Why I drive a Peugeot?

How did it all start?

My father after a 1965 VW Beetle decided to buy a sedan in 1973 since the kids grew up and more space was needed.  Suggestion was to buy a BMW 2002 even though my mother insisted on an Opel Manta.  To our surprise he turned up with a Peugeot 304GL (1300cc, 65HP) and the excuse was that it had 4 doors and it was a true family car.

When our disappointment settled, we started examining the car.  It had an under the  dashboard gear shift, it was comfortable as all French cars are and had excellent fuel consumption.  We had no problems with it.  Before we sold it in 1986 it had 220,000 km under the hood. 

Djuka at the wheel of 304 (1978)

Peugeot 304, me and girlfriend!

The next one...

In 1979, my father decided to buy another car since he got sick of waiting in line. Again there was a commotion, father wanted a BMW 316, Mother insisted on a new Opel Manta, while I proposed the Peugeot 504GL.  Father gave in since you had to wait for 60 days before you could get a Opel or the BMW and we got the Peugeot 504GL, 2000cc, HP 96.

Peugeot 504 GL

My brother buys his first Peugeot...

In 1980 my brother went abroad to work for a foreign company.  When he came back in 1984, he bought the first series Peugeot 205 GTI (1600cc, 105HP). It was the first in Yugoslavia at that time. 

Peugeot 205 GTI

Djuka buys his first Peugeot...

In 1986, I went to Iraq to work and when I returned in 1987 I bought a second hand three year old Peugeot 505 GL with 110,000 kilometers under the hood.

Peugeot 505 GL

Brother buys his next Peugeot...

Guess you are wondering what happened with the first 205 GTI?  Well, my brother  managed to totally destroy it,  hitting a tree at 140 km per hour.  It was only a matter of time since he drove it too fast.  Anyway, the next one was a 205 CTI cabriolet, and a 205GTI 1.9 which he sold in 2007.  Presently he drives a 206 S16.

Peugeot 205 CTI

Father buys his third Peugeot...

In 1989, the AVIS company was selling their 1986 cars.  I had a friend with AVIS who helped us buy a 505 SRDT (2304cc, 90HP, turbo diesel) for my father.   The 504 was sold after the purchase of the 505.

Peugeot 505 SRDT

Djuka buys his current 505...

In 1989, both my father and I bought 505s with AVIS,  but mine was with a gasoline engine, I didn't like diesel engines since they have problems starting in the winter and they were slow.  I bought it as a second car for holidays and voyages outside the city.   The 505 SR (2000cc, 98HP) was the new type with servo, central locking, electric windows, 15 inch wheels and much better looking then the old 505GL which I sold immediately after I bought this one. 

Djuka`s current 505.

2007 seems to be a crucial year, I`m not getting any younger, but am getting crazier.  In 2006 I got involved in legal streetracing events.  Getting my own drag car and a 505 TurboInjection, seemed a good idea at the time.  I kinda regret it now since parts are hard to find and we are still struggling with it. 

In summer of 2008, I got tired of waiting in line to drive my 505 so I bought a Peugeot 206 XSi for the rest of the family.  Sitting in it feels as sitting on a wooden stool!