Peugeot 208 gti

[UKMini]

I'm looking at replacing my everyday car (Hyundai i10 2015 1.0) for something a bit more fun aka fast. I've narrowed it down to the 208 gti because turbo, 200ish hp, 6speed manual, Air Con, Small and affordable (7000 English Doubloons)
I normally steer clear of French, Italian and British cars as I like to arrive where I set out for but from what I can tell the Toyota base (it's sorta Yarisy underneath) is enough to stop the French making it French reliable. Am I going to be calling for breakdown all the time? Can it make crazy turbo noises?
I briefly drove a '90s era Peugeot 106 (not gti) in maybe 2005 and it was other than the gearbox a great little car which I remember fondly. Recently I ended up hiring a Citroén DS3 (Citroén and Peugeot being the same) and other than the gearbox it was a great little car (a light and all 4 TPMS died in the week I had it but it was so up for a laugh, surprisingly quick and I found myself missing it after giving it back).
Has anyone owned or driven one?

[MHR1294]

I test drove one! Gear change is a bit wooly but you'll never miss a gear. They go well. The radios still sometimes occasionally freeze and need reset (well at least on the non GTi anyway), no biggy.

I drive a normal 208 as a pool car for work and it's been reliable so far apart from one weird fault with the lights that got fixed under warranty.

I've still got 2 Peugeot 106's though.

[UKMini]

I'm happy to hear that - they seem to be so much car for not much cash (some for £5k on eLectronicBay) and I couldn't work out what the catch is... I saw your amazing car collection past and present including the 106 twins and did want to congratulate you on your impeccable golden nuggets. Love the Alto - if it was in Suzuki showrooms in UK i'd probably get one

[MHR1294]

Yeah well naturally with any high volume production car, you always hear of bad stories but it's a small percentage.

Haha yes, I'd be dangerous if I had money. I'm considering getting a Subaru Sambar flatbed just because...

The Alto is brilliant, my local Suzuki dealer is very interested in it too!

There's potential Suzuki could sell it here, this is how the Cappuccino came about. Suzuki got lots of wants for them so they homologated one especially for the UK to sell through their dealer network.

Needs advertising though, it would fit perfect in the market for UP GTi bashing (which is the only competition since it has a monopoly for fast city cars)

[UKMini]

Update : I have paid a deposit to get a 45,000 mile, 2014 example in white as of Nov 2019 after test driving it

[MHR1294]

Great news mate!

[UKMini]

Great news mate!

thanks mate - when it's mine will add some pics

[UKMini]

She arrived on wednesday 28th november and I adore her - literally makes me smile every time I see it

[Kaktus]

Congrats on your new car! It certainly looks like a nice wee car, hopefully it'll give you plenty of happy miles and smiles!!

Any plans on potential "improvements"....?

[UKMini]

Congrats on your new car! It certainly looks like a nice wee car, hopefully it'll give you plenty of happy miles and smiles!!

Any plans on potential "improvements"....?

Thanks bud I love it so far and do have some plans to increase power/braking, lowering a modest amount and get the alloys refurbed and gloss black applied liberally
Interior wise I want to change the head unit to the later carplay smeg unit and get underseat subs as I want to use the back for carrying mountain bike and upgrade speakers

[Kaktus]

That sounds cool! Look forward to seeing some pics of the modded car!