 GLD from 1985 with gingercators and a different dashboard and stalks, bought in 1996 for little money because my Opel Kadett was stolen. When the Kadett was retrieved with a broken steering rack (the thief did that to break the lock) I decided to give that car to a friend and keep the 205, despite it was a very very tatty car. With this car I learned to change oil myself and do bodgy repairs, one day I used a jump start cable to connect the battery ground to chassis because the ground cable connector had split in half. The engine was so lovely and kept running, started even at -15, I've driven it everywhere and only once broke down (quite spectacularly, with a short and an electrical fire). Eventually sold the car for 50 when MOT ran out and cambelt needed replacing.
Your the best car reviewer I have seen great knowledge and true passion
These 205 diesels are great. I learnt to drive in one and it was such a forgiving little car to drive. All them years ago when reversing around corners was a thing that you learnt. Apparently not these days!!
My driving instructor had a few of these. Must have been easy to drive as I passed my test in one too.
I learned to drive in 2016 before they took away the reverse round a corner. Things have changed a lot since I passed my test actually, suppose I should be grateful!!
Didn't have a diesel, but had an '83 petrol GR. Loved that car. Wish I still had it.
I had a 205 diesel 'junior' version for 10yrs. I loved it it was so simple to work on. The interior ended up falling apart but the engine had years more life in it.
I believe there is a marinised version of the engine as well.
A neat looking car. The finest diesel engine ever.
I've got a real soft spot for the 205, I used to lust after one years ago as a paperboy cycling past a 1990 black GTi every day. Ended up with a very un-Hubnut 208 GTi which is also a fantastic little car and I'm sure this is due to my childhood infatuation with the 205.
They are going up in value now. I drove them when they were new... went like the clappers and nothing else like them in their day
In my 30 years of driving I've never had a Peugeot,I've had Vauxhall's, Citroen's,Volvo's, Ford's,but all that is due to change,we are due to pick up a brand new 5008 GT,and I'm looking forward to it,can't wait...
Peugeot have really got their mojo back with styling.
@@HubNut Indeed! The latest 208 and 508 look amazing!
Will wave to you on the hard shoulder 😉
@@stepheng8779 brainwashed a bit. Nothing wrong with modern Peugeots.
My uncle had a 205 1.8d Mardi Gras - sadly long scrapped before I realised just how cool it was!
That’s a lovely example. I really liked Peugeot’s of that era. I owned two 405’s and a 406 during the 90’s and found that very comfortable cars .
I love these. My mum owned a petrol C plate one in the early 90s. It was the first car I drove solo after passing my test in 1992. It was a great little car. So easy to drive. I remember the sound of the engine. The styling still looks fresh. Will always be a great memory for me 👍
Fantastic car! I've got the big old brother, 604 Diesel Turbo. Beautiful and super capable cars, these old Peugeots!
1995 205 GRD is my daily drive ,great car , real retro now
Had 2 205's .. 1.9 GTI and 1.1GL both really good fun too drive
Goodness they were everywhere it seemed, now rarely seen - god I feel old.
its moments like that when you realise that you've been around a while (I know I do!)
I remember taking a friend to buy a secondhand GRD about 22yrs ago. He was 23yo, had saved for ages and at the time it was his dream car. Same colour as well. He loved it. Personally I had a 1.1XL,, a 1.6GTI and a 1.9GTI. Pure joy.
Ian you've done it again i absolutely love these 205s what a great video cheers👍.
Brilliant video Ian, your a fount of knowledge! Did my driving lessons and passed my test in a 205 GRD, in Bodmin, Cornwall - it was very smooth on hilly/twisty roads. Fondest memory is after passing the test, my instructor said, right now you’ve passed, I’m going to show you how you really drive this thing ….
I took my test in Truro. That triple roundabout in Bodmin seemed a good thing to avoid as a learner!
just got a 1988 one of these (yesterday!), 198,000 miles, crunchy gearbox, bodywork and engine absolutely fine. going to hang on to it for another 6 years, when it becomes a historic vehicle.
My father in law ran a 3 door 205 base diesel for years, and was always pleased with it.
I bought a 309 base model diesel and ran it for 4 years, including towing a caravan all over England and Wales. A plain, simple, reliable car that did everything I asked of it.
Ian, just bought a 1991 Aussie Spec Peugeot 205 Si last week for Zacky our 12 year old whom you met here in Sydney. He is going to make it a rallye spec and use it to compete in Junior Motorkhana's here in Sydney. Have a post up on the AS forum. Great review, my sister had a 205 GRD back in the early 90's! Take care
Had exactly one of these super little GRD cars but with the factory sunroof. So smooth and economic. Can't remember why I ever parted with it..🤔
Exactly the same as my GRD, same colour inside and out and trim materials too!
