New To Pug's

[thehodgmeister 0]

Hi All,

 

Being new to the site just wanted to say what a great resourceful site this is. I have been looking to enter the world of GTI for years now since I was younger. I have decided now is the time to fulfil my boyhood dream of owning a 205gti before I get too old!! I can't make my mind up whether to go for the 1.6 or the 1.9? I have noticed you can pick up 1.6's for less it seems but thought that must be because the 1.9's are better? Which is the more popular phase 1 or 2? Is there anything I should look out for? I am a novice when it comes to mechanics but can normally turn my hand to most things. Are parts easy to get old of as I keep panicking that I'm not going to be able to do the car justice by trying to return to standard glory.

 

Any views would be appreciated

[tomcolinjones 26]

Hi All,

 

Being new to the site just wanted to say what a great resourceful site this is. I have been looking to enter the world of GTI for years now since I was younger. I have decided now is the time to fulfil my boyhood dream of owning a 205gti before I get too old!! I can't make my mind up whether to go for the 1.6 or the 1.9? I have noticed you can pick up 1.6's for less it seems but thought that must be because the 1.9's are better? Which is the more popular phase 1 or 2? Is there anything I should look out for? I am a novice when it comes to mechanics but can normally turn my hand to most things. Are parts easy to get old of as I keep panicking that I'm not going to be able to do the car justice by trying to return to standard glory.

 

Any views would be appreciated

 

people say there is no real difference in overall performance between the 1.6 and 1.9 in standard form. the 1.6 is more of a rev'y engine along with its shorter ratio 1.6 box, and the 1.9 is more torque'y

look out for the rear wheels looking like /-----------\ as this will prob require a rebuilt beam.

parts are quite easy to get hold of, ans many parts are available from newer pugs / citroens.

[allye 530 3 Cars]

that must be because the 1.9's are better

 

tred very carefully there my friend! Welcome to the forum, its one of the best!

 

There is a great guide for buying 205's on the mains website, its long winded but have a read.

[S@m 156]

I have driven quite a range of 205s (although probably alot less than many many people on here), from MI16's, GTI6s, 1.6 Gtis, 1.9Gtis, a few XS's, various d turbos and even a 1.1.

And in my humble opinion i would say that the most fun models are the 1.6 GTI and the 1.4 XS. Obviously the big power Mi16s and Gti6s have their allure but, for bang versus buck versus smile factor, it was to be a 1.6 for me.

 

Sam

 

EDIT - And yes, it is a fantastic forum, i started out here a couple of years back barely knowing how to do an oil change, and a couple of weeks ago i just finished my first complete engine conversion....all thanks to this forum.

Edited March 26, 2011 by Sam306

[jeremy 70]

I like my 1.9, enough not to sell it and have only used it for 2 weeks in the last 6/7 years. That said I had the most fun in my 1.6. My 1.9 has a more go cart feel, however this maybe due to it running on 309 suspension, arb, shafts and arms. My 1.6 was standard bar 309 interior and felt just more of a refined ride, perhaps this was due to low milage and not so low profile tyres. Most importantly just do not buy a shxt box because it is cheep.

[Richie 32]

Hi All,

 

Being new to the site just wanted to say what a great resourceful site this is. I have been looking to enter the world of GTI for years now since I was younger. I have decided now is the time to fulfil my boyhood dream of owning a 205gti before I get too old!! I can't make my mind up whether to go for the 1.6 or the 1.9? I have noticed you can pick up 1.6's for less it seems but thought that must be because the 1.9's are better? Which is the more popular phase 1 or 2? Is there anything I should look out for? I am a novice when it comes to mechanics but can normally turn my hand to most things. Are parts easy to get old of as I keep panicking that I'm not going to be able to do the car justice by trying to return to standard glory.

 

Any views would be appreciated

 

I like this guy already. Yup the 1.9s are better

 

I'll go for the standard response from 205gtidrivers.com: Buy either in the best condition possible, and you'll be a happy chappy. Think it depends on how you prefer your power delivery, personally i prefer the torque for day to day driving but thats just moi.

 

Welcome btw.

