Anyone owned a 206 GTi - any good, reliable, easy to live with? Need to buy second car whilst waiting for the new Sti to emerge

Any comments (about the car) appreciated!

R

 

Rannoch
DON'T DO IT!!! (a serious post from me for a change).

Had a 306 S16 for 30,000 miles which a quite good car but a lot of niggling design faults.
PX ed it for a new 306 GTI-6 in Aug 97 - this was a briiliant car - fixed all of the S16's faults and as EVO and others have said one of the best if not the best hot hatch of all time. Did about 20,000 miles in this (mods GpA rally exhaust and 7.5x16 wheels with 205/45 PZero's - superb on this car).

It was coming up to 3 years old in April 2000 and we got rid of this and our A3 1.6 for two new 206 GTI's.
WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT!!!
The 206 GTI's were relatively gutless, too tall and narrow track so the handling was on tiptoes, undertyred so lack of grip, suspension too soft, narrow footwell/pedalbox so unpleasant to drive, wipers set up for LHD so left a blind spot across your vision, after the 306 GTI-6 they were BORING!!

We put up with them for 3 months and in July 2000 had enough and px'd them for 2xMY00 Scoobs. What a difference!!

Having been this route my advice is find a nice low mileage 306 GTI-6 or even a Rallye as they are £1500 or so cheaper. From experience the 306 is a much much better car and will not be such a disappointment after a Scoob (or while waiting for another one).

 

Yep would definetly agree with dave about 306gti6 i had one before my scoob i thought it was an excellent fun car

 

Blimey Dave - we seem to have a similar taste in cars! I owned a 306S16 for a couple of years before the Scooby. Nice car,quick and it handled well, but if I'm honest, I think I preferred the 205 GTI.

Sorry Rannoch, can't comment on the 206 - never owned one, but they do seem as if they have gone a bit 'soft'. What about something a little different - maybe a Seat Leon Sport - 1.8 20V Turbo engine for a couple of grand more?

Chris

 

ChrisL
Spookily the same - my list - year of car NOT when I owned it - going backwards from now (and this could start a big new thread!!):
MY00 x2
206 GTI 2000
Audi A3 1.6 1997
306 GTI-6 1997
306 S16 1994
Astra GSI (ahem) 1992
Astra GTE 1989
205 GTI 1.6 1989
XR3I (big ahem) 1986
XR3I 1982
Escort mk 3 1.6 1982
Escort mk2 1600 sport 1980
Escort Mexico Mk 2 1977
Escort RS2000 mk 2 1976
Escort mk 1 Mexico 1972
Escort mk 1 Mexico 1973
Triumph TR6 1969
Triumph TR5 1969
Morgan Plus 8 1980
Morgan Plus 8 1971
Escort mk 1 1.1 (!) 1970
Viva Magnum 2300 1973
Viva 2300 SL 1972
Anglia 105E 1650 1965
Anglia 105E 997 1961
Mini 1000 about 1964

And probably about ten others I have forgotten!!




[This message has been edited by Dave T-S (edited 06 November 2000).]

 

Get yer hand-bag out Dave!

I've got a W plate 206 GTI at the moment - it's on a twelve month lease (on month four now with 4.4k miles) through the company I work for. I wanted to change my car but :

a) I was damned if I was going watch the value of my new wheels slide quicker than Derby County down the Premiership
and
b) I wanted to see the new Scooby before deciding.

I am coming from the opposite direction to Dave though - my last car was a 1.8 Clio – so perhaps it’s not a surprise I will rate it more.

I don't have any complaints about road holding or grip - I've chucked it into plenty of bends at 50 mph or more and not felt unsafe in the slightest. As a comparison, can you remember what make and size of tyres you had on yours Dave?

I've got size 11 boots - no problems with the pedals (alloy as standard) for me. The wipers do go the opposite way to most cars - they do miss the top left corner a bit but, again, no complaints.

Like most non turbo 2 litre 16v cars, the power comes 'on' above 4k through to the red line at 6.5k to 7k. I can only think Dave drives like a girl

The new model (MY01?) GTI has 16" alloys (15" on mine) and a few other cosmetic upgrades (CD Autochanger as standard).

I'm looking forward to the 180BHP version due next year - mind you that V6 Clio looks mighty nice

No problems with reliability either (first service under “normal” conditions is @ 20k, with a minor inspection at 6k) – I haven’t had to top up the oil yet. Relatively discreet as well (just a small GTI badge on the back) – no theft or vandalism problems. The climate control is very good – I hired a Vectra Estate last week for a day for a job in London and forgot what a pain in the **** it is to manually adjust the heater controls.

Cheers,

Chris.


[This message has been edited by ChrisB (edited 06 November 2000).]

