Faults:

Had a few undisclosed issues when I took delivery (power steering inoperable due to leaks at pump and rack, radio not powering on, A/C compressor locked up, tires old and dry rotted), so I can't blame the car for any of that, and it all was reasonably easily sorted thanks to a few minutes spent sourcing parts suppliers here in the US during my 'homework' phase.

Beyond that, I've put 1,000 miles on the car and have enjoyed it very much.

General Comments:

I've always wanted a Peugeot 505, so finally this year I took the plunge and found a late wagon in my preferred color (Vallelunga Red over Charcoal velour). The seats are fantastic as everyone has stated here and elsewhere, and the car is very nice on the road with adequate power and returns reasonably good fuel economy. I do run premium in it, but I'm used to that having always driven European cars and presently having two 560SLs in the garage as well.

Parts can be tricky to obtain, but Peugeot Holm in Vermont has just about anything you may need at reasonable cost -- it's recommended that you purchase shop manuals (about $300 for a factory set) as there is little service information available online.

Overall, the car, to me, feels like a French made Volvo. I'm a Mercedes guy and replaced a W123 300TD wagon with the Pug, mainly because I've always wanted one, not because there was anything wrong with the Merc. I'll say that compared to a W123, the Pug feels flimsy, although they managed to make what is really a decently sized car feel about 1/3 its size on the road.

I enjoy driving it and I've had lots of inquisitive people ask me about it -- either because they haven't seen one on the road in 20 years, or because they've never seen one period.

All in all, I recommend you take the plunge. It's worth it. And no, you don't have to be a masochist.

Faults:

Starter motor, head gasket + radiator, and that was over 10 years ago. I do not drive as fast as before, so hopefully the engine will not have to be opened again.

General Comments:

This car is the best I have ever had, and it has no end of pulling power. It will really accelerate away with the best of modern diesels today, and the beauty of it is there is no complex ECU, or any other gimmicky, problematic, unnecessary add ons to this. It is getting very rare now, especially the saloon model, and if I need parts, they are getting harder to come by as time goes by.

Also the 390 TRX tires are expensive, and I dread when I have to replace them.

Faults:

Endless brake fluid leaks, which I suppose is dangerous, and I'm still trying to fix at this present time.

There's a hole forming on the under side of the rear wing, and the rust is even eating away the lower half of the driver's door.

And had to replace the alternator. (Which was a pain to find).

General Comments:

A superb family vehicle to own. One day you can cart the kids down to school. And the next minute you can fold down the seats, to create a completely flat loading area to carry a couple of fridge/freezers to the city dump, of course. Then in the evening, if your feeling adventurous you can race though the typically wet English bends. Which is serious fun in a rear-wheel-drive car.

However it does eat though a lot of tires.

Oh yea. Parts are next to impossible to come across.