Discussion
Talk to me...
Is it wrong of me to hanker after an old Citroen? Just lately the more I look at one the more I think "want".
It started off with the utterly sublime DS, but now I've even started looking at 2CV's. What the hell is going on? I've got a Griff in the garage ffs. So, what's the reality of old Citroen's like? I know a bit about le deux chevaux as I used to get ferried to school in one for a couple of years, but what's a DS like to live with and how easy is it to get parts these days?
Is it wrong of me to hanker after an old Citroen? Just lately the more I look at one the more I think "want".
It started off with the utterly sublime DS, but now I've even started looking at 2CV's. What the hell is going on? I've got a Griff in the garage ffs. So, what's the reality of old Citroen's like? I know a bit about le deux chevaux as I used to get ferried to school in one for a couple of years, but what's a DS like to live with and how easy is it to get parts these days?
But you're not helping with my drooling 
bob1179 said:
A big black early CX for me. Darth Vader on wheels and totally awesome! I can feel your pain when it comes to old Citroens.
They are so wrong, but just oh so right!
I've owned loads of Citroens over the years; my father too. Absolutely love them all.They are so wrong, but just oh so right!
A CX Turbo II remains unowned and is high on the 'to do' list.
Unless you can find a VERY good restored DS, then I would say avoid with a wide berth. They can and do turn into very deep money pits . . .
I have a 2CV and it's great fun, although TBH I on't use it anyway as much as I used to. Take a look at the website for 2CVGB or CCC, there could be a local club meet somewhere local to you and you may find cars for sale there . . .
Just about all parts are available for 2CVs and Dyanes. 2CVGB have a spare parts scheme and are actually remanufacturing parts that are unobtainable.
(I've owned them all, AX, BX, CX, XM, 2CV, Dyane, Ami, Acadiane, ZX etc etc!)
I have a 2CV and it's great fun, although TBH I on't use it anyway as much as I used to. Take a look at the website for 2CVGB or CCC, there could be a local club meet somewhere local to you and you may find cars for sale there . . .
Just about all parts are available for 2CVs and Dyanes. 2CVGB have a spare parts scheme and are actually remanufacturing parts that are unobtainable.
(I've owned them all, AX, BX, CX, XM, 2CV, Dyane, Ami, Acadiane, ZX etc etc!)
V8mate said:
I've owned loads of Citroens over the years; my father too. Absolutely love them all.
A CX Turbo II remains unowned and is high on the 'to do' list.
That would be a cracking motor to tool around in, I suppose the hard part is finding one. I love the earlier cars as they still had the full on Citroen 'weirdness', the later CX was a little bit 'toned down', with it's 'conventional' buttons and gauges on the dash.A CX Turbo II remains unowned and is high on the 'to do' list.
I'd love an SM too, but I think they fetch a few quid now!
[deep breath]
That is my red DS in the link above.
It has been a labour of love, and has cost far more than I expected.
In general terms they (DSs) are easy to work on and the parts are readily available but very expensive. I paid just under £7000 for the base car which was better than most due to it having lived in France until c.2006. To give you an idea of costs (and this is at a good rate with a DS expert doing the work and including his hourly rates):
Bodywork - all 4 door bottoms removed, replacement metalwork fabricated and welded, chassis and boot sorted for rust. Full glass out respray (not including roof which is glass fibre), full retrim of interior (in black vinyl): £11,000.
New water pump, hoses, radiator, rad cowling, front track rod ends, coolant, front brake pads, heater matrix: £2,400.
To get mine to where it is now has cost around £25,000 all in. I reckon I've got about another 2k to drop before it is properly ready for its first race (which starts in 5 weeks).
However, I absolutely bloody love it. I can't think of any other £25k (second) car I would rather have.
Value wise mine is now worth far more than I have paid and put into it. However, doing things half hearted is pointless (if you plan to run it and sell it after a few years.) DS fans really know their stuff and unless the fundamentals are sorted (rust/rot, hydropneumatics) they'll walk.
If you just wanted a car for cruising (say doing no more than 2000m per year) then you'd really be wanting to drop £7-9k on the car. That way if you have a bit of tinkering, keep it garaged and dry yo uwill still have a car that in a couple of years is worth more than you paid. If you neglect them though they can deteriorate very quickly.
Happy to chat any time on phone if you deicde you're going to go for it. I know of quite a few cars for sale that would be right.
Alternatively buy a minter at £20k+ if you have the funds.
Ben
That is my red DS in the link above.
It has been a labour of love, and has cost far more than I expected.
