Sourcing A Mint/unmolested 1.9 205 Gti? How Difficult Is It!?!

[Coxy914 0]

Hi there,

new to this site but old in the world of car enthusiasts and forums alike.

I'm a private car collector who is trying to find a decent/unmolested 1.9 205 GTi.

I really thought my search wouldn't be too difficult, given that they were massed produced.

I know that during the late 90's, they were fairly cheap to buy and plentiful and it meant youngsters got a car with a lot of performance for little money and many got thrashed within an inch of their lives, but surely my task of finding a nice one can't be this hard can it?!?!

Heck, if I can source a rust free 1980's Fiat, then surely I can find one of these!?!? (and yes I did, although it took the best part of a year!)

 

My first ever car was a 205 1.3GL but yearned for the GTi, but at the tender age of 19 (a long time ago!), 3 things were going against me:

1) cost of the car

2) cost of running the car

3) cost of insuring the car

But now a few years older and wiser, I can re-live my youth a little!

 

I've been to see several so far which have been described as mint/show condition etc, only to find bad paint, rust, dents, poor repairs etc.

I found this site as someone posted a link on the PSOC site saying that someone on here had had a wasted journey to Jersey to see a 1.9 that is currently for sale on there (52k on the clock), only to spend all day travelling to find it wasn't as described.

 

Maybe I'm just being too fussy, but I know there must be some nice examples out there somewhere!

[rescue dude 0]

djc's tale of woe.

[Coxy914 0]

djc's tale of woe.

 

 

that's the one, cheers for that link.

Spoke to the seller at some length last weekend, and did tell him I was fussy and will spot any blemishes and still he didn't mention it even after another forum member had wasted their time and money to go over to Jersey to view.

[rescue dude 0]

It's shocking how some people will mess you about.

 

Did you mention that you know someone has already seen it?

[Coxy914 0]

It's shocking how some people will mess you about.

 

Did you mention that you know someone has already seen it?

 

 

I didn't at the time as I didn't know someone else had had a wasted trip.

I posted the link on the PSOOC site to see if anyone knew anything about it and someone posted up that a member off here had been.

I haven't got back in contact with the seller since, although he did try ringing me back Sunday evening and on the Monday.

Maybe he's on commission from the ferry company!!

[MrG 3]

They are definatley out there, its a simple case of keep hunting for the right one, but as per the experience above don't place much on what the seller states. The words 'mint' and 'concours' are well over used today.

[djc 0]

Here I am, the globetrotting perfectionist! I noticed the Jersey car reappeared on Pistonheads last week still claiming to be original & unmolested - a quick email to the mods soon saw the advert removed. I hoped this would save others from a wasted trip. The owner certainly knows its not as he describes as I made him more than well aware.

 

Classic car websites/weeklys seem to have better quality cars in their listings but one mans excellent is anothers average. A 63k mile low owner Cherry Red 1.9 has recently sold via one of the classic sites for £3k but at that price didn't hang about. There is a lot more choice if you want a 1.6 it seems.

 

I wasn't to fussed about buying a car with an Mi16 conversion providing it had been done properly & was well documented, I have since bought a car from another forum member (ollieb7) who has sent me so many pictures, spreadsheets, links to other projects he has/is undertaking etc & talks with a real passion about this & other cars in general. Genuine cars & more importantly genuine people are out there but cast the net far & wide my friend & expect disappointment when viewing.

 

Good luck with the hunt & keep us all informed!

[rescue dude 0]

Pleased to see you've found a car djc.

 

Got any pics so i'll know its you next time i'm in Stourport?

Edited May 26, 2010 by rescue dude

[Batfink 201]

Personally I would be looking for a good unmolested shell. Easier to find than a mint complete car.

I picked up my 1.6 sorrento for £500 and am then spending money on replacing parts and sorting mechanical issues which are in general easy to fix.

[notamondayfan 44]

My dad is looking to sell his D reg phase 1 has soon as the engine is back in. Its red, very very tidy shell (the best ive seen and our family has had around 6 gtis), good interior, around 70k on the clock (dont hold me to this, but definetely low millage). He even has the origional booklet for the car.

The only thing that lets it down is the dash, its cracked and need to source another, but is quite hard with it being a phase 1.

 

Drop me a PM if your interested!

