Real Road Test: 1990 Peugeot 205 GRD - who needs a GTi?
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- Опубликовано: 27 июл 2024
- Here at HubNut, we think ALL Peugeot 205s are worthy of praise, not just the sporty ones. Here we delve into the history and then enjoy the full 59bhp that this diesel offers.
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"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.... :-)
Considering the age, that car is in lovely condition.
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.
Always thought the 205 was a near perfect piece of design, they have never managed to recapture that magic formula.
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.
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.
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🙂👍
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.
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.
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
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 😂
Have always loved the 205. Such a smart, practical and thoroughly brilliant little car
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.
Hubnut at his absolute best. Informative, entertaining and passionate.
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...😳
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.
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!
A neat looking car. The finest diesel engine ever.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!)
As relaxing as a 3 year old on a sugar rush 🤣🤣
Obviously havent driven one
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
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.
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..🤔
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!!
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.
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.
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 👍
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!
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.
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......
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.
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.
My uncle had a 205 1.8d Mardi Gras - sadly long scrapped before I realised just how cool it was!
Why aren't modern French cars as good as the old ones... ☹️ We've gone backwards... Great car and fantastic video. 👍
Yes my Peugeot 106 xnd i would say all round best car ever own. Nothing to get excited about, but could chuck around roundabouts, kept me dry, 69mpg. Run at times on veg oil. Drop the seats i got 10 traffic light heads in the cabin. Had it from 65 to 153 k miles. Bought for 1500 quid under sold it for 300. Wish i still had it as a knock about car.
Like all modern cars. Style over substance. Even the new Landrover Defender is now just another Gucci handbag with wheels. Sad really.
@@andrewhaines8603 very true, cars are becoming disposable. Manufacturers only care about the first owner and them getting out of the warranty. Full of electrical gremlins and poor quality engineer and components.
@@classicshit2 gone are the days when Sunday morning the "man of the house" would wash the family car , then tinker under the bonnet, making sure all was good. Open the bonnet today and it's a sea of plastic covers hiding everything. Once you've broken half the lugs and fixings off these to get to the engine, you find you either can't get access to the part required, as Ian has demonstrated, or you need 'special tool 159-6/3' to extract said item!
Exactly Matt. These old Peugeot’s were bullet proof they’d run forever. Now their a crock of s#*t😏
Didn't have a diesel, but had an '83 petrol GR. Loved that car. Wish I still had it.
Yep, great cars. Probably one of the best superminis ever made.
Ian you've done it again i absolutely love these 205s what a great video cheers👍.
I used to get 35p per mile fuel allowance when I owned this car ( £17.50 per gallon ).
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.
Your the best car reviewer I have seen great knowledge and true passion
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
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 .
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........
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.
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!
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
Excellent car for its time. See this one has an Anglesey number plate.
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!
Had 2 205's .. 1.9 GTI and 1.1GL both really good fun too drive
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 !
Great video, with lots of super detailed information about the car, as always!
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
Used to work for Peugeot back in the 90's, painted lots of these, GTI's usually, Rouge Vallelunga being the most often crashed! Lazer green and miami blue on the later ones looked great as did the rare Sorento green.
Very flimsy panels though and like the 405, didn't crash well compared to 309/504.
This was the first car that demonstrated that diesel was not just as good as the petrol option but a better option.
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
You must have a drive of the 1.9 GTI 205, You"ll really notice the difference in performance!! :) total mind blowing from a car without a turbo!!
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!
Perfectly presented, thank you!
Another excellent video with passion and enthusiasm. Informative and useful information and genuinely interesting. Thank you.
Passed my driving test in one, so great cars!
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!
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.
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.
Learned to drive in the 205 Grd thought it was a great learning car. I have never owned one. But I did manage to own the 405 1.9 Td.
I owned a 1988 309 GLD with a 1905cc engine. The best car i have ever owned. The engine was bomb proof.