In general terms they (DSs) are easy to work on and the parts are readily available but very expensive. I paid just under £7000 for the base car which was better than most due to it having lived in France until c.2006. To give you an idea of costs (and this is at a good rate with a DS expert doing the work and including his hourly rates):
Bodywork - all 4 door bottoms removed, replacement metalwork fabricated and welded, chassis and boot sorted for rust. Full glass out respray (not including roof which is glass fibre), full retrim of interior (in black vinyl): £11,000.
New water pump, hoses, radiator, rad cowling, front track rod ends, coolant, front brake pads, heater matrix: £2,400.
To get mine to where it is now has cost around £25,000 all in. I reckon I've got about another 2k to drop before it is properly ready for its first race (which starts in 5 weeks).
However, I absolutely bloody love it. I can't think of any other £25k (second) car I would rather have.
Value wise mine is now worth far more than I have paid and put into it. However, doing things half hearted is pointless (if you plan to run it and sell it after a few years.) DS fans really know their stuff and unless the fundamentals are sorted (rust/rot, hydropneumatics) they'll walk.
If you just wanted a car for cruising (say doing no more than 2000m per year) then you'd really be wanting to drop £7-9k on the car. That way if you have a bit of tinkering, keep it garaged and dry yo uwill still have a car that in a couple of years is worth more than you paid. If you neglect them though they can deteriorate very quickly.
Happy to chat any time on phone if you deicde you're going to go for it. I know of quite a few cars for sale that would be right.
Alternatively buy a minter at £20k+ if you have the funds.
Ben
Thanks
I've just picked up a new full set of wheels to be used for rallying - got some (horribly expensive) Vredestein winter tyres for them which I'll need in I'll be going over the Alps and the Jura mountains in November.
I was thinking about doing the spare set of rally wheels in silver but I think you've now convinced me to do the spare set in black too...
I've just picked up a new full set of wheels to be used for rallying - got some (horribly expensive) Vredestein winter tyres for them which I'll need in I'll be going over the Alps and the Jura mountains in November.
I was thinking about doing the spare set of rally wheels in silver but I think you've now convinced me to do the spare set in black too...
Heh, I've already had some photoshop help on other bits... see here:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
I've had 2x Citroen CX Turbo saloons, bizarrely both in white (well, what used to be white anyway).
They are utterly marvellous - fast, supremely comfortable, and they look awesome.
Obviously, there are one or two issues. The rust. Pervasive, creeping, scary, structurally ruinous rust. The hydraulics, frighteningly, maddeningly, impossibly expensive to repair and almost constantly staining the driveway.
The interiors don't take too much abuse either.
If you're prepared to buy one, budget for gentle use, keep it under cover, and have it regularly fettled by a competent mechanic, who specialises in Citroens. Join the Citroen owners club and buy a members example, if you are wanting to sleep at night.
They are utterly marvellous - fast, supremely comfortable, and they look awesome.
Obviously, there are one or two issues. The rust. Pervasive, creeping, scary, structurally ruinous rust. The hydraulics, frighteningly, maddeningly, impossibly expensive to repair and almost constantly staining the driveway.
The interiors don't take too much abuse either.
If you're prepared to buy one, budget for gentle use, keep it under cover, and have it regularly fettled by a competent mechanic, who specialises in Citroens. Join the Citroen owners club and buy a members example, if you are wanting to sleep at night.
bqf said:
I've had 2x Citroen CX Turbo saloons, bizarrely both in white (well, what used to be white anyway).
They are utterly marvellous - fast, supremely comfortable, and they look awesome.
Obviously, there are one or two issues. The rust. Pervasive, creeping, scary, structurally ruinous rust. The hydraulics, frighteningly, maddeningly, impossibly expensive to repair and almost constantly staining the driveway.
The interiors don't take too much abuse either.
If you're prepared to buy one, budget for gentle use, keep it under cover, and have it regularly fettled by a competent mechanic, who specialises in Citroens. Join the Citroen owners club and buy a members example, if you are wanting to sleep at night.
This!They are utterly marvellous - fast, supremely comfortable, and they look awesome.
Obviously, there are one or two issues. The rust. Pervasive, creeping, scary, structurally ruinous rust. The hydraulics, frighteningly, maddeningly, impossibly expensive to repair and almost constantly staining the driveway.
The interiors don't take too much abuse either.
If you're prepared to buy one, budget for gentle use, keep it under cover, and have it regularly fettled by a competent mechanic, who specialises in Citroens. Join the Citroen owners club and buy a members example, if you are wanting to sleep at night.
Oh, just to add, I'm running some tests on the DS at the moment. I've got a set of BX GTi spheres and a set of CX Turbo spheres - both are much stiffer than the original DS ones. Got the BX GTi spheres on at the moment and they have transformed the ride (for racing, not cruising). Much sharper turn in and I've stopped grounding the exhaust when I take off.
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