Friday 14th September 2012

SOTW: Citroen BX GTI 8v

205 and 309 GTIs out of reach? Your French hot hatch is the BX!

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Last week I mused about how cheap the Peugeot 309 GTI has become largely because it isn't quite as appealing to look at as the smaller 205. This week's Shed proves that the trend can continue even further down the fast and French family tree.

The Citroen BX GTI is another Gallic hatchback which, despite its fabled handling traits, has rather descended into the depths of obscurity in the 21st century. Even more so than the 309, it would appear, given the great condition of this car and the measly £795 asking price.

Just 25 others left in Grande Bretagne

Even when it was launched, the BX didn't really look like anything else on the road; lots of slats and angles on a body that looks a little too big for the wheels. I'd love to see one parked next to a DS4. It's certainly distinctive though, and some new yellow foglamps would certainly add to the appeal.

A lot of the Citroen quirkiness was filtered out of the facelifted BX, introduced in 1986. This means all BX GTIs (launched soon after the facelift) lack the digital strip revcounter and satellite controls pods that characterised the early cars, but worry not; the single-spoke steering wheel and hydro-pneumatic suspension remained, allowing serenely smooth progress to be made however many of the 130hp you're using.

The subtle delights of velour

Obviously, technology such as the innovative suspension requires lots of money and expert attention to maintain. Fortunately, this car appears to have been treated well; the vendor has recently spent £600 on a service with cambelt and water pump change, plus an all-important suspension check-up. With an on-sale price of just £200 extra, either the owner is very generous or other issues may lurk ahead... Looking at the the rest of the car though, we may be able to take the generous view. The exterior appears rust-free, and the interior, with its oh-so-80s zig-zag upholstery, remains untarnished.

Like last week's Lancia Thema, a BX GTI 8v is far from common; howmanyleft.co.uk says just 26 remain on British roads, many having succumbed to rust. Interestingly, the same number of the later 160hp 16v GTIs remain. Surely such a unique and characterful car deserves to be saved?

For the price of a sofa, you won't find a much more interesting or more underrated hot hatch. Even a 309 GTI isn't this cheap yet!

Original advert is reproduced below:

It's all about what lies beneath

Citroen BX 1.9 GTI. 8v (£895)

This is a fantastic condition classic which has had £600 spent on it last month. Full service with cam belt and water pump change, suspension checkup by Chevronic. Also new front exhaust pipe and really good tyres as well. It has electric windows f/r, sunroof, power steering, 6 speaker cd/radio, central locking, rear blind, tow bar/electrics.The interior is first class with the addition of sports seats.Great comfort and handling. Cash on collection for this bargain.

 

 

 

[tinkertaylor]

love it, my fav SOTW i think!

[KDIcarmad]

If the BX becomes collectible, it this one you want!

[Trusty Steed]

Nice veals init mate...

[P-Jay]

"For the price of a Sofa"

Quite obviously never been furniture shopping with my OH...

[Strawman]

I'd like a mint 16v version please, didn't LJK Setright love these?

[Prawnboy]

what a great find, i had forgoten about these. top shedage.

[sjabrown]

Great shed. I'm just not brave enough for the suspension. At that price if you get a few months motoring you can't go wrong.

[dbdb]

An excellent choice of Shed this week; there is something fascinating about them.

[snorkel sucker]

Those front seats look like torture devices designed to put an irrepairable curve in your lower spine!

[delmatt]

Had a white one of these as a brand new company car in 1990. Was a fantastic car and I can remember taking it to Glastonbury festival and driving over the fields at 70 mph in comfort because of the fantastic suspension! Was a really good car although the gear stick came off in my hand on the M4 changing form 4th to 5th. I had to drive all the way from Jnct 17 to Reading where I pulled over on the hardshoulder and was towed into my office by a colleague in his Range Rover. We tied it to the Range Rover using electrical cables and he thought it was really funny to zoom off as fast as he could...was scary as hell.

All in all a good car and would bring happy memories of my mispent earlier days.

[peterg1955]

First car I ever bought brand new, was back in 1987.

From memory the interior plastics are a bit hard and sharp edged compared to today's cars but the seats were comfortable and supportive and apparently you can take speed bumps at, ahem, well over 30mph and barely notice them...

Great for towing too with the self-levelling suspension

[Dr Interceptor]

You read my mind - I emailed this car to Garlick this morning!

[Riggers]

Lovely shed. Drove a 16v once. One of the most unnerving yet oddly amusing 20 minutes of my life.

Quite quick, fair amount of body roll and a brake that was more like a switch than a pedal. Hilarious! Much want indeed

[zcacogp]

tinkertaylor said:

love it, my fav SOTW i think!

I agree. Top bit of tin.

How complex was the suspension? Was it genuinely a problem to maintain, or was that just a myth that was assisted by Citroen main dealers? How feasible is DIY-maintenance?


Oli.

[farbbm]

My dad had 3 BX's in a row, a 16TRS, 19GT and then an apline white 8V GTI which he bought out of the showroom (as it has air con, pretty rare back in 1988)and paid extra to have the bumpers painted as they came from the factory in an off white greyish colour with a nasty texture on them. Looked so much better for it and was a great car to drive at the age of 19 as I was at the time.

[Hugo a Gogo]

excellent shed!

[CampDavid]

Hmmm, so many cheap french hatches in SOTW recently.

Personally, I think PH are probably all taking some kind of gravy train bung from owners of lowly priced French tat [/CryingBecauseChrisDoesntLikeMyCar/]

[BuzzLightyear]

Aaahh! Had a 16V BX back in the late 80's / early 90's. Great car and 4bhp more than my mate's Astra GTE!!!

[W00DY]

Awesome shed!


What's the pedobear-like sticker in the passenger window? Necrosquirrel?

[Drakey52]

People I know who swear by Citroens reckon the DIY maintenance is pretty easy - replacing the spheres etc. No personal experience but I trust their opinion/known them a while.

Never been a fan but I would be tempted if I needed a fun shopping car right now..