Cars of this era are fun whatever the powertrain. I had a 1989 Golf II 1.6 automatic. A 5-door CL in that ubiquitous VW smokey blue metallic. 3-speed as I recall. It was WONDERFUL. It was SUBLIME. No nonsense. No tricky stuff. No PAS. Just an honest car. And it handled and steered and stopped with verve. I still miss it.
I agree. You don't need a vast amount of power in cars of this era, they're just naturally fun. Just you as the driver, and some mechanical components, makes for many, MANY smiles per gallon. No automatic braking nonsense, no ABS, no power steering, no computers saying no, no stupid touchscreens with 50 million vehicle settings. Brilliant!
That was a fun review - owned a 1.9 gti for 11 years (never changed the engine thankfully so no BXs were murdered !!) And the wife and I miss it sorely.... Amazing ride quality compared to modern hot hatches.....
A nice video. I had one of these in the 80s with the TU3S engine. A small pocket rocket that was really fun to drive. Not quite like the 1,6 GTI model, but almost :)
My wife had a diesel 205 when I first met her. I think a 1.9 and it was hilarious fun to drive. She was given it as the interior had been half eaten by the previous owners Irish wolf hound!
I’ve got the same ‘box in my BX19. It’s works a treat, an excellent automatic given it’s 80s origins - so smooth and creamy, suits the BX so well. Adjusting the kickdown cable on that 205 will make the world of difference, believe me!
I have my mum’s 1991 3-door automatic. Only 38,000 miles. I want to know how this was done!! Mine is 80hp I’d love to beef it up a bit. It’s off the road at the moment (carburetor issues!). When I was younger I used to drive it quite a bit when home at my parents, and I remember that is was best to drive in « semi manual » using 1,2,3,4.
Wasn't the original de-tune for tax reasons ? In France, an automatic would've been 1 fiscal hp more than a manual. Which at the time made quite a difference.
@@UPnDOWN the base 205 is 4CV, the XR 5CV, the GT and auto 7CV, GTi 1.6 8CV, which was kind of the "tax & insurance are expensive" threshold. From what I am reading in my 1991 magazine, an auto 205 with the whole GTi engine would've probably be 9CV, and prohibitive for the intended customers. That bizarre system had many bigger cars (such as the Xantia and Alfa 156) have an optional longer gearbox on their base model to make them 7CV to please Mr Taxman.
I had one of the later 1.6 Autos which I think was injection by that point and boy did it used to drink petrol! In the end I replaced it for a 1.8 TD and found that to be far more pleasant to live with. I can't imagine how much fuel this one must go through.
That took me back, no not to a Saharan rally but I had a identical looking car red five door H reg with the grey interior, but it was a 1.9 diesel purchased as a demo from the Peugeot dealer in Haslemere (now long gone). A nice car but fairly lowly spec so no PAS, and you needed muscles like Popeye at parking speeds which was a bit of a trial and the main reason I wasn't sorry to see it go.
Remove stupid body kit, full respray and leave the engine as it is, and you've got a lovely car. Always wanted the 205 in the 1980's but went down the Fiesta route, regretted it ever since.
@@UPnDOWN Sadly the 205 now lives with a friend, but I do have a Clio 172 Cup and a Clio 200 Cup that you’d be welcome to test if you’re ever in Somerset.
I've driven plenty of bike-engined cars and to be honest, I've not liked one of them. Westfield XTR was probably the best (that was 'Busa engined, too) but the way bike engines work doesn't really lend itself to cars IMO. Any 205 is a fun drive, though!
I'd been meaning to message you about this car as I'm in the same position carb wise with mine. The original weber 36tlc is appalling to cold start and idle but otherwise runs OK. Would you recommend bike carbs as a replacement (I was concerned about the kickdown linkage) or go with something else? I'm not looking for any huge power increase I'll settle for something that start idles and goes!
Hello Albert, I had the carbs fitted/tuned by Danst engineering, it drove very well and sounds much better. Rich may be able to suggest a different carb set up
I think if you want it to be OEM feeling, go with a BX carb (Weber DRTC - there's a spec for the BX 1.6 automatic which has the linkage for the kickdown). You'll need the inlet manifold and associated hoses/bellows, but once fitted it'll improve power slightly and drive largely like a standard car. If you go the bike carb route, it gets a bit more DIY in places. There are parts of the conversion on this car I wouldn't be happy with personally, but nothing that couldn't be ironed out. The upside is that it sounds cool and at higher revs goes pretty well, but at lower revs (where an auto spends most of its days) it's losing torque and probably drinking more fuel. That said, bike carbs are much more efficient than car-based carbs from the 80s. I can see arguments both ways, and this car is a lot of fun, too.
