Nostalgia Has Hit Me

[Batfink 201]

Its been a few years I think since I drove a 205 but maturin23 chucked me the keys to his mi16, I had a little meander and my god it was brilliant!

The dash rattled, the seat would not adust, the power steering whined like mad with its Xsara rack conversion (sounds great!) , but the car was so eager and alive as I darted through traffic, happily turning instantly where I wanted it and dashing forward the moment the gas pedal was touched. I've been thinking about it (and grinning) for 48hrs and cannot think of a reason (in sheer petrolhead mode) a modern hothatch is better.

I have a phase 1 Renault clio 172 and its certainly more comfortable, more luxurious and more economical. The seats are similar in concept, having a soft centre for your body to mould into, and hard side bolsters but you sit too high, the steering is too over assisted and the engine power delivery smooth and linear and dare I say it a little boring even when nailing it. The chassis understeers naturally and is well behaved but feels dead in comparison. Its a great car but just too damn civilised. You sit there thinking this could be better. The 205 has so much character you could name it, its flaws being part of its imperfect but endearing personalilty. I could probably write a huge list of issues and problems yet I feel no need to, like I should accept them as part of the package. The Clio I just see as something good to drive, fast and capable but lacking a mechanical soul. Maybe I understand why Topgear bleat on about owning an old Alfa...

 

Kev

Edited March 12, 2011 by Batfink

[Anthony 1,003]

Anthony likes this </Facebook>

[alfer 0]

I know what you mean, I had to move the 205 out of it's warm garage to put the swift on the ramps for a service. Sat in the seats and instantly smiled fired er up and remembered why I love it so much, the swift sport is nice and it dose a good job. But it doesn't have that connection with me that th e 205 does.

[Cameron 16]

As soon as it's warm enough I'm driving the 205 to work. I can't wait.

[cRaig 273 1 Cars]

Its threads like this that really make me miss my 205 Its been too long, need to get on with it soon..

[JRL 14 1 Cars]

Well said, I might use this as a script to convince my girlfriend why I drive a 205 especially after I have said the usual " can you pop the bonnet again"

[Matt Holley 11]

I've just taxed our 205, can't wait to take it out later, going to have dinner, finish fitting Becks 6 point harness then go out for a blast in the sun.

Edited March 12, 2011 by matt holley

[Richie 32]

Using a 205 as a daily can sometimes give you mixed feelings. Sometimes i look accross in traffic and see a german rep mobile with the occupant looking very comfortable as i'm kangeroo'ing past. Then the road opens up a little and it all makes sense, the flaws are forgotten quickly.

[Cameron 16]

I think I'm about to buy this:

 

eBay - 1.9 CTI

 

It's only round the corner.

[omega 82]

I think I'm about to buy this:

 

eBay - 1.9 CTI

 

It's only round the corner.

 

id buy that as well if it was nearer

go for it

[shalmaneser 26]

I think I'm about to buy this:

 

eBay - 1.9 CTI

 

It's only round the corner.

 

that looks VERY clean.

 

it's ironic that just as I am finishing my 'perfect' 205 (apart from the dented panels...) I've started to lust after a totally original one!

[Alan_M 66 1 Cars]

Its been a few years I think since I drove a 205 but maturin23 chucked me the keys to his mi16, I had a little meander and my god it was brilliant!

The dash rattled, the seat would not adust, the power steering whined like mad with its Xsara rack conversion (sounds great!) , but the car was so eager and alive as I darted through traffic, happily turning instantly where I wanted it and dashing forward the moment the gas pedal was touched. I've been thinking about it (and grinning) for 48hrs and cannot think of a reason (in sheer petrolhead mode) a modern hothatch is better.

