Citroenmads Citroen blog.

[myglaren]

If you ever decide to sell the Rover Chris, would you let me know please.
There's a chance that my daughter might like it, she loved her last one and only changed it for a Clio to try and cut costs, which didn't work so well.
She has been making 'new car' noises recently and would like another SAAB but is rather cautious about them.

She's not a fan of automatics but may be persuaded with a test drive (she drives quite well).

[ragger]

Interesting update, Chris.

Good news on the 2CV, I am sure it will get looked after. I really wish I had kept ours for this summer, it really has been the perfect weather for some top down motoring with style.

I have just sold my Megane which I found a very stressful experience - buying cars is much more fun!

Our C4 HDI gets used and abused by everybody and returns around 53-55 mpg under all conditions, I expect 60+ to be easily obtainable on a run. And I don't find it a slow car by any stretch of the imagination. Compared to the XM (which I much prefer!) it really shows just how far diseasel technology has developed since the early 90s. It is also interesting how much better the Citroen diesel is compared to the Fiat 1.9 Multijet in our Multipla which is actually a few months newer than the C4 but feels older.

Rob

[ashy90]

That 75 looks absolutely lovely their Chris. Looks to be in good condition, and a lovely colour. Looks great with the new wheels aswell- what are the wheels called?

[LeWaftBarge]

If you can find a 75 with black sills in the scrappy then get the wood from that, as its real walnut! The way to tell is if the airbag panel has "airbag" on a badge, it's fake. If painted on the panel, it's real

Lovely colour and paint combo

[Citroenmad]

Excellent update Chris, I do enjoy your ramblings!

Thanks Kev! Good to hear

If you ever decide to sell the Rover Chris, would you let me know please.

She's not a fan of automatics but may be persuaded with a test drive (she drives quite well).

Will do Steve though it won't be any time soon, I like it far too much and its great as my daily driver. The autobox is a good one and it has won me over, as I'm not usually a fan.

Interesting update, Chris.

Good news on the 2CV, I am sure it will get looked after. I really wish I had kept ours for this summer, it really has been the perfect weather for some top down motoring with style.

I have just sold my Megane which I found a very stressful experience - buying cars is much more fun!

Our C4 HDI gets used and abused by everybody and returns around 53-55 mpg under all conditions, I expect 60+ to be easily obtainable on a run. And I don't find it a slow car by any stretch of the imagination. Compared to the XM (which I much prefer!) it really shows just how far diseasel technology has developed since the early 90s. It is also interesting how much better the Citroen diesel is compared to the Fiat 1.9 Multijet in our Multipla which is actually a few months newer than the C4 but feels older.

Rob

I've enjoyed pottering about in the 2cv recently but it was time it went and it does seem to have found a good home with people who know 2cvs.

I don't enjoy selling cars at all, I'd much rather buy them! Then again, finding a car worth buying can be a hassle at times too.

The 1.6HDi is a very refined unit and if looked after (oil changes every 6K with the recommended oil) then they should prove reliable too.

That 75 looks absolutely lovely their Chris. Looks to be in good condition, and a lovely colour. Looks great with the new wheels aswell- what are the wheels called?

Thanks The colour is very appealing, its called odyssey blue and is pretty much a flip paint, turning from blue to green depending on the light and angle. Its a pretty unusual colour really. The wheels are 16" 'Union' wheels and were standard on Club SE models, which is one down from mine. Odly the Club SE was th eonly 75 MK1 which they did put anything larger than 15" wheels on. I went with these as I think they are what a 75 should have, they just suit them I think and also because they use the same size tyres as C5s with 16" wheels ... which means my winter tyres will still be useful So they will be fitted around December time.

If you can find a 75 with black sills in the scrappy then get the wood from that, as its real walnut! The way to tell is if the airbag panel has "airbag" on a badge, it's fake. If painted on the panel, it's real

Lovely colour and paint combo

I did take a look at a wooden dash 75 when I was at a 75 breakers, it is difficult to tell know which is which apart from the airbag badging and the closer fitting around the air vents. I think the non-wood dash is too convincing to bother swapping it for real wood. Mine has the 'wooden' wheel and very rare wooden gearknob too, so I think I'll leave it all as it is. I have thought about it

There are still a few daft things I want, the Torpedo badges which sit on the bottom of the front doors which depict engine size and a few other little bits and pieces which were removed during project drive. However its about where I want it now, after the remap, cruise, wheels and so on.

I'm off down to the MG factory in a few weeks to have a tour and of course take my 75 back to where it was made, Longbridge! Not that there is much left now

[CitroJim]

Excellent update Chris, I do enjoy your ramblings!