[GLPoomobile 958]

I miss my 1.6 a lot. The 1.9 I had for a while bored me.

[thehodgmeister 0]

tred very carefully there my friend! Welcome to the forum, its one of the best!

 

There is a great guide for buying 205's on the mains website, its long winded but have a read.

 

Thanks will check it out :-)

 

I have driven quite a range of 205s (although probably alot less than many many people on here), from MI16's, GTI6s, 1.6 Gtis, 1.9Gtis, a few XS's, various d turbos and even a 1.1.

And in my humble opinion i would say that the most fun models are the 1.6 GTI and the 1.4 XS. Obviously the big power Mi16s and Gti6s have their allure but, for bang versus buck versus smile factor, it was to be a 1.6 for me.

 

Sam

 

EDIT - And yes, it is a fantastic forum, i started out here a couple of years back barely knowing how to do an oil change, and a couple of weeks ago i just finished my first complete engine conversion....all thanks to this forum.

[thehodgmeister 0]

Wow engine conversion! Just the thought scares me! My mechanical knowledge extends to I serviced my old 306dt ;-) gonna try brakes next then maybe cam belt if I get brave

[thehodgmeister 0]

Think it's gonna have to be a 1.9, just need to find one now! Would like one that needs a bit of work but nothing to scary! :-S

[j_turnell 137 3 Cars]

At the end of the day they're an old car now so will certainly need some maintenance so be prepared for that, but if there looked after then they are reliable as any other. I would rather have a 1.6 any day, much prefer the revvy nature and the shorter gearing but thats just me, 1.9's just feel lazy.

[thehodgmeister 0]

Thanks, just need to find one now!

[Kev-G 1]

I'll go for the standard response from 205gtidrivers.com: Buy either in the best condition possible, and you'll be a happy chappy.

 

Definitely buy on the condition of the bodyshell..

[thehodgmeister 0]

Suppose so long as shell is ok engines can be fixed or replaced :-/Saw a shell for sale but not sure i'm ready to fit an engine yet! Walk before run and all that!

Edited March 26, 2011 by thehodgmeister

[GLPoomobile 958]

Well at least you'll be used to the lazy delivery of a 1.9 having had a diesel 306

 

If equally specced (CL, leccy windows, and 15" Speedlines, as many 1.6s are these days) then there's no justification in 1.9s being more expensive than 1.6s in my opinion. It's just perpetuating historic belief that they're superior, when they not at all. Even if you bought a 1.6 with no extras, fitting CL, leccy windows, 15" Speedlines and even power steering afterwards doesn't have to cost the earth and non of these are very complicated.

[thehodgmeister 0]

Lol! I loved the shape of the 306 it was a work horse for my daily comute returning 50+ to the gallon. But yes was slooow! What does a 205 gti do to the gallon out of interest? Not that it matters as will be weekend car :-)

[GLPoomobile 958]

Depends on gearbox choice, engine condition and driving style. Of the 4 I've owned, I'll discount the first 1.6 as it was not a very healthy car, but the remaining 3 have tended to get about 30-36mpg on average. That's a stock 1.6 (except induction kit and Group N exhaust), stock 1.9 (except induction kit and Group N exhaust) with a long legged diesel gearbox, and the current 1.9 MI16 with 1.6 gearbox, induction kit and DES Group N exhaust. The 1.9 was best on long motorway journeys becuase of the gearbox. The Mi16 seems to average mid 30s no matter how I drive it

 

It's possible to get over 40mpg if it's healthy and your name is Welshpug, but then he's a cheat as he uses fancy management and goes to Sunday school

[monkee87 2]

Ever thought of a CTi? A GTi with no roof! Just as much fun though.

[jeremy 70]

My 1.6 did between 26mpg driven very spiritedly on very short runs, but would do 33mpg if driven conservatively over the same cycle, so I guess on long cruises 35+mpg is feasible. However if you are the person who wants 35+mpg all day I would'nt be looking at buying a GTI!

[tomcolinjones 26]

Ever thought of a CTi? A GTi with no roof! Just as much fun though.

I have a verry nice red one for sale, http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2481722.htm