Loved my Pug 205...had it for 8 years ❤️
I remember my friend having one while we where at school together. Every time I've driven a small Kubota powered tractor I think of what an amazing human being Mark was. The gutless diesels take me right back
Giving out a strong Chris Goffey energy today, Mr. Nut.
Or he could do a Chris Gothy and only review really dark cars ;)
See Smith & Sniff Prelude 2.2 ruclips.net/video/PVfe7BjqiLs/видео.html
Not the perfect impression. For that you would have to moan about the boot lip being too high ;)
@@pugmanick - And your trousers getting dirty from getting in and out of the car......
My Mum had an E Reg XLD and then a L Reg STDT. Loved them.
Very informative! Love the snippets of engineering trivia (diesel engines don’t produce intake vacuum like petrol engines do) Your background knowledge impressive, please do more!
They do, but these old ones didn't usually have a throttle body.
I had one of these as a brand new company car back in 1988, it was a base spec 2 door XLD in red. My own car leading up to this was a yellow Opel manta 1.9 Berlinetta SR. Which I sold on getting the company car. What a fall from grace I first thought! How wrong I was.
The 205 was an excellent little car, I was out on the road with my job, doing 45,000 miles a year and the Peugeot hardly missed a beat, it wasn’t sluggish at all as the car in reality was very light weight with modest power. The handling was surprisingly good and on twisty lanes etc was great! I covered about 140,000 miles trouble free miles in 3 years with just normal servicing, with just the heater motor requiring replacement under warranty . Oil changes were every 6000 miles as I recall.
After three years I changed my job function within the company and the company gave me the car for free. I kept it as my daily car until it was 10 years old and by then it had covered over 260,000 miles. The engine never missed a beat and the car was still on the original clutch when I sold it.
Looking at your review brings back many happy memories of a truly excellent little car. I bet the turbo diesel version of it was a hoot to drive.
As a point of interest, I borrowed my brothers new 205 1.6GTI, when my 205 diesel was a couple of years old, although the GTi was obviously a lot quicker, it was a nervous car in comparison to the diesel and the steering required a lot of correction on uneven roads, including motorways. I actually preferred the 205 diesel on long drives!
Thanks for the review!
this brings me back to my childhood when my parents and grandparents owned a pair of 205s.one was a 5 door GLD and the other was a GRD both 5 door hatchbacks with the same diesel engine.very happy memories
Had a 1985 B registered red 205 GRD back in the day. It was an absolutely stonking car. Probably one of the best I've ever had
absolutely brillant car, had a 1989 GLD as a first car, bought it at 445 000km, was the 10th owner, this thing refused to die
These were everywhere when I was young!! The village publican had 2 in a row, a B reg GRD followed by a D reg GRD that he had for years!! The Vicars wife had one, a J reg GLD.....Blackshaws in Derby and Appleyard in Chesterfield couldn’t pump them out quick enough........
Great video Ian, always had a love for the 205 since working at a Peugeot Talbot dealer in 1989 washing cars. I now own a 1.1 petrol and it is fantastic in all the ways you describe, even without power steering. Sacre numero!
The first car I owned. It was a 5dr 1992 Junior 1.8 diesel with power steering and a pop up sunroof and denim seats! Fitted a Clarion E950 mk2 head unit with clarion rear speakers, loved it!
First diesel car was a 205 GRD. Great car even had my own diesel tank and bought fuel in bulk. Later on oldest daughter had a 205 GLD ( wee Pete ) who remained in the family for years. Sadly missed
I bought a 205 straight diesel from a scrapyard, fixed it up and ran it 'til the clutch failed. Great car.
If only Peugeot made cars as good as this now. I had one many years ago same spec as this one. 60 plus mpg very reliable and once you got the hang of it good fun to drive. I used it for courier work oil and filter every 2 weeks. Coolant flush every 3 months. Front pads 120k clutch well it was on the original one at 350k when it hit by a truck and written off. Had a 1.9 405 diesel estate after that.
I am glad you have found one the best French diesel cars. The only thing that ever went on mine was the diesel fuel shut off valve leaked.
I had a Peugeot 306 Hdi diesel estate in which I had the best driving experiences of my whole driving life.
Cornering on rails.
6:30 : In the huge engines list for the 205, you can add the Simca/Talbot (Poissy) pushrods engines: the 1.1, 1.3 (205 XA, commercial type) and 1.6 (205 GTX). These are same engines found in the Talbot Horizon/Solara, earlier Peugeot 309 and some Citroen C15).