 

You've got a slight head start on me Dave (seeing as I wasn't born until 1971) . We did this 'what cars have you owned' thread a few months ago - seem to remember it ran to several hundred posts

Chris

 

Now David, if you had said 205 GTi.. then well maybe....

You and T going to Donno???? let me know...need a lift my Scoob off the road again!! can't bear it..... call me...
P

 

Diablo,

surely Richard means an RS200 not an RS2000...

...I am sure that an RS200 would still rock even now as a never used in anger Group B ubercar.

I am sure Richard will sort us out - he must be asleep now if he is at home

R

 

Pug 205's Rock

Just building a 205 Sprint car for next season.

OMP Group A Exh.
K&N induction.
Quaife Torque Bias Diff.
Tarmac Cam (not lit )
Safety Devices cage

mmmmmmmmmmm Not bad from a wee motor
Not pleasent to live with cos of mods.
Idles at 2200. Won't tickover when cold.

205's for babies ????
RS200 ~ ooooooooh NICE

 

Hi Guys,

thanks for your thoughts.

I need a car for around 15 months - was thinking of Golf GTTi - dull, but brisk and very low depreciation. But then realised I could get a new 206 for around £10-11k and so percentage wise a higher depreciation - but lower absolute! Will have a drive and let you all know (it will be run alongside well tuned STi V )

Penni,

keep meaning to speak! Is Donnington this Sunday? Will speak to Truda and give you a bell.

What's wrong with the Scoob other than your demonic interest in Evos

R

 

My wife has a 206 GTI that we use alongside our P1. That is until Saturday when she put it in a ditch. Up until that point we had no complaints at all. It is reasonably quick and comes with all the toys.

 

Hi P

205 GTi's rock

(Esp 1.9 with full Janspeed and induction kit)

D

 

Aaaah

205's for babies sheesh.... even baby blue cars beat them..

Now RS200

Richard

 

Richard,

shouldn't you be in bed or something?!

R

 

Nah Rannoch

I'm a big boy now and looking for a real motor

Richard

 

Richard, it rocked when I was 20 and the competition was an XR2/XR3 or Mk2 golf

Late night making you sarcastic perhaps??

LOL

D

[This message has been edited by Diablo (edited 07 November 2000).]

 

Come on Rannoch

A 206 gti is a girls car.
I hear u can get very cheap Alfa Romeo's at the moment - think I was in a 146 the other day - very nice inside, decent performance, etc

Everytime I see a 206 I have a chortle - they look like there about to fall over

Agree about comments made by others on the 306gti - no comparison

Did u put a VF22 on that 'well tuned' car of yours?

 

Rannoch, I test drove the new Ibiza Cupra Turbo yesturday. Found it to be a very nice ride, good brakes, and a good ride. On import you can get one for ten and a half thou, maybe worth a look.

Dan

 

Friend bought a Fiat 20V Turbo, 1yr, 6k for £14k from a dealer with 1 yr warranty yesterday. Not sure about 220 bhp through the front wheels, but excellent value.
It's laready taken a huge depreciation hit, so shouldn't slide too much over the next 15 months. Can't be the only one around.

 

1.9 205s do rock!
In the days before emissions laws the throttle responce is just unbelievable. Friends enjoy putting 16v engines in for track cars - pumped up puddle jumper rule!
had 2 1.9s and loved them
Plans for another in the future as track toy.
Martin

 

Sorry guys - I've got a MY01 206 GTI, and before then had a 306 XSI 16V.

I have to agree with ChrisB - no complaints about the 206's handling at all.

I also think that the handling is better on the 206 than the 306. My 306 was lowered 35mm, and I can appreciate that the 206 might feel less secure than the 306, but having driven some of the most demanding roads in Scotland, plus track days in both cars , I personally prefer the 206.

It might be that the change to 16" alloys/wider tyres and some small suspension tweaks have changed the feel of the car, but I don't see how anyone could describe it as a disappointment Horses for courses I suppose, but I love my 206

 

It's definately on the short list now - thanks for the comments -will let you know what I think after an extended test drive!

Steve,

no VF22 - to fragile mate! Getting twin dump tho' when it eventually arrives. And just to let you know - resigned today - those new owners don't know their **** from their *****!! Off to Southbank in January!

How's the rebuild?

R

 

Rannoch
Let us know what you think after driving one.

Even Carolyn thought her 206GTI was a girlie car and had to get rid of it

 

Rannoch, Rannoch, Rannoch

Why on earth the thread.. i mean last i heard you had put the deposit down on the Smart.. what happened !!!

Surely thats all you need now as you will be banished to a life in that dull southbank building with HAL... whilst the rest of us sort our ***** from our ****** !!! ha ha !!!

Jason

p.s. as for 206 GTi.. girls car... only ever seen middleaged boy racers driving them.. oops best i go now... still u could borrow my baseball cap !!!