Some insurers are reasonable. The UK seems to have a pretty decent insurance market in terms of that. You have options, and some are actually half reasonable. In Ireland where I am it's an entirely different matter. Even dare mention mods and its an instant refusal to quote. The VAST majority of modified cars here are driving without mods declared, which obviously is not so great if you get into a crash and need to make a claim. But if they make it impossible to actually modify your car and get insured on it, what other choice do you have?
Very very no. My wife's Golf MK2 1.6 auto was similarly humiliated by being gifted only about 90bhp, all of which it spent on petrol but not performance
@@UPnDOWN true but she would've lost her license within days. Her fave was our '88 CX 2.0 FAMILIALE. Surprisingly fast due to her reluctance to slow it down...
Cars of this era are fun whatever the powertrain. I had a 1989 Golf II 1.6 automatic. A 5-door CL in that ubiquitous VW smokey blue metallic. 3-speed as I recall. It was WONDERFUL. It was SUBLIME. No nonsense. No tricky stuff. No PAS. Just an honest car. And it handled and steered and stopped with verve. I still miss it.
I agree. You don't need a vast amount of power in cars of this era, they're just naturally fun. Just you as the driver, and some mechanical components, makes for many, MANY smiles per gallon. No automatic braking nonsense, no ABS, no power steering, no computers saying no, no stupid touchscreens with 50 million vehicle settings. Brilliant!
That was a fun review - owned a 1.9 gti for 11 years (never changed the engine thankfully so no BXs were murdered !!) And the wife and I miss it sorely.... Amazing ride quality compared to modern hot hatches.....
I had a 1.4 as my first car and I adored it. It was pokey even with the small engine, and the ride quality was fantastic
A nice video. I had one of these in the 80s with the TU3S engine. A small pocket rocket that was really fun to drive. Not quite like the 1,6 GTI model, but almost :)
Great little vid, and what a great little story behind this little Peugeot 205, would never have imagined it to be doing a sand rally.
My wife had a diesel 205 when I first met her. I think a 1.9 and it was hilarious fun to drive. She was given it as the interior had been half eaten by the previous owners Irish wolf hound!
Bagged the first like 🙂 Brilliant and fair review 🙂. Standard exhaust this weekend and manual box coming in the future.
I’ve got the same ‘box in my BX19. It’s works a treat, an excellent automatic given it’s 80s origins - so smooth and creamy, suits the BX so well. Adjusting the kickdown cable on that 205 will make the world of difference, believe me!
I wouldnt think it was a click bait, that car IS something else
That seems a fun car to drive around. Thanks for the ride along.
Another very enjoyable video, great story and facts with your wit and humorous touches,great little cars the 205.
Glad you enjoyed it
I've loved every 205 I've had, never had an auto yet though.
The xs remains my favourite, more so than the gti I had.
The Rally footage is just out of this world
I have my mum’s 1991 3-door automatic. Only 38,000 miles. I want to know how this was done!! Mine is 80hp I’d love to beef it up a bit. It’s off the road at the moment (carburetor issues!). When I was younger I used to drive it quite a bit when home at my parents, and I remember that is was best to drive in « semi manual » using 1,2,3,4.
Hi Robin, I had all of the work/tuning done at Danst engineering (they have a TH-cam channel)
@@deanprosser5224 how much did it cost to do?
Sodding brilliant
My dad had a 1986 Peugeot 205 automatic
Love the content as always....👍👍😁
Wasn't the original de-tune for tax reasons ? In France, an automatic would've been 1 fiscal hp more than a manual. Which at the time made quite a difference.
Ahhh, that's a good point! Didn't think of that.
@@UPnDOWN the base 205 is 4CV, the XR 5CV, the GT and auto 7CV, GTi 1.6 8CV, which was kind of the "tax & insurance are expensive" threshold. From what I am reading in my 1991 magazine, an auto 205 with the whole GTi engine would've probably be 9CV, and prohibitive for the intended customers. That bizarre system had many bigger cars (such as the Xantia and Alfa 156) have an optional longer gearbox on their base model to make them 7CV to please Mr Taxman.
Nice tidy 205. I like it. Enjoyed your video on it's back story of this 205.
I had one of the later 1.6 Autos which I think was injection by that point and boy did it used to drink petrol! In the end I replaced it for a 1.8 TD and found that to be far more pleasant to live with. I can't imagine how much fuel this one must go through.
