I don’t know how station wagons became desirable, but I suspect it has something to do with modern crossover SUVs. When everything on the road has the same bloated shape, any variation is going to draw your eye. And if that variation in shape is every bit as practical, it’s even better.
Yesterday we looked at two station wagon replacements, one minivan and one SUV. Both of them had uncharacteristic manual transmissions. I think the price difference may have had something to do with the outcome; the GMC Safari van was three grand less than its Ford Explorer competition.
Price aside, personally, I’d rather have the van anyway. I think I’d have more fun with it. I’ve always liked the looks of the Astro and Safari, and having a manual transmission makes it an interesting conversation piece.
Now, let’s take a look at a couple of old wagons. They don’t have much in common: one’s French and the other Japanese, one’s manual and the other automatic, and one’s front-wheel-drive and the other is rear. But they’re both long-roofed versions of sedans, and that’s what ties them together. Let’s take a look.
1991 Peugeot 505 SW8 – $3,100
Engine/drivetrain: 2.2-liter OHC inline 4, five-speed manual, RWD
Location: San Juan Capistrano, CA
Odometer reading: 295,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
In a more just world, Peugeot would have ridden the yuppie wave right alongside BMW and Volvo in the US, and been just as successful here. But that’s not what happened; Peugeot’s 505 never caught on like the BMW 5 Series and Volvo 240 did, and the French firm left the US market after 1991. This 505 wagon was one of the last few stragglers to be sold here.
It’s a rare spec, even among 505s: it has a non-turbo gasoline four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission. Most 505 wagons sold here were automatics, with either a turbocharged four or the PRV V6. It has a ton of miles on it, but the engine was replaced 70,000 miles ago, and it recently had a new timing belt, water pump, and clutch installed. It runs and drives well, the seller says.
In France, this car is known as the 505 Break with two rows of seats, or the 505 Familiale with three rows like this one has. Here in the US, it was called the 505 SW8: Station Wagon, 8 Passenger. It’s in reasonably good shape inside, but I think the driver’s seat has been replaced. It’s vinyl, and everything else is cloth. I guess it’s not surprising that the driver’s seat needed replacing after nearly 300,000 miles.
Outside, it’s reasonably straight, but the paint is in poor shape. At least it’s rust-free. I doubt anyone would bother repainting it at this point, but it actually doesn’t look bad all faded and scruffy.
1992 Honda Accord EX – $4,000
Engine/drivetrain: 2.2-liter OHC inline 4, four-speed automatic, FWD
Location: Portland, OR
Odometer reading: 123,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
When it was introduced, the Honda Accord came in two bodystyles: a four-door sedan, and a two-door hatchback. That arrangement lasted until 1988, when a two-door coupe was added to the lineup. It wasn’t until 1991 that you could get an Accord wagon. Some station wagons made from sedans look pretty awkward, but I’ve always thought Honda did a great job with this one. I’d go as far as to say it looks better than the sedan.
The fourth-generation Accord is powered by a 2.2-liter engine, and this one has a four-speed automatic transmission. Since it’s an EX model, it has an extra five horsepower and a rear sway bar, and since it’s a wagon it has bigger front brakes. It has only 123,000 miles on it, nothing for a Honda of this age, and it has had a bunch of recent service work done. It also had its transmission rebuilt at 100,000 miles.
I think this might be my favorite Accord color combination too. I don’t know how a maroon interior works so well with champagne paint, but it does. The interior is in great shape, too. It has all the power stuff, since it’s an EX, and though the seller doesn’t specify, I’m sure it all works fine.
The paint looks good, but I can’t tell if that spot on the left side of the hood is a reflection or a bad spot in the clearcoat. One thing it doesn’t have, thankfully, is any rust. Corrosion has always been the Accord’s Achilles heel, so a rust-free one like this is rare and special indeed.
