1987 Peugeot 505 STi review from North America

Replaced the faulty knock-sensor.

Replaced leaking power steering hose.

Replaced leaking oil pan gasket.

Replaced leaking coolant hoses.

Replaced faulty window, fog-lamp & heated seat switches.

Control valve for the variable-assist steering sometimes malfunctions, resulting in very heavy steering in parking lots.

Clock failed and had to be repaired.

Many of the problems I described have been related to the age of the car (old, dried out hoses & gaskets).

Overall I have enjoyed this Peugeot very much during the one year I've owned it. It is powerful, attractive and handles beautifully. It has very powerful and effective ABS brakes.

The general design and arrangement of the interior is easy to understand, and most of the controls work well. The quality of some plastics is not as good as in many new cars, but everything feels durable and well screwed together. The A/C remained very cold even during the hottest summer months in Georgia.

Obtaining parts has not been a problem yet, though many parts would be difficult to obtain if I needed them immediately. As this is an orphaned European car in the U.S., any owner should make time allowances for parts, though generally I have found everything I needed through a few Peugeot specialists scattered around the U.S. Service has also not been a problem, as many European-car mechanics seem willing to tackle regular maintenance. I suppose some larger more involved jobs might require me to seek out a specialist, but so far I haven't needed one.

The engine pulls well and sounds nice, but is perhaps too thirsty for me to want to use it daily. I tend to average between 18 & 20 mpg, so sometimes I wish I had found a 4-cylinder model instead. Otherwise, I think it is comfortable, modern, safe and practical enough for daily use.