Davie's french attraction.

[daviemck2006]

I have just been on a 205 owners group on Facebook, I said the 205 is going on sorn until I decide what to do with it, as I have bought the activa, and I don't want 3 cars. Their answer to getting back to two cars is break the activa and stick the engine in the 205! I think I would have to hide forever if I were to do that. I would expect a price to de put on my head for it! The idea of a 2.0 turbo 205 does appeal but definitely not at the expense of such a nice car. If I were going to do something to the 205 I could see a mot failure 306 td or the likes, anything with an xud turbo really being a doner. The activa is staying exactly as it sits. It's my new baby to be spoiled and pampered.

[Hell Razor5543]

F---ing cough, cough, cough! I would suggest that you find one of the 205 owners group member, and take them out for a high speed agile outing in the Activa, and then let them think again! Also, she will probably end up increasing in value, as there are less than 100 in the UK (73), and less than half that on the road (28).

[daviemck2006]

I think that would be a good idea!

[Stickyfinger]

Well.....whatever you say, there are drones overhead just to "keep and eye" on you and your friends in the 205 FB group ...look up

[CitroJim]

Back in the day when I owned both a 205GTi and an Activa I recall reading on a 205GTi forum someone breaking an Activa for the engine and being surprised at what a competent and thoroughly enjoyable car it was. Said person was sad to break it and seemed to regret it...

I've seen same said of a BX 16V 'Valver' being broken for the same reason...

[bxzx16v]

Many a good BX16v and 405mi16 gutted for their engines back in the day . Crackers really as they were both as capable if not more than the 205 .

Mark

[daviemck2006]

It is daft. Why need more power from what is basically a shopping trolley. The 1.1 runs out of puff at speed, but it doesn't really feel comfortable at over 80. And that's by far fast enough. A big heavy 2 litre would just ruin the feel of it.

Sent from my SM-G361F using Tapatalk

[CitroJim]

Many a good BX16v and 405mi16 gutted for their engines back in the day . Crackers really as they were both as capable if not more than the 205 .

Heartily agreed Mark

It was criminal really as the 205 GTi in standard form is more than adequate in the power department... the 1.6 especially is so much fun in standard form....

[Zelandeth]

205 is probably kept light and nimble I reckon.

Though small TD cars can be fun. I hate the first gen Vauxhall Corsa. Boring as sin and skittish in the handling department. I was astonished when I tried the 1.5TD version (£250 banger I needed there and then when what I was driving at the time broke) as it was a totally different animal. The extra weight did the car the world of good. Made it ride better, handled much more predictably and feel actually surprisingly solid. Power delivery was hilariously laggy - nothing up to 2150rpm, then the inside front wheel turns itself into a cloud of smoke halfway around a roundabout. It was a properly hot little hatchback, and put a massive grin on my face - especially when it competently dispatched one of my most disliked classmates at college away from the lights one day. Only things I was going to do if I kept it was to stick slightly wider tyres on it (more torque than traction in first and second - or third in the wet), and I'd found an intercooler from an Astra that I was going to hook up. As it was I sold it when a Saab turned up, but I actually miss that cheeky little pocket rocket - and I never thought I'd hear me saying that about a Corsa! Petrol one though, I'd not touch with a barge pole. 1.5TD though, seems to be a bit of a hidden gem. It had 140K on the clock, I ran it for a year and a half (70 odd miles a day) and save for the external temp gauge and a few bulbs it didn't miss a beat the whole time I had it.

205 is a vastly superior car though in any form, a 1.9TD one would be downright hilarious though...yours though sounds such a nice original car it would be a shame to chop it about.

[daviemck2006]

I was out in the 205 tonight, and it would be criminal to chop it about. It's nippy enough with 3 men aboard in the gears although nothing to spare once up to 50 to 60 mph. It's still lots of fun. I really can't see me selling it, it's going into the lock up next week when the tax runs out, then in the better weather comes it will get its long awaited springs, the front bumper removed and the gti front I have put on. to it, and any other jobs done it needs. Then a decision will be made which car out of the 3 I shall move on. Right now I cannot make a decision! They all have major plus points as to why to keep them, and all have reasons as to why not. Yes, even the recently acquired xantia lol. But certainly not ready to decide yet. Maybe never! If anything, tonight with 3 in the car says I keep the xantia.

[CitroJim]

I fully agree about the 205 Davie and yes, definitely keep the Xantia!!!

[daviemck2006]

I do have a dilemma with them Jim. Unless I can get some sort of multiple car or collector's policy I can't afford or justify 3 policies. Or 3 road taxes even though one of then is only £20 a year.

Sent from my SM-G361F using Tapatalk

[Stickyfinger]

You should be SORN'ing the Xantia in the winter mate (tut tut)....that saves 6 months and then it makes sense to have a limited mileage policy via a classic firm (it should be OK at its age)

[Fake Concern]

As Alasdair says, my XM V6 insurance is £140 with mileage limited to 5K a year.

[Zelandeth]

I know that situation! I only have space for one really (107 has to live on the road just now and the Skoda is in a corner of the garden), Saab and Xantia are on the drive.

One day I might actually get a car into the garage...but just having emptied the loft of my parent's place into it...not any time soon.

Can't bring myself to sell the Saab (despite it being the one I could make money on as their values have gone up a lot since I bought it, and I got it for rock bottom money), have become really attached my my Xantia and the 107 is just a dependable do-anything mobile for anyone in the house and is so practical it's hard to make a case for selling it!

Skoda will get the head sorted in the spring, I'll probably run it for a few months then to get to a few shows for the fun of it before passing it on.