5k: It Still Runs? 1989 Peugeot 405 M1i16
The Peugeot 405 was a Pininfarina designed sedan from the French automaker Peugeot S.A., built from 1987 through 1997. Actually, they still make a halal version of the 405 in Iran and Egypt for local consumption, but the car was replaced by the 406 in Europe and by the early 1990s the entire Peugeot lineup was pulled from the US market. Find this 1989 Peugeot 405 mi16 for sale in Berkeley, CA for $3,000 via craigslist. Tip from Chris D.
The Mi16 version was the sportiest of the 405 lineup, a condition similar to having the best complexion of your leper colony. It is never bad to be the best at something, but when the competition is a front drive French-built family sedan..ehh…you get the picture. Oddly enough, the Citroën BX sister car to the 405 was actually good looking, with its grill-less front hood/bumper and sweet shooting brake rear end.
The 405 Mi16 is powered by a 1.9 liter fuel injected DOHC all-alloy inline-4 that puts out 150 horsepower in North American trim. This one is shifted via the 5-speed gearbox and for the era, it isn’t a horribly slow car and should keep pace with anything from Volkswagen or Honda. Reliability will certainly be a big question mark, but at least this isn’t a 1960s built French car.
See a better way to own the strangest car on your block? tips@dailyturismo.com
I actually saw an mi16 here in Torrance just a few days ago…talk about coincidences. This one definitely still ran as it was being driven by a little old lady type, probably the satisfied original owner from 1989 still chugging along.
For my money the '80s Peugeot to get would be the 205 GTi – now there's a good looking little car.
I usually like you guys, but you have to admit this is a pretty ignorant post. If you don't know Peugeots that's fine, but then it might be best not to talk about them.
@FeedericD – The rest of your comment seems to have been cut off. The part where you give us the benefit of your knowledge.
I was actually thinking of having a look at this car as it's nearby. My reasons for hesitating, admittedly almost completely knowledge-free, are not too far off DT's. My uncle had a new 505 in the 80's and had to get a complete engine and transmission replacement, under warranty, but still… Peugeot left the US market shortly after.
Fred — was it the off-hand comment about leprosy? I thought I was pretty nice about this one – it certainly wasn't like the time I compared owning a 914 to having syphilis. I actually think for $3k this would make a cool and odd daily driver. Did that not come through in the post?
I bought a 405S in 1989. the first year it was offered in the US, and a year after it won European Car of the Year. I drove it for 8 years. Was it perfect? No, but it was comfortable and engaging to drive, and it wasn't a Jetta.
BTW, here's another opinion on the Mi16 automobilemag.com/features/collectible_classic/1110_collectible_classic_1989_1991_peugeot_405mi16/
Looked at it today (after lifting up the car cover). Looks its age on the outside but not bad overall. Potentially good–the windows were rather tinted, so it was hard to judge the quality of the inside, and as such the overall package. Will have to get a better look — perhaps I will call the owner and give it a spin?
–Chris D.
Joint effort among Peugeot, Saab and Alfa. I have three Alfa 164s–fabulous cars. Can't speak for the Swedish and French versions. I love Italian cars.
I owned one in Germany. Lived in the country and drove it flat out to work every day. I've owned hundreds of cars over the decades and this car had one of the sweetest engines I can remember. The redline was somewhere between 7500 and 8000 as I recall. Quality left something to be desired, but I'd still try to be first in line if one popped up for sale in my local area.