Overheating is a problem particularly with turbo diesel model. Needs bigger oil cooler, but high quality engine oil helps.
Fuel tank fell off (estate). Easy to prevent if you are aware this is possible.
Track rod ends and lower ball joint needed frequent replacement.
Learning as I went, I changed brakes, wheel bearings, starter motor, alternator, clutch, exhaust, brake servo, radiator, half-shaft, speedo cable, head gasket, windscreen. Most work is relatively easy, but would avoid interfering with propshaft.
I had diesel estate, petrol estate, manual and automatic. Unless you need the eight seats, the 2.2 petrol injection estate is a good bet. Estates carry the weight (cement mixer) and will tow.
However, these old tanks are so out of date now, you'd need to own three to have the spares to keep one going. So unless you are a masocist or doing the Plymouth-Dakar Rally, my tip is give up on these old clunkers. My replacement of choice was a Subaru Legacy Turbo 280 BHP grey import.
My 505 grd estate has 272800 miles on the clock has been a wonderful companion and servant she has only had one clutch a couple of vacuum pumps one radiator core otherwise she has been very economical to run I've owned her virtually since new my original 505 was written off and this one was 6mnth younger with exactly the same mileage. I still average 12000 miles/annum in the 505 but she is relegated to the third car and is classed as the farm car carrying fuel and parts for the machinery.
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