Can't come back to that - never driven a Nova. Pedalled plenty of Corsas, and I couldn't give a shit if they're cheap and easy to fix.
The 205GTI is now way overpriced and massively overstated in terms of its abilities and significance, but that's what happens when 'investors' pile into a market.
May I politely suggest that you drove a fucked one? Of the hot Peugeots of that era, the 309 GTI 1.9 was a nicer car but received far less adulation. Way easier to drive fast but probably a few tenths slower for a driver with actual talent. I always thought the GTI 1.6 was the sweeter of the 205 GTI...
Proof you can gild a turd and make it half convincing. Did 85% of what my Impreza can do with about 50% more refinement.
Why anyone bought those blaring cunt chariot R32s I've no idea. The 4Motion looks like a specced up diesel.