I’m genuinely curious to find out how this vote goes. Will the Peugeot’s rear-wheel-drive layout and manual gearbox overcome the Honda’s reliability and ease of finding parts? Will a scruffier car be worth a nine hundred dollar discount to enough of you to give the Peugeot the win? I guess we’ll see.
Really tough choice between these two. I have soft spots in my heart for both. If the Accord had a stick, that would easily be my choice. But I had a 504 sedan with a stick and it was a sweet drive.
The practical side of me says Honda and the nostalgic side of me says Peugeot. To be able to buy both for <$10K is really one of the better SBSD scenarios in a while.
That Honda is it!
I really wanted to vote Peugeot, but that Honda is just in too good of a shape and with low miles to boot.
Is it the excess 2CV coverage driving everyone away from French cars? I want to buy this 505 and put a bike rack on it and cruise around with my U-08.
Also, how did I forget that you could still buy one new when I was in high school?
.Two indestructible lumps of French light steel, neither fast, both fast enough, together as one.
This is the correct answer.
The Accord is an objectively better car. But a manual three row wagon? I voted with my heart this time.
The Peugeot, of course. I owned one of these at the turn of the century, in white. Mine was the very last *1992* SW8 imported to the US – and the only ’92 with a stick. Yes, Peugeot pulled out of the US in 1992, not 1991, though very few ’92s were imported, IIRC about 3000 505s and 405s. Technically they had official dealers, service, and a parts operation for another more than a decade, but the last cars sold here were ’92s. Ultimately it was the early 90s recesion coupled with the looming airbag requirements that caused them to give up. Neither the 505 nor 405 was engineered for them, and they didn’t sell enough to spend the millions needed.
This car is VERY rare, only a handful of any year of SW8 made it here with a stick. Lovely, lovely, and incredibly commodious cars. Shame it’s not nicer, but I am not at all surprised by the near 300K – these cars are hella stout if kept away from the tinworm. Also – it’s a hemi!
Pourquoi pas les deux?
Da’ bon Accord would work for me as a daily, and I could tell people the 505 is what Mrs Columbo was driving when her husband retired from the LAPD and they moved into Leisure Village or Rossmore. I still remember the newspaper ads from Eastern Auto, the local Peugeot dealer that held out to the end as a single-marque shop. The Peugeot’s a four-wheeled madeleine, it is.
Do I want a Honda Ice Cream Cake for my birthday or a Puegot punch in the face? Seems an easy call here
In addition when comparing the cars from long ago no surprise.
1. Volvo-We may be boxy but we will keep your family safe.
2. BMW-THE ULTIMATE driving machine.
or
3. Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries Now but our car.
Sometimes marketing makes a difference
Pity the poor Peugeot, Poopsie. I have a hankering for the handy Honda.
This body style Accord is my favorite ever. The wagon makes it almost perfect. If only it were a stick…..
I worked in a boat yard in high school. 90% of the live aboard had these Peugeot wagons. In the turbo flavor. Although I remember a diesel maybe? The only aberration was an old navy guy with a 70s suburban.
Live aboards were/are a different breed.
Vote for the Peugeot in solidarity.
I’ve often considered doing that boat down by the Marina lifestyle, but I have never considered the Peugeot lifestyle
I suspect it’s a similar experience. Shoveling money into a hole just for the opportunity to live an alternative lifestyle. Waiting weeks for an obscure but essential part to be shipped from overseas.
Peugeots are less susceptible to hurricanes though if you need a silver lining. Although more susceptible to everything else.
This was the toughest vote in awhile. Had to remember my premise, which is always “you have to actually live with this thing for at least six months.” And the Accord is just going to be more livable.
But to see people’s reactions to the Pug, AND pay $900 less? That’s not nothin’, that’s for sure.
Although the Accord will likely win this duel, at least the Pug can be flattered the Honda is trying its best to be French with its champagne coat…
The brain says Honda. The heart says Peugeot.
I’m French, so I’ll follow my passionate heart!
For a normie nonautopian, the Accord is a no-brainer though.