NY Times Peugeot
Douglas C Gruesbeck (dgruesbeck@voyager.net)
Mon, 27 Oct 1997 20:19:11 -0800
Interesting article about two cars I have owned. I am currently
driving an Alfa Romeo 164L and have owned a nice 405DL Peugeot. Neither
car has ever left me stranded and parts prices at least for the alfa are
very reasonable. The only 164's to break timing belts around 30,000 were
replaced due to a defective series of belts. Normal replacement is
around 50,000 like a Toyota for instance. The only things to go wrong
with the 405 were the speedometer cable broke at around 80,000 and the
glove box latch was replaced after about 3 years. Nice running car, good
mileage, roomy and comfortable for 5 and for the same price as a Ford
Escort wagon. For the Alfa nice comfortable ride and excellent
performance, reasonable mileage. Parts for Alfa are cheaper than for
Peugeot I have noticed. I just replaced the exhaust from cat back for
about $275. Parts were alfa oem. I would not consider either the Peugeot
or the Alfa hard to get parts for and as for being left on the end of a
tow truck I might add that a certain low mileage Aerostar van left me
beside the road with a bad transmission seal and it only had 53,000
miles on it. Never happened in any Peugeot I have owned. It will never
happen again with an American made car.
Just my ten cents worth.
Douglas C