That took me back, no not to a Saharan rally but I had a identical looking car red five door H reg with the grey interior, but it was a 1.9 diesel purchased as a demo from the Peugeot dealer in Haslemere (now long gone). A nice car but fairly lowly spec so no PAS, and you needed muscles like Popeye at parking speeds which was a bit of a trial and the main reason I wasn't sorry to see it go.
Absolutely love it.
Yeah, OK. Why not.
Remove stupid body kit, full respray and leave the engine as it is, and you've got a lovely car. Always wanted the 205 in the 1980's but went down the Fiesta route, regretted it ever since.
Body kit? It's got arches on it (the wheels sit too proud otherwise)
Is this how channel membership works now? We all have to lend our cars to you for a video?
If you have a 205 GTi like in your pic, then yes, definitely.
@@UPnDOWN Sadly the 205 now lives with a friend, but I do have a Clio 172 Cup and a Clio 200 Cup that you’d be welcome to test if you’re ever in Somerset.
@@handbrakebob Ooh, I do like a 172. My brother had one of the last ones, though not a Cup model.
This is an absurd car. But I love it.
What next, a hearse with 2-step?
Yes, bonkers!
Well it is different I suppose. Motoring is a broadchurch.
Hopefully you will get to drive a 205 with a motorbike engine one day. A huyabusa?
I've driven plenty of bike-engined cars and to be honest, I've not liked one of them. Westfield XTR was probably the best (that was 'Busa engined, too) but the way bike engines work doesn't really lend itself to cars IMO. Any 205 is a fun drive, though!
@@UPnDOWN On track, it might change your mind, but on the road, yeah they don't really work, because you have to drive the nuts off them.
I'd been meaning to message you about this car as I'm in the same position carb wise with mine. The original weber 36tlc is appalling to cold start and idle but otherwise runs OK. Would you recommend bike carbs as a replacement (I was concerned about the kickdown linkage) or go with something else? I'm not looking for any huge power increase I'll settle for something that start idles and goes!
Hello Albert, I had the carbs fitted/tuned by Danst engineering, it drove very well and sounds much better.
Rich may be able to suggest a different carb set up
I think if you want it to be OEM feeling, go with a BX carb (Weber DRTC - there's a spec for the BX 1.6 automatic which has the linkage for the kickdown). You'll need the inlet manifold and associated hoses/bellows, but once fitted it'll improve power slightly and drive largely like a standard car.
If you go the bike carb route, it gets a bit more DIY in places. There are parts of the conversion on this car I wouldn't be happy with personally, but nothing that couldn't be ironed out. The upside is that it sounds cool and at higher revs goes pretty well, but at lower revs (where an auto spends most of its days) it's losing torque and probably drinking more fuel. That said, bike carbs are much more efficient than car-based carbs from the 80s. I can see arguments both ways, and this car is a lot of fun, too.
😀
Surely the Box doesn't hold high enough for the carbs.
Reduce the carb count?
It does if you hold it in gear using the selector.
Also, that's not a bus, that's a streetlite, or a streetshite as anyone that's ever driven one will tell you
Hey I am the 101 person to like this..... Just sayin.
A naive question, but how do insurance companies react to such engine modifications?
Some insurers are reasonable. The UK seems to have a pretty decent insurance market in terms of that. You have options, and some are actually half reasonable.
In Ireland where I am it's an entirely different matter. Even dare mention mods and its an instant refusal to quote. The VAST majority of modified cars here are driving without mods declared, which obviously is not so great if you get into a crash and need to make a claim. But if they make it impossible to actually modify your car and get insured on it, what other choice do you have?
@@MrManBuzz Thank You for replying with your perspective on this.
@@MrManBuzz with all the mods' for the rally my premium only went up by £50
@@deanprosser5224 See? My point proven. Over here, it'd be a struggle to get anyone to insure you with it. Even on a classic policy.
0-60.... eventually
Feels like it'll do it in one gear, too.
Murdered for its engine....
MURDERED for it's engine.
is it the same stupid zf4hp14 ?
I think so. Works fine in this, to be fair.
😆😆😆
Very very no. My wife's Golf MK2 1.6 auto was similarly humiliated by being gifted only about 90bhp, all of which it spent on petrol but not performance
She should have fitted bike carbs.
@@UPnDOWN true but she would've lost her license within days. Her fave was our '88 CX 2.0 FAMILIALE. Surprisingly fast due to her reluctance to slow it down...
Another good video but crap car 🚘🚙🚗👍👍👍👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Why do you say that?