I test drove it when it first came out. Really like the look. But even then and brand new I found that it struggled putting the power down properly. Like the idea though!
Agreed very refined and a sleeper, perhaps a bit too much of a sleeper. The 405 Mi16 crossed my mind as well. It was very good to drive actually. But generally a bit too boring and too much of a sleeper in my opinion. Could be good for some.
A work colleague at the time, had always had sporty Fords, he changed car kinda frequently (maybe every 2 years).
He had the Fiat 20v coupe. Was maybe only a few months, before he went back to Fords.
I was going to mention Sierra Cosworth but I just checked the price of one data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
I remember a friend selling one for £2500 about 15 years ago
I like the look of this: Saved Adverts
Having owned 2x205's when they were current then I'm not sure I'd go for another one unless you like fixing cars as much as driving them.
Mine were 1.6 autos and were both great cars with brilliant handling and performance with the insurance groups of Grandma's shopping cart which mattered when I was 21.
The Rolland Garros and the CTi always appealed though I imagine the CTi will rattle and leak like a sieve data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7.
If you want something small and chuckable then the Rallye 205 or the 106 Rallye were both great in their day and fewer toys to go wrong.
I'm still reeling from seeing the prices on some of these motors data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
I also imagine the flex on those old convertibles like the CTI......Really don't like convertibles from that era...
Nissan GTR R32
My mechanic friend has a few proper classic British motors, but his daily's have always (since I've known him) been Mercedes. If that says anything, and they're not too big for your purpose, 1990s-2010 GT style coupes aren't outlandishly expensive.
Merc did a cosworth version as well didn’t they? Although that won’t be cheap!
My faves would be the pug 205gti (1.9 version not the 16), corrado vr6 or some form of E30 BMW. There are plenty sub £10k but need to check what you’re actually getting for that money.
Series 1 RS turbo or an RS 1600i but there prices have gone through the roof.