Faults:

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).

General Comments:

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.

Faults:

I have owned the car since new.

Has had a number of electrical issues (windows, mirrors) although surprisingly only 1 light bulb has failed!

Auto trans failed at 50,000 miles, replaced under warranty.

Have had several head crack problems after 100,000 miles, this is the main Achilles' heel of this car. However I have now run for 2 years with this head cracked, as long as I manually run fans and run with the coolant unpressurized (removed gasket from the overflow bottle) and don't use air conditioning, it seems to work fine!!

General Comments:

The car is almost as quick and comfortable as the day I bought it 17 years ago. Durability of the seats is superb, plastic interior bits are variable (shift knob has cracked to pieces).

Faults:

Electrics - window switches, alternator, starter, relays, turn signals, lights, dubious connections.

ABS control unit.

Clutch pedal control rod.

Tie rod.

Handbrake doesn't work.

Sunroof won't open.

A/C compressor's pulley bearing broke.

Replaced various oil seals on the motor.

Power steering leaks.

General Comments:

A well built, comfortable car that handles and rides superbly. Cheap to buy - $1,500 in 1998, but expensive to fix - $7,000 so far. Only buy an old Peugeot 505 if it's good, you love the car, and you can either fix it yourself or are prepared to spend big bucks on repairs. Hard to find a good Peugeot mechanic in the USA.

Faults:

The windshield is in poor condition at the bottom edges, they look steamed-up and foggy. I will replace with USA brand.

The trunk's airlift arm wore out.

The sunroof cable had to be replaced.

The window washer fluid pump motor had to be replaced.

There was a smell until I replaced the catalytic convertor.

The glove compartment plastic had to be replaced.