> made around the time when French cars had the worst reputation

A reputation well earned IMO…

> There was no part on this which didn't get replaced during the scant few years he owned it, and it left him stranded like half a dozen times

French cars have a philosophy of more maintenance than German cars. On the other hand, Frenchy spare parts are often cheaper and easier to replace.

E.g. a timing belt replacement on PSA HDI takes just a few hours and costs €2-300. On a VAG TDI, the same procedure is almost a full day at a (competent) workshop and costs ~5-10x as much.

Horses for courses I think.

My daily driver is a 10yo VAG, for the record.