1985 Peugeot 505 STI Turbodiesel with 115k Miles
Contents
For August 10, 2021, our used car find is this unusually well-preserved 1985 Peugeot 505 STI turbodiesel sedan with 115k miles. It’s offered on Craigslist by a private seller in Astoria Oregon for $5500 or best offer.
Here’s what makes this one special.
Introduction
Turn your clocks back forty years. Ronald Regan had just been elected President. An oil crisis raged. And Peugeot, the storied French automaker, was on something of a US sales tear. Their new 505 model, which debuted in 1980, came just at the right time, giving American buyers a handsome, upscale alternative to the malaise-era products from Detroit. And the fact that it offered a thrifty diesel engine in the midst of record-high fuel prices was the icing on the cake. Something like 85% of early 505 sales were diesels.
But through the 1980s, as fuel prices fell and Americans soured on diesels thanks to some slapdash efforts by GM and others, Peugeot saw its North American customer base vanish. By 1991, they had pulled out of the US entirely.
It’s too bad because the 505 was a terrific car. Styled on the outside by Italian design powerhouse Pininfarina and on the inside by Paul Bracq (of Mercedes-Benz and BMW fame), the 505 was a major improvement in every way over its predecessor, the 504. It offered modern handling, powerful and efficient engines, and high-end accommodations for less than most European rivals.
The Listing
This particular example is a remarkable time capsule of the era. With just over 100k miles, its rugged diesel powertrain is just getting broken in, and its appearance inside and out shows clear evidence of prior owners’ loving care. The only sign of wear is some slight creasing in the leather and light scuffing on the driver’s seat bolster.
In the words of the seller…
I’m selling my 1985 Peugeot 505 STI turbo diesel. This is a very clean example with only 115xxx miles on the clock. It is powered by the desirable XD3T 2.5 liter w/AT and limited slip differential, has leather interior in great shape for it’s age, heated front seats, power windows & mirrors, cold AC, and very straight and rust free body. I have receipts for over $6000 in maintenance over the last 18 months, and it really shows as this car runs and drives beautifully, and I’d be happy to furnish these documents to interested parties. This car is ready to hop in and enjoy! Clean Oregon title in hand.
If we had to name a gripe with this one it would be the automatic transmission, which was still just a 3-speed in 1985, while a 5-speed manual was standard equipment. Still, the automatic should pair well with the turbodiesel, allowing you to keep the revs up and the turbo on-boost when you mat the go pedal. It won’t be quick, but it should offer smooth and reasonable acceleration, especially for an older diesel.
Considering how rare a near-pristine 505 is these days — especially one that’s been treated to six grand in maintenance in recent months — we think the $5500 asking price here is quite reasonable, bordering on cheap.
If you’ve been hankering for an interesting and affordable 1980s-era classic, this one would be hard to beat.
Details and Specs
- 1985 Peugeot 505 STI sedan
- 115,389 miles
- 2.5-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel engine (XD3T)
- 95 hp @ 4150 rpm
- 3-speed automatic transmission
- rear-wheel drive
- Bordeaux red exterior
- Taupe leather interior
- for sale by owner
- $5500 (or best offer)
- Astoria, Oregon
- VF3BA61F1FS387947
Photos