Absolutely! Me too

[LeWaftBarge]

If you get a chance, check the 75 forums for Pride of Longbridge meeting dates. I never got a chance to go but the attendance is usually brilliant!

Check out the bonnet cable mod too, as mine snapped and I was there for hours sorting it out!

[chopper602]

Chris,

Did the 2CV go to someone local or further afield ?

(still waiting for your Dad to come visit with some 'stuff' !)

[Citroenmad]

If you get a chance, check the 75 forums for Pride of Longbridge meeting dates. I never got a chance to go but the attendance is usually brilliant!

Check out the bonnet cable mod too, as mine snapped and I was there for hours sorting it out!

Thanks, I was tempted to go to PoL this year but was busy with exams. I'm going to try my best next year though.

Bonnet cable mod done

Chris,

Did the 2CV go to someone local or further afield ?

(still waiting for your Dad to come visit with some 'stuff' !)

Its gone to a lady in Stockton, to replace her Grey/Grey Charleston.

Ah, he must have forgotten about that, however he has now retired. Ebay might be your best bet.

[Citroenmad]

Well its all gone pear shaped again ... I have aquired yet another car and another non-Citroen! See sig ...

However, this is with my sensible head on here and its now my cheap commuter car. I've been after a small car for a while but small cars bring things I dont like, such as less refinement, a poor ride quality, low gearing and often (in the case with a lot of smaller French cars) an uncomfortable driving position for my height. Fortunately the Polo is pretty good in all areas there.

This little VW has been owned by my uncle from new, was top of the range in its day and is still in tidy condition with only 80,000 miles. The 1.4TDi engine is a 3 cylinder and is a brilliant unit, I've had two cars with this engine before. Excellent fuel economy, reliable and does make a pretty good noise for a diesel. They also have a strong turbo kick and more than enough 'go'. It would have been rude not to buy it and I've always hanckered after it, as I know where its been, how its been maintained, etc.

See this as a replacement for my C2 HDi, a car I would still have had it of been any good.

So, 4 cars again

[bxzx16v]

The polo sounds a little beauty Chris , perfect for your commute . Where does this leave the 75 now ? I must admit its nice to have a few cars about the place , there's so many I'd like to try but four is enough really between me and the wife . I have to admit I'm quite struck on the freelander 2 , it's a fantastic all round vehicle and covers quite a few bases , it will be interesting to see how it copes come winter time.

Mark

[CitroJim]

Well, you have to experience other stuff to appreciate how good PSA stuff really is Chris..

Is is like other Jerrymobiles and seemly devoid of any meaningful suspension and comfort whatsoever?

[myglaren]

I was out in my daughter-in-law's BMW recently and was surprised to find it far better than I had expected.

[CitroJim]

High-end ones do seem to have some idea Steve. I was pleasantly surprised to find DickieG's SL55 was quite well sprung - it felt not too dissimilar to my Activa..

[Citroenmad]

The polo sounds a little beauty Chris , perfect for your commute . Where does this leave the 75 now ?

It is ideal Mark, its a strong car even by modern standards and offers all the spec I need. It's probably not something I would have gone out and looked for (largely because they are usually over priced) but it is perfect for what I was after from a small and cheap to run car. The Polo will also be an ideal 'pool' car for anyone here to use should they want or need to, its not something I'll get precious about.
Hmm, well this is it. Impulse bought the 75 and it wasn't anything like I set out to buy ... a small, cheap to run and simple car which would get me to uni and work for the next year without costing me a fortune and save my Xantia HDi from the miles I do. Time will tell but I do love the 75, not as much as the Xantias though.

Well, you have to experience other stuff to appreciate how good PSA stuff really is Chris..

Is is like other Jerrymobiles and seemly devoid of any meaningful suspension and comfort whatsoever?

I just wish small PSA cars were a little more robust, the interior of that C2 I had practically fell apart through looking at it and the plastics in the engine bay Certainly only much use for one fitting only. The larger PSA cars are good but the smaller ones, less so. I don't think I would consider a C2 or C3, build quality is too flimsy, the previous generation of small PSA cars were superior.

The Polo really isn't bad Jim, its certainly been built more for comfort rather than handling and does a convincing job of ride quality. I wouldn't expect any better from a small car, a decent comprimise and not over damped like a lot of small cars.

Having something which does 60+MPG and is a small car is a very welcomed addition

Off for a day in Edinbrough tomorrow, quite looking forward to the drive there too. It'll be in a Citroen though