I have a phase 1 Renault clio 172 and its certainly more comfortable, more luxurious and more economical. The seats are similar in concept, having a soft centre for your body to mould into, and hard side bolsters but you sit too high, the steering is too over assisted and the engine power delivery smooth and linear and dare I say it a little boring even when nailing it. The chassis understeers naturally and is well behaved but feels dead in comparison. Its a great car but just too damn civilised. You sit there thinking this could be better. The 205 has so much character you could name it, its flaws being part of its imperfect but endearing personalilty. I could probably write a huge list of issues and problems yet I feel no need to, like I should accept them as part of the package. The Clio I just see as something good to drive, fast and capable but lacking a mechanical soul. Maybe I understand why Topgear bleat on about owning an old Alfa...

 

Kev

 

I actually use my 205 everyday and whilst during winter months it became tiresome, in the recent weather it's been nothing short of ace. I've recently been hankering after an E30, but just cannot bring myself to ever sell my 205 as I'd just miss it too much, pretty much for the reasons you've mentioned. Not many would put up with my 205, stripped, caged, bucket seat (lowered too), constantly stinks of oil/petrol vapour/brakes/hot rubber but nothing out there can replace it for the drive it offers. Road legal go-kart. It's as if you put effort in to driving a 205, and it'll reward you with an idiotic grin. Not many new hot hatches offer that.

 

Oh, and the Mi16 surge and noise is pretty addictive too

[hanpug25 2]

After a few years without a 205 gti and always regretting selling my steel grey, I finally, this year, got my arse in gear and brought a steel with the intention of having a track car for summer. Its halfway there and makes me grin like a 17year old every time I walk past it on the drive Roll cage aquired this weekend (unfortunatly in another 205) Roll on Summer.

[Cameron 16]

Sold!

[swordfish210 20]

Threads like this make me sad because i miss having my 205 on the road, it's been over a year since i last drove it

[harryskid 193]

I only use mine on stages rallys and the odd bit of testing to keep things moving but i can understand where your coming from.

2o5s have a character of their own and i am afraid this is sadly missing in the bland modern cars. Even the high preformance cars have too many gadgets and do not always give driver satisfaction.

[oli-pug 6 2 Cars]

Mine's a daily driver and track car. Can't afford to buy a second practical comfortable car so just put up with it, every winter I almost throw the towel in but now the weathers getting better the ridiculously stiff suspension, clonking plate diff, door bars and 6 point harnesses don't bother me so much anymore.

 

As soon as I get it out on track, I can't stop smiling because it's just EPIC fun and so rewarding to drive on the limit!

[marksorrento205 80]

I used to drive my 205 gti6 daily and I loved it Then I started to take it apart and have not driven one since last year. I drove a std 1.6 one today and I know exactly what you mean. The lightness, sound, grin factor make me want another one already

[happygoron 2]

Sometimes i look accross in traffic and see a german rep mobile with the occupant looking very comfortable as i'm kangeroo'ing past.

 

Actually laughed out loud. Very true.

[maturin23 10]

 

Excellent post, Kev. And all that from just 5 minutea driving during rush hour in London

 

I did worry slightly that maybe I wasn't going to get my keys back after I saw the fixed grin on your face...

 

I have to say that in my opinion the Xsara quick-rack conversion is comfortably the most effective and transformative mod you can do to a 205.

 

For me it's even better than fitting an Mi16, as you get the benefits every time you turn the wheel, not just when the road opens up and you have space to give it some beans. Plus it sounds like there's a happy dolphin under the bonnet

 

Thanks to JackHerer for both suggesting and sourcing/fitting the mod for me.

[jackherer 543]

I'm in a similar position, its been ages since I drove a 205 but the other day I had a brief drive of Maturin23's and it was indeed brilliant! I then left Ian's in a 4.4 V8 BMW that was incredibly boring in comparison.

 

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

I'm in a similar position, its been ages since I drove a 205 but the other day I had a brief drive of Maturin23's and it was indeed brilliant! I then left Ian's in a 4.4 V8 BMW that was incredibly boring in comparison.

 

I found that too when I had my BMW V8. It was just too refined! it is like having a great day go-karting with your mates then you get in the car for the drive home and it feels awful and dull.