[Coxy914 0]

My dad is looking to sell his D reg phase 1 has soon as the engine is back in. Its red, very very tidy shell (the best ive seen and our family has had around 6 gtis), good interior, around 70k on the clock (dont hold me to this, but definetely low millage). He even has the origional booklet for the car.

The only thing that lets it down is the dash, its cracked and need to source another, but is quite hard with it being a phase 1.

 

Drop me a PM if your interested!

 

 

sounds a possibility, although Ideally after a phase2.

[djc 0]

Pleased to see you've found a car djc.

 

Got any pics so i'll know its you next time i'm in Stourport?

 

Rescuedude I will pm you my number, call round & take a look if you want - I'm 30 seconds drive from the Cherry Red 1.6 you have previously mentioned. I am expecting delivery of it by next Tuesday (1/6) if you search ollieb7 he has a buildthread on here for it. Maybe some kind sole could put up a link (I'm doing this off my phone).

[ALEX 98 1 Cars]

Iv'e just sold one, here's a link about it link

 

Don't know if its what your looking for as the high mileage was only average for it's age (if not less)

But it had a Lot of work and money spent on it, looked great, and I was honest about it's history.

It was only advertised for a week before it was sold for £1700 (I Think it's in the Trader magazine this week).

I found it difficult to put a price on it. (Don't ask on here as they all moan at you and accuse you of pre-advertising.)

I could have probably got more for it if I was prepared to wait, but I don't consider myself greedy. Unlike the the one advertised at £5000!

[DaveW 6]

Ha Alex what dont they moan at on here?

[rescue dude 0]

Rescuedude I will pm you my number, call round & take a look if you want - I'm 30 seconds drive from the Cherry Red 1.6 you have previously mentioned. I am expecting delivery of it by next Tuesday (1/6) if you search ollieb7 he has a buildthread on here for it. Maybe some kind sole could put up a link (I'm doing this off my phone).

 

 

Yes ok mate no probs i'd like that.

 

I'm a Stourport chap myself so I may even know you already.

 

This is the for sale thread.

Edited May 26, 2010 by rescue dude

[Coxy914 0]

Yes ok mate no probs i'd like that.

 

I'm a Stourport chap myself so I may even know you already.

 

This is the for sale thread.

 

 

Looks like you've found a goodun' and a good price as well.

 

have you have ever been to the Midlands Breakfast Club meets??

Edited May 26, 2010 by Coxy914

[djc 0]

Looks like you've found a goodun' and a good price as well.

 

have you have ever been to the Midlands Breakfast Club meets??

 

Thanks for the positive thoughts Coxy. Its a lot of cash for a 205 in anyones book but if you look at the sum of parts & break it down its not too bad! Its certainly worked out cheaper than finding a low owner car & then having it painted due to niggling little marks then replacing the mouldings because their faded against the new paint, sorting the saggy seats etc.

 

I haven't done any of the Breakfast Club meets but I will certainly look into them to meet some of you all.

[hman205 1]

Hi Coxy how's the 80 Vairant Ralf?

 

Good luck with the hunt and I look forward to any resto you carry out on one if needed get your Variant's resto up on here im sure the guy's would love to see it.

[Lan 24 1 Cars]

ok so not completely original but a skip brown GTI-S if I had that sort of money it would definitely be top of my list

 

http://forum.205gtidrivers.com/index.php?showtopic=120208

[Coxy914 0]

Hi Coxy how's the 80 Vairant Ralf?

 

Good luck with the hunt and I look forward to any resto you carry out on one if needed get your Variant's resto up on here im sure the guy's would love to see it.

 

 

currently got her for sale, but may be going to a collector in Japan or Audi UK may be buying it for their North London Showroom.

 

time to move on and get some thing a little more useable (and more power!!!)

 

this is RALF in case anyone is wondering!

 

Edited May 27, 2010 by Coxy914

[Coxy914 0]

Still on the lookout and still nothing has come up!

 

This is more difficult than I thought it would be!!

[Coxy914 0]

Still on the lookout and still nothing has come up!

 

This is more difficult than I thought it would be!!

 

 

ah ha, think I may have found one at last.

 

ticks every box and 29k from new. Will report back tomorrow!

[rescue dude 0]

ah ha, think I may have found one at last.

 

ticks every box and 29k from new. Will report back tomorrow!

 

 

I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[MrG 3]

is it this one?? >> on PH at 29k

 

if so looks bloody nice.

[rescue dude 0]

That does look nice.