MotorWeek | Retro Review: '86 Peugeot 505T And VW Jetta GLI

Euro cool to keep you warm.

[fhowland]

I learned to drive on a 1987 Peugeot 505. I’ll never forget how ahead of its time it felt and how great it handled. Fun car.

[AKJeeper]

When I was a kid in the 80's, I thought the 505s were some of the coolest looking 4 door cars out there. I also had a thing for the Audi 5000 as well (I owned one of those in the late 90's). Would love the opportunity to own a 505 Turbo (manual trans) but those cars are so rare to find these days.

[PierceMedia]

i love these retro reviews. you guys have a gold mine of old video to share. keep it coming!

[manthony]

They should bring back hand-cranked sunroofs for entry level cars.

[davidaccord]

Loved my 1986 VW Jetta. Great handling and ride along with terrific looks. A winner in every category!

[lucrolland]

The great thing about French cars is that they always knew how to make incredibly confortable cars while keeping them very performant where road holding always exceeded any japanese. Luxury should mean a smooth and relaxing ride.

[lucrolland]

In Quebec, I met a police officer who loved owning the 505 GT and he told me that he would be able to go faster in curves then any of the police cars they had.

[mcqueenfanman]

From what I understand is the Peugeot (504 &505) is a popular car in Africa, it must be pretty durable design..

[BobMarley-jicn]

After 45 years of driving and 35+ cars and suvs, my all time favorite car I owned was the 1986 GTI I bought second hand. AC always on the fritz, but what a fun, practical, toss able car this was. Traded it for a 1990 Q45T. Faster but not nearly as fun.

[landyachtfan]

Been missing the Retro Reviews,  Glad to see them back.  And I LOVED hearing the La Cucaracha chime in the Jetta at  

[scottladewig]

I bought a first year GTI with a blown motor in it. Paid $200 for an engine out of a scirocco and drove the wheels off the car. It was lowered so it hugged the road so good it would scare friends how I could drive it. Miss that little beast.

[victorstewart]

I miss my ‘86 GLI. Nothing but trouble from day 1. But I loved driving that car.

[personwhoexists]

I saw a 505 wagon the other day I couldn't believe it looked daily driven

[jessekuchinski]

That jetta looks so much more cool and refined than anything coming out of the big 3 in those days.

[jannevaatainen]

Peugeot made VERY good looking cars back in the day, and 505 is definitely one of those! Although those American bumpers again try hard to make it look bad.

[nleighton]

I've owned a 3 door big bumper mark 2 golf gti for 10yrs and it's been great. Gets loads of attention. Just passed m.o.t without a problem!

[googleuser]

In 1986, my grandma brought a brand new silver w/ black gray tweed cloth Jetta GL Wolfsburg Edition. As a kid, I thought it was ok, but I wanted her to purchase the ‘86 Chevy Z24 w/ the digital speedo. I’m glad she purchased the VW. It was a great car. Once I got my license I would washed her car at least twice a week in the summer so that I could drive to the car wash and hang out. Great times!

[gallyun]

My Mom had Peugeot 505 non turbo, it was a good car.

[FrankGutowski-lsjt]

I drove a 1984 non turbo 5 sp manual for 26 years. Wish they’d keep making them. Very pleasurable to drive and easy to maintain when you understood them.

[mistertee]

My mom had an 86 Jetta Carat and it was the most unreliable piece of shit ever but my parents and I loved it anyway. There was something special about this generation. The way it drove, it was so stiff and solid but tossable and super fun. Whenever I hear that old VW door chime, i'm transported back to this Jetta. My only regret is not buying it off my parents when they sold it.