Faults:

Oil leak from rocker cover.

Rear brake callipers seized up occasionally. This means the handbrake doesn't always work.

Tweed wool seat cloth has started to un-stitch itself on the driver's seat.

Linkages in 5spd manual gearbox broke, meaning no gears could be selected.

General Comments:

Considering this car is 20 years old, it is extremely reliable and cheap to run. The things that have gone wrong are fairly minor really, and fairly inexpensive to do.

It's an absolute joy to drive. Fantastic handling through corners, yet maintains one of the most comfortable rides I've ever experienced. This is due to its amazing 8-valve (Peugeot patented) shock absorbers and fully independent suspension setup. It can go through corners faster than many new cars.

As I've mentioned it has a very comfortable ride. It soaks up all bumps. While you might hear them due to a fairly rattly dash board, you never actually feel bumps through the seats. Seats are very comfortable and supportive.

The cabin is a fairly airy place, with good vision all around.

However, driving position is not very good. The brake and clutch pedal are far too close together. The steering wheel is not adjustable at all. Gear stick is a long way away, and when in 1st (on Right Hand Drive model) it can be hard to reach if you have short arms. It also has a weird gear-knob which looks like a golf club. You do get used to this however, and other more conventional cars feel a bit strange!

Gearbox and clutch are very easy and light, although the gearbox has a long throw, which means it feels a little imprecise.

The engine, while strong and reliable, is quite wheezy and underpowered. It only has 71kw and 161nm, which isn't much to haul around a large sedan. It is fairly willing to go, and will rev happily up to 6750rpm, although there isn't really any performance benefit from doing this.

Faults:

Bad electrics. Watch for the fuse box as it's not that well protected. Oxidising and rust can be a big problem in these cars if not cared for.

Gear box blew at around about 290,000 k's. Not bad I guess. Bloody expensive to replace though... Have spent more money on restoration than the value of the car itself (worth it)!

Don't use any other tyre than Michelin. Handling will be downgraded otherwise. In Australia, impossible to find alloy spec rims. They're all taken...

General Comments:

Initially, when I got this car, I never really looked after it. Only until I started to take it on long trips, did I fully appreciate the real meaning that the manufacturer intended. That is, one of the best grand tourer cars around. I've been in a lot of cars made in the 80's, but none than the 505 has more comfortable seats, ride, handling, heating etc...'than the 505' (excluding bmw's) :). Straight line speed from the 1.8 4cyl engine may be a little soft, but, it's not straight line speed these cars are intended for. Around corners, your on rails. It's very hard not to feel confident in a 505 or any pug for that matter. The 505 will keep up with the most modern hog cars around bends these days!

For a 21 year old car with power windows, best seats in the market and a good reliable engine that loves the rpm's! Get a 505. There are heaps around if you look. Just make sure it's been loved. It 'will' love you back!