The 1.9 XUD diesel has been mounted in the 205 in some countries like Germany, instead of the 1.8 XUD, because of emission norms.
At the end, the 205 had 21 different engines, that's insane.
8:55 : The GR is the mid-specs.
3 doors / 5 doors versions :
base trim : XE / GE, low trim : XL / GL, mid trim : XR / GR, high trim : - / SR, sport trim : XS / GT.
Great video with very accurate information ! Please do a video with the Turbo-D version !
We had an A reg 205 GRD as a replacement for a Golf diesel - a huge improvement, comfortable, much quieter, faster it was altogether brilliant. Followed that with a 1.6 GTI - great to drive but frustrating in that I always seemed to get caught behind less capable machines! Another GRD followed that and finally the best of the lot, the 205 diesel turbo which we had for 100K miles. Nothing matched them.
Learnt to drive in a 205 GRD, great memories, such a great little car, super engine
I have a 205 junior diesel with power steering what a luxury. Always had a passion for 205s as it was my childhood family car we used to get 5 of us a dog and luggage and drive from Lincolnshire to Bude Cornwall every year for a weeks holiday, good times
My father had a white 205 cabriolet CJ 1.4 bought new between 1989 and 1994 in the south of Paris, where I lived then with my family. What a wonderful car it was, I loved it.
The first car I had after passing my test (I had cars before passing too) in 2003 was a 3 door 1989 1.1L 205 XL. It was great fun to drive. Had a dented door near side and a replacement door with slightly different trim on the offside. Was brilliant to drive. The trim in the one you tested is so reminiscent of mine in the interior. One of the favourite I've owned.
My friend David had this exact car - the same size of diesel engine, manual transmission. He loved it, and thought it the best car he'd ever owned. Given that he at one point had no less than 4 Aston Martin Lagonda Rapides, I would say this says much for the superb Peugeot 205.
I had a red 1.9 GTI in the late 90’s. My second car after passing my test and was at uni. Amazing car. Wrote it off in the end.
Yep, great cars. Probably one of the best superminis ever made.
Watching Ian re-discovering a classic is such a pleasure -- especially as he is so damned honest.
British manufacturers in the late-'80s and '90s had tried the goodwill of those of us been loyal and when family meant that I had to put aside my MG and Triumph salad days I owned a couple of Renault 5s which I enjoyed but silencer rot and gear lever problems were too much to bear.
After a small accident in my classic Beetle [preserved for special days] the fixing mechanic lent me a very weird Citroen Ami Super Estate which was exciting, fun and very tough (it could even tow cars of Cortina size) but its eccentric appearance did not appeal to 'others'.
Enter the 205s -- his and hers -- from new every 2 years for many years and what Ian states here is bang on. The non-turbo had truly astonishing versatility and felt like a bigger car to drive over long distances, which my work involved.
I recall freezing East Anglian mornings when I started to make breakfast, switched both cars on and was away before the others finished breakfast and could get into a toasty car -- by which time I was well into my journeys through challenging conditions with a feeling of solid security while bigger cars wallowed on ice and in slush.
The 205 demisters were unlike anything on any other car and in summer the venting was solid -- inclusive of pollen filters which also caught insects. The perfect all round car with decent spurts using the gearbox and they never gave uneven brake pad or tyre wear.
My last 205 was a a turbo and had the oomph but was not overall better than the non-turbo as long as one knew how to use the gearboxes and kept the cars serviced.
Peugeot's successor cars lost the magic and tended to be too low to the ground as well as having distracting toys and niggling electronic faults and I eventually changed to Japanese then Korean brands to keep in touch with cars being servant not master.
I owned a gun metal grey 205 on J plate. Great little car and unlike other small cars of the time ,didn't rust and was reliable.
Was it a 'Zest ' by any chance? Blue seats with green piping?
I had 20 years of Peugeot XUD powered estates. 305,405 and406. One of the worlds best Diesel engines. I drove a couple of diesel 205s before that, which is what turned me on to them. 3000 rpm at 80 mph ( indicated). Relaxed cruising.
Yet again, hubnut makes me lust over a car I knew nothing about - Great work sir.
I love my 205 1.1XR, even more than my 2CV. I pulled it out of a damp garage after it had been sitting for 15 years. A drop of fuel in the carb and it fired straight up. It’s only done 22k miles and is lovely to drive.
