(Note: Based on having driven only one 504 -- a 4 cylinder gas automatic, and
only 505 Turbos.) While the 504 may be no performance demon, I found its
various systems uniquely well integrated into a "long-legged" car. Unlike
many slow cars that struggle for every mile, the 504's combination of tall
gearing; long travel suspension with superb damping; seat springing matched
to the suspension; spacious interior and driving position; and controls
(steering, throttle, brakes) with light, well-matched long travel action; all
combine for an understressed, leisurely loping quality. This matching of
efforts, travels, gearing and control weighting -- which now get called
"synergism" or "synchronicity" -- can only be the result of sympathetic
engineering directed by a either a strong leader or a shared sense of purpose
and goals. Even the visual design -- conservative but infused with
personality and character -- reflects this shared vision.
Performance measures which reflect only speed fail to understand products
like the 504. Witness the "engineering marvels" of German automotive design,
which assume the machine is superior to the man. The 504 represents
engineering of a higher and perhaps more sensitive order. The 505 offers
"more" -- more speed; more space; sharper handling, ride and brakes; better
longevity -- but not necessarily better. While the Citroen DS and
brilliantly-packaged Renault R16 garner the "lion's share" (pun intended) of
the kudos reserved for French automotive engineering, the 504 represents a
true, if grossly underrated, classic... not because it breaks new ground, but
because it works.
Sorry if I've gone on a bit here but, after my Porsche 928, my Peugeot --
which is proving to be a more enjoyable sporting companion -- has awakened me
to a much broader definition of "performance."
Rob Gold
88 505S Turbo 5-speed, 79k miles