Time To Sell My 205

[pete1986 2]

Time for a new car! Unfortunately though, that means the 205 has to go after 5 faithful years. It was my first car, believe it or not. Other cars have come and gone in that time, but the 205 has always remained. Now though, i want something bigger, more modern, faster but something that still has that fun, sharp handling the 205 offered - so im looking at buying an impreza sti (second generation).

 

Firstly though i need to sell the 205. At the moment, it is visually 99% standard, but has 1.9 mi16 engine, GAZ coilovers and allsorts of bits changed underneath. I know 205s are worth more as standard these days so Im wondering if its best to fit a 1.9 8v engine and standard suspension/brakes etc and then sell it. Would it be worth the hassle to sell it for more?

 

I reckon at the moment in its current state, its work around £2k, but not sure how much it would be worth as standard. What do u guys think?

 

I know i havnt given much info about it, im in a bit of a rush now, but when i come back i can give some more details.

 

Cheers

Pete

[Anthony 1,003]

While I doubt that the car itself will sell for more, you'll almost certainly get more overall if you put it back to standard, as that'll give you the Mi16 engine package, GAZ coilovers etc to sell separately for a fair amount of cash.

 

On the subject of the Scooby, have you actually driven one for any length of time? I find them a bit uninvolving compared to something like a 205, and dare I say a touch dull at sensible roadgoing speeds once you've got over the initial excitement of the power delivery - I can understand exactly why people like them, but if you're wanting something direct and pointy like a 205, it might not be your best choice (IMO)

[feb 47]

Take your time looking for a Subaru, a lot of cars have been owned by chavs who can't afofrd to service them or have no mechanical sympathy/understanding at all and thrash them to death.

You will be back to a 205 soon

 

Edit: Anthony is right, in order for the Subarus to be fun you have to be going much faster than in a 205 (whereas in the latter every ride can be enjoying).

Probably a Renault sport will be more fun (if you don't need AWD).

Edited October 8, 2011 by feb

[eddie bullit 37]

I agree with Anthony. I've chopped in 205s in the past for more speed, creature comforts, bhp, refinement. All I've found is that I need to go alot faster than I did in the 205 for the same thrill. This also means more of everything else as well, insurance, petrol, tyres etc..Grass isnt always greener is what I've found. If I was changing the 205 I'd probably go for it's modern day equivilent. The Clio 182 with both cup packs.

Impreza's are great n very fast but will guzzle fuel when ragged!

Good luck!

Edd

[harryskid 193]

I run a scooby as you call it, this is my second one! To keep them in good nick costs a lot of money but they are great cars. Mines in great condition, low milage and well mantained and is serviced by Alan Jeffreys who knows all there is to know about them. As said there are some very abused ones out there. A good one holds its price though.

[harryskid 193]

The other thing i forgot is have you checked insurance?

[stu8v 68 1 Cars]

Time for a new car! Unfortunately though, that means the 205 has to go after 5 faithful years. It was my first car, believe it or not. Other cars have come and gone in that time, but the 205 has always remained. Now though, i want something bigger, more modern, faster but something that still has that fun, sharp handling the 205 offered - so im looking at buying an impreza sti (second generation).

 

Firstly though i need to sell the 205. At the moment, it is visually 99% standard, but has 1.9 mi16 engine, GAZ coilovers and allsorts of bits changed underneath. I know 205s are worth more as standard these days so Im wondering if its best to fit a 1.9 8v engine and standard suspension/brakes etc and then sell it. Would it be worth the hassle to sell it for more?

 

I reckon at the moment in its current state, its work around £2k, but not sure how much it would be worth as standard. What do u guys think?

 

I know i havnt given much info about it, im in a bit of a rush now, but when i come back i can give some more details.

 

Cheers

Pete

 

You will be massively disappointed with the Impreza if you want sharp handling.............!

 

Its not something they do they understeer bad as std), Yeah they are fast no doubt about it but they seriously lack the handling poise of the GTI, Clio Sport etc etc.

 

Be prepared to spend loads to make it handle, You will need; Dampers, Antiroll bars, drop links, camber bolts and no doubt a good few bushes as a minimum.

 

I loved my old one, spent a shed load on it but it was never "special" like my old AE86 and Cliosport 172.

[feb 47]

It only needs a few things to make them sharper, no dampers, droplinks or bushes IMHO.

 

The (standard from 2006 onwards) inverted monotube OE KYB dampers are great and with a set of springs (either Prodrive, Sti or Eibach), a 22mm rear ARB (and in the case of the Forester stronger rear ARB mounts as they are known to shear with a rear ARB>20mm) the car is totally transformed.

 

No more understeer, the car will be neutral or playful if provoked yet still be friendly enough to be driven fast on the wet without having to change pants.

 

Don't touch the front ARB as some will suggest.

My previous WRX wagon with Prodrive springs and 22mm front and rear ARBs was understeery at the limit and felt heavy as compared with the FSTi the way it is setup now.

 

My FSTi came with AST coilovers which were too bouncy on anything but a smooth road for my liking. I had them rebuilt with different pistons and valving only to become worse.

 

To cut a long story short I had those replaced with a set of low mileage OE dampers then fitted a set of Sti pink springs, a rear RB320 ARB (22mm) and pillow ball lateral links and trailing arms and the car is fantastic to drive -even if I say so- planted, the ride quality is much better than the ASTs or the OE springs yet the handling is superb. You can get the rear end out by turning in early or if you are smooth you can turn in more neutral or understeer.

 

In fact the car reminds me of my old SBC Gti.

 

The only downside is the lack of steering feel around the straight line but this can be improved with a more agressive geometry at the cost of more tramlining.

Edited October 8, 2011 by feb

[miamibungers 8 1 Cars]

feb's right dude; the best handling car I've ever owned. Take this off my hands:

 

http://forum.205gtidrivers.com/index.php?showtopic=133161

[pete1986 2]

Cheers for the input guys.

 

I have checked out insurance for a 2003 STI and managed to get a quote of £852 with Admiral. Also been reading into the running costs fuel, servicing etc. Obviously they will drink the fuel if driven hard but most people seem to get an average of 25 mpg out of them which isnt too bad. Iv read that they should have frequent servicing which may cost a bit, apparently parts can be expensive. But I would of thought i could do most of the servicing myself, as im relatively competent with a spanner.

 

The main point of this thread though, was just to find out if its worth the trouble of reverting my 205 back to standard before selling it. Overall its in pretty good nick, it has covered 132k miles though so there's the inevitable interior rattle here and there.

 

I think i may just tidy it up a little, give it a service and sell it as it is. Expect to see it in the for sale section soon

 

I will miss it and maybe i wont find the same sharp, fun handling, but the 205 just isnt what i want anymore.

[stu8v 68 1 Cars]

Mine averaged about 180miles to a tank, think that was about low 20's to the gallon. Best I did was 30mpg, but that was at 60-70mph pn the motorway. LOL

 

My old one

 

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

Yes if you can DIY then take it back to std, Mind don;t advertise it on here as we all know what's happened to it, The GAz's will be worth something along with the engine if with history, I;d be temped to take a video of the engine running as I know if I was to buy a engine out the box £50.00 would be my max on those now.

 

WRX wise, Check for rust, The few I have seen even newish ones show bad signs underneath

[feb 47]

Fuel wise cold starts are very bad.

I get around 18-19mpg in town (6 miles each way to work with some longer town trips in between), 24mpg on autobahns (averaging 80-100mph) and best is 30mpg when taking it easy (70-80mph).

[maxi 36 1 Cars]

Good luck with your sale mate but............. you WILL miss it!

 

Maxi