One of Peugeot’s greatest hits. Pretty much the perfect all round car. I believe the Citroen Visa 17D had a 0-60 time of around 11 or 12 seconds so this 205 must be about the same.
I had an early 1990s n/a diesel 205 in mind as a replacement when I wrote off my Fiat Tempra 20 years ago but I erroneously bought something else.
The Visa was much faster than the 205
@@julienbee3467 Some time after my Diesel 205s I had a couple of decaying 17D Visas as runabouts. I'd confirm they were faster, likely due to less weight and one of them had a 'sports exhaust' made of large bore flexible conduit, bodged on after much of the silencing fell off ; that certainly made it sound like a racing machine .
Hi Ian, another great little car and good road test, And review, look forward to your next one.
That sounded exactly like my BX Diesel, oh how I miss that car!
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.
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.
I had a grd and it always did about 55 to the gallon. It covered 250000 miles . Best car I had ever owned.
Brilliant video Ian 👍 great little car
I reem to recall that the G in GR stands for five doors. The three doors got an X instead so the equivalent of this would be XR.
I grew up in an early GL 1.1, 1984 I think. Very bare bones, you didn't even get proper vents for the side windows. Nor a glovebox lid.
Yep, indeed, XR was the same spec as the GR with fewer doors. I dread to think what you didn't get with the base XE!
G stood for "Grande" the R was trim level.
The lower spec diesel was indeed the GLD.
@@929V6 I believe the GLD stood for "Grande Luxurious Diesel"....
@@sleepingwarrior4618 Grand Luxe, in French. GR was Grande Routière.
One of your best vids to date. Worryingly good production quality 😉. Bordering 80's Top Gear without the Woolarding. Fond memories of the 205 Diesel in poverty spec.
Yet again, hubnut makes me lust over a car I knew nothing about - Great work sir.
Great HubNut presentation with fun 'tidbits' of automotive history, the 205 still is a classy motorvehicle,
from this 5 dr. family spec to the 1.9 GTI prefarably all black, red interior with those epic alloy wheels👍
A beautiful car, beautifully filmed. I'm working my way through your older videos and I have to say the quality of your content has improved immensely (but I love the long haired hippy vibes of the old ones a lot too!)
I had a 205 DTurbo, 4 door, it was a quick car! I had a 205 1.6 GTi which never felt quick and now have a phase 1, 1.9 GTi in my modest collection. It's ludicrously good fun. But I'd probably choose a diesel over any petrol 205. Great work Ian.
I learned to drive in a Peugeot 206, except for one lesson when it was in the garage for warranty work, for that lesson I had a red 3dr 205 Mardi Gras. The 205 was far better car to drive!
Loved my 205 trio.Ragging it down back roads at night was great fun, only drawback of these diesels is the high tax which makes it difficult to justify it as a second car.
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.
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.
Wow what a great little Peugeot 205 with such low mileage and still in great condition. You certainly don't see many of these cars about on the open road. Yet another great test drive video by Ian.😃😃
Learnt to drive in a 205 GRD, great memories, such a great little car, super engine
First diesel I ever drove after my driving test was one of these with a tuned engine and rally e body kit. Put it this way I got back in my N reg Ford escort and cried a little inside.
I had a 1995 escort... pure shite, it was 4years old and you couldn't give it away.
I had a 205GRD, 120K miles on the clock. It was far sweeter that the Escort diesel at work - that was a clunky, slow agricultural item in comparison.
what a lovely car your review is the best ive seen keep up with the good work
I had a 106 that I loved and it’s still going strong with its new owner. The alternator was difficult to replace but my son replaced it for me.
I had a 1995 106 1.5D
It had bags of character but the offset steering wheel and pedals drove me mad!
I remember that my aunts had one, 1998 1.8 GLD, the last ones in production. That diesel rumble still lives in my memories!
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 had several 205's in the day petrol and diesel. I enjoyed them all. They didn't let me down either.
A car I’ve always fancied but never had the minerals to go through with it. Great review as always Ian 😊👌🏻