Brilliant cars, great review 👍🏻
Passed my driving test in a D Plate 205 Diesel back in 1987. They did indeed drive well and particularly good for learning to drive👍
I drove one of these once, back when they were rather new. Absolutely lovely car. A family member ran one for ages. Don't know how many kilometers she ended up putting on that car, but it must have been several houndred thousands. If i remember correctly the car reviewers loved them too. I'd struggle to run one now. Don't think it's special enough to be the special car, and wouldn't want to run it as a daily for safety reasons. But i do have a lot of love for them. I enjoyed watching this. Brought back memories :)
Another great review. One of my first jobs when at college in 1995/1996 was delivering car parts for a firm of motor factors. They had a fleet of 205 vans and I got the oldest. Over 200k on the clock. Loved it on the lanes of the Hants/Sussex borders. Never let me down.
The 205 GRD was my older brothers first car. It was simply amazing.
I owned a 1988 309 GLD with a 1905cc engine. The best car i have ever owned. The engine was bomb proof.
I had two 205s both 1.1s with no power steering but was so jealous of the people who had the diesel because it had so much torque.
My brother actually bought a 1993 Diesel 205 in 2015 and I had it for a week. It was amazing and hardly used any fuel no matter how hard it was pushed. The only downside was a drivers door seal that was knackered.
Drove over 100k miles over 8 years in a 205 diesel, many trips to France, very practical car!
I had a grd and it always did about 55 to the gallon. It covered 250000 miles . Best car I had ever owned.
I learned to drive in a 205 1.8 TD "Mardi Gras" Lovely motor. My driving instructor equipped it with GTi alloys so it looked very smart indeed.
Learnt to drive in one of these! Memories.....
I had a 205gld so lower spec. Plainer trim, no central locking no power steering, and a lovely maroon in colour. I used to commute in it, 125miles a day 5 days a week, for 3 years. Filters changed every 5000 miles, to keep me running. The handling was amazing, I overtook an xr4i on a bendy road once
Brings back memories, done my driving test in a 205 1.8d, coincidently in 1990. Later on worked for Peugeot Dealer, XUD was a cracking engine
Always loved the 205's, simple yet rugged little cars.
I've got a beige '90 205XL 1.1 myself (with the old style rear lights). Bought it out of pure nostalgia, as my grandfather had a white '89 205XL 1.1 back in the day.
Absolutely love it to bits.
My mate had a 205 XS years ago, one of the best handling cars I've ever driven.
A BX diesel, just with less hydraulics and kilos: Must be good! Loved the torque in the BX.
I owned an fuel injected 1360cc 205 cabrio a few years ago, wow it could drive!
Awww man... this has really made me miss my old 205 XS T-T
F808LTA was fantastic, an absolute hoot to drive! And so sooo comfortable. It had the best seats i have ever experienced in a car hands down.
;) Hey Jack, she's being used daily, replaced the clutch last month as it completely failed on me, turns out it had quite a cheap one! put a nice LUK one in and drives like a new car. Also took the blue cue ball off and got an original replacement (have kept it though) ha. And various other bits and bobs, just hooning it everywhere, the carb runs perfect. have plans to get a respray at some point. After a month or two of buying it, i realised at some point it had a door replacement ha, it's a slightly different silver, but all good. hope the rover & the saab are going well! Chris
PS, the seats.. drivers bolster has started to tear :( but i have found both driver and passenger replacements (after months of searching) so i'll be testing my upholstery skills later this summer ha!
@@cchris-yw7ei Aww man fantastic to hear from you!! I was secretly hoping you would see this haha. I miss that XS so much! Ah, sorry about the clutch! It always had a very low biting point but I felt like it just needed adjusting. Glad the carb is good as I rebuilt it not long before selling it as carb troubles did plague me throughout my earlier ownership
.
Haha yes I remember, the drivers door is a slightly different shade and was pretty much the only bit of the car that had any bubbling.
Glad you got the original knob! It was somthing I always ment to get but never did. I had grown to like my little gearstick beanie lol.
Yeahhh the seats were a little frayed, but man were they comfy. I would go as far to say the best seats I have sat in a car. So comfortable and supportive!
The saab got back on the road about a month after you bought the 205 had a lot of fun with that, another great car. So frekin weird but I now truly know what build quality is! But that has gone also now haha and replaced with another old Rover, a 1990 416GSi which is very much a project. Somewhere along the line I have ended up with a tatty Suzuki Cappuccino as well, purchased with the funds from the 205 actually... (although, between you and me.. and everyone else reading this XD I much prefer the 205 belive it or not)
The red Rover i had when you collected the 205 is still going strong, although it has developed a coolant leek after a hoon over the hardknott pass last week but I have a new rad to sort that. I would go on but I am sure this is quite long enough!
Thank you so much for responding it has truly made my week! Hope to catch you again possibly at a hubnut social, Jack.
Love the XUD! Five C15 vans and three 405s. Bomb proof.