1989 Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9

This Peugeot 205 GTI is the 1.9-litre variant and was first registered in January 1989, making it a “Phase 1.5” car (built Nov 1987 - Jul 1990). Little is known of the car’s first few years but it spent the second half of the nineties in eastern Kent.

The car was SORN between 2000 and 2010, after which nearly £2k was spent with a mobile mechanic in West Sussex to get it back on the road. Several more years later, the car got a new owner in Yorkshire who, during around four years of ownership had a full strip back and respray done on the car plus new trims and alloy wheels.

The current owner had a 1.6 GTI when he was in his twenties and always fancied finding out what the 1.9 would be like in comparison, but insurance premiums back then weren’t in his favour. Having acquired this car a year ago, he has managed (despite the odd lockdown) to add around 1,000 miles and revel in the nostalgia and feeling that the little Pug gives. He says, “it was fabulous, I felt 30 years younger driving it, what a hoot!”

Since buying the car he has had a number of small jobs carried out including a new clutch, oil cooler, headlamp and tyres. The car now shows 118,500 miles, which is not only very reasonable for a 32 year old car but can be validated by the history.

The vendor has a small ever-changing collection of cars and, with his eye on the next purchase, it’s time for the 205 GTI to offer someone else its anti-ageing treatment.

The Futura Grey (Silver) exterior looks immaculate, fresh from a good quality repaint and in cracking condition. There’s very little we could find fault with.

The black plastic trim around the car with red inlays, looks in good condition with no significant scuffs or scratches - much of it was renewed after the repaint which is no mean feat, it’s quite hard to get hold of. Also the manual sliding sunroof panel appears in good order and operates as expected.

The original 15-inch cast alloy Speedline wheels too are in fantastic condition with barely a scratch, again recently refurbished, and all were fitted with new Hankook Ventus tyres in June 2020.

As we’re looking after this car during the sale, we would welcome any inspection prior to bidding. Use the ‘Contact Seller’ feature to arrange a visit - subject to Government guidelines - or a one-to-one video call where you can direct us around the car as you wish.

The interior is all original and consequently is a little tired looking compared to the recently renewed outside of the car. The front seats - and driver’s especially - have surface cracks in the leather bolsters and the “Quattro” cloth inserts are a little baggy. That said, this can all be put down to normal wear and patina as none of the upholstery is actually damaged.

The door cards and interior plastic trims are in a pretty good condition, there are no significant scuffs or scratches although there are a couple of filled screw holes below the Peugeot Sport badge presumably where a mobile phone holder was attached to the dash previously.

The bright red carpets look original too and are clean and intact throughout. There are also fairly new custom fit GTI overmats - also bright red - front and back.

The one upgrade to modernity is the stereo, which is a Sony CD Radio with Bluetooth and USB connectivity.

Under the bonnet, the engine and ancillaries are tidy and fairly clean. One or two hoses could do with replacement but largely all looks in good order. Under the bonnet lit itself, the sound-deadening liner is intact and there are just a few patches of surface rust around the bonnet catch. The catch also has a piece of cloth wrapped around it, presumably to cure a loose closure or rattle.

The undersides of the car are pretty clean and appear undamaged, with no sign of any noteworthy corrosion aside from the usual surface rust on parts of the exhaust system and some of the steering and suspension components.

As was Peugeot’s thing at the time, the full size spare wheel is “secured” under the car with nothing more than a couple of thin steel bars. Back in the day these were vulnerable not just to road debris but also to nefarious types who would hacksaw through the bars and steal the wheel. Now nobody really wants a spare wheel that badly, and how many drivers these days know what to do with one anyway?

Inside the boot, the parcel shelf is intact and unmolested but the back of the rear seats and the plastic trim around the load space is quite badly scratched. The carpet and side linings are clean and tidy though and a new custom fit GTI red overmat makes a good impression. Underneath, the metal floor looks clean and free of anything more serious than a few patches of surface rust.

The car has a current MOT valid until June 2021, which it passed with no advisories. It has had eight further passes since it was recommissioned and returned to the road in 2010.

The history file includes most of the car’s expired MOT certificates dating back to 1995, which validate the current mileage and a number of invoices for servicing, repairs and parts.

In the autumn of 2010, after being off the road for around a decade, a mobile mechanic carried out various repairs and renewals to the car to recommission it for use. Nearly £2k was spent on these works.

In the last few years - exact date unknown but between 2018 and 2020 - the car’s bodywork was stripped back, repaired and realigned, primed, and then fully repainted and lacquered. At the same time, the alloy wheels were sandblasted and repainted. In all this work cost £3,385.

From mid 2020 in current ownership, the engine has been serviced and a new clutch fitted along with a new oil cooler and hoses, and replacement headlights. Stone chip paint was applied to the inner wheel arches and a fault with the passenger electric window identified and fixed. Finally, a new set of tyres were fitted.

The car comes with two sets of keys and fobs and the owner’s handbook.

The Peugeot 205 GTI is a very popular alternative to the contemporary Golf and Escort hot-hatches and - as a small analogue car free of driver aids and body-bulk - it seems a lot faster and more lively than it really is, and it is enormous fun to take out on country roads and feel the decades slip away.

Although this car has been repainted recently, it is otherwise very original and unmolested and only appears to want for someone to rejuvenate the upholstery for the inside to be as utterly fantastic as the exterior. We’ve sold several 205 GTis and this is one of the best we’ve handled, so we think it will fetch between £11,000 and £14,000.

Whether you’re a Pug aficionado looking for a super example that you can still add a little something to, or thinking about buying your first modern classic, this 205 GTI is an excellent choice. Desirable, reasonable history and in great condition - what’s not to love?

Viewing is always encouraged, within Govt. guidelines of course, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.