Citroenmads Citroen blog.

[DHallworth]

Your Activa looks fantastic! Well done on the trophy as well! Makes all the hassle you've had to endure this weekend seem worthwhile!

David.

[Trainman]

Your Activa looks fantastic! Well done on the trophy as well! Makes all the hassle you've had to endure this weekend seem worthwhile!

David.

Seconded and still gutted I missed this, oh well, there's always next year...........

[Hell Razor5543]

Well done Chris, and definitely deserved.

[red_dwarfers]

That's fantastic news Chris! Well done!

[Citroenmad]

I didn't realise how long it had been since I had updated this I don't seem to be able to catch much time lately to even come on here.

So to update then ... my fleet has now got smaller.

I'm in my final year at uni now, which has been a very long time coming I can tell you ... usually people do three years at uni ... this is my fifth year at this particular university ... fortunately I have been gathering different qualifacations and not redoing years - so far! So this is the year which really counts and as such I need to simplify and have as little other responsibilities as possible. Which in one part means spending less time with cars and less money on cars so I don't have quite so much demands on my time and finances. I have always had a job to pay my way through uni, cars, etc and I'm currently leading staff training for the company I work for, which I'm enjoying but it is reasonably demanding too.

Anyway, with all that in mind, it was never my intention to have four cars so one needed to go ... obviously it wasn't going to be one of the Xantias and I can't fault my little VW for its cheap running costs and tough nature, while maintaining a civilised experience on my long commute. It's been in the family from new and has some attachment because of that. Its a great car to just get in and go, not worrying about if it will go or if it will be dinked while parked up during the day, etc. It's done nearly 4,000 miles in two months without missing a beat and while achieveing over 60mpg, though I have had 70 to the gallon when trying for it. It'll see me through this uni year and then I would think my use for it will be done. I thought I would miss big car luxuries but I don't as when i need that I can take the Xantia or one of the C5s. I enjoy small cars and it does make finding a suitable parking space in Newcastle City centre so much easier.

So this only left my Rover 75, which I do love. I know this is not a Rover forum so I'll not bang on about it too much, however it did offer a lot of aspects which I like in cars. It was a great example and in my opinion the diesel auto in a good spec is the model to go for. So that has now gone to a new home with someone who really knows their stuff where 75s are concerned. It was a reluctant sale but something had to go and it only takes a drive in the HDi Exclusive Xantia to know I made the right decision and I've got some more money back in the pot.

Incidentally I had a good run out through the lanes in the Exclusive the other day, sport button engaged and pressing on. It does make me smile at how capable they can be given the right roads and experience. It just soaks up bumps, undulations and corners while hiding speed very well. Its 110bhp 2.0HDi provides adequate peformance and for the type of car it is with such a good ride, it can be hussled along nicely ... which is why I like the hydractive Citroens. It wiped the floor with the Rover, which is very grippy and stable but you really notice the size of the car and it does roll about ... I think I took a good half an inch off the bottom of its front mudflaps through cornering! A hydractive Xantias copes with my driving style a lot better!

My Activa is SORN'd now, I've already seen gritters round here this week and I'm keeping the Activa well away from them. I don't need to use it so for the time being it will remain rested. However I don't like cars standing about as it does them no good. So I'll probably retax it at some point for some infrequent use on the nicer days.

I'm happy with my current fleet, the Polo is my daily commuter and the HDi Exclusive my long distance cruiser while the Activa rests over winter.

[CitroJim]

Chris, I think you made the right choice there in letting the Rover go. Did you let your pipe, slippers, giant bag of Werther's Originals and tartan blanket go with it?

[Trainman]

Chris, I think you made the right choice there in letting the Rover go. Did you let your pipe, slippers, giant bag of Werther's Originals and tartan blanket go with it?

And the box of hankies off the back shelf

[Chris570]

Chris, I think you made the right choice there in letting the Rover go. Did you let your pipe, slippers, giant bag of Werther's Originals and tartan blanket go with it?

And the box of hankies off the back shelf

DAMN! you beat me to it

The HDi 110 is a fantastic engine and as you say coupled with the Hydractive makes the car a dream to drive. There are some good roads round this way and sometimes when the mood takes me I'll give the car a good run. The thought that strikes me is "I'm in a Diesel estate car here and yet it's just gripping and gripping!" I think what really helps the hydraulic Citroen's though is they just don't bounce and skip across the road like sprung cars do, especially the stiffer varients.

(My Activa is also curled up fast asleep right now)

[Citroenmad]

Chris, I think you made the right choice there in letting the Rover go. Did you let your pipe, slippers, giant bag of Werther's Originals and tartan blanket go with it?

Yes, I most certainly have. All of the english memorabilia did go with the Rover, fortunately I don't think I'll be needing them again

And the box of hankies off the back shelf

Yes, and those ...

The HDi 110 is a fantastic engine and as you say coupled with the Hydractive makes the car a dream to drive. There are some good roads round this way and sometimes when the mood takes me I'll give the car a good run. The thought that strikes me is "I'm in a Diesel estate car here and yet it's just gripping and gripping!" I think what really helps the hydraulic Citroen's though is they just don't bounce and skip across the road like sprung cars do, especially the stiffer varients.

(My Activa is also curled up fast asleep right now)

What I really like is you can 'press on' without compromising on comfort and having to be bounced about and know your going faster than average. Which is why I like the Activa as it takes that to another level. The HDi Exclusive, especially estates, are an excellent allrounder.

My HDi Xantia is in for its MOT later today, I'm hoping they ring with good news! I hate MOT time!

[CitroJim]

I hate MOT time too Chris Yours will be absolutely fine. It's a jolly good car that..

I remember your last MOT. Seems like only last week. is it really a year

My Activa is snoozing but not in hibernation just yet. She'll be off out for a little joyride later today...

[Citroenmad]

I hate MOT time too Chris Yours will be absolutely fine. It's a jolly good car that..

I remember your last MOT. Seems like only last week. is it really a year

My Activa is snoozing but not in hibernation just yet. She'll be off out for a little joyride later today...

I know, it doesn't seem that long and it means I've had this Exclusive for over a year now. Where did that go! It has done just short of 10K miles in that time.

I seem to have booked my my least favourite MOT tester who I'm sure looked at it last time and was determined to fail it. It had a hairline crack in the exhaust last MOT which I had replaced. Fingers crossed for this time

[Citroenmad]

Well I need not have worred, the HDi Exclusive Xantia estate flew through its MOT with no advisories

Ready for another year!

[red_dwarfers]

Nice one Chris! Not a fan of MOT time here either! Feels like almost like a judgment of your abilities.

[Chris570]

Excellent

[CitroJim]

That's fantastic Chris. A testament to your care and maintenance. Well done