We happen to think that French cars sort of have an unfair reputation, especially in the US. OK, so they weren't the most reliable (at least the old ones). Yes, they were often expensive to maintain but there were still a few gems that came along from time to time. The Peugeot 205 GTI was one of them. The base 205, launched in 1983, debuted at the perfect time; it literally saved Peugeot from going under. While the standard 205 was appealing for the common driver, enthusiasts clamored for the rally-inspired 205 GTI.

Released in 1984, the 205 GTI (not to be mistaken with the VW GTI) initially came with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 113 hp. A larger 1.9-liter four banger came in 1987, but some still prefer the smaller engine, such as this guy who's owned his GTI for years. Our friends at XCAR caught up with him and he explains why this tiny hatch still puts